17 Aug 2009
“Tortitude” – The Unique Personality of Tortoiseshell Cats
Tortoiseshell cats are named for their distinctive coloring – a combination of patches of black, brown, amber, red, cinnamon and chocolate. The size of the patches varies from a fine speckled pattern to large areas of color. The term “tortoiseshell” is used for cats with brindled coats that have few or no white markings. Cats of this coloring with larger areas of white fur are called calicos. Sometimes, these colors present in lighter versions such as lilac or cream. Torties with this lighter coloring are called dilute torties. Occasionally, the typical tortoiseshell colors are also seen in a tabby (striped) pattern, and these cats are sometimes referred to as “torbies.”
Tortoiseshell cats are almost exclusively female. Tortoiseshell and calico coats are the result of the interaction between genetic and developmental factors. The occasional and very rare male tortoiseshell cat is the result of a genetic mutation.
In addition to their distinctive coloring, torties also have a reputation for unique personalities, sometimes referred to as “tortitude.” They tend to be strong-willed, a bit hot-tempered, and they can be very possessive of their human. Other words used to describe torties are fiercely independent, feisty and unpredictable. They’re usually very talkative and make their presence and needs known with anything from a hiss to a meow to a strong purr. These traits are stronger in tortoiseshell cats than in calicos – it seems as though these traits are somewhat diluted with the addition of more white to the color scheme.
I currently share my life with Amber, and those of you who’ve followed this blog for a while have gotten to know her in her Amber’s Mewsings posts. You will soon be able to read all about Buckley in Buckley’s Story – Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher. The photo above shows Buckley in the front, Amber behind her.
Prior to Amber and Buckley, there was another tortie in my life. Virginia was the first office cat at the animal hospital I managed. She was my introduction to torties, and my love affair with this particular type of cat began with her. She, too, had the “tortitude” I so love about these particular cats.
Do you have a tortie or calico in your life? Does she have “tortitude?”
The most cuddly cat I’ve ever had was a wonderful tortie named Sophie. She was also the only cat I’ve had as a kitten. She definitely had a hot temper(though it never lasted for more than a minute or two and she’d be back to her cuddly self) and was very independent. She was Queen of the house. I loved her dearly for 16 years.
I also had another tortie for a few years (got her in her teens). She would get on my lap and butt my ribs hard with her head when she wanted to be pet.
Sandy
Sandy
August 17th, 2009 at 9:37 ampermalink
Sophie sounds like she was a wonderful cat, Sandy. I, too, have found that in the torties I’ve know, the outbursts of temper don’t last long. And I probably should have included in my article that most torties believe that they should be Queen of Everything.
Ingrid
August 17th, 2009 at 12:56 pmpermalink
I have a Torbie named Candy – my young daughters named her and it suits her. Shes is very sweet, gentle, and easy-going. Of our 4 cats she is the most vocal, often “squawking” and murmuring instead of more typical feline sounds. The noises she makes sound like she’s complaining, but they are more like exclamiations. “Oh! you’ve come over to pet me! Thanks!” So much personality!
Demetra
August 17th, 2009 at 11:10 pmpermalink
Candy sounds like a wonderful cat, Demetra. A perfect name for a kitty with this much personality.
Ingrid
August 18th, 2009 at 6:57 ampermalink
I have a calico girl named Mandy. All of her tummy is white, with beautiful random spots of black and reddish tan predominantly over her back, with a little spotting on her legs and head. She is a beautiful little thing, buttttt…the cattitude! She’s now 10 and is juuust beginning to mellow out. She was a little touch-me-not but is becoming more loving – both in giving AND receiving affection. I just lost my 18 year old tabby Edgar about 3 weeks ago, and I speculate now, with Mandy being the sole kittiekittie in the house, if she’ll mellow even more (since ALL attention is on her, now). I don’t think she’ll EVER become a lap cat, like Edgar was, but who knows what her senior years may bring! =^..^=
Cindy Bricker
August 18th, 2009 at 12:09 pmpermalink
I’m sorry to hear about Edgar, Cindy. It sounds like Mandy is doing her best to fill the void. I think cats have an amazing ability to tune in to our emotions and they seem to know what’s needed better than we do sometimes. Mandy seems to know that you need that more mellow energy now.
Ingrid
August 18th, 2009 at 12:23 pmpermalink
I have a tortie called Loki, named after the angel of death and the norse god of mischief.
She’s a psycopath who I’ve seen chasing foxes, beating up my labrador and how many birds she’s killed is anyone guess. My garden is like The Killing Fields thanks to the lil lunatic!
She’s great though, she is very cuddly with me but hates my boyfriend. Not a bit of white on her and she has such a small frame with long elegant legs, she’s very beautiful IMO lol
I have another cat and he’s a tuxedo cat. He’s like a breezeblock and twice the size of her and she still shows him who’s boss!
Toni
August 27th, 2009 at 9:04 pmpermalink
Toni, your Loki definitely sounds like she’s all tortie! What a personality!
Ingrid
August 28th, 2009 at 7:17 ampermalink
I didn’t realize it that torties were known for having these traits! It explains so much.
I’ve never had a cat before I adopted my tortie, Maui. She follows me around all day, meows more than any Siamese I’ve ever met, even chirps like a bird sometimes.
She likes watching water and splashing in the tub after someone has had a shower. She’s not at all how I imagined a cat would be.
Diane
August 31st, 2009 at 10:28 ampermalink
I read this post with great interest. About 18 months ago, after my cat transitioned, I adopted 2 8-yr old “sister” felines whose owner had passed away. One has thick blue fur (Louise), and the other is termed a muted torti (Thelma). In all honesty, I wanted the blue girl, Louise (reminded me of a prior kitty), and only took the torti, Thelma, because they wouldn’t adopt them separately.
Yet, within 12 hours of bringing them both home, it was the torti/Thelma who expressed her undying affection with the most intense cuddling I have ever experienced with a cat. She also looks me deeply in the eyes, mews & then slowly extends her paw out to touch me while maintaining eye contact. I’d swear she was a human in a fur suit!
I’m surprised to hear about temper among tortis. Thelma’s only temper is when I’m removing her matted hair—she’ll flip out, bite, hit, & hiss! Otherwise, she has the most incredibly beautiful fur/markings when she’s freshly groomed, and is always the first to greet me or guests.
Truly, I feel blessed to be owned by both!
Many blessings,
Nancy’
@AffirmingSpirit
AffirmingSpirit
September 12th, 2009 at 1:48 ampermalink
Thanks for your comment, Nancy. Thelma’s tortitude apparently only comes out when she’s beeing groomed. She sounds like a very special girl, and her markings must be beautiful. It’s too bad you can’t post photos in comments – but if you’d like to share her with the Conscious Cat community, head on over to our Facebook page and post her photo there – we’d love to “meet” her.
http://www.facebook.com/consciouscat
Ingrid
September 12th, 2009 at 6:24 ampermalink
I’ve got their pictures up on Twitpic…
Here’s Thelma, long-haired muted-Torti: http://twitpic.com/hiojf The stripe down her nose is peach/cream. her predominant color is a muted grey.
Here’s a picture of Thelma with her *sister*, Louise (long-haired blue): http://twitpic.com/24nm0 (Named by previous owner)
They are the same age, adopted together as kittens, but I doubt they are siblings. Louise has *blue* skin common to Russian Blues and yellow eyes, while Thelma has pink skin and greenish eyes. They cuddle and fight like siblings, though.
Haven’t *ever* met a cat I didn’t like, but these two really are furry angels! =^..^=
Many blessings,
Nancy
@AffirmingSpirit
AffirmingSpirit
September 12th, 2009 at 8:27 pmpermalink
They’re both gorgeous, Nancy! Aren’t we blessed to have these wonderful special cats in our lives?
Ingrid
September 12th, 2009 at 8:36 pmpermalink
Yes, any one with loving pets is deeply & lovingly blessed! We joke about how they make us pay the mortgage, feed ‘em, clean up after ‘em & entertain ‘em, but the truth is…we prefer life with them close by!
Here’s a better photo of Thelma: http://twitpic.com/hirbe
and Louise (who definitely has a ‘tude about cameras): http://twitpic.com/hiqwv (LOL!)
May you always be blessed with fur & purr!
Nancy
AffirmingSpirit
September 15th, 2009 at 8:44 pmpermalink
My kitten, Sarabi, is a 4 month old Tortie and the most beautiful cat I’ve ever seen. She has a tiny orange diamond on her head that makes her look like an African Queen, hence her name. She’s extremely small, only 2.9 pounds at 4 months.
She is the first tortie I’ve ever had, and I love her more than I ever thought possible! She’s cuddly and loving, and will just jump onto my lap whenever I sit down. When I come into the room, she touches her nose to mine and rubs my cheek to greet me. She has a feisty streak, and will nip, stalk and pounce, but if she feels as though she’s hurt you, she will lick the area she bit! She also loves to grab my face and lick my cheek, like a little puppy! She’s very vocal and is constantly purring.
However, she definately has a tortitude. She is very possessive of her humans and if she does not like you, you will know. She’s a little psycho – when she’s alone in a room with a closed door, she jumps at the door and hits it until we let her out!
I loved reading about your Torties and I love the distinguishing personality traits of these lovely cats. They’re so unique!
Siobhan
September 19th, 2009 at 12:12 ampermalink
Thanks for your comment, Shiobhan. Sarabi must be so beautiful, what a special little girl. And she definitely sounds like the poster child for tortitude
. I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
Ingrid
September 19th, 2009 at 7:47 ampermalink
I let my daughter pick out a tortie, Jasmine (Jazzy) from the pet shelter two years ago. She is markedly different in temperament from our tabbies. Affectionate yet aloof..tolerates being picked up for a few seconds, but at the same time is constantly by my side. Has a distinct growly meow. She is a bit wild, but lovable. I’m afraid she has become more my cat than my daughter’s. SHe has also become sort of ringleader in terms of getting into trouble with our tabbies, who never used to get into mischief. Fascinating animal.
mia
September 26th, 2009 at 4:45 pmpermalink
I love reading all these posts about “Tortitue”. My husband and I just adopted a 9 year old tortie from the shelter named Nugget. I have typically been drawn to tuxedo kitties, but when we got the chance to play with her in the shelter to see if our personalities matched, we were sold at once! She was so quick to rub up against us and cuddle and had the sweetest disposition. She doesn’t really like being picked up much, but she definitely prefers to be wherever we are. She’s the most talkative cat I’ve ever known. Sometimes in the night I’ll wake up and hear her in the other room (or in our room) just meowing away like she’s having a conversation with herself
. She has never shown any signs of an aggressive mean streak, but she does have a history of turning into a wild woman around 11pm….she gets into almost everything (but hasn’t broken anything yet fortunately) and scares herself half to death with the noise she makes! She’s definitely made us both tortie fans for life!
drew
September 30th, 2009 at 8:27 pmpermalink
Nugget sounds like a wonderful girl. Love the description of her 11pm crazies – that sounds like tortie behavior to me
Welcome to the tortie fan club, Drew!
Ingrid
October 1st, 2009 at 11:08 ampermalink
My partner and I adopted this great torbie cat about a year and a half ago after losing our old catfriend of 18 years. We named her Jazz. She was found wandering around a park, probably got lost or separated from people with whom she might have been traveling. No one knows how long she had to survive on her own, but it is apparent that she was quite traumatized by the ordeal. Since she came into our lives, she is gradually unfolding and coming more and more out of the hard shell she had to put around herself to survive. We spoil her like crazy – probably good for all of us!
It has taken a long time, but Jazz is finally relaxing and has decided that we are not going to do anything nasty to her. Probably it was more a matter of us convincing her that she’s the boss! What a hoot she is!
Jazz' Houseboy
October 6th, 2009 at 11:26 pmpermalink
Jazz sounds ilke a wonderful cat – it sounds like she has you well trained
There is nothing more rewarding than having a former stray with a rough beginning to her life trust and relax.
Ingrid
October 7th, 2009 at 8:56 ampermalink
I totally agree with the tortitude though I never heard that word before. I have had 2 torties in the past and 1 currently (well the one now was described as “calico torti” by vet). Honestly can’t imagine having any other type of cat. Last one, Simbie, came from a family of cats that have inhabited the woods nearby for many cat generations. When she decided to move in with humans she took over the neighborhood including inspecting the homes of anyone moving in and laying claim to their litterbox if they brought a cat. Most neighbors acknowledged her reign of the area. Current one is named Gremlin (she was a lil demon cat when she was first caught). She is incredibly intelligent with a wonderful mix of sweet, playful, and devilishly mischievous.
