Thread: About my goddamn cat.

Okay, so about 1.3 years ago, i got lonely. I missed having someone else around my home. So I decided on an Elder Female Cat. Because they are extremely Low Maintenance. You provide a stable home, and they are happy. So in the past 1.4 years, I have done precisely so. And she is a bossy cat. She bosses me around, and tells me what-is-what. And she watches Shudder horror movies with me. And Every. Single. Night. she tucks me into bed.

Seriously..... Is there Any Better?

I'm not sure if cat is a euphemism for something else. Assuming you're talking about a real cat, I would say pets can be amazing. I personally don't like dogs and their sycophantic nature. I will always prefer cats over dogs due to their proclivities for independence and just their overall uncaring attitude. Moreso I very much prefer solitary animals. If possible and legal Sloths would be my choice of pet. So I keep boa constrictors,...snakes are as solitary as they get. They tolerate handling and may even learn to enjoy it the longer you've owned them with frequent handling, but generally they prefer to be left alone. My kind of animal.

Originally Posted by Hedon

I'm not sure if cat is an euphomism for something else. Assuming you're talking about a real cat, i would say pets can be amazing. I personally don't like dogs and their sycophantic nature. I will always prefer cats over dogs due to their proclivity for independence and just their overall uncaring attitude. Moreso i very much prefer solitary animals. If possible and legal Sloths would be my choice of pet. So i keep boa constrictors,...snakes are as solitary as they get. They tolerate handling and may even learn to enjoy it the longer you've owned them with frequent handling, but generally they prefer to be left alone. My kind of animal.

I have a knack for picking out independent, intelligent dogs. My last dog was a Chow Mi,, and had very cat like tendencies. Very clean, very independent, even aloof at times. Still very loving, loyal, etc. Current dog is a German Shepherd. Smart, goes with me on outdoor adventures, but very independent in the house. He's always up for a walk, but he'll lay around for hours without a peep or needing any sort of attention. I love dogs, but it doe get old if they're the sort of dogs that need constant attention. My boy might come by once or twice a day for a quick head pat before he lays down.

Originally Posted by Toolband89

I have a knack for picking out independent, intelligent dogs. My last dog was a Chow Mi,, and had very cat like tendencies. Very clean, very independent, even aloof at times. Still very loving, loyal, etc. Current dog is a German Shepherd. Smart, goes with me on outdoor adventures, but very independent in the house. He's always up for a walk, but he'll lay around for hours without a peep or needing any sort of attention. I love dogs, but it doe get old if they're the sort of dogs that need constant attention. My boy might come by once or twice a day for a quick head pat before he lays down.

That's the kind of the dog I could see myself having. Is it the breed or did he just acclimate to the way you are?

Originally Posted by Hedon

That's the kind of the dog I could see myself having. Is it the breed or did he just acclimate to the way you are?

Could be any number of things. First, he was a bit of a jailbird. Had been at the shelter for 6 months, that might have affected him. He's a mutt that looks like a handsome, lean German Shepherd. Had his DNA profile done and he's about 1/3 GSD and lesser parts Akita, Husky, Australian Shepherd and a few others. That mixture of breeds could play a part. Could also be past trauma from his previous home, his age (6 yo), my overall vibe, etc. But, in my experience, Shepherds are great dogs. Very bright, very loyal and responsive to training. I've had other breeds before, especially Labradors. They're very loving, and lots of fun. Just not necessarily the brightest or most reserved dogs in the world.

Regardless, I always tell people that dogs need a routine and boundaries. They need to know what you will/wont tolerate, when you're going to feed them, when you're going to walk them, etc. They need consistency and structure. If you can provide that, they thrive and rarely cause issues. If you're erratic, inconsistent, etc (as many female dog owners I've known), then your dog is very likely to cause problems.

Alas, bro. I'm afraid you're stuck to the whims of your owner for the rest of her life.... (-;

I was talking about a literal Goddamn Cat. She is bossy, and old and blind is one eye. And she tucks me in every night. She demands pepperoni (cheaper than cat treats) every night when I come home from work. Honestly, I live for this cat.

