Annie!

[lapietra]

Just looked at the new vid of Annie - go kitty! Grab that straw! Bite it! Bite it!!!!
(my kitties do the same thing...)

[Frieda]

mine usually hides behind the curtain and does surprise attacks on everything that moves.. good thing you can't see her tail moving ;)

[amanda]

My two cats back in the States talk to the birds, other cats, and the raccoons in the same short meows. I've always wondered about it.

One of those cats does the greatest thing- he silently meows to the people he trusts the most. Very sweet. Does the eye squeeze at the same time.

Oh, I miss 'em!!!

Annie is a good cyber in-situ kitty.

[catbelly]

Hi everyone!

Amanda, my big fat kitty Maurice gives me the silent meow. I'm a fairly new cat buddy ... is the silent meow a general sign of trust?

[lapietra]

It's a really sweet, intimate little communication... either a sign of high trust or "the last resort" when they want chicken...
There's a wonderful book called "The Silent Miaow" by Paul Gallico - someone gave it to me when I was little & I lost it, then bought it again. Wonderful pix...

[saskuoch]

When my cat Corn-Cob (read our story in the being little pets section) was neutered, he was never able to meow like a real cat again. Now the only noises he can make are the ones like Annie makes in the video.

[lapietra]

Ohhhh... Annie is so cute. She reminds me of a cat I used to have named Kundry... such a sweet face... the stripey ones are just the best. Not that I don't love my black & grey kitties excessively, but there's something about the tabbies...
I love that little chittering sound they make when they see a bird... and their eyes get HUGE! :)

[catbelly]

Ah my leetle Maurice, not so little. He has to go on a diet :(

I love his belly but I know it's more important for him to be healthy. Darnitall.

Thanks for the info about the silent meows! I haven't heard him make the chirpy-bird sound, but he does make an inquisitive "prrrt" sound when he says hello to us.

[AllegroNg]

Catbelly, I can relate! My Sasha is the size of a small continent! Unfortunately, it's difficult to put both her and my other cat on a diet, as Sasha will eat all of Rhoda's food unless we stare at them for the duration of the meal. Doens't work. Any advice?

[Frieda]

try feeding them in different rooms! and remove the food if they've left something.. might just work.. good luck!

[catbelly]

Oh my! Duelling bellies! If it were not unhealthy for the cats I would be rather excited! AllegroNg ... no good advice from me, unfortunately. If Sasha's head were appreciably bigger than Rhoda's, you could put some sort of screening device over Rhoda's food, LOL. Why am I suddenly thinking of Back to the Future??

It makes me so sad to restrict Maurice's food. We adopted him from a lady who rescues strays, and for the first few months he would scarf down his food as soon as we put it in the bowl. Now, he feels comfy enough with us that he will leave his food and make it last the whole day. He's just gaining weight because he's not as active in the winter. My cat pop-psychology says that this means he feels comfortable and safe and in his environment. I don't want to make him feel less safe and comfy by restricting food, you know?

[amanda]

Same thing with Sam (the one with the silent meows). He was a stray kitten that would come back from the park across the street with barbeque sauce on his nose.

Over the years, he became quite tubby, finally relaxed in his world. I would try to give him less food, but he was still inside all day, sleeping (as most of us would, given half the chance). No change at all in his belly, which was a nice size. Not quite touching the ground, but almost.

But he's been living a comfortable life going on 17 years now- now a loveable, crotchy, old roman emporer. Not as tubby, but still plenty hefty, and never one problem concerning his health.

Later on, Calvin, my other stray, came to live with us- he eats about the same amount as Sam, but lives a pretty active life- bounding up trees, the roof, running around the house. He's bigger than Sam, but he's also leaner and more muscular.

So I would say it's pretty much the same for cats as humans- less food is a good start, but get them playing (exercising) more. Also, obsesity (as with drinking, smoking and the like) CAN effect health, but not always. Sammy is a good example of that.

[saskuoch]

I have a really disgustingly fat cat. Her old vet really wanted her to lose weight, and we were always trying to put her on a diet. It was hard because my other cat has inflammatory bowel disease and kidney problems, so his special food is really high in fat. After we moved, we started taking her to a new vet who said that, like humans, some cats are genetically disposed to being overweight. There is no point in making the cat miserable to try to get her to be thin. She's 14 years old now, and pretty much doing fine. Really neurotic, but physically healthy. I would say not to worry too much about it. Maybe start buying food designed for "less active cats," but keep your kitty happy! He doesn't have to grow up to be a functional member of society, so you can spoil him. That's the fun in having a pet :)

[catbelly]

Maurice is just big boned, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

Augh... my cousin's prospective girlfriend came over for dinner, and she was all about "OH my GOD you have to get him on diet food, my friend's cat got diabetes and DIED soon afterward blah blah blah yadda yadda blah" man, I hate that.