Kelly
October 8th, 2009 at 12:21 ampermalink
It sounds like every one of your torties had her own unique aspects of the tortie personality, Kelli. I think it’s the mix of such seemingly varied traits that makes these cats so appealing.
Ingrid
October 8th, 2009 at 9:19 pmpermalink
I have a tortie named TRex for the obvious reason she is a bit on the plump side. She is made of tortitude and is only satisfied if she can be supreme ruler of the house. She is demanding for food but her cutest is the demands to sit on the deck with us, so my husband and I must put out a 3rd chair (with cushion) so she can sit beside us while we have an occasional deck happy hour. I adore her and would not trade her for any other cat.
barbara
October 13th, 2009 at 1:02 pmpermalink
I love the name TRex – sounds like a perfect name for her, going by your description!
Ingrid
October 14th, 2009 at 1:17 pmpermalink
I too have a tortie, & I love that there is a word for her personality, “tortitude”! She is very moody, sometimes very loveable, wanting attention, other times scratching you for merely walking by! But one person told me they had a sweet tortie, surprising, because I’ve read that they are usually just like my Charlotte!
Dena
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:28 pmpermalink
Dena, your Charlotte sounds like a typical tortie for sure!
Ingrid
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:37 pmpermalink
I have a 1 1/2 year old dilute tortoiseshell cat. Her name is ‘Angel’ and the characteristics described above as ‘tortitude’ completely fit her personality. She is the ‘boss’ in our pet household of four and she has her two male feline companions as well as the dog (a 55lb yellow lab) under her control and they know not to mess with her. She can be very bossy with them but is also a very playful big sister for the 5 month old kitten (he’s a funny, playful tabby) who shares his birthday with her, only he is a year younger. Angel chose me as her human friend and I am the ONLY person allowed to pet her. Not even my husband is allowed to, only on very special occasions she will let him get close enough to touch her. She is very cuddly and affectionate with me, however, and wants me all for herself which is the one wish I can’t always grant her because I love all four of my pets the same. However, from the first day on (she is my first tortoiseshell cat) she has been very special to me and made me fall in love with this unique type of cat. Once a tortie, always a tortie!!
Andrea
October 26th, 2009 at 1:04 pmpermalink
Thanks for sharing Angel with us, Andrea. I’ve heard from other tortie parents that torties tend to be very possessive of their human and don’t always like to share.
Ingrid
October 26th, 2009 at 1:07 pmpermalink
Yes, that’s true about Angel, too. And all the other characteristics that you mention in your originaly posts are true, too. She is very talkative whether she wants food, or when I start petting her, etc. and she is strong-willed and can be hot-tempered at times, too. If my husband or the other pets don’t pay attention to her mood they might get hit from time to time.
However, she can be the sweetest, most affectionate cat ever when she feels like cuddling and then she will also groom the other cats or the dog and sleep close to them or play with them. Other times she is just very independent and has her own spot on the cat tower and doesn’t need or want anybody too close to her…. definitely a very interesting, fascinating personality, if not the most fascinating cat I’ve had so far… and I’ve had and have known many.
Andrea
October 26th, 2009 at 2:15 pmpermalink
“Pizza, my tortie ”
So, Pizza is my beloved six -year old tortie, adopted from the shelter when she was two. Her colors resemble, as you might have guessed, those of a pizza, yeah, at the pizza place. She is adorable, vocal, playful, smart (she knows how to slide doors and set traps for unsuspecting victims – that would be me and Big Boy) and she sleeps on top of my head.
Never in a million years had I expected that she would make best friends with an oriental black tomcat I adopted from the shelter a year ago. Of course, first, 18 pounds Big Boy was greeted with a terrible hiss from a 9 pounder that made him piss in the carrier when he was brought home. As time went on, the calm tomcat became Pizza’s butler. He is bathing her and plays with her, though I have never seen Pizza doing the same for him. Anyways, all of us sleep in a big pile just like in this movie “Where the wild things are”.
Ela
October 26th, 2009 at 10:58 pmpermalink
I love the name Pizza, Ela! I love how Big Boy became Pizza’s butler – now that’s tortitude in action.
Ingrid
October 27th, 2009 at 6:28 ampermalink
Thanks, Ingrid! Pizza may be viewed at:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/tortishellcats/
Soon I’ll have her with her butler.
Ela
October 27th, 2009 at 9:00 pmpermalink
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44013534@N02/4049166262/in/pool-tortishellcats
Ela
October 27th, 2009 at 9:02 pmpermalink
She’s beautiful, Ela! Thanks for sharing.
Ingrid
October 27th, 2009 at 9:05 pmpermalink
We got Harlow, our tortie, after we saw an ad on craigslist for her. She was nine weeks, and the other cat in her house didn’t care for her. Instantly we fell in love with her playfulness, fearlessness, and how easily she bonded to us. She’s mostly black with a generous smattering of orange. A white spot on her chin, an orange line from her eye, and a bright pink nose made her the cutest thing we’d ever seen.
Little did we know what sort of attitude would grow from that adorable little kitten! She is more or less my daughter, but claws the life out of my girlfriend. Very protective. She loves to play, and the only thing that will cause her to back down is our rabbit (who is twice her szie and three times her weight!)
She is fiesty, and determined, and right when we don’t know what to do with her she curls up against our shoulders or arms and makes us wonder how our lives would be awful without her. Her cute face cheers us up anytime. She’s only 14 weeks now…we can’t wait to see how she matures.
Jessica
October 28th, 2009 at 9:51 pmpermalink
Thanks for telling us about Harlow, Jessica. She sounds beautiful, and like she’s all tortie!
Ingrid
October 30th, 2009 at 6:53 ampermalink
This is a long story, the tortitude examples are listed in the latter part of the post;
Kasey is a classic tortie with a dark face, off-white feet, dark fur mixed with about 40% ginger, her legs and tail are all dark colored.
I have known Kasey almost all of ther life, she is about 10 years old, but she came to live with us in May 2008.
She was brought to one of our company’s facilities as a kitten (I cannot place the exact year, now), as a mouser. At first she was well cared for, spayed and given her shots. As time went by and there were personnel changes, she was not treated as well, some still liked her, some were indifferent and some did not treat her well. She is a cat that likes human attention but she never knew if she was going to be given attention or booted around.
At one time, she was quite a hunter but in 2006/2007 she was injured and could still walk and run but could no longer jump or climb. This cut down on her abilities as a mouser and made her reluctant to leave the buildings. She lost patches of fur and had a dull color, I suspect due to stress and poor diet.
I visit all our locations as part of my job and I use to look in on her when I was there, she would always react like she remembered and knew me, I would fill her water dish and give her food, but I never was there enough to make a big difference.
In April 2008, I was there on a job and I had seen enough, in early May, I was up there again for work and brought a pet carrier with me and she came home.
We quarretined her in the garage, took her to the vet where she had a good check up and shots updated, then we went through the introduction, slowly to the other two cats and a silky terrier.
Her fur has grown in thick and the colors have come back in very strongly, on a good diet. She is an indoor cat, as are our other two.
Kasey has imprinted on me, follows me around, waits for me to come home from the office in the evening. She will become agitated if she can’t find me in the house, if she thinks I should be there. She is a serious lap cat and will sit on me for the durration of a full length movie.
She is boss of the house, intimidating both the silky terrier, my wife’s friend’s lab mix and our 19 pound ginger tom.
She is friendly with visitors but is a “guard cat”. She has no interest in going outdoors but watches anything outside thast she thinks is out of place. One night, last spring, some unknown animal came up to a screened windo and she drove it off easily, making noise “not of this world”.
Before her injury, to coin a phrase from one of the other postes, she turned the facility and the land around it into a “killing field”, mice, rats, birds and rabbits etc. were fair game and taken easily by her.
She does not have the steriotypical meow; her language is a series of “eeps and squeeks” as well as “maaa” sounds. She hisses and growls, has a loud purr and makes an odd wheezing like sound. The latter is like an addtion to purring, she has been checked and does not have breathing issues, she can stop and start the noise at will.
This “old lady” still likes to play and will chase a string as long as you are willing to drag it around, you get tired of it before she does.
I feel bad she had a rough time and wish I had been in a position to do something about her earlier. At least the last 1/3 of her life will be better than the first 2/3′s. As an apparently contented indoor cat, she doesn’t “do” winter or rain any more, knows only good attention and has a constant supply of clean water, quality food and lots of places to sleep. She has returned the favor by being a very good companion.
Glen
November 1st, 2009 at 10:44 pmpermalink
One other thing that I missed about Kasey, to quote Mia; “Sometimes in the night I’ll wake up and hear her in the other room (or in our room) just meowing away like she’s having a conversation with herself”, Kasey does the same thing.
The guys that liked her, where she lived before, told me she did it there too.
It isn’t for lack of food, water, etc., she just seems to need to “sing” but it sounds more like a rusty playground swing.
Glen
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:58 ampermalink
Thank you for sharing Kasey’s story with us, Glen. She’s so fortunate that you decided to take her home with you. She is clearly meant to be with you, and it sounds like she’s enjoying her position as ruler of the house.
I loved your add on about her having conversations with herself – Buckley used to do that, it was like she had to give a running commentary on her activities.
Ingrid
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:47 ampermalink
I enjoyed Glen’s post immensely about little Kasey and could just envision every scenario as he described them. How precious that she has found her ultimate ‘purrson’ and that she is loved and cared for so! (And) the talking! – I LOVE that! (and little Buckley did it, too! Aw!) My calico Mandy doesn’t talk too much – she mostly ‘chirps’, as it’s been described in previous reads… When she DOES meow, I savour EVERY moment of it and encourage it – meows are so individualistic, as each and every one of ‘our’ (we, the readers) cats are different, just like children.
Since my previous post here on August 18th, our hearts have mended (just a teeny-tiny bit) from our little Edgar’s passing, and little sister (but alpha-cat over Edgar) calico Mandy has j-u-s-t blossomed into her own! I CANNOT believe how much this little girl has changed, and how my love for her has deepened! Edgar was mommie’s boy mostly, because he was a lap boy and gave so freely the affection that fulfilled ME! Now I doted on Mandy, too, but it was always on HER terms – Edgar (a grey tiger), conversely, was ALWAYS receptive and friendly! This little girl of mine has been showing some partiality towards ME in certain things, and why this is remarkable is that she belonged to my husband (for 8 years) prior to our recent marriage (Mandy’s now 10) and has always been a daddy’s girl. (Our cats are family members ['daddy', 'mommie'], obviously! [giggle] ) We get the mail together (she’s an indoor kittiekittie – I hold her in my arms), and she LOVES when I put her harness on her and take her out on her leash – she’ll even bring me her harness, carrying it in her mouth, just like a dog. She assists me in ALL my tasks around the house, and even has begun to come into our den while we’re watching TV to be with us (we call it family time [husband + wife + cat = family!] ). She seeks us out throughout the evenings, alternating back and forth between us, just to check in.
While we are still missing Edgar’s presence, we are enjoying his once-cranky-but-transformed little sister. We adore her, and yes, she owns US! – only a cat-owner can comprehend that notion! I am here to serve HER, and I do it with a happy heart! She brings me joy!
=^..^=
mrrrow
Cindy Bricker
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:11 pmpermalink
Cindy, I’m so glad to hear you’re starting to mend after Edgar’s passing. I’ve often seen that happen – a pet that was formerly in the shadows really blossoms once she becomes the center of attention. Mandy sounds like she’s really coming into her own, and in the process, she’s helping heal your hearts and brings you joy. These cats of ours are amazing, aren’t they?
Ingrid
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:58 pmpermalink
Our cats – yes!…yes, they ARE amazing! [blinking away tears]
=^..^=
Cindy Bricker
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:14 pmpermalink
I had another Kasey behaviour I wanted to check to see if anyone esle’s torties do this.
Kasey is not an Egyptian Mau but she does this behaviour, quoted from a site on Mau’s;
“Another behavior, quite common in happy Maus, has been described as “wiggle-tail.” The cat, male or female, moves its back legs up and down, and appears to be marking territory, also known as spraying, but it is not actually releasing urine. Even veteran Mau owners are known to check after a joyous Mau does this little dance.”
She will do this when puzzled, frustrated or very happy.
