Posted on 01/02/2006 10:13:19 PM PST by Slings and Arrows
Aw...pretty! What are bengals like?
"In any case, demanding as he is, I wouldn't trade him for anything. I've never loved a cat as much as I love him. Personality in spades!"
I completely understand and I agree with you. I went through a very sad period years ago when I was Siamese-less for several months and I swore I'd never go through that again. And then, little Elliott arrived. He is now big Elliott and he's currently strolling back and forth between me and the computer monitor, while occasionally stopping to paw my left hand in order to make me stop typing. Because, of course, it's time for me to feed him and he fully intends to make his point clear. Should I fail to cooperate, loose papers or pencils may start sailing off my desk. He's not mean or bad. He's simply smart, super macho, impatient, demanding and the most loving 'Meezer I've had in the 37 years I've owned the breed.
Sadly, Elliott went almost totally blind last year due to a congenital problem. He's handling it beautifully. Still goes up and down the stairs, jumps up on furniture, doesn't fall...we're lucky. Vet said he "memorized the house" as he was loosing his sight. He's also still the boss -- which is my favorite part. If Taylor or Rhys fail to remember that, he manages to straighten them out. Little nip or two here or there does the trick. They love him to pieces but he's the CEO and that is that.
Elliot sounds like a really neat cat! You'll have to get pictures some day!
For me, I think the biggest stumbling block was just the language barrier. ;-) Other cats I'd had would meow when they were hungry or when they wanted out - period. Tam, on the other hand, will talk when he wants food, when he wants me to hold him or play with him, when he's in a good mood and just saying "good morning", when he's displeased with the litterbox, when he's calling Halvah to come see something (that's an especially freaky yowl), when he can't find his toys or get a door open on his own, etc. etc. etc. Oh, and especially when I'm FReeping and he's annoyed that I'm letting the light box come before him...heh.
Took some getting used to!
They are amazing.
They talk back.
They fetch.
He loves water faucets.
And they can be overwhelmingly cute and lovable.
But mostly he is a bad kitty in a hilarious sort of way.
Oh yeah, he jumps right up on my shoulders when I come home. And I'm six feet tall.
:o)
"For me, I think the biggest stumbling block was just the language barrier. ;-)"
LOLOLOLOL! I copy. Some Siamese are much easier to 'understand' than others. With some, like our Elliott and Taylor, it's seems easy, or easier, to feel like I know what they're talking about because it usually seems to connect with this or that activity. Once in awhile, Elliott bellows at the top of his lungs in order to let everyone know(including the neighborhood cats) that he's the boss. Dominant male Siamese speak, so to speak. Ahem.
Our youngest, Rhys, threw me at first. He'd talk and talk and sometimes I'd feel bad because I couldn't figure out what he wanted or what he was 'saying.' Finally occurred to me that he may just like to talk to himself. That, or maybe he likes to hear the sound of his own voice -- like some annoying people I know. Nutty as all that sounds, I suspect it's true. Of course, he's the same dude who likes to jump in the tub and sit on the wet bath mat the instant all the water drains out. Hey, don't look at me. I didn't 'learn him' that.
Helps to have a sense of humor when dealing with Siamese, doesn't it? Yeah, I think so too.
Thanks!
Hope you're well.
God, that is for sure. They are wily kitties. Siamese are very assertive creatures.
"Siamese are very assertive creatures."
I believe that's correct. Although some would say the 'assertive' label gets confused with the fact that they're highly interactive with their humans. Frankly, I think they have both characteristics. Will say that high self-esteem may have been invented by Siamese. It's not a matter of arrogance. It's just that most of them truly seem to feel, from the time they are itty-bitty kits, that they belong wherever they are, and that they need to be involved in whatever's going on. Some say that means they're bad or naughty. I say it means they're Siamese.
Read part of a Harvard study about Siamese that was conducted 10-12 years ago. One of the conclusions they reached was that Siamese are likely descended from cats similar to our domestic shorthairs that were interbred with some variety of semi-wild cat. A semi-wild cat that is now extinct, unfortunatelyy. According to the study that would explain the distinct call or voice of the Siamese, the fact that they can't withdraw their claws, differences in their attitudes and personalities, etc. I found that interesting, though I have no idea what the thinking is today.
This is such a great thread!!! Thanks to all who posted. We enjoyed every one. Have a great viking kitty day!!
First of all, you have to have a VIKING KITTY OUTFIT, and then you have to make photos of your cat dressed in its little viking kitty outfit and post them.
Good luck getting your kitty dressed in any article of clothing, although, generally I think Viking Kitties (real ones) actually LIKE wearing their Viking Kitty outfits and posing for photos.
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