[amanda]

The only approriate response to that: serve her the diet food, and then say to her,
"See! It doesn't taste very good, now does it? If YOU won't eat it, how could I serve it to my cat?"

;)

[catbelly]

Serve her diet food - why didn't I think of that? I have a big honkin' funnel and a wooden mallet that would've been perfect for the job. LOL!!

[surflugen]

My cat Fredrick does these same actions. He use to sit on our apartment window sill and talk to the parrots that live in our area. The parrots would show up every morning (early) and in the afternoon to scream at each other with out concern to our ears. I looked into this strange form of communication that my cat has. It turns out from the research I have done says that the short meow noises and smiles/biting is a instinct action that cats have. It is what the do to kill there pray when the catch something. The short little chomping motions penetrate the pray many times cutting the blood vessels up. Apparently cats can't make these motions without making the "noise". As for the silent meow. It is a sign of affection/recognition. Cats can speak and hear very low volume noises. If you see your cat give you a "silent meow" you should say something back because he/she is saying something nice to you.

[catbelly]

I usually whisper-sing back to Maurice when he silent meows to me. I have an embarassing number of cat songs that are all about him.

That was some cool info about the "chirp" and the biting motion. I would like to read more about the vocal stylings of cats... Is there a site that you thought was particularly good?

[amanda]

Sammy usually gets a few silent "barks" (that's what it really sounds like when he does it) and couple eye squeezes back. ;)

Not to mention heaps of chin scratches.

Mmm. Thanks guys. It's been awhile since I've seen my boys.

On a sadder note, I've been subjected to the worst sort of torture the last few nights. A poor little orange kitten has been mewing outside my apartment complex. I REALLY want to bring it in and give him/her some food, but you know what happens if I do that...it's mine.

But if I accept it in, then I could get fired. I sometimes teach in my apartment owned by the school that I work for. My contract explicitly says I'm not allowed to have any pets. (I guess cockroaches aren't covered in that clause). Drop-bys by the boss are common, so I really couldn't get away with hiding it. (My family did that for years. We were never allowed cats where we lived. Sammy didn't exist for a long time.)

Not to mention, I'll probably only be here for a year. After that year, then what? It tears me up abandoning cats- I have no patience with people who do that. I can hardly do it to my boys, even though they are in the same house with the same people they've been with most of their lives.

But that kitten still mews...what do I do?

[lapietra]

I have the same feelings for strays... that's why I have 5!!! And a marmalade kitty... ohhhhhhh.... they're all so beautiful!
I have mostly been successful in the past, though, at rescuing kittens & getting them to shelters (as opposed to keeping them - the trick is not to *bond*)- you might want to investigate to see if you can find no-kill shelters in your area. Then steel yourself to only keep the little guy for a few days, maybe in the bathroom, and then make yourself take him there. And maybe before bringing him in, talk to your boss about the situation - they may be sympathetic & offer to help, or at least give you the space to do what you need to to help the kitty. (Sometimes you run into real hardasses tho' - I've met a couple...)
It's hard, but it feels better than letting them starve out in the cold...

[catbelly]

Amanda, what happened to the kitty? Did you take him/her in?

Maurice bit me on the ass this morning as I was walking by the bed (he was sitting on the corner, a rumply ball of goodness). My hubby's comment: "Someone thinks he's a comedian!!"

[amanda]

Oh, sorry! Didn't mean to leave you hanging. A neighbor took him/her in.

Thanks for the advice, though. Most of the time I'm a fairly rational person, yet little kittens seem to seize that part of my brain of any sort of function.

That, and my Japanese isn't enough to snuff with complex phrases such as "Where do I dispose of a kitten that will find it a good home?"

Hahaha! Did you bite him back? Not hard, but I would do that to Sam. He bites me, I bite him back. On the tail usually. Pretty funny game after a while- he would bite me on my foot and then run away. I'd run after him- "Where's that tail, boy?!?" That usually started up a game of hide and seek- our favorite.

heeheee! What fun!!

[AllegroNg]

Catbelly should have bit him back:-D

[catbelly]

I didn't bite him, but mashed him mercilessly!! :) That little dude.

Cats' sense of humour, ai caramba. Not something they're popularly known for, but I swear Maurice is always doing stuff to me that I am sure is hilarious to him. Am I nutty? I am honestly not into attributing all sorts of human emotions and motivations to our furry friends, but I am not ruling out the possibility that they have their own humour.

Example of a Maurice joke: I am on the couch, calling him to come sit on my lap. We're making eye contact. He's staring at me, but not moving a muscle. This goes on, off and on, for a few minutes. Finally I give up... then Maurice, all 20 lbs of him, CHARGES AT ME like a little furry madman and runs up my body until his face is right against mine and he's staring right into my eyes. Then he lies down on my belly and starts purring like nothing happened.

[amanda]

Not just their own sense of humor, but whole personalities.