Glen
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:52 pmpermalink
This is in response to Glen’s most recent question about the ‘wiggle-tail’ behavior in Kasey:
Mandy does the wiggle-tail behavior, but she doesn’t do the ‘stamping’ of her rear legs/feet (I’ll be on the lookout, though, to watch for that!). It occurs during displays of happiness – mostly in anticipation of her food when she’s glad to see me as I’ve arrived home from the work day. I usually get down on one knee to be on her level when I give her food – I’ll dote on her and pet her and talk to her, and she usually quivers her tail as I approach her feeding area.
I’d like to hope that she looks forward to it ALL – her tasty food for her little hungry tummtumm AS WELL AS mommie’s adoration and praise and happiness to see her too!
=^..^=
Cindy Bricker
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:25 pmpermalink
Oh, just for the record, Mandy is a tricolor/calico girl, not a tortie, per se…
=^..^=
Cindy Bricker
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:26 pmpermalink
A question; with some of the accounts of tortitude, in these posts, I have to wonder what tortie kittens are like when they are young?
I do not recall ever having the opportunity to observe tortie kittens and so am curious as to what they are like, compared to adult behaviour.
Glen
November 4th, 2009 at 9:18 pmpermalink
My tortie is 13 years old and thinks she’s still a kitten. She’s extremely affectionate and possessive of her human (me). She’s so affectionate that she’s actually scared a few visitors because they’re used to cats that are stand offish or scared of people and don’t expect a cat to jump on their laps. If we have company she waits until everyone is sitting and then moves from lap to lap working the crowd for pets and cuddles.
She is very particular about the type of pets she gets though. She does NOT like her paws or belly to be touched, but she melts when she gets pets on her chest, head and back. She’s even partial to giving “hugs” – she cuddles on our chests and puts one paw on each side of our necks and then nuzzles into our necks. Too cute.
She is definitely not a vocal cat. Unless she’s hungry or has decided it’s treat time, she rarely meows and when she does it’s barely audible.
To answer Glen’s question, Jessie has been super cuddly since she was a kitten. I wanted a cuddly cat, so when I went to get a kitten from the SPCA I just put my hand in the cage and the waited for the first kitten to come over and check me out. A little tortie came over right away and sniffed my hand and then rubbed up for a pet. I figured it had to mean that she was social and friendly and she came home with me. Well I’ve never been disappointed. She’s the best cuddle bug I could have hoped for.
Lorena
November 6th, 2009 at 11:17 pmpermalink
Wow, I never realised there was such a thing as ‘tortitude’ but now I read your description of it, it describes my cat Bracken to a T! She was (she died in the summer) amazingly chatty and had a whole load of vocalisations I had never come across with other cats. She also seems convinced that I was her child to be taken care of, and on numerous occasions would pin me down with a paw before administering a thorough cleaning. I often thought about getting her a real kitten to take out her mothering instincts on!
My other cat, Icy, is a dilute tortie, pale grey with pinky patches and a few sploshes of white on her face. She is a very untypical tortie, nervous and mostly silent, but I put this down to her life before we took her in – she was abandoned and spent at least a year living rough with very little fur due to a severe flea alergy. We have had her now for nearly 2 years and she is slowly beginning to purr more and become a bit more curious, so perhaps she will, in time, develop some tortitude of her own.
ana
November 17th, 2009 at 10:56 ampermalink
I found Selena at a shelter when she was about 5 months and she is my first tortie. I had no idea there was a tortie personality until I started googling around. But sure enough, there is:
She is possessive, sleeps curled up practically under my chin and talks a blue streak. Her verbal communication includes talking in her sleep, grousing, remonstrating and reminders that yes, she is here. If she is asleep & I talk to her, she wakes up with an exclamation that sounds like, “What just happened; hello?!!!! Sometimes she just throws her head back and warbles – like she just enjoys hearing her own voice.
I don’t notice any “hot temper”. But I do notice extreme possessiveness (of me) and a likewise disinclination to accept my other cat, a pure black and very big male as an equal joint tenant of the apartment. If she hears me whispering sweet nothings to HIM, whenever she is, she comes striding into the room looking very pissed. And she is half his size.
I absolutely adore her.
joanna
November 17th, 2009 at 1:06 pmpermalink
We have a 10 year-old tortie named Emma Fife Peale who was a rescue. She developed from a shy, nearly feral kitten that almost shredded the vet tech in her panic and fear (Emma’s story: http://obsidiankitten.blogspot.com/2006/12/cats-on-tuesday-pt-2.html) and eventually became a cuddly, affectionate, and talkative tortie that sleeps with us every night.
I loved reading everyone’s descriptions of their beloved torties and had to laugh because we’ve often referred to Emma as the Queen of Everything. She has nighttime crazies which include singing loudly (scrying?) into her waterbowl and chasing her tail and is both very talkative and very insistent.
I’m looking forward to reading more about Buckley in your book!
obsidiankitten
November 17th, 2009 at 4:50 pmpermalink
Obsidiankitten, torties do seem to have a tendency to want to be the queen, don’t they? Thanks for sharing Emma’s story.
Joanna, Selena sounds like a wonderful girl, and she has definitely read the “Tortie Manual!”
Ana, I’m sorry about your loss. Thank you for sharing Bracken with us, she sounds like she was very special. You must miss her so much. It sounds like Icy is starting to come out of her shell and trusting more. I’m sure she’ll just need time to really believe that she’s in her forever home with you now.
Ingrid
November 17th, 2009 at 5:23 pmpermalink
Thanks for your kind thoughts, Ingrid. We were really devestated when Bracken died – she went very suddenly from pyelonephritis ( a bacterial infection of the kidneys) and although our wonderful vet tried everything, there was nothing that could save her. But the discovery of tortitude gives me hope that one day we will have another chatty, demanding little madam who will rule our lives like Bracken did! I am sure that Icy will improve but I don’t think she will ever fill Bracken’s paws!
ana
November 19th, 2009 at 1:08 pmpermalink
Another “guard tortie” episode.
I was off work on a vacation day on Nov. 20/09.
That day, the work crew was finishing their last day of a new water main installation on our road (thankfully!!!).
In the morning, I was sitting in my recliner chair taking in the news on the TV.
Kasey jumped up on my lap and was going to settle down when she spotted the activity outside. We are in the country with a reasonably large lot, so this was well over 100 feet away.
She reacted BUT, it was not like a scared small, feline.
She sat bolt upright, ears forward on alert, glaring at them and sitting agressively; her whole demeanour was; maybe I had better “run them off”.
I pet her and asked her to settle down, which she did.
This whole thing is funny because she is fine with visitors that come in the house.
Glen
November 24th, 2009 at 9:50 pmpermalink
What a fierce little guard kitty! Thanks for sharing this story about Kasey, Glen.
Ingrid
November 24th, 2009 at 9:56 pmpermalink
My small Kitten Canni recently passed away, and my siamese mix (Izzy) misses him dearly. She’s almost a year old and has never been without a friend. To rememedy her kitty depression, I’m currently looking to adopt a small kitten named Madeline from the place my mother in law works. Madeline though is a tortie with white on her underbelly that runs from her chin to her back legs. she also has white “socks” on all four of her feet.
I’ve fallen in love with her, BUUT
My mother in law told me that any and all torties have horrid attitudes, and most likely would not get along with Izzy, or even be remotely cuddly.
is it the coloration? and is it true that torties with large spots of white are sweeter?
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=15161562
that’s the lovable little baby, from her coloration do you think she’d have the extreme attitude??
-Morgan
Morgan
November 26th, 2009 at 12:21 ampermalink
I’m so sorry about your loss, Morgan.
Madeline looks adorable! I can see why you fell in love. It is most definitely not true that all torties have horrid attitudes. While there are commonalities in personality traits for torties and calicos, each cat is still an individual. That special “tortitude” is exactly what makes these cats so special. As you probably saw from reading through the comments on this post, there are lots of very sweet torties out there! My advice would be to follow your heart and disregard your mother-in-law’s advice
I’m sure others may chime in with their opinions.
Ingrid
November 26th, 2009 at 8:12 ampermalink
Morgan, your Madeline already looks like a kitten with attitude and super georgous too. I agree with Ingrid, take no notice of your m-o-t! I just wonder why the adoption people say she she must be kept indoors…
Ana
November 26th, 2009 at 10:07 ampermalink
Quite a few adoption agencies do require that cats adopted from them be kept indoors. Ana, I agree – Madeline does have that special tortie/calico twinkle in her eyes!
Ingrid
November 26th, 2009 at 10:56 ampermalink
If you have read my accounts of Kasey, she is an extreme tortitude case.
In my opinion some of her traits are nurture (she didn’t get a lot of that), rather than nature.
She spent a lot of years having to fend for herself in a place where she was little cared for, kicked around and people would bring their dogs in to the facility where she lived and thought it amusing to set them on her.
Understandably, this would bring out a fierce nature in a shear fight to survive. I think this brings out behaviours like the “guard cat” episods or scaring our silky terrier or my wife’s friend’s lab-mix.
I think it is a credit to her that despite her tough early life, she still loves human attention and is a “serious” lap cat. She wasn’t even used to being picked up, for nice reasons, until she came home w/me and now she likes that.
I think if she was home raised from the start, things would have been different. I am sure if Madeline was raised in a good home, she would be fine.
Glen
November 26th, 2009 at 11:35 pmpermalink
Morgan, I think you will be fine. Madeline is absolutely prescious and since you’re getting her as a kitten, you will be able to influence her personality in a big way. My tortie Nugget is a doll. We adopted her a few months ago and she is a complete sweetie pie. She’s chatty like other torties and rules the roost but I couldn’t be happier with any other cat. Go with your gut and get her if you really want her
. Good luck.
Drew
November 27th, 2009 at 1:11 ampermalink
Looks like two more votes for Madeline, Morgan! We’d love to hear from you after you make a decision on your new family member.
Ingrid
November 27th, 2009 at 10:23 ampermalink
My Calico Cat Sparkles is an amazing creature, nearly a second skin to me. Or she would be if I sat around long enough.
I wrote about how she came into my life in Hubpages if anyone wants to read theis Dog reincarnates as Cat story entitled The Story of Mr Grumpy The Dog http://hubpages.com/hub/Not-So-Shaggy-Dog-and-Cat-Story
Gillian
December 1st, 2009 at 3:39 pmpermalink
Sooo… what do you think about two torties in one household?
I have already told you about my dilute tortie Angel and I have fallen in love with another tortie at the cat shelter I volunteer for…. she is the most adorable, cutest thing I’ve ever seen and I have never seen a more affectionate kitten. She is probably about 6 months old from what I’m guessing and my Angel is 1 1/2 years old and she lives and gets along great with her two ‘brothers’ a black male cat and a grey tabby male. However, she is also the most moody of all my cats and I am a little concerned whether she would get along with another female cat that also has the same or a similar personality as her. But they are both still fairly young… hmm.. I don’t know. What do you think? Any previous experiences?
I can’t even begin to describe just how cute this cat is… what a jewel! She literally crawls into your neck so that she can get more pets and when you pick her up she won’t let you put her back down again. She reaches out for your hands and doesn’t let you go but she never uses her claws… and I guess I don’t have to add that she is just beautiful. She is not dilute like Angel is, but a ‘true’ tortie and sooo pretty! <3
Andrea
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:57 pmpermalink
Andrea, I introduced two adults torties to each other when I brought Buckley home to live with Amber and me! They were both about eight years old at the time, and Amber had been an only cat for about six years at that point. You can read all about my experience with the introduction process in Buckley’s Story – and I don’t think I’m spoiling the read by saying that the end result was an incredible connection between the two of them.
Ingrid
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:25 pmpermalink
[...] it—Buckley took to her new life with great enthusiasm (though not without some of the expected “tortitude”). “Buckley loved everyone,” writes King. “She checked out anyone who came into the office [...]
BOOK REVIEW Buckley’s Story: Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher PLUS BONUS GIVEAWAY! | Pets Sale
December 8th, 2009 at 4:23 pmpermalink
I’ve had dozens of cats my whole life, but just got my first Tortie, Phoebe. She was 16 weeks old when I got her and now she is 6 months. She has just started with the vocal chatter I’ve been reading about, with weird sounds. I was afraid something was wrong with her until I read all of these Tortie stories. She is very loving, and when I stop petting her, she makes a definite sound to continue. I have two tabby cats and they all get along, but this Tortie is like no cat I’ve ever owned. I love her and those golden eyes.
