Cat Saturday #55 -- Tortoiseshell Cats
"No heaven will not ever Heaven be
Unless my cats are there to welcome me."
~Epitaph in a pet cemetery
Our focus this week is on tortoiseshell cats (also called tri-color or tortie) which are sometimes confused with calico cats. Calico cats are mostly white with black and bright orange markings. Tortie cats have the same colors, but little or no white on them. Their brown, black, and orange markings blend together in a brindle or mottled appearance. Both torties and calicoes are almost always exclusively female. They are not breeds but just special colorings found in a number of breeds and can be either long or short haired.
Lovers of tortie cats are legion. My mom claims her fifteen-year-old tortie is, "The sweetest cat and never causes any trouble. Some may beg to differ. Torties have a reputation for their strong personalities, or "tortitude." The torties I've known are not afraid to express themselves with loud hissing, growling or purring. No shrinking violets, they can be bossy, temperamental and possessive. That said, who wouldn't love to be owned by one? This is Pixie, a former cat of the week and as charming as ever. (Thanks Nancy, for the pic.)
Tortie cat superstitions
-Since the time of the Celts, torties are considered lucky or "money cats".
-In Scotland and Ireland, a stray tortoiseshell cat settling in one's home is a good omen.
-To dream of a tortoiseshell cat means luck in love.
-Edgar Allen Poe was devoted to his tortoiseshell Catarina. She inspired his story "The Black Cat". She sat beside his wife during her illness and frequently sat on his shoulder when he wrote.
News & Mews
It's never easy to lose a pet, but what better way to honor their memory than to write a book about them? That's exactly what Ingrid King did. Her newly released memoir is about her remarkable tortoiseshell cat Buckley and the special soul connection between humans and their cats. The book, Buckley's Story-- Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher is sure to warm the hearts of every cat lover.
Our Cat of the Week is the lovely Amber, a tortoiseshell kitty who lives with Ingrid King in Virginia. Note the photo of her proudly posing with Ingrid's new book. For more info go to http://www.ingridking.com
More news & mews...
Coco is hibernating for the winter. She would love to winter in P.B. but is waiting for an invite to fly private. After one catastrophic flight on a commercial airline, she vowed never to fly again. Merlin (shown below) insists on taking his daily constitutional despite his failing vision. He gives new meaning to the old adage, "the blind leading the blind."
The warm and practical 'nest' inspired by Bedouin tents in the desert, contain layers of cushions, a dhurrie rug, blankets and even a old shearling coat. I kept the 'door' open since he's terrified of enclosed spaces but no, he flat out refuses to go in. Advice anyone? He refuses to come indoors.
Link of the week
If you are in the NYC area this weekend and are looking to adopt a furry little New Yorker, there are two special events happening. The mayor is behind this HUGE event http://www.animalalliancenyc.org
If you've ever wanted to see every breed of cat or dog under one roof, here's your chance. Meet the Breeds, presented by Pet Partners Inc., is an exciting extravaganza of Dogs and Cats. Showcasing over 160 AKC registered dog breeds and 41 CFA registered cat breeds, the event is sure to entertain and educate. Each breed will have its own booth created by the breed's national club that is individually decorated to depict the breed's country of origin, historical purpose or function, and attributes as a family pet. Attendees will be able to interact directly with the puppies, kittens, dogs and cats at each booth while learning about each breed from responsible breeders.http://www.akc.org/meet_the_breeds
Cat Art of the Week...from our continuing series.
Winter is coming and I know you don't want to see homeless kitties shivering in the cold. If you have old blankets, coats and sweaters, donate them to your local rescue group or shelter. If there are feral cats living in your backyard consider making a shelter for them. Until next time, love a cat or two...
Categories: Cats
Tags: Tortoiseshell cats NY adopt-a-thon Buckley's Story
Oh I love torites and Calicos. But I did have ONE Calico - and she was quite the task. Very feisty. She ate ALL our food and we had to put her in a separate room. I mean, she ate Saltines, White Bread, Cheese, crumbs, drank our water, our juice...
Poor Calico. She died with her boots on, after losing herself in my dresser for 24 hours - without a mew - and then she mewed and I found her and she ran out doors into the snowstorm and the traffic. She was only 7 months.
For Domino? Fresh meat indoors? It worked to get our indoor cat outdoors one year in SLC. We kept placing a piece of steak or hamburger right outside the door until he ventured out. He had been a lab cat and was in a cage for three years, and terrified of the outside. Once out, he was always in and out.
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So sad about your calico. I do lure Domino inside in the winter for dinner but, I have to leave the door wide open. He has no interest to linger and freaks if the door closes.
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Good info. I love torties and their feisty but loving natures.
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Amber is honored to be Cat of the Week. She keeps bumping me off the computer to pull up your post. I think she's secretely in love with Domino.
As for Domino's winter lair, maybe start building it more gradually? Add one warm item at a time, let him get used to it, and then keep adding more?
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Purrs to Amber from all my kitties. Amber not the first kitty to be smitten by Domino's bad boy swagger. Thanks for the good advice about gradually building his nest. Cats hate sudden change.
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Wonderful article! I had to see which Pixie pic you chose LOL. She does this a lot in the morning (and maybe typing right now). Torties are wonderful. There is tortie who roams our neighbor hood and is so beautiful. She sometimes sleeps on our front pourch and this drives the boys inside nuts.
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Amber is such a sweet story.
Coco is aging the way we all should, still engaged with life and ready for adventure. No ideas about Domino, what would entice you if you were him?
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Interesting Article.
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