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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

748.0. "Korats and parakeets?" by BARNES::TAYLOR (Certified Chocoholic) Tue Sep 08 1987 13:02

    I have just found this conference today and think that it is wonderful
    that we have gotten together to talk about our wonderful feline
    friends.  I have two questions.
    
    1) Has anyone heard of the breed of cat called the Korat?  If you
    have, can you give me the names of some breeders?  I have just moved
    into a home, and would love to own one of these cats.  For those
    of you who have never heard of these cats, they are the most lovable
    cats I have ever seen.
    
    2) Can anyone give me any advice about bringing a kitten into a
    home with a parakeet?  I have had Charlie for about 2 years now
    and do not want to give him up.
    
    Thanks in advance for all of the information and advice.  
    
    Holly
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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748.1Where?25192::MECLERFRANKTue Sep 08 1987 15:3812
    Holly,
    
    Where are you located?  There are several Korat breeders in the
    Greater Boston Area whose names I can bring.  I question the "lovable".
    When I've been at shows and there has been a "cat attack" on an
    exhibitor or judge 90% of the time the attacker has been either
    a Korat or a Russian Blue. (My blue Persians, on the other hand,
    are loves.)
    
    If the parakeet is caged and the cage is out of cat reach, which
    can be immense, there should be no problem.
    Frank 
748.2lovable!BARNES::TAYLORCertified ChocoholicTue Sep 08 1987 16:2116
    RE: -1
    Frank,
    	I live in Leominster and work in Concord, MA.  I would really
    like to know the names of those breeders.  A friend of mine has
    2 Korats.  They are unbelievable lovable.  They will sit on your
    lap for hours as long as you pet them.  From what I understand and
    what I have seen, they are climbers.  Smokey climbed to the top
    of a coat rack and jumped down on my friend's shoulder while she
    was sitting in a chair.
    
    	I am thinking of just putting Charlie in my bedroom while I
    am at work.  He should be safe there.  While I am at home, I will
    take him out where I can see him and make sure the cat doesn't get
    at him.
    
    Holly
748.3Cats and BirdsWALTZ::BOWENTue Sep 08 1987 17:317
    I don't think anybody can predict how a cat will react to a parakete.
    When I opened a house for rent share, three paraketes moved in as
    well, Zach just ignores them but Minnie sits on the floor and watches
    them for hours, she does not seem to want to go after them. They are
    in a large cage about 4 feet high that just sits on the floor but
    since it is made out of hardware cloth, there is no chance that
    Minnie can do them any harm .
748.4Can anyone tell me the differences?25217::SCHREINERGo ahead, make me PURRR...Tue Sep 08 1987 17:499
    There is a Russian Blue breeder in our "Feline" community.  I'm
    not sure what the major differences between the Korat and the Russians
    are.  They look similar to me....being a persian breeder!!!  
    
    If your interested, talk to Penelope Greene (GLINKA::GREENE).  She
    breeds very affectionate Russian Blue kittens.
    
    cin
    
748.5Korat are different!AQUA::GOLDMANMatt GoldmanWed Sep 09 1987 16:4919
RE< Note 748.4 by 25217::SCHREINER "Go ahead, make me PURRR..." >:
>                    -< Can anyone tell me the differences? >-

>    not sure what the major differences between the Korat and the Russians
>    are.  They look similar to me....being a persian breeder!!!  
    
Don't say this to a Korat breeder!!  :^)

Korats have a heart-shaped head and a more petite than a Russian Blue.  Color 
is slightly different, but it is common for the non-breeder to mistake the two 
breeds.

--------------

As an aside:

Although all breeds of cats have their own personalities and behavior traits,
no one breed of cat is *all* nice or *all* bad.  It's one of those heredity 
AND *environment* issues.
748.625217::SCHREINERGo ahead, make me PURRR...Wed Sep 09 1987 17:488
    Thanks for the info.  I hated even saying I didn't know the
    difference!!!  I know how many times I have been aggrivated by
    spectators at shows who look at my persians, then say I have an
    Angora at home that looks just like that!!!  Yeah!!  :-)
    
    thanks
    cin
    
748.7NRADM2::CONGERWed Sep 09 1987 18:3715
    
    
    	My parakeet's cage sits on a desk which is easily accessible
    to the cat, but she never bothers him (actually there are two birds
    in cages) I've only caught her looking at them a couple of times,
    at very close range, and all I've done is put her back on the floor,
    where she promptly forgets about them. We can even leave her all
    day with them, and return to find not a feather out of place.
    	On the other hand, I've babysat cats who have made a beeline
    for the cages as soon as they entered the house. I think it depends
    on the cat's personality.
    	You can always hang the cage from the ceiling, but make sure
    there isn't any furniture nearby that your cat can use as a
    springboard!
    