Lin
December 13th, 2009 at 11:33 pmpermalink
Thanks for your comment, Lin. Phoebe sounds like a wonderful girl. Welcome to the wonderful world of torties!
Ingrid
December 14th, 2009 at 2:11 pmpermalink
After the passing of our 18yr old calico (puss-puss) and our 16yr old tabby (Spike) Our 14yr old dog a minature dachund/black lab (Joey) was losing all interest in life. We adopted Kiki from the SPCA she was 9months old at the time and is a petite dilute torti. When she feels like it she is extremely cuddly. Joey has been happy to have a playmate again and has a new spring in his step. Kiki is an agressive monster at times and will play rough, she makes me think of a rattler the way she will dive in and give a quick bite ( they dont hurt, just surprise). Being a petite cat she surprised us while weighing only 7lbs. she killed and dragged a water rat up onto our hot tub and in through the cat window. Our neighbour also has a torti(full size) named thomasina who pulled a huge mallard out of the lake and dragged it onto the lawn before we got it away from her. Our cats to not get along at all. Kiki is an amazing addition to our family and spends time alone when she needs to and demands attention and love on her schedule. If we have to go away for overnight though she is all but hanging off of our pant legs when we come home. She is the best!!
Nancy
December 15th, 2009 at 1:36 ampermalink
My 11 yr. old cat, Jackson, lost his very close buddy in Aug. who was 11 yrs. old. He was grieving so I bought home another tabby, Nelson, and a Tortie, Phoebe. They were rescued together and love each other. I was so concerned about the 3 of them getting along, but after a lot of patience of separating the kittens from Jackson for 2 months, they all get along great today! Phoebe is very smart and she is definitely different than the two male tabby cats. She is in a class all by herself….upper class. lol
Lin
December 15th, 2009 at 11:55 ampermalink
Kiki sounds like quite a character, Nancy! Love your description of her practically clinging to your pant legs when you return from a trip!
Lin, I’m sure Phoebe appreciates that you understand that she’s in a different class from Jackson and Nelson
Ingrid
December 15th, 2009 at 12:24 pmpermalink
“Being a petite cat she surprised us while weighing only 7lbs. she killed and dragged a water rat up onto our hot tub and in through the cat window.
Our neighbour also has a torti(full size) named thomasina who pulled a huge mallard out of the lake and dragged it onto the lawn before we got it away from her.”
In her earlier life, before I brought her home, Kasey was quite tough on the local wildlife, too, at the company facility where she lived.
The facility she lived at was out in the country and she used to go out “beyond the fence” to hunt.
I was talking to one of the guys that liked her, who worked there at that time, he saw her take down and kill a rabbit. It was not the only “large game” she took, she was known to drag other large things back to the plant.
Even with this history, she is a very docile and content indoor cat, now, her big game is these days consists of those little catnip pillows.
At 10 years old, she still loves to chase a string if I pull it and she will do this until I tire of it (our cats are never left alone w/string). I wonder if the urge to chase a string so vigorously is linked to a strong hunting instinct.
Glen
December 19th, 2009 at 5:55 pmpermalink
Kasey sounds like quite the huntress, Glen! It’s pretty amazing how fierce these small cats can be, isn’t it? I’ve heard of cats hunting and killing rats and rabbits, but this is the first time I’ve heard of one dragging a mallard out of a lake. Leave it to a tortie!
Ingrid
December 19th, 2009 at 7:38 pmpermalink
When my tortie was younger, she could be the sweetest cat in the world and then she could be a complete piece of work! One time, when I was seven, I was hanging with her outside and she just was in such a rotten mood, she bit and scratched me all over. I was in shock. I remember going into my parents room and laying down feeling kind of sad that she did that to me. I then heard some little footsteps in the room and I looked down to find Poozy looking up at me.
I screamed “NO! NO! I’ll do anything! Just please don’t get on the bed!” Then she crouched down and leaped up on there and gave me a kiss and fell asleep as did I. When I awoke, she was still there. She gave me a little nudge with some “Tortie Talk”. I like to translate what she said is “I gotta whoop your ass sometimes! I gotta show you some tortitude. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you.”
Will
December 26th, 2009 at 3:37 ampermalink
Love your story about Poozy, Will! She sure sounds like a typical tortie. I think you translated her tortie talk exactly right – she had to make sure you knew who was in charge!
Ingrid
December 26th, 2009 at 8:14 ampermalink
I just recently found this website. I have a Tortie named Sadie. I got her from a friend of mine who couldn’t keep her anymore. I have had other cats before but not like Sadie, I recently had some dental work done and was feeling sick from the numbing shots, as I was in bed Sadie jumped up on the bed got on my stomach, reached out her little paw and meowed as if to say, I understand and it will be okay. She then gave me a kiss. Never had her kiss me before or after that. She too has a tortiattude. She will slap me with her paw, head butt me but then she can turn right around and curl up in my lap.Her favorite thing to do is when I come home she will flop down on her side look up at me and meow I like to think she is saying “Pet me, pet me momma pet me, I have been a good girl and I deserve to be petted.” I love her so much and yes she is queen of the house.
Beth
December 28th, 2009 at 12:42 pmpermalink
I’m glad you found The Conscious Cat, Beth – welcome! I love all the stories of these torties who demonstrate their tortitude in spades, but when it comes to loving their humans, they’re the sweetest cats. Sadie sounds like a wonderful cat.
Ingrid
December 28th, 2009 at 2:18 pmpermalink
My little Torti girl, Monkey, is the definition of Tortitude. I adopted her from my neighbor, who had given her away as a kitten, gone to visit her 6 months later, found her skinny and covered with scabs and bald patches from a severe flea allergy, and took her back.
At first she was the cuddliest little love ever. But as her health improved, her true nature emerged with a vengeance. Not that she isn’t still cuddly, she’s a definite lap cat, and sleeps on top of me at night. But she’s a wild woman, and watching her cross a room is like watching an episode of Mr.Magoo. One day in the space of about 30 seconds, she jumped onto the bookshelf, knocked the Beanie monkeys off, hopped to the top of the TV, knocked the phone book off behind it, taking the cable out, then to the phone table, where she knocked the phone and notepad off, hopped down, shredded the notepad, and began wrestling the phone.
One morning she buried herself at the bottom of my underwear drawer and popped out at me when I went to grab a pair, nearly giving me a heart attack.
She’s hilarious and impossible to stay mad at, and she gives me the greatest stories to tell at work. I call her my “personal weapon of mass destruction”, and threaten to drop her off at the houses of people if they mess with me.
I had one other tortie previous to Monkey. Her name was Hatchethead. She was smarter than Monkey, and less impish, but she was a much bigger diva, and ruled the house with an iron paw. She was the greatest cat love of my life, but Monkey’s working her way into a serious contender for the position.
There’s just something special about a tortie, huh?
Lynn
January 8th, 2010 at 2:46 pmpermalink
Monkey sounds like she has tortitude in spades, Lynn. I love the term “personal weapon of mass destruction” – I think torties everywhere would approve!
Ingrid
January 8th, 2010 at 3:20 pmpermalink
Kasey has a new interest, eating dog food.
My wife has been trying her silky terrier on a Royal Canin product.
Kasey likes it and not just for a curious nibble.
Kasey sets up at the dog dish and goes on “vacuum”.
Nothing interupts this until we pick the food up or I take her somewhere and distract her with something like a toy.
The poor silky just watches, so does my wife’s friend’s lab-mix, they both pretty much avoid annoying “the tortie”.
I hope this is passing interest in a new and different food but I have my doubts about that.
Glen
January 8th, 2010 at 9:05 pmpermalink
I can just picture Kasey scarfing up the dog food while the two dogs watch from afar! Great story, Glen – thanks for sharing.
Ingrid
January 8th, 2010 at 9:42 pmpermalink
I adopted 3 feral litter mates about 15 months ago: 2 tortie females, and one black male cat. They are all very different. One tortie, Skittles, is so named because she is very skittish, even now, though she finally lets me pick her up. She still hems and haws first, backing up, turning around, but finally coming back for hugs. And she always hides when visitors come over.
Her sister, Baby, is the runt, and I had a beautiful bonding experience with her when she was just a couple of months old and still with their mom. I found her alone in my backyard, and was concerned, so I spent the next several hours checking on her and talking with her. I gave her a bit of milk. Finally I sat quietly on the steps and she slowly, tentatively came up to me and let me touch her for a moment. Her mom and siblings finally came back after dark.
Several months later, when they had been weaned, they kept coming to my yard to play. When winter came, I put them in my foyer, and needless to say, they’ve made their way into all of the house! But I have a special bond with Baby. Baby instantly came up to me, and followed me like I was her mom. She is especially affectionate, if not a bit needy, very vocal, and very playful, being able to entertain herself. She also plays with her dry food like she’s a soccer star. I thank God for the three now fixed kitties, but especially for little Baby, and for that pre-adoption afternoon we had.
Stormie, the black brother, is a sweetie, and is Baby’s buddy. He’s super well-adjusted.
Veni
January 11th, 2010 at 4:21 ampermalink
I too am blessed to have a tortie in my cat family. She is the second tortie I have owned, being the grand-katten of my first tortie Minxie.
Yes they are fiercely loyal, have their moods, loud purring, and have that “tortie” gaze…….all of us tortie owners recognize what I mean!
What an awesome cat we have in our torties!
I also am human-mom to 7 other wonderful cats.
Kat
January 24th, 2010 at 8:28 pmpermalink
Veni, it sounds like Skittles and Baby both exhibit different aspects of the tortie personality. I love your description of how you bonded with Baby.
Aren’t we lucky that we have these wonderful torties in our lives, Kat?
Ingrid
January 24th, 2010 at 10:27 pmpermalink
I have two Torties named Boots and Puss(aka. De Moo Moo) who are from the same litter. And oddly enough they are nothing alike. Anyway. I’ve had them for 10 years now and I gotta tell you they definitely have Tortitude! Boots for example meows well more like wales whenever she wants food, it’s like she’s saying feed me now or I won’t stop. And she follows me and my sister everywhere….even into the bathroom -.-’ Puss on the other hand is what we call the runt of the two. I swear she’s retarded. Anyway she is very possesive of me, especially when I’m sleeping. She’ll cuddle right up against me every night and whenever Boots wants to join puss starts hissing at her. But honestly the one who has the most Tortitude would have to be puss especially when she doesn’t get her way, she’ll literally glare at me for 20 mins. Her eyes are like daggers! But she’s also the attention seaker of the two. She’ll start rolling on the floor until somebody gets up to pet her.
Becs
January 26th, 2010 at 1:42 ampermalink
Hi Becs….I loved your description of both Puss and Boots. My one tortie Nugget (aka Nuggs, Nuggley Bear, Nuggalista, Nuggsy McGee haha) sounds like both of yours rolled into one
. She wails as well when she wants food and its louder than I ever thought any cat could get. She too follows me into the bathroom and all over the apartment. Nugget has now started glaring at me when she wants something, especially in the middle of the night. She didn’t used to do this until recently and when I read your post I realized…ok, she’s not weird, this is obviously a new realm of tortie behavior I hadn’t seen yet. Its kinda unnerving how intense her stare can get, especially when I wake up in the night and she’s about an inch from my face locked on her target…which would be me! Thanks for sharing about your two precious kitties. Aren’t torties the best? Life just wouldn’t be as fun without them!
Drew
January 26th, 2010 at 11:34 ampermalink
Becs, Puss and Boots both sound like they’ve got tortitude to spare! I especially like your description of Puss’ tortie glare.
Drew, I love all the different names you have for Nugget. Buckley used to do the tortie wail quite well, and she, too, would follow me all over the house. Amber is a little more quiet when it comes to expressing her tortitude, she’s got more of a dainty whine – but it’s no less insistent, and quite effective in getting me to do her bidding!
Ingrid
January 26th, 2010 at 12:15 pmpermalink
Ingrid knows my Murphy. She is 17 years young and still whacks me and tries to bite me at least 2 times a week for the grave injustices I do to her like petting or brushing. She beats my poor mother every time she visits and has been given the nickname “Evil” by my niece. But she also sleeps in my lap every night holding on to me like I am the most important person in the world and she makes us laugh with her antics. I wouldn’t trade her personality for anything.
Mary
January 26th, 2010 at 2:16 pmpermalink
I’m so glad to hear that Murphy is still going strong. That’s tortitude alright, when you inspire the nickname “Evil!” I’m always fascinated by so many torties’ dual personalities – fierceness and sweetness all wrapped into one wonderful package.
