Thank you all for the cat advice. I do have a couple more questions.
I know that “tuxedo” cats aren’t really a breed, but just a color designation. Are they always super sweet and friendly? I’ve been told that Cat’s attitude is pretty typical of a tortoise shell cat. I know I never want another one of those! Seems weird that we have two cats that showed up and one is the sweetest cat ever and the other is about as obnoxious as they come.
I’m not saying I’d ever get another cat but if we ever find ourselves without a dog, I’d maybe consider it. I should probably see how things go with Boots in the house before I even think about that. Cats don’t have to be taken outside in the middle of the night. Rita has tummy issues, especially if we both leave the house and leave her alone. Here in Texas it’s not so bad because we go out in whatever clothes we’re sleeping in. In MO, it’s a bit different! Plus, there will be snow and it rains there.
You can see we don’t have a door to the stairs. Same thing at the bottom – it’s all open. We may end up adding a door downstairs. It would be pretty easy to do as you come out of the downstairs family room.
I probably need to get him microchipped. He’s escaped a couple of times here but since he’s not been out much, he runs right back to the sewing room. With Addie in and out a lot there, we probably have a greater chance of him escaping.
Vince did see Cat yesterday. She makes sure we know she’s around so she gets fed but other than that, she has totally broken up with us. I think it’s funny that she’s so aggravated, she won’t even sleep on my car any more. She’s moved over to either Vince’s car or the RTV. That is one crazy cat.
I’ve been packing in the sewing room. Boots is such a good helper. I have to remove him from every box before I put something in it. I go to the closet for another load of fabric, come back and he’s back in the box. Sure hope he loses the fascination with my packing in the next day or so.
Dottie Newkirk says
One of our cats was a tuxedo cat – she was super sweet, but, she was also one who wanted to rule the roost. The was always tiny (never weighed more than 8 lbs.) but she also developed a thyroid problem when she was about 5 (lost about 3-4 lbs. and was CONSTANTLY eating anything that didn’t eat her first). She ended up on medication for the rest of her life (surgery to remove part of the parathyroid worked temporarily, then back to meds as her weight started dropping again). We had her for 20 years.
Anyway, can’t speak about other tuxedo cats, but ours was sweet/lovable.
Judy Laquidara says
Glad she lived for 20 years even with the health issues. Boots is a huge cat! It gets really old picking him up and taking him out of my boxes.
Sara says
Our beautiful tuxedo cat just passed this week at the age of 19. He was sweet and snuggly in his old age, but certainly was not sweet as a young cat. Very smart, but not sweet. I used a spray bottle of water to teach him to stay off the kitchen counters. We miss him dearly.
Judy Laquidara says
Oh! I’ll have to share extra pictures of Boots. Boots is just so sweet . . til he isn’t. He will bite and draw blood when he’s had enough of us but I’m hoping that once he’s in the house, he’ll feel like we’re all sharing the same space and not feel like we’ve invaded his sewing room.
Nancy says
At our old house we put up baby gates that you could open and walk thru to keep the dog from going to the basement to eat the cat kitty roca. Think about it you will figure out what that is. These gates had a small gate that allowed the cat thru but she tended not to jump over them if they became closed. Something like that might help keeping boots downstairs. Then again it might not last for long if she really wants to go upstairs.
Judy Laquidara says
Good idea. If she starts wandering around, I’ll put a gate up to the room with the litter box. Boots jumps from the floor up to the windowsills which are about 4-1/2′ up so I don’t think the gate would stop him but it will stop Rita.
Rebecca in SoCal says
As an addendum to the advice of clapping your hands, I’d like to suggest something I’ve heard: a can with pennies or pebbles in it. Shake it at a cat–they don’t like that noise! (And it’s single-handed).
I’ve had about a half-dozen cats; none of them ever got on the kitchen counters. I don’t remember how I trained that. I did have one that walked on the kitchen table, since those chairs were so handy! I think we ended up just pushing the chairs well under the table.
And I think tuxedo cats might very well be nice. I’ve never heard complaints about one, as I have about torties or Siamese! And no, they’re not a distinct breed, but neither are orange tabbies, which have a reputation as biters.
Dot says
That last bit made me laugh, Rebecca. My current cat is an orange tabby, and he DOES like to use his teeth, gently, to get my attention. He doesn’t bite hard, and I love him anyway. But I had another orange tabby years ago, who wasn’t a biter.
Elaine Magee says
I think your fabric smell will help him relax when travelling
Nelle Coursey says
Cats can be very strange. I think I remember you saying Boots is neutered. In that case he will most likely not “mark” his territory. You may have to watch out for that for a while. And the chance of escape is great if doors are left ajar. I know none of you would ever do that on purpose but accidents happen. Cats are very unpredictable. I think he likes the fabric because it smells like you. You make him feel safe. He loves you. Having him microchipped is a good idea. Does not hurt them and it is easier to find them if they should get lost.
vivoaks says
I grew up with cats all my life – they were all different types – none were ever paid for – mostly given to us from people wanting to get rid of them. I think cats act according to how they’re raised. Ferral cats generally don’t act anything like cats that are raised by people. I think your Cat was never raised by people, which is why he acts like he does. If cats are human-raised, they are much nicer to people, unless they’ve been abused. Each has it’s own personality, just ike people. Unless it’s a fancy expensive cat, I don’t think there’s a whole lot of difference. It’s just the difference in temperament. At least that’s been my experience.
cindy says
open two boxes and maybe he will choose one and let you pack the other one, especially if you put a bit of yarn or fabric or a toy or treat in the one for him.
thequiltingprofessor says
I do a lot of work with rescue kitties. Almost every cat raised from kittenhood is sweet and loving. They learn their behavior from people if they live with them. Adult cats have already learned to fear us – it is extremely difficult to change that. You made HUGE progress with Cat – good for you !
It sounds like Boots is doing quite well – a transition to a new home is extremely difficult for kitties. Please do get him microchipped. And remember water is always the way to get cats to avoid a place. Just spray from a bottle, or even wet your fingers and flick them at him. A couple of drops to the face, and kitty will hate it !
You guys are doing so fantastic with all your animals. Time will help everyone relax into your new home.
Amy Frances Makson says
We have had many tuxedo cats through the years. and they have had many different personalities. Some is inbred, but I think some is how early you get them, if they are single cats or you have more than one, etc. Very different personalities… and some change as the years go by too. I agree to get Boots microchiped, but try hard to make sure he does not get out for a few weeks so he is used to his new home… Moving is not easy… but this one will be well worth it!
Judy Laquidara says
I’ll try to make sure he never gets out! He’s a 100% inside cat.
Dianne says
Definitely get Boots microchipped. If something happens, he has a much higher chance of getting home that way.
danielle says
Animals sense change. And I am sure both the cats are sensing something is going on. And Boots wants to make sure you dont forget to take him with you!
Susan says
Not a cat question but a fabric packing question. (Moving will be in my future.) Are you just packing all your fabric or are you coming across fabric that you know you will never use and getting rid of it one way or another?
Judy Laquidara says
I pretty much don’t ever keep fabric I don’t intend to use. I’ve always been a picky buyer when it comes to fabric. I mostly use tone on tone type fabric and I’m not a scrap quilter so I don’t save tiny pieces. Everything I’m packing is something I could see myself using. Whether I will or not remains to be seen.