Conference misery::feline_v1

    Marilyn,
    
    I also believe that rescued cats are extremely "appreciative"
    and they somehow know you saved them from "certain death".
    I have a 6 year old cat named Buddy.  He was thrown from a car
    that passed through one of those highway rest areas in NH.
    I witnessed the whole episode and brought him home to MA.
    He was only a kitten at the time, and was neutered and had shots
    shortly after I got him.  He has been a absolute angel ever since.
    
    
    Linda & Buddy  

    Marilyn,
    
    Wow...your experience is very similiar to mine.  I have Tamba who
    is 1 1/2 and Poco who will be 1 in a couple of weeks.  I love these
    two dearly but sometimes they are in a world of their own, they
    totally ignore me, and only want loving when they want it.   Barkley 
    who is a stray (stayed outside for over a year) adopted us about 
    3 months ago and this cat is sooooo appreciative of everything...
    he runs to me when my car drives in the driveway, he'll stay by me 
    in the garden (the other two are chasing bugs), and he'll come sit 
    by my feet while I'm watching TV.  It seems like all you have to do 
    is look at him and he'll purr.  
    
    I'm not sure if it is because he is older or if he is just so happy
    to find a home.  I know if I ever get another cat... I will definitely 
    take in another stray or rescue cat.   I love all three dearly!!!
    
    Your family sound so happy!!!
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco, and Barkley)   
    
    
                                    

    You know what's funny is that the antics of Otis and Tiffany and wild. 
    Otis has the most wonderful personality - sitting in crazy positions,
    the spunky look in his eye, the habits he has of sleeping in the
    bathroom sink and opening kitchen cabinets.  He is still my baby and
    follows me everywhere.  In the morning he sticks his nose in my face,
    purring away (that is the ONLY time he purrs) and if I don't get up to
    feed him when HE wants...he starts knocking things off the bureau and
    has learned the trick of stepping on the clock radio and it comes
    BLARING on.  Tiffany is 'kissy face' all the time, and is delicate and
    feminine, but is definately the classic cat - independent!
    
    Sam will NOT disturb me.  He sleeps on my pillow and the only way he
    lets me know he is hungry is when he starts eating (licking) my hair. 
    I don't like that because of the hair spray and I don't want him to get
    sick...!  I literally have had to schedule his feedings because he
    doesn't make any attempt to put us out! 
    
    He is so well behaved, so loveable and so easy going!  We are the
    lucky ones.
    
    Marilyn
    

    Poco is a little she-devil...from day one she was looking for trouble.
    She just has that look in her eye that says "I'm Trouble".  She
    climbs curtains, lays in my plants, goes after my little parakeet,
    and tears wallpaper.  Tamba is much better behaved and very friendly, 
    but he just loves the outdoors and spends alot of time chasing other
    little creatures.  He gets along very well with people, other cats,
    and even dogs.  He's an independant sweetie!
    
    Barkley is pretty territorial when it comes to other cats in the
    yard.  He allows my cats and my sisters cats in the yard,,,,but
    so god help me if another cat decides to stroll in.  Within the
    last three weeks he has been to the vets twice because of cat fights..
    He's so mean to other kitties, but so sweet to us!!
    
    I wouldn't trade anyone of them in...they are all unique in a different
    way!!  They keep me busy though!!!  I can't imagine any of the feline
    noters who have more cats then that!!  
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco and Big Barkley

    I have saved many cats in my day, and several of them have stayed
    with me as my pets.  Many of you have adopted cats that we have
    saved from certain death, and I am appreciative.  I agree that they
    seem to know that you were there for them when they needed you.
    They seem to me to be more affectionate, less demanding, and more
    flexible.  Like they know what live is like on the other side. 
    
    
    This is in stark contrast to the Birmans that I have that think
    that they were put on this earth to be pampered and waited on! :^)
    
    Jo

I know that Hannah was rescued as a kitten, feral long enough to be
suffocating because the flea collar she wore had grown into her neck
and was cutting off her air, not to mention her ability to take in
water or food.  She went through 4 homes before she found me - noone
wanted her because she wasn't "cuddlesome".  From the minute she came in
the front door, she has been MY cat, following me everywhere, talking
to me as I work around the house, standing guard at the foot of the
bed when I sleep at night.  I've never had such a devoted, and FOCUSED
companion in a cat before this...her world literally revolves around
me.  She has been a continual delight for the last 2.5 years I've known
her.  She doesn't sit on my lap, but she sits next to me while I read
the paper and do the crossword puzzle...she doesn't rub against my
leg when she wants to be "listened to", she sits at my feet and calls
to me until I pick her up.  She will hug for a second and then wants
down again, but she is always at my side, greeting me at the door when
I come home, sitting in the bathroom while I get ready in the morning,
taking a shower with me if I'm not careful to shut the door.

If you want a companion who truly appreciates you, I recommend you
rescue an "unwanted" cat - he or she will quickly become more "wanted"
than you can ever imagine....

Oh, and over time, you may even get a cuddle or two...Hannah has recently
started climbing onto my chest at night just before I go to sleep for
a chin scratch and a cuddle....this is new after almost 3 years.  I
guess patience pays off....

			D-and-Hannah-the-VERY-wanted-cat

    I agree about rescued kitties.  Everything Bob does says how happy
    he is in his new home.  He even comes over to me, jumps up and puts
    his paws on my leg and meows - just like a little kid who raises
    his/her arms and says "Pick me up mommy".  When I reach down to
    pick him up he keeps his front paws raised up and reaches for me.
    Then he leans waaaaaayyyyy back in my arms and PURRS PURRS PURRS!
      
    Jack has suggested that we place Bob to make room for the scottie
    folds, but I'm having none of that!
      Nancy DC

I rescued Aubrey 17 years ago, and we have been each other's best buddies since.
We have moved a lot, and just travel a lot as well, and she is thinks home is
wherever I am, and is happy wherever we are, as long as I am there too - be it
the middle of an airport, or the middle of the Chesapeake Bay in a sailboat -
or just last weekend at a folk festival.  If I'm *not* there, I'm told the story
is very different...  And every meal she has ever eaten, no matter how hungry
she is, how long since she last ate - after I put the food down she looks at the
food, sniffs it, then rubs me and purrs *before* she eats.

    
    One year ago today, July 2nd, we adpoted Chico from Just Cats. He
    has adjusted so well to Fred, us, and our home. He sleeps with us all
    night and the minute we stir, he starts to purr. Tomorrow  is his 
    birthday and will be 9 years old. He and Fred are the best of friends
    and spend most of the day together. He's always waiting for us at the
    front door when he hears the car coming up the road. He is definitly
    happy to be living with us you can tell by the things he does and the
    way he acts. 
    
    
    Celeste, Fred, and Chico