Ingrid
January 26th, 2010 at 4:24 pmpermalink
22 years of tortitude…started with a torbie who was born onto my knee and who I named Fawn, and she loved no one but me, and I was very honored…her dilute tortie sister Nikka will re-enter later…Cookie, The Goddess of the duplicitious face half orange and half black from chin to shoulder blades, entered my life sad in a winter storm only to turn around and thank me forever when she realized she was not going back outside, still my best girlfriend…and much to Cookie’s consternation then came slender little Kelly, dark with orange speckles and an orange sash, rescued from a stray/feral colony and a little nervous and timid but sweet and purring and always full of explanations and comments…then Nikka the dilute tortie re-entered from the person who had adopted her, grateful to be rescued from a situation turned bad, but assuming she’d be an only cat again…then Peaches, the 15-year-old dilute calico who still charms everyone with her petite grace and aged confusion, and her sister Cream, white with detachable black ears and orange tail and the AC Delco logo on her shoulder blades, assuming I belonged to her…just a few brief sketches.
Cookie, the main tortie of the generous shape, was really not pleased with the arrival of Kelly. Why would I take in another tortie, and a scrawny one at that, when I had a perfectly good one already? One day I picked up Kelly from the bed and kissed her and kissed her and talked baby talk to her and Cookie averted her eyes and looked as if she’d puke. Then I laughed at her and she got up and left.
I had heard that calicos of all sorts were considered good fortune. I’m still waiting, girls. Any time.
animalartist
January 26th, 2010 at 10:36 pmpermalink
Actually, to give Peaches her due, she was 15 when I took her in, and is now 19, curled up with the two-year-olds who are each more than twice her size. They take good care of their older sister.
Torties are each the center of the universe.
animalartist
January 26th, 2010 at 10:44 pmpermalink
Oh yes, my cat has a LOT of tortitude. All she does is talk talk talk! If I’m not paying attention to her, she’ll want in, then out, then in, then out, just to make me do something for her! She’s also obsessed with my hands, so it gets quite annoying sometimes because I’m a big crafter, so I’m always working with my hands and she feels free to just rub her face on everything I do or work with. Even right now, she’s staring at me from across the room. If I don’t pet her before I go to sleep, she’ll sit right on the floor and peek over the edge of the bed and just stare at me, all night. I freaked out once when I saw her glowing eyes at like, 4 in the morning XP
Jen
January 27th, 2010 at 1:38 ampermalink
Thanks for sharing your torties with us, Bernadette. Cookie’s reaction to Kelly’s arrival is not surprising, considering her position as “Top Tortie” in your household! Torties truly are the center of their own universe, aren’t they?
Jen, it sounds like your cat has you well trained!
Ingrid
January 27th, 2010 at 9:31 ampermalink
I lost my baby 2 weeks ago to cancer. Her name was Cleocatra and as you can imagine, she was an absolute queen. She was a beautiful long hair who looked like tiger tiger ice cream. Her ‘dress’, as we called it, was absolutely stunning with fluffy little bloomers on her back legs. The underside of her tail was almost a silver colour and she always curled her tail over her back so you could see it. Her favourite thing was to lay flat out on the floor with legs stretched out behind her and her tail curled over her back.
Tortitude was not in her make up. She was the sweetest, kindest little girl you ever saw. The vet used to marvel that she never growled or hissed at her or the staff. She was a marvelous hunter catching mice, birds, and even a bat once! She loved having a bath and would strut around the house afterward to show off her beautiful dress. Cleo was so full of love for both my husband and I. She would come running from anywhere in the yard at full speed the minute I called her name, and she couldn’t have looked at my husband with more love in her eyes!
I can’t imagine that we will ever find another animal like Cleo. She was our best friend and was every bit a “little person”. She was so beautiful and had the absolute kindest spirit of any creature I have ever met. I miss her dearly.
Darlene
January 27th, 2010 at 6:07 pmpermalink
What a lovely tribute to Cleocatra, Darlene – thank you for sharing your special baby with us. I’m so sorry for your loss. You and your husband must miss her terribly.
Ingrid
January 27th, 2010 at 7:16 pmpermalink
Last spring I lost my wonderful tortie and cream kitty Naomi to liver cancer. She had been with me for half my life at that point, and was my most constant friend and companion.
I am so surprised to discover that torties have an attitude for being feisty. I blew raspberries into Naomi’s white tummy without fear and was never once bitten or scratched while cutting her nails or brushing her teeth. If I was outside, she would sit by the door and wait for me. However…Naomi had one interesting quirk. If anyone else tripped over her, she would run. But if I tripped over her, she would come over to me and pounce on me in retaliation (clearly, I was supposed to know better). After that, she’d forgive me and all would be well. Like other torties, Naomi liked to make her voice heard and rarely failed to announce her presence. We had many extended conversations about breakfast and dinner.
I’ve just started to look into fostering cats until I’m ready to adopt, and for every cat I see that reminds me even a little of Naomi, I miss her all the more.
Jennifer
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:10 ampermalink
Naomi sounds like she was a very sweet girl, Jennifer. I love how she “punished” you for tripping over her!
I hope you’ll find another kitty who will capture your heart. Of course, it won’t be the same as your relationship with Naomi. I didn’t think it was possible to love another cat after I lost my soul mate kitty in April of 2000. Three months later, I fostered Amber. Almost ten years later, she’s still here -the flyers advertising that she was up for adoption never made it out of my house
Ingrid
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:08 ampermalink
Jennifer, I lost my tortie, Bracken, in the summer so I share your loss. I loved your phrase about many extended conversations about breakfast and dinner, it conjured up such a wonderful image and reminded me of Bracken’s many chirruped questions. At least we will both have lovely memories.
ana
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:23 ampermalink
I have a tortoiseshell kitten and she is one of the best cats, besides my ragdoll cat that I have ever had. She is really good with my two year old daughter and she lets it be known that she is the Queen!!
Sarah
February 4th, 2010 at 12:00 ampermalink
Clearly, your tortoiseshell kitten has the read the book on tortitude, since she’s already making sure you know she is in charge, Sarah!
Ingrid
February 4th, 2010 at 8:21 ampermalink
Cleocatra and Naomi both sound like they exhibited signs of Tortitude. Not all of them are overly fiesty.
My first tortie, Hatchet Head was sweet and loyal as could be to me. But she ruled the other animals with an iron paw, and was the most effective hunter I’ve ever seen besides Monkey, my current tortie (and personal weapon of mass destruction).
I think “Tortitude” is really just a general “Diva-ishness” of attitude that can manifest itself in subtly different ways. Whether they’re impish and wild like Monkey, or sweet and calm like Hatchet, there’s just this “I run the show” kind ofvibe to them lol
Lianimal
February 5th, 2010 at 2:07 pmpermalink
I love thinking of tortitude “Diva-ishness, Lianimal! They definitely are in charge, and not shy about letting us know. Some may be more subtle about it than others, but there’s never any doubt about who rules.
Ingrid
February 5th, 2010 at 3:31 pmpermalink
“nd was the most effective hunter I’ve ever seen besides Monkey, my current tortie (and personal weapon of mass destruction).”
Thats a good one.
Funny, I was thinking about Kasey’s previous life at one of our company facilities, before I brought her home.
Before she was injured (back leg, she is OK now but can’t jump or climb), she was unbelieveable in what she would drag home.
I thought she should have been refered to as “THE VERMINATOR”.
She is a very contented indoor cat now but the old instincts are there, this “old lady” will chase a string like a kitten as long as I keep the game going, I get tried of it before she does.
Glen
February 5th, 2010 at 9:24 pmpermalink
I’ve been a cat lover all my life and have had the privilege of being owned by several. Recently, I’ve had a stray come around that is very oddly colored; blue, peach, mottled coloring (no white that I can see), longhaired and fluffy coat, and very afraid of people. I’ve been leaving food out for him/her (not sure which), and it has become accustomed to finding it’s “meals” but still runs if it sees me. Is this possibly a tortie that has a different coloring or woud it be called brindle? I’ve had Abyssinians, persians, and general domestic cats throughout my 53 years, but have never seen one this color before.
Shirley
February 10th, 2010 at 7:57 pmpermalink
Shirley, it sounds like your stray might be a blue/cream or muted blue/cream tortie. If that’s the case, your stray would most likely be a female. Since you’re asking about brindle, it could also be a “torbie” – a mix of the tabby cat pattern with tortoiseshell colors.
Ingrid
February 10th, 2010 at 8:22 pmpermalink
Glen, Verminator…lol, love it! Hatchet Head used her hunting skills as an intimidation tactic….sort of a “Godfatherish” way of showing dissapproval. I was young and quite a partier when she owned me, and would occasionally go to house parties that lasted all night. Invariably, I would come home to find mouse heads lined up on the doorstep…sometimes just two or three, but on one memorable occasion there were 6. As far as Monkey goes, I haven’t seen a spider or centipede since she moved in. She’s not allowed outside, so I don’t know if she shares Hatchet’s flare for drama.
Ingrid, The only problem I’m having with Monkey’s Tortitude is the way she harrasses my poor 10 year old tuxedo cat Peaches. I’m not sure if she’s doing it intentionally or if she’s just trying to play and Peaches isn’t having it, but Monkey just has to walk into the room anymore and Peaches goes into a huff. I ordered your book, hoping that since you actually managed to combine TWO of these beasties, I would find some tips on integrating one.
Shirley, Your stray sounds absolutely gorgeous. If you want to tame her (I’ve tamed a few ferals, including Hatchet, my first tortie. It isn’t that hard, it just takes patience) here are a few tips;
When it gets nice out, sit outside with her while she eats. Start as far away as she needs you to be to not scare her away from the food. Gradually move closer as she gets more comfortable, and start singing to her in a soft, soothing voice. Don’t worry if you can’t sing, they don’t care. I’ve found they respond really well to Patsy Cline…I guess it’s something about the rythmic flow. Eventually you should be able to sit right next to the food. After you’ve done that for several days, you can try to gently stroke her back. She might run off the first time or two. If she does, just sit by her for the next day or two, then try again. She’ll eventually come around, and you’ll have the most loving, loyal pet you could ever imagine.
Lianimal
February 12th, 2010 at 2:28 pmpermalink
Lianimal and Ingrid,
Thanks for the tips on taming ferals. First I have to actually see her when she is eating. This morning, she was coming on to the patio before I had a chance to get the food out; she must have known that I would eventually get to it, as she sat on the patio looking in at my husband and me. Of course as soon as my husband opened the door to get the paper she streaked away, but did return at some point to get her morning meal. So I guess that is a good sign that she recognizes us and allows us to look at her through the window at least! I am assuming it is a female from Ingrid’s comments, but she’s been around for almost a year now and I’ve not seen any indication of her being pregnant – so maybe she was spayed by someone at some time. I’ll post again if I have any additional breakthroughs!
Shirley
February 12th, 2010 at 4:42 pmpermalink
hello
i have a tortie as well, her name is ziggy…i thought it was a male at first..so i named it after david bowie but she proved me wrong ha, so the name stuck. ziggy is multicolored with the cream and black, and some browns with red. very pretty girl! she is probally almost a year old and she is very talkative. she meows loudly whenever i get up from the chair or even when i get home from work. she will follow me everywhere and i usually end up stepping on her because i dont see her. shes very hyper and usually gets into mischeif alot lol. ziggys curiosity gets the best of her, especially with my plant that has been knocked over numerous times lol. ziggy alos has a very big foot fetish! she will bite and attack mine and my fiances feet when we are sleeping. kinda startles ya lol.. her favorite toys would be the milk jug tyes. ziggy had a couple of “brothers” as i call them. my other cat, madrox, which is a big male bombay…they didnt get along at first…hissing,growling…all that fun stuff, but after a couple of days they were best friends. they play so much and run around the house for hours! her other “brother” is a new addition to the family. a green iguana…she seriously loves that thing. she will lay in front of the cage and just watch it. whenever it moves she follows it, almost like shes stalking it..ive introduced them by letting her see it and smell it…she wants to play with it but not yet lol. mabye further down the road haha. but thats my ziggs and i hope you like reading about her
becky
February 13th, 2010 at 12:40 ampermalink
Lianimal, thanks for ordering my book – I hope you’ll find some helpful hints to integrate Monkey and Peaches. I’m guessing it’s a combination of Monkey wanting to play with and also establishing her dominance over Peaches. Hopefully, they’ll work things out eventually.