My present cat was a rescue that was spoiled rotten by her first owners. She's since decided cooperation works better. She doesn't try to boss me around unless chickens involved. She's crazy about people food and will eat most anything. She hangs with me on the couch and sleeps at the foot of the bed.

They actually get to know you pretty well, since they watch you all the time. I'd be lost without the little shit.

Care to share a pic of your ACALT, OP?

I wouldn't own a dog. Life with a dog is a continuous, never a moment's rest tug-o-war for who gets to be alpha. Quite literally, when you see owners dragged along by the dog leash.

Originally Posted by Mr Wombat

I wouldn't own a dog. Life with a dog is a continuous, never a moment's rest tug-o-war for who gets to be alpha. Quite literally, when you see owners dragged along by the dog leash.

You just have to be John Wayne about it, he made his dog fend for himself and find his own food, and he didn't name his dog, he just called him Dog.

Not as bad as Clint Eastwood spitting chewed tobacco on a dog.

You can't punk down to a dog, sometimes that means getting bit and releasing the Manster from hell on them!

It's the same as relationships with women, except modern women are a wolfpack and we've been stripped of our defenses, not even a stick! Barefoot too!

Originally Posted by ScrewJita

Okay, so about 1.3 years ago, i got lonely. I missed having someone else around my home. So I decided on a.....

Story of my life... A little shorter than yours.

I have had a good run with cats, the last two, 18 & 20 yrs old died of old age... Thinking I should leave myself open to opportunities, I wasn't looking but anything was possible....

One night at work... I live in Australia, any cat that is not a house pet is classed as feral and has a death sentence... I agree with this as native wild life can not compete with introduced species.... Anyway, I see this cat darting around site looking for food. If you see a cat it is likely a drop off and has had some? human contact. I know it's days are numbered, they trap and put them down. It's markings in the headlights look good, not a big cat but not a kitten.... My imagination kicks in, I can make a friend with this cat??? On the way to work the next night I pick up a $2 chicken wing at the local shop (discounted as it was likely in the warmer for hours) and set my cat trap with wing for bait in the shadows... I wait.... Mid shift, nothing.... I think about moving the trap, but decide to wait..... 3 am in the morning I check the trap again..... "I have my new friend!!!" I cover the trap with a piece of canvas, less action the better, stress will be a big factor on how things go. My back room is prepared, hiding places included. I release "it", I never thought to check out the sex of my "New friend"... Ummm... it's not a friend after 3 weeks. It's not afraid of me, it stairs with big eyes sitting in the same place. I could reach out and touch it, but I want it to come to me first. It uses the litter box, so sorta domesticated, eats and drinks well. When it shits the smell goes through the whole house in one split second even though it's locked in the back room and the window is open.... Time to change the kitty litter, like NOW!!! I still have hope...

I know I can not release it. I do not want to have it put down. I have to make this work, one way or the other. Stories of half domesticated cats that can be the most affectionate cats when they come around. Its a work in progress...

This story went from a covert, night shift, "Cat Napping" to a full blown everyone on site knows I have a stolen cat!!! I am not in trouble, but everyone keeps asking for a progress report.

I have faith those big eyes will someday blink and close as it falls asleep on my lap.

I've adopted a few ferals in my lifetime. Assuming no other cats in the house. I've found it's best to let him have a full run of the place, i.e. don't imprison him in a room. IOW give him full freedom, same as when he was outside. Let him choose his own safe space in the house. Put his litter box near his chosen safe space, but put the food & water closer to where you typically are. Talk to him a lot (in a high voice so you sound more like a cat), but don't make him feel like you're seeking him out because that'll make him see you as a threat/hunter. Let him come to you. Let him take the initiative. If he comes into a room where you are, just turn your head, say hi, and go back to what you were doing. Oddly, I've found that shy new cats respond best to "amicable disinterest," if that makes any sense.

One guy says he gets a ping pong ball and starts bouncing it off a door or wall where his new friend hangs out. Ignore the cat and just play with the ball yourself. Usually, the cat wants in sooner or later.

The guy says he's tried this on six or eight more or less feral cats. He made progress with all of them, though some became friendlier than others. It depends on the cat how far they'll go. I never tried this, but I don't see what it could hurt. then keep the food coming, that always helps.