Sam and Calvin, my boys, were a big part why I was vegetarian for three years- if they have such distinct personalities, what rules out that other animals have them also? And if they do, should I really be making a meal out of them?

So I made a deal with the chickens; I won't eat their fingers if they don't eat mine. Kind of a tough promise to keep while living in China, where chicken feet are served for breakfast. (but I kept it!!)

Anyway, I think Calvin has a similar "sense of humor"- he's a beast of a cat, about the size of a small dog, all black with the classic yellow eyes. I don't think I need to tell you, he can look like an intimidating bastard when he wants to.

There are times when Calvin can get a very determined look on his face, lock his eyes on you, and starts moving as though he is hunting.

the Jaws theme starts playing somewhere in the distance.

And you better be sitting down, because he'll jump up on you, whether you have a lap or not.

He'll put those yellow eyes right up to yours, sits down and purrrs, expecting to be held and loved after scaring the shit out of you.

[catbelly]

Ha!! Calvin is Maurice's spiritual brother, methinks. I know the feeling of "holy shit here he comes" well! Maurice is huge and black, with white paws that look like big puffy lumps of cookie dough. He's also got a little white moustache, and a bib, and little patches on his belly. Now that it's winter, his mane has grown back in and he looks like a little lion.

[lapietra]

must.... see.... pictures..... nooooooooowwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[amanda]

Oh, I wish I could, but I still don't know how to put an image on the board from my hard drive. :(

I've tried from an online file, but that doesn't work either.

The only bit of white is on Cal's belly- I call it his "surrender signal". You only see it when he decides to be nice and charming.

[Mean Girl]

I have two, Grady (codename Tubbo) and Fiona (codename Fluffo).

Grady is a gigantic gray cat who could lose about 4 pounds. He weighs 20. He's 5, and I got him from a shelter. He's pretty. He's gray, silver, brown, or purple depending on the day. Super-thick fur. White stripey tummy. Irresistible.

Fee is a Maine Coon, about 9 pounds, tail about 5 inches in diameter. She's about a year old. She walks around the apartment like she is in the French Foreign Legion (you know, with the plumage de chapeau...). She showed up at the door one day and hasn't left since. She is brown and orange with black paws. She chirps instead of meowing.

Depending on the room we are in, there are different social interactions. If we are in the living room, we hang out but nobody touches. Everyone is sort of together but not touching. In the dining room, Grady and Fee cuddle. She will walk up and start licking the top of his head. Etc. In the bathroom Fee is excessively happy to see me. In the bedroom, Grady is a cuddle-freak with me. Weird.

Fee has an obsession with laying on my feet and drinks out of the toilet. Grady likes to sit on the back of the couch with his tail around my neck.

I think three is the requirement for permanent spinsterhood, so I am not getting any more cats (yet).

MG

[lapietra]

Well... if three is the requirement for permanent spinsterhood... I'm well into my next life...
What IS that? I mean, why is it that ownership of a certain amount of a certain type of animal an indication of a certain personality/life outcome/bleh?
I know it is! But why? (I suspect in my own case it's that I get along better with cats... *sigh*.)

P.S. - Mean Girl - your cats sound like heavenly companions. Fee sounds like she's related in some way to my Schroeder. (There's nothing better than a cat sitting on your foot. I tell ya.)

[catbelly]

Ah, Mean Girl... I can picture them, they sound adorable! Maurice is about the same size as Grady, and is on an unofficial diet. Wah.

La Pietra, I am like Amanda and don't know how to do the image thingy. I tried, I really did.

Does anyone take their cat buddies out on a leash?

[netflower]

This is Keyser at 6 weeks, this picture was posted on a listserv at work, with the title "Free Kittens"...I just HAD to...

http://home.earthlink.net/~yasij/kitten.jpg

Just checking to see if I'm doing this image thing right. Basically, upload a picture to your own personal site, then click on the "IMG" button, and type in the URL of the photo.

[Frieda]

awwww that is soo cute!

[AllegroNg]

Awww! The little Keyser is learning to make poopie!!!!

[catbelly]

Cuteness, cuteness, cuteness.

[surflugen]

I just love all the footage of Annie. It reminds me of my cat when he was younger. Funny thing is, I swear my cat did everything that Annie has been shown doing. Fetching, seeing how high he could jump, playing soccer, esscaping from boxes, and even chatting with birds (in his case though it was a fammily of parrots that lived in the space between floor of our old appartment.) My freind used to tell me, "you have to video tape this stuff before he stops doing it." I thought, no way will he ever stop but sure enough he just became another plain old cat. Still love him though. Even if he lost his tail.

[catbelly]

He lost his tail? Ai Caramba! How did that happen?

I think that Maurice is about four y/o. How old was your cat when he started losing his kittenish qualities, Surflugen?

GAH! I tried to post a pic, but again... failure. Damn.

Edited to say, I found the thread with the Tale of the Tail... did I read that right? He chewed it off... then BROUGHT it to you?!