Shirley, it can take a long time and a lot of patience to tame a feral, but it definitely is a good sign that she feels safe watching you through the window. Keep us updated!
Becky, I think Ziggy is a perfect name for a tortie, and your Ziggy sounds like she’s got tortitude in spades! I wonder what she thinks when she’s watching the iguana.
Ingrid
February 13th, 2010 at 8:06 ampermalink
Hi Tortie Community,
I have a question that I suspect with spark some lively discussion. My three kitties are litter mates, and two of them torties. I adopted them as feral kittens after they were weaned. For the first winter few months, I kept them inside. But as the weather warmed, I let them outside, and now they are indoor/outdoor cats. They stay close to home, usually on my property. But as I hear of kitties 19 years old and even 22 years old, I wonder, “Will my in/out kitties live so long?” I work all day and live alone. They have each other in or out, so should I let them out or keep them in? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Veni
February 13th, 2010 at 1:44 pmpermalink
yeah lol, i always wonder that as well!! she sleeps at the end of the bed sometimes and watches the cage like crazy. when the iguana moves shes up and watching him! really funny to see..
becky
February 13th, 2010 at 5:17 pmpermalink
Veni,
I’m a proponent for keeping cats indoors if at all possible. Daniela Caride, one of my recurring guest bloggers posted an excellent post on the topic here on The Consious Cat recently: http://consciouscat.net/2009/12/28/how-to-keep-your-indoor-cat-happy/
It sounds like your kitties are very happy being indoor/outdoor kitties, and perhaps that’s the best solution for them. However, since they do have each other, if you’re considering making them into indoor kitties, the transition might not be as difficult as you might think. You won’t know until you try.
I’m sure others will weigh in on the topic as well.
Ingrid
February 13th, 2010 at 6:12 pmpermalink
Kasey was indoor/outdoor in her old life at one of our company’s facilities. She does not mind being an indoor cat at all now, she seems very happy. The only time she wants to go out side is when I am out there, close to the house where she can see or hear me.
I am a very big proponent of keeping them indoors, this is borne of experience and a lot of thought on the subject.
I am a bit of an outdoorsman and know it is not like Disneyland out there. The world can be a harsh and cruel place for small animals.
In our area, it is rural enough that the threat ranges from coyotes (and other wildlife) to vehicles. In town, there are vehicles, dogs, and more nasty elements of our own species.
While fairly being resourcefull and tougher than they look, a domestic cat is too small to defend itself against many threats, not always aware of traffic and sometimes too trusting against those sick people who would harm them.
Consequently, our cats are indoor cats.
Glen
February 13th, 2010 at 8:17 pmpermalink
To add to the debate on indoors v. outdoors, I am a strong believer in cats being allowed outdoors, they are not designed to sit on a sofa all day. I agree that there are various dangers that they have to deal with, but dangers have always been there, just different ones, and cats are generally bright enough to deal with them. I have lived in several cities and seen plenty of live cats and very few dead – ie, run over – ones, and if they go out from an early age, they learn that this dog or that fox are not such a good idea to get close to. A cat should have a cat flap or some safe place by the house just in case it gets a scare but other than that, I think they should go in and out as they please.
However, I would add something on a related topic. I currently live in Ireland and there seems to be a different attitude here to the UK where I grew up. Here, cats, even domestic pets, seem to be treated much more as farm cats, and I have heard several stories where people put the cat out before they go on holiday, and if it’s there when they get back, well, then they still have a pet. We took in one cat a couple of years ago, (Icy – I have posted about her before) and my theory is that she was left to fend for herself when her owners moved away – can’t take the cat with us, so we’ll just leave it in the garden… She had a terrible flea allergy and had spent at least one winter with only half her fur, but now she’s an enormous fluffy lump of a cat who spends half her time asleep on the window sill and half patrolling her territory of gardens. She gets very grumpy if she isn’t allowed out, and is very reluctant to use her (indoor) litter box. Different countries have different attitudes, but I think that a cat that can come and go as it pleases is the happiest cat, and I hope that’s what we’re all aiming for.
ana
February 14th, 2010 at 7:51 ampermalink
I am to divinely priviliged to have had for 8 and a half years, the companionship of a beautiful tortie named Trinity. She used to be a wiry little hellion, who could tear around my apartment for all but a few hours of the day. Able to scale 6 and a half feet tall entertainment centers in a single bound. I actually remember one time where my live in girlfriend at the time had gotten a pit bull puppy, and she’d always let her know who was queen of the house with a quick swipe to the face. Even when that puppy was an adult she gave Queen Trinity a wide berth.
. She communcates using a cute and distinct variety of purrs, meows, trills and squaks. She has slowed down as of the last couple years, and put on a few pounds, but still lets the newer big lovable oaf of a black cat who is her junior know who is the queen. Hopefully I have many more years with Queen Trinity.
She is very possesive of her human (I adopted her as a very young age), and is a sweet kitty to most people in general, albeit a bit short tempered. She will always be by my side, wether I’m sleeping, or watching tv on the couch, and never snaps at her daddy
Elijah
February 15th, 2010 at 2:57 ampermalink
Trinity sounds like a wonderful kitty, Elijah! I love that she even put the pit bull in his place. Now that’s tortitude!
Ingrid
February 15th, 2010 at 8:03 ampermalink
I rescued my first cats about 4 years ago as tiny kittens, a Tiger, Maine Coon and a Tortie. We named her Harmony but we call her Nini. I have been reading through the posts and see so much of Nini in what I read. She definately has controled the situation with my Maine Coon who has always been at least 4 times her size. On the other hand she has a very gentle peaceful side to her (thus her full name). Nini is somewhat talkative but in a quiet way, I have never heard her actually meow like other cats she squeeks when she wants something, very quietly and of course always very dignified, she is def. the princess. This year has been very trying with Nini, we moved from NY to VT almost 2 years ago and it seems Nini never has gotten over it, she started losing weight so about 6 months ago I took her in for a check up that I thought would be routine to shockingly be told that I my Tortie was in kidney failure and that I could take her home to die. Well, she has proven them wrong thus far, her red blood cell count has risen to a sustainable number if we could just get some weight back on her she is so skinny right now. We administer an IV to her every other day to hydrate her and to attempt to keep her kidneys flushed and give her antibiotics twice a day. With all of this she still shows her “tortitude” by spitting some of it at me every time. Hey I might smell like fish frequently but if Nini has the gumption to spit things at me then she has to determination to fight this,,I hope. Keeping my fingers crossed and it is good to hear that this “tortitude” is a characteristic that might just be the only thing that will fight this.
Cindy
February 17th, 2010 at 8:50 pmpermalink
It sure sounds like Nini’s tortitude is keeping her going, Cindy. It can be so challenging to take care of a cat who’s in kidney failure. I hope you and Nini have a lot of time left together.
Ingrid
February 17th, 2010 at 9:28 pmpermalink
Cindy-
I wish you and Nini the best of luck. She truly seems to be a fighter
I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to see your precious princess go through something like this. Your post made ponder what I would do or how I would feel if my Nugget was diagnosed with a serious illness. I can only hope that I will be as positive as you are and would have the ability to give her the treatment she requires without being an emotional mess. You and Nini paint a vivid portrait of the strong bond we as humans can have with these wonderful cats, and it shows that we will do anything to maximize the time we have with our lovable kitties. Thanks for sharing Nini’s story and reminding us how strong these amazing creatures are.
GOOD LUCK to you both and my thoughts are with you
Drew
February 17th, 2010 at 11:30 pmpermalink
Cindy,
I had an Abyssinian who was diagnosed with diabetes and required daily insulin injections. He got to the point he knew when it was time, and would wait around for his injection and bug us if we forgot. So hopefully your Harmony (Ninii) will eventually realize what you are doing is in her best interest and be a little more receptive; however with the tortitude that might not happen. “Bucko” (the Aby) lived to be almost 17 and lived with diabetes for over 10 years. I wish you continued success with your Nini!
Shirley
February 19th, 2010 at 12:45 pmpermalink
Cindy, Here’s wishing you and Nini many more happy years together. And you’re right, the tortitude might be the thing. They do seem tougher than the average cat.
Now, on the indoor outdoor issue. I had indoor/outdoor cats most of my life, and after too many tragic losses to count, I’ve become an indoor only person. Outdoor cats tend to die horribly……hit by a car, mauled by a dog, tortured by teenagers, get into poison, even catch horrible diseases from other animals. It’s not worth it. It’s not necessary for cats to go outside as long as they have a window to sun themselves in, litter, food, water, companionship and plenty of playtime as excercise. I’d rather keep my friends safe than take a chance.
Lianimal
February 19th, 2010 at 2:58 pmpermalink
To all of you who have shared your wonderful tortie stories in this thread – since there’s no way to post photos here, if you’d like, come on over to our Facebook page and post photos of your torties there. Leave a comment here to let everyone know you did.
The link to The Conscious Cat Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/consciouscat
Ingrid
February 20th, 2010 at 8:12 ampermalink
I love my tortie, Chloe! I chose her based on her beautiful coloring (mostly black, speckled with orange and marbled on the legs and chest) I had no idea she would turn out to be such an affectionate cat. She was my first pet and has been wonderful. True she does have a bit of an attitude, she is mostly very loving. My sister calls her “OCD kitty” because she is an organizer. She will find things and put them in certain locations. Her toy mice are always found in shoes, bobbypins are placed under rugs, and she loves water! She will sit on the counter in the bathroom and watch the water in the sink. She also walks along the tub in between the shower curtains while I shower and waits for me to get out so she can lick my toes! Chloe also LOVES to be in boxes, any box! She will squeeze into the smallest shoe box and then as one of us walks by jump out and bat at our feet. We call this her form of hide-and-seek. She is also the only cat I know that will play fetch! She does bite now and then, but its usually just a gentle nibble to let us know that she doesn’t like what we are doing.
We only had her for about a year when we introduced our new puppy, a cockapoo, and those two are best of friends. They will wrestle and Chloe will body slam my small dog with ease. She makes that torti squawk just like previous post have talked about when they wrestle. It sounds like the dog is hurting the cat, but usually its the cat that is winning!
I was a little nervous about it, but last spring we welcomed our first baby boy, Benjamin. Chloe was curious from day one. She is surprisingly gentle with him. She loves to rub up to him because she knows he will pet her. Ben is infatuated with her so much that his first word was “kitty”. This is a video of Ben playing with Chloe. The people I show this video to can’t believe that my cat would sit and let my son play with her like this, but she is very good with him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcnPsmWrXKY
I am so glad I found this page because I believed others when they told me that my cat was strange, but now I know it’s just “tortitude”!!!
Sarah
February 21st, 2010 at 9:42 ampermalink
What a great video, Sarah! For a kitty with as much tortitude as your Chloe, it’s really amazing that she would let Ben play with her like that and be so gentle about it. Thanks for sharing!
Ingrid
February 21st, 2010 at 6:05 pmpermalink
I posted a pic of our Nugget on the Facebook page
This was her first photo as a member of our family…
Drew
February 21st, 2010 at 6:43 pmpermalink
My tortie is gorgeous and definitely has a tortitude!! Her’s last for 5 to 15 minutes. She runs, jumps and makes noises. The problem that we have now is: She is harassing one of our house dogs. We have 3; however, she has cowled down our female chihuahua so badly that the poor thing starts crying before the tortie even touches her.
Any suggestions? We love all of them dearly. Just feel so badly for the 4 lb. female chihuahua.
glenda
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:17 pmpermalink
Any suggestions for my conflict of personalities?
glenda
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:22 pmpermalink
It sonds like your chihuahua may be out of luck against your tortie’s tortitude, Glenda!
Seriously, though – perhaps you could try some supervised playtime with the two of them? Or alternately, when your tortie is napping or quiet, try to spend time in the same room with her while you’re holding the chihuahua so the dog can feel safe with you and also see that the tortie is not in crazy mode all the time?
I’m sure some of our readers will also also have suggestions for you.
Ingrid
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:25 pmpermalink
Ingrid, I read your book over the weekend. What a touching and heartbreaking story, but also somehow uplifting! Thank you for sharing. It gave me hope. I can see so many similarities in the personalities and situations of Monkey and Buckley, and in Peaches and Amber. I took it to heart when you said that the problem was as much with your reactions to them as it was with the cats themselves. I decided to relax and try letting them work it out on their own, and, while no where near completely resolved, the situation does seem to be improving.