748.8Esther25192::MECLERFRANKWed Sep 09 1987 20:1810
    Holly,
    
    The Korat breeder I was thinking of is Esther Epstein, who lives
    in the Brockton area.  Estherwas having some problems getting around
    and I'm not sure she is still breeding.  I also believe she was
    the breed club president at one time.  I will try to find her address
    since I'm sure that if she is not actively breeding she will know
    of the nearest breeders.
    
    Frank
748.9Hope this helps!25217::SCHREINERGo ahead, make me PURRR...Wed Sep 09 1987 20:288
    Frank,
    
    Esther was also very active in CFA, particuraly the Cats - Plain
    & Fancy show that's at the Copley each year.  If you have a show
    catalog from that show it might have her address in it.
    
    cin
    
748.10Esther not so mobile25192::MECLERFRANKWed Sep 09 1987 20:3615
    cin,
    
    Haven't seen Esther at a show in the last few years.  I think the
    last was Minuteman at the Bayside Expo Center.  She needed her
    wheelchair to get around and help getting the cats to the rings.
    There was no way she could have negotiated Copley the last two years
    and I don't think I have my catalog from 1984.  I'm going to check
    the CFA yearbooks when I get home.  They go back 7 or 8 years.
    
    Come to think of it I haven't seen you since the Seacoast show at
    the Fitchburg hockey rink.
    
    Frank 
    
    "Go ahead and purrr"
748.11Esther's Address!25217::SCHREINERGo ahead, make me PURRR...Wed Sep 09 1987 20:5725
    Hi Frank,
    
    Your not going to believe this, but I just pulled out a catalog
    (from my desk drawer!!) from The Shorthair Clut of RI /Improper
    Bostonians show in 1982....
    
    Esther's address:
    
    Esther Epstein
    14 West Ave
    Brockton MA  02401
    
    
    I have not shown CFA since the TBA show in May of 1985....spent
    most of the 1984-85 show season showing CFF/TICA/ACFA - looking
    for AA points!!!  Anyway, since then I've only shown limited CFF,
    but maybe this year I'll show in a few CFA shows too.  Keep your
    fingers crossed for my little Exotic SH to be nice!!
    
    cin
    ....Frank, I wish I could place you....I'll probably be so embarrassed
    for not putting the name with the face when I meet you again at
    Liberty Tree....if your going to be there.
    
    
748.12Esther's not actively breedingAQUA::GOLDMANMatt GoldmanThu Sep 10 1987 18:457
I really don't think that Esther is actively breeding (she's my cousin).
Unfortunately, her health is not that great and I don't forsee a great 
improvement within the near future.

She still may be able to point you to another breeder.  I don't have any names 
to offer you off hand, but I could give you some names at the Framingham Cat 
Show on September 27, if you plan on going (remind me at the show).
748.13Chat25192::MECLERFRANKThu Sep 10 1987 21:0218
    Re.: .12
    Matt,
    
    Who isn't related to you in the cat world (other than me)? ;-)
    
    Re.: .11
    
    cin,
    
    Wildwood that weekend for the William Penn Show.  Last CFF show
    for me was January '86 when our sealpoint CFA grand was totally
    dumped.  I only got active in shows and breeding in '84 - '85 and
    am associated with Catanality cattery in Salem, NH.  We had CFA's
    best flamepoint Himalayan in the '85 show season.  Looks sort of
    blend in to the crowd - voice cuts through stone.  DJ type announcing
    at Improper Bostonians and (now) Seacoast shows.
    
    Frank
748.14It's a small worldAQUA::GOLDMANMatt GoldmanFri Sep 11 1987 12:3010
RE < Note 748.13 by 25192::MECLER "FRANK" >:

>    Who isn't related to you in the cat world (other than me)? ;-)
    
Well, I never really thought about this much, but ...     ;^)


Actually, having been involved in the Cat Fancy for > 15 years, you do manage
to meet quite a few people.  Someone is bound to be a relative or neighbor or 
friend or co-worker or ...
748.15Korat breedersPARITY::TILLSONIf it don't tilt, fergit it!Tue Sep 15 1987 23:1014
    The lady I got Sulkitt (my aby/mau cross) from is a Korat breeder.
    Her kittens were lovely and sweet.  Her Korats didn't look much
    at all like Russian Blues, except for the fur colour.  The Blues
    I have met have been heavy boned, big headed cats.  The Korats had
    a much lighter body, a triangular head, bigbig ears, and incredible
    green eyes.  The body typed reminded me more of a Siamese than a
    Blue.
    
    This woman lives in the Worcester area, first name is Sue, but I
    can't for the life of me remember her last name.  Matt, I know that
    you know this woman, can you help out here?
    
    Rita
    
748.16cats and birds togetherPARITY::TILLSONIf it don't tilt, fergit it!Tue Sep 15 1987 23:4064
    Oh, yeah, and birds...
    
    I live with three cats (ruddy aby, aby/mau, and tabby) and two parrots
    (African Grey and Peachfront Conure).  The conure is a small (cockatiel
    sized, about 8" head to tail) bird, so we keep her in a room away
    from the cats.  
    