Before when I was in rescue and had multiple pets of all kinds moving in and out, I always had Hatchet. She was the undisputed alpha, and rarely did anyone even try to challenge her. I guess it made things go a lot smoother. I assumed it would be the same with Peaches when I brought Monkey in, but I guess Peaches just doesn’t have a strong enough pesonality to be alpha to a little cat bursting with tortitude lol
So I guess I have to just sit back and feel secretly guilty and sorry for Peaches while she adjusts to the fact that there’s a new sheriff in town.
I wish I could post pics, but I’m on a library computer, no way to scan and upload.
Lianimal
February 26th, 2010 at 1:31 pmpermalink
As an English teacher, I’m always pleased to learn a new word that perfectly describes something for which I previously lacked good vocabulary. And “tortitude” captures our recent shelter adoptee Sophie perfectly. She’s an absolutely gorgeous girl with classic tortoiseshell coloring set off by a cafe-au-lait patch under her chin and unusual bicolored eyes.
She’s also endearingly psychotic: cuddly and placid one moment, attacking (almost always in play) the next; leaping foolhardy distances to reach her favorite perch on my wife’s or my shoulders (where she digs in her claws and won’t come back down); yowling to herself plaintively for no discernable reason, and appropriating anything small, shiny, or noisy as a personal plaything.
Fortunately, she gets along well with our three other non-tortie cats, though even there she is often the ringleader for a great deal of clamorous mischief.
All that said, we love her to death, and wouldn’t trade her eccentricities for anything. Still, it’s nice to read other people’s comments here and to realize that our girl isn’t crazy (she was owned by a hoarder before coming to the shelter where we got her); she’s just a perfectly normal tortoiseshell.
John
February 26th, 2010 at 1:40 pmpermalink
Lianimal, I’m so glad you enjoyed Buckley’s Story, and even happier to hear that it might have helped you with your situation with Monkey and Peaches. I hope Peaches will continue to adjust – and maybe Monkey will mellow out a little bit over time.
John, Sophie definitely sounds like she’s all tortie, and it sure didn’t take her long to rule your household!
Ingrid
February 26th, 2010 at 2:08 pmpermalink
Hahahaha, “Endearingly psychotic”, that’s a perfect description….Sophie sounds SO much like my goofy Monkey, thank goodness she landed with people who can appreciate her special brand of crazy!
Lianimal
February 26th, 2010 at 2:53 pmpermalink
I too have a tortie. Fern is 18 months old. I have had her since she was 8 weeks. She is by far the most lovalble kitty I have ever had-however it is only to me. She is a one woman cat! Also, she is extemely freaked out by company in the house and took 8 weeks to accept a new kitty member to our home. She is a doll but very psycho at times-smart as a whip, and understands everything I ask her!
mary coyne
February 28th, 2010 at 7:20 pmpermalink
Fern sounds like real sweetie, Mary. What a pretty name!
Ingrid
March 1st, 2010 at 7:43 ampermalink
I have a tortie called floss who has bags of ‘tortietude’, she can hold a conversation with me for up to an hour and loves me with a passion, however she is extremely nervous of other humans and guards her territory, she will hiss at me if she wants to be left alone but her bad temper is short lived. I honestly feel like she is my little soul mate
Belinda
March 10th, 2010 at 6:12 pmpermalink
Kasey; another tortitude display.
We free feed the cats in the basement (their “Territory”, off limits to Toby, the silky terrier).
Sometimes we feed Kasey in the kitchen, watching the bowl so Toby doesn’t get at the food, we pick it up when Kasey walks away.
We were eating dinner and Kasey finished and moved about 4 feet from the bowl and sat down.
Toby started over to the cat food bowl on a quick trot.
I sucked the breath in to say something to intervene but didn’t need to bother.
Kasey let out a noise, not a meow or typical domestic cat sound; it was basically a small cougar snarl, no other words for it.
The little dog made a quick 180 degree course alteration and he quickly forgot any interest in the cat food.
Glen
March 10th, 2010 at 10:28 pmpermalink
Belinda, your tortie sounds like she’s a one-woman cat who loves you on her terms – she’s definitely read the book on tortitude!
Glen, I love you story. It’s almost like Kasey dared Toby to come near her food!
Ingrid
March 10th, 2010 at 10:32 pmpermalink
My Padme cat definately has a “tortitude.” She is very “bad” in the sense that she constantly does things that she knows she shouldn’t–climbing the walls, or my hair, for one thing (I have very long hair). However, she is very sweet and cuddly, and JEALOUS of anything that comes close to me.
One things she does that puzzles me–she enjoys water so much she will sit in the shower with me, under the water flow, if I let her. Once she jumped into the tub while I was bathing. And if left along, she will just sit there and play in the water.
Heather
March 11th, 2010 at 4:48 pmpermalink
I’m trying to picture Padme climbing your hair – that’s quite a visual, Heather! Too funny. I’ve heard of a number of kitties who really enjoy water and either being the shower with their humans, or being in the wet tub afterwards.
Ingrid
March 11th, 2010 at 9:38 pmpermalink
I was down in the basement this morning, where I have my computer set up.
I am “home alone” right now.
All the cats were upstairs.
Suddenly, I heard the most horrible feline sounds, thoughts went to;
- two cats in a major fight
- single cat in some serious distress
I go tearing up the stars, fearing the worst.
There was Kasey, sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor, looking up at me calmly.
She did not like being left on her own and was “calling” me.
After all that, it was just the “song” of the tortie.
Glen
March 13th, 2010 at 8:58 ampermalink
Ah, yes, the song of the tortie. I remember it well, Glen. Buckley used to do that to me all the time, especially when she first came to live with me. I’d hear her crying in different parts of the house and always rushed to see what was wrong, until I realized it was just her way of keeping up a running commentary of her activities!
Ingrid
March 13th, 2010 at 10:49 ampermalink
a year and a half ago we rescued 2 tortie kittens who could not have been more different. minnie was shy yet vocal sparkles was vivacious with a loud purr, tiny and wirey. unfortunately sparky got caught pregnant at 4 months nd although a good mum minnie was the perfect aunt teaching the kittens every step we had two calico females honey and poppy and a male ronnie. sparky was the life and soulof the street – ice cream from the ice cream van and a popular visitor to the shops as she was also a keen hunter who kept their pests away. sparky was also loved by all of the neighbours who all visited when she had the kittens, she would sleep at their houses . unfortunately on 4th nov 2009 one of our neighbours knocked in tears telling us that sparky had been hit by a car. she was paralised but survived long enough for me to get her to the vet -even the vet cried when she died. she leaves a legacy and i am honoured to have shared 12 months with her, minnie is doing a fantastic job of looking after the kittens,
my life will never be the same after this wonderful tortie.
thank you for allowing me to tell my story xx
sue
March 15th, 2010 at 4:53 pmpermalink
I’m so sorry about Sparky, Sue. She sounds like she was an amazing tortie. Thanks for sharing her story.
Ingrid
March 15th, 2010 at 5:15 pmpermalink
I have a 13 yr old tortie named Marble. I adopted her at age 1 after she had been at the SPCA for 6 months from a cruelity case. Her owner drugged her with antidepressents that knocked her out for 3 days and attempted to cut off her tail. The vet had to remove the tail and for years now we have dealt with phantom pain. She is my angel my queen and she has accepted 6 cats over the past 13 yrs. However if she gets mad at me she will poop in the laundry or in the cupboard or in their toy box. She is so funny I have enjoyed everyday with her. She growls at the others as if she doesnt like them but other times I will see her sleeping beside them. At nite she will wait until they are all asleep and run as fast as she can up and down the hall and NOBODY will get up to see who it is. As a result from her kittenhod trauma she has a 3 week cycle where for 1 week she eats like a pig, week 2 she eats nothing and week 3 she thrown up everything she eats. Oh well thats just Marble and I love her. Right now I have a new tortie that is a stray staying with us not sure what we are going to do with her but I know what I want to do cause I love the torties.
margie
March 15th, 2010 at 9:59 pmpermalink
thank you ingrid i will pop on to your facebook page later as i have some amazing photos. to add to the indoor/outdoor debate even though we lost sparky so young she would have been miserable indoors – believe me there was no way to keep her in – she lived just like her name, i dont think i could ever get a different type of cat again, even though she looked a scruffy thing her charm and grace were amazing – im a tortie girl for life!
sue
March 16th, 2010 at 12:14 ampermalink
All of these stories are amazing and I really love all the rescue stories. Here is mine. <3
Both my boyfriends mother(Cathy) and sister are vet techs. During the early summer of '09 Cathy received a new bundle of stray kittens. They were only a few days old and were either abandoned by their mother or the mother was killed. She would take care of these kittens until they were ready to be adopted. There were two cats in particular that I liked one DILUTE Calico(I named Isis) and one DILUTE Tortie(I named Shiva), but I couldn't adopt them because my father claimed he was allergic to cats and could only have dogs(he LOVES dogs, as do I but I love both cats and dogs).
I was over the house every day playing with the kittens… however… it came time for them to go up for adoption. The dilute Calico(Isis) had no problem getting adopted and was gone before I knew it. On the other hand, Shiva was having a hard time being adopted. She was more aloof, laid back, with a bit of… you guessed it… TORTITUDE!!!
Several months went by and still… no home. She ended up growing attached to both my boyfriend and I and there was NO way I was going to give her up. I went home and pleaded to my father. I even brought her to the house one day to meet my dog (definitely a very frightening moment haha) Finally he gave in and allowed me to adopt her.
Now I have my beautiful Dilute Tortoiseshel, Shiva She is still aloof, still mischievous, but she is a very very good girl. She has never scratched anyone and she's very tolerant of everyone in the house hold (minus the dog). When I am sitting on my computer and laying down, she will jump up onto my chest and make it her bed for the time being. She also does what apparently only torties do with their voices, chirps. I have had five minute long conversations with her, back and forth! I'm also pretty sure she might be part Kangaroo with how high she can jump!!!
She is sweet but just a little mischievous. The perfect mix.
She is absolutely beautiful! Her colors are dark grey, light grey, tan, and some white but it all seems to gradient together. Her eyes are big and golden
Here is a photo if anyone is interested: http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/Biku-Chan/IMG_0154.jpg
P.S. By the way, ends up my dad isn't allergic to cats… but to dogs!!!
Victoria
March 16th, 2010 at 4:46 ampermalink
Thanks for sharing Marble’s story, Margie. What a rough beginning she had to her life. She’s so fortunate to have you as her human!
Victoria, Shiva is gorgeous! What a beauty. And she sure has the tortitude thing nailed from what you’re telling us about her.
Ingrid
March 16th, 2010 at 6:47 ampermalink
I LOVE MY TORTIE! SWEETEST CAT IN THE WWWWOOORRRRLLLLD!!!!!!
Jake
March 16th, 2010 at 10:40 pmpermalink
Whew…I am glad to have found this information about torties. I thought mine had the beginning of a misbehavior problem, but realize it is just her tortitude.
Dobby is down to her 6th life by now…rescued her from falling through the bales of hay as an infant – twice & 1 time from falling between the barn walls which had me outside at night with a flashlight & tools taking off the metal siding to save her, and then my dog brought her to me (carefully…or it might have been “another life”) when her mama abandoned her and siblings. Over time the sibs disappeared and this little one was left alone so i brought her in and began the process of feeding a 3-4 week old baby. At her first visit to the vet – she came into the room and cracked up – said “oh no a tortie!” so I asked “how to turn it off” and the vet assured me of two things…there is no off switch and it would get worse. Talk about personality. She is now 8 months old and is already bigger than my 3 yr old calico Karma and continues to give Karma fits! Sneaking up on her, invading all her private napping spaces, climbing the door frame to sit in the transum, opening doors (!) – which i think Karma taught her, following people to the bathroom, cleaning up any messes from uncovered potty in the litter box to mud I might have tracked in from outside…and now the growling & frequent talking back…and that horrible tail that keeps following her and giving her trouble. I love to watch her watch her own tail…flipping it and growling like it is some alien that has attached itself to her. The sweetest cat too – loves to snuggle up to suck on my earlobe (a reminder of the Mama cat she is missing) – loves to play fetch, tag, and hide/seek. She will take her paw and readjust my face to get closer or to make eye contact. She also loves to sneak up and grab your leg (or hand, or elbow…her newfound high jumping skills are developing) with what I call “fairy feet” – just a claws-in, very soft touch…so quick you don’t realize what has happened…and then runs off. Hilarious. Very happy that I met this little one and cannot believe how much humor she adds to everyday life. (I also have Karma’s bro – an outside “used to be” tom cat…rough looking 20 lb orange fellow but so very sweet…amazing how each cat has a distinct personality – all wonderful!)