    The Grey parrot is no problem; she owns the place, the rest of us just
    live there :-)  She has the run of the house, and is on good terms
    with the cats.  She calls each of the cats by name, knows each of
    their meows, and calls to them when we aren't paying enough attention
    to her.  Tiny Tanya the aby is terrified of everything; no problem
    here.  Tanya stays clear of her.  
    
    Sulkitt the aby/mau cross believes the bird is hers.  Sulkitt is not
    what you'd call a mighty huntress. The one time she escaped to the
    great outdoors, she licked a grey squirrel.  He bit her.  Trip to the
    vet, half a week's pay!  She and the parrot are best of friends.  She
    lies at the end of the waterbed, the parrot stands on the bolster next
    to her.  She licks the parrot's head, the parrot makes kissey noises
    and every so gently tugs on the hairs on her ears, grooming her just as
    if she were another bird.  Sulkitt is *very* protective of this bird.
    When we were caring for my sister's kittens, Sulkitt would soundly
    whop them when they got within three feet of the bird cage!  Not
    that the bird really needed help!  When one of the kittens caught
    Sulkitt napping, he climbed up into the cage after the bird (who
    was twice his size!).  Babylon (the parrot) calmly climbed out thru
    the top of the cage and shut the kitten in!  Imagine my surprise
    when I came into the room and found the crying kitten in the cage,
    and Babylon whistling and whooping it up on top!  (Kitten did not
    repeat this manuveur during his stay!)
    
    When we got Basil, the tabby, as a kitten, he tried to approach
    the bird.  We heard her say, "Ouch, ouch, go away."  We booked in
    to see what was going on.  He did not take her warning to heart;
    she bit his tail.  He shrieked and ran away.  He has a permanent
    kink at the end on his tail from this incident.  Now he is still
    intrigued by her, but stays at least two feet way from this bird at all
    times!
    
    Your parrakeet is small, so these kinds of relationships are not likely
    to develop between your bird and your kitty.  Your idea of only
    having them together when you are closely watching seems sound.
    I would like to insert an additional warning, however.  We lost
    a lovely parrotlet (4" long).  Sulkitt, who is totally benign to
    birds, had snuck into the room with her.  We had her out to work
    with her, and Sulkitt popped out from under the dresser to investigate.
    The bird was so terrified at the mere sight of a cat that she flew
    off and dived into a window.  No damage intended by the cat, but
    the parrotlet wound up with a broken neck and died instantly.  Be
    careful that this doesn't happen with your bird!  Small birds like
    our parrotlet and your 'keet are *very* fragile.
    
    And for those of you who have really large birds, such as macaws
    or cockatoos, these birds have been known to seriously injure cats!
    Not just a kinky tail like our tabby got (the Grey is pidgeon sized),
    real damage or death can occur!  These birds are too dangerous to
    your cat to have them out together, and I certainly would not want
    to be in the position of breaking up a fight between a macaw or
    cockatoo and *anything* else!  Those beaks can bite off a grown
    man's finger, and the talons are worse!  
    
    Rita
    
748.17Try thisAQUA::GOLDMANMatt GoldmanWed Sep 16 1987 13:2713
Rita, et al,

The reason I didn't add her name was because I'm not sure if she is still 
breeding.  But, I guess she may have kittens left.

Sue and Ray Millott
Worcester
852-4590 (evenings)

BTW, as previously mentioned, the Korat is a petite cat.  I'll have the breed 
standard with me at the Framingham cat show (since I keep forgetting to look at 
it) for those who are attending and are interested.  Actually, I have all the 
standards if anyone is interested.
748.18sueBARNES::TAYLORCertified ChocoholicWed Sep 16 1987 15:289
    Re:  .17
    
    Thanks Matt.  I did call Esther Epstein and she gave me Sue's name.
    I have yet to get a hold of her.  I finally got a hold of her daughter
    and she said that they have got 2 males ready to go now, but she
    is not sure if they are already taken.  They just had a new litter
    of kittens, but they would not be ready for another month.
    
    Holly
748.19Today's the day!!!!!FIDDLE::HTAYLORFight malnutrition, GIMME CHOCOLATE!Mon Dec 14 1987 14:3011
    Well, the day I have been waiting for is finally here.  I am picking
    up my Korat kitten tonight.  I can't wait!  Her name is Silver,
    and Sue says that she looks like excellent show quality.  I'm going
    to show her at the Quincy show in January.  I am so EXCITED!  I
    feel like an expecting mother!
    
    7 more hours and counting!
    
    Holly, Tabby and STERLING SILVER!!  (Silver for short)
    
    
748.20Picture of a KoratDISSRV::HTAYLORCat lovers are a special breedTue Mar 22 1988 12:157
    Ok, if anyone is wondering what Silver (My Korat kitten) there is
    a picture of a Korat in this month's CAT'S magazine in the exibitor's
    edition.  This looks just like my Sterling Silver.
    
    Holly