Je
March 18th, 2010 at 10:06 pmpermalink
Thanks for sharing Dobby with us, Je. I love your vet’s comment of “oh no, a tortie!” She sounds like quite a character!
Ingrid
March 19th, 2010 at 7:15 ampermalink
I’m sitting here grinning ear to ear reading all these stories. Monkey makes me laugh every day. She can definitely be a trial, but I can’t imagine how I lived without her all those years. No matter how bad she is, there’s just something so lovable and irrisistable about her. Even my landlady is taken with her, and she’s a lifelong self-proclaimed cat hater!
I’m having trouble trying to teach her to stay indoors now since it’s warming up. She’s so quick to slip out. She generally just rolls around until I run out and scoop her up, but with summer coming and her severe flea allergies…..it only takes one bite for her to get scabby and start losing big patches of fur…..I REALLY need to find a way to keep her away from the door.
Lianimal
March 19th, 2010 at 12:30 pmpermalink
Lianimal~keep some toys, a stash of catnip or a laser pointer near the door so that when you go out you can toss a toy to the other side of the room, scatter some catnip or point the laser on the opposite wall to distract her. Sometimes they catch on to this, but soemtimes it becomes a game in itself, especially if they get upset when you leave!
And the stories certainly are fun!
Bernadette
March 19th, 2010 at 12:33 pmpermalink
I always thought I was a dog person and that I didn’t like cats. Then I moved to an apartment complex that would only allow cats so I went to the Humane Society to look for a cat. I had never seen a Tortoise Shell cat before, but when I saw one that day at the shelter I knew instantly that I had to have her.
The tortie and I went into a “getting to know you” room and she ignored me completely until I looked at her and said in Modern Hebrew, “Ha’im at rotzah la’vo lagur ba’bayit iti?” (“Would you like to come live in my home with me?”) and she hopped up onto my lap and started purring. I knew she was my cat.
I also sensed the regal aspect to her, so I named her Vashti after the Persian Queen/Feminist in the Scroll of Esther who refused to compromise herself for anyone, and the name fits her well!
Of course the name Vashti lends itself well to all kinds of nicknames: we regularly have “ti time,” she is my “cute-ti,” my “cuddle ti,” and at bed time she turns into “sleep-ti”. She is very cuddly and affectionate.
I didn’t know that tortoise shell cats have distinctive personalities as Vashti is the only cat I have ever had a prolonged exposure to. I do know that she is very possessive of me though. Once I thought she would enjoy having a second cat to play with, but I was sure mistaken! That cat lasted about three weeks before I had to give him away to a freind.
Vashti is very vocal and often her meows sound like “yea” or “nooooo!” I frequently ask her questions and sometimes it seems like she’s really answering ‘yes’ or ‘no’ with her meows!
I love my ti (mighty) and I am so glad she has been in my life for the last decade.
David Swensen
March 19th, 2010 at 12:57 pmpermalink
if anyone is interested i have a wonderful facebook group called i love my little kittens which has videos of sparky giving birth and amazing photos of them growing up would love you all to join and share your pics too
sue
March 19th, 2010 at 6:17 pmpermalink
Bernadette, I love your ideas to keep cats from dashing outside. Lianimal, you’ll have to let us know whether they work with Monkey.
David, I love your story of how Vashti came to be your cat, and the nicknames you have for her are adorable.
Sue, I thought I’d post the link to your Facebook group here – everyone, the photos are wonderful!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=76030709109
Ingrid
March 19th, 2010 at 9:35 pmpermalink
We currently have two torties, RUMBLES and TWEED.
RUMBLES is about 9 years old. We named her Rumbles because when we met her at the shelter, she climbed on to my husband’s shoulder and purred very loudly. She obviously had decided that she wanted to live with us. But when we brought her home, she didn’t purr much at all for several years. Now she purrs a lot but hates to be picked up. I wonder if she had a traumatic experience before she was caught by the shelter people. When we introduced other kittens through the years, she acted as a “mom” and taught them how to clean themselves and use the litter box. She loves to visit the neighbors and several times has been trapped in a garage or crawl space of a house.
TWEED, age two, is what someone called an “endearingly psychotic” cat. She literally climbs the walls, races down the hall back and forth, climbs into the back of a cabinet. And she wants to be outside all the time because once when a friend was visiting, she was let out accidentally and she hasn’t been the same since. She acts “crazy” if we don’t let her out. But she always comes back at 5:00 PM, as she knows that’s her curfew. Occasionally, she decides to camp out. She is not very friendly, almost never purrs, but I hope she’ll calm down and come around as she matures.
Our first tortie was FIDDLES. She was an absolutely wonderful cat, a “shoulder cat”. She was affectionate and purry, but somewhat aloof. We got her at a cat show where she’d wohn 11th place for domestic shorthairs! (There may have been 12 contestants). One of our neighbors loves to tell the story about how she stole shoes from her back yard and brought them home. The neighbor claims she placed them right next to each other. properly on the right and left sides. She died of leukemia, despite having been vaccinated. A very sad day for us.
I adore torties because of their unique personalities. We also have a tuxedo (which my husband prefers). She’s VERY affectionate, a lap cat, but she’s a bit boring compared to her sisters.
I’d like to get a calico kitten…do they have calicatude???
Barbara
March 20th, 2010 at 11:14 pmpermalink
Barbara, thanks for sharing Rumbles, Tweed and Fiddles with us. My experience with calicos has been that they have a somewhat modified form of tortitude – if the term calicotude doesn’t already exist, then maybe it should!
Ingrid
March 21st, 2010 at 9:12 pmpermalink
hi i have got a tortoise shell cat she is so adorable when i first got her i got scard when she ws hissing
fatima
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:59 ampermalink
Torties can be quite intimidating when they go into full hiss mode, Fatima!
Ingrid
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:58 ampermalink
Bernadette and Ingrid, the tips are working well, it seems to feed into her ADHD issues lol….. I’ve also added a baby gate to put across the doorway when I’m expecting chinese or pizza deliveries. I know she’ll eventually realise she can just hop over it, but for now me, my neigbors and all the delivery guys get a kick out of watching her furiously try to dig her way under it.
I really wish I could post pictures. She’s the most unusually marked cat. I’m about 99% sure she’s got some siamese blood. She’s tortie all over, but in some wierd way she has points……a blacker blend on the mask, ears, tail and legs, and a little lighter everywhere else. She’s also got slightly crossed eyes, long legs, and those dainty little feet like siamese tend to have.
Lianimal
March 26th, 2010 at 12:42 pmpermalink
Lianimal, I’m so glad the tips worked! That’s too funny that she’s trying to dig under the baby gate.
You can post photos on our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/consciouscat.
Ingrid
March 26th, 2010 at 2:46 pmpermalink
I can’t. My computer died and I haven’t been able to afford a new one, so I come to the library to use one every friday. No scanner, no way to upload any photos.
Lianimal
March 26th, 2010 at 4:57 pmpermalink
My torti, Birdy is 15, all 6 lbs of her. As a kitten she was so tiny she could not climb the steps. When she was young, sharing her household with other kitties, she was rather a snotty diva, “don’t touch me attitude” and really not too affectionate, everything was annoying or beneath her. Well, as time and life progressed, her bosom pal and old sage Murphy who adored her became ill and died, and I was broken hearted when Murphy died. Birdy developed into a cat who not only gives but wants affection. This all started to emerge at around age 8 and the bonding and devotion increased as she aged. She is my constant companion, sitting on my desk and playing with cursor on computer screen. She cuddles next to me at night. She and I have long conversations, she is touchy/feely with her paw to my face, and she has been my great love for a long time. I just also lost my 19 yr old Tuxedo who I rescued from scheduled euthanesia at 10 months. He was abandoned, had a fracture, developed diabetes over the years, overcame it, last 2 years of his life he was senile and incontinent (wore baby diapers); interestingly, he was the old grandpa of the house and the others succeeded to him. This cat too, was a wonderful and devoted cat and helped me through difficult times, it became my turn to help him when he got old and dependent; he died naturally in my arms. As Taylor became more dependent with his affection diminishing, Birdy started to fill in the gaps, knowing it was needed. She has been quite a healer. Only trouble is my loyal and devoted 14 yr old Siamese, Kuntrie, who also shares the affection and devotion department with Birdy. They both willingly share, in spite of Siamese jealousy. There is respect between them, but she gives grief to the 10 yr old Wegie, who is extremely affectionate, a big 20lb mush cat. She will chase him off hissing when she wants the limelight. She does not do that with Siamese. The pecking order has changed since Taylor passed, Siamese is now the Grandpa and Birdy manages the house. Wegie Morgan has to get what he can between those 2 strong-willed personalities. As you can tell I have all kitties who were abandoned and have found great love and affection in my household. And did I luck out with the fuzzy family with which I have shared my life many years.
Here is my question: considering the ages of Birdy, Kuntrie and Morgan, would it be appropriate for me to rescue another younger adult cat (preferably Torti or Siamese) and bring into the household now or would it be too disruptive to these older cats?
ScarletDove
March 28th, 2010 at 11:21 ampermalink
All of your cats sound wonderful, ScarletDove. I love the story of Birdy’s transformation from diva to healer kitty. These torites never stop surprising us, do they?
I’m so sorry for your recent loss. From your description, I would be hesitant to introduce another younger cat to your household right now. It sounds like Birdy, Kuntrie and Morgan are still reshuffling the family dynamics after your Tuxedo’s passing. Perhaps it might be better to wait a while before introducing a new cat. I’d love to hear from others, too.
Ingrid
March 28th, 2010 at 11:41 ampermalink
I am so excited to find your website! I just adopted a little tortie 3 days ago from our local PetsMart/SPCA. I already have 2 cats, but always go look at the cats whenever I am in the store. This little girl is only 3 months old and still had her stitches from her spaying. She had so much personality, and when I stuck my fingers through the cage she came right over and began licking them. I told myself I didn’t need another cat – went and ran some more errands, ate lunch, and then decided I had to go back and see her. I hoped someone had adopted her, but they hadn’t, and I felt I just HAD to have her! I have always had a hard time naming my cats, but immediately I began calling her Sarah Palin – I guess that’s the “tortitude!” She is just a little thing, but with a big personality. My 2 boys would like to get to know her, but she is still hissing at them, so they are being patient. I’ve never had a tortie before, but I can tell it’s going to be great fun!
Rozanna Pfeiffer
April 2nd, 2010 at 4:24 pmpermalink
Congratulations on your new baby, Rozanna! And isnt that just like a tortie – she’s the new family member, but she’s hissing at your boys! Now that’s tortitude!
Ingrid
April 2nd, 2010 at 4:29 pmpermalink
I never wanted a tortie before…until i saw Bliss as a little kitten in a pet shop in Waterbury Connecticut. We lived in an apartment in NY at the time, and already had a kitty which we adopted from a shelter…we did not need another cat in an apartment!
Well, i just couldn’t get her out of my mind…we went back the next morning to find her…gone! I told the guy I only want the tortie…do they still have her. He said yes…she is at back! Yaay!
Bliss is the most amazing cat i know. She is sooo vocal, strong minded, friendly, cuddly, CUTE!
We moved to CA 2 years ago…she was the best behaved cat on the plane, NO doubt.
Torties RULE!
Ame
April 7th, 2010 at 11:53 pmpermalink
I love the name Bliss for a tortie! She was clearly meant to be your cat, Ame.
Ingrid
April 8th, 2010 at 10:48 ampermalink
Someone threw away this cat. I found her crying at my back door. She wanted in, and I did not want a cat. If I went outside this cat was right there following me. So as it became cold and no shelter would take her I decided any cat that stayed and wanted a home here so badly would be ok. So I had her vetted and all the vaccines and tests needed. She was healthy but also needed to be spayed. Costs $. I call her “Steeler” , because she just stole my heart and also she is all black and gold like my favorite football team the Steelers. She has become my snooze alarm. When my alarm goes off and I decide to take 10 more minites, she waits about 5 minutes then she comes upon the bed, walks up alongside me and uses her paw to reach my hair and get a pawful and pulls. This works and this is now the end of my snoozing an extra few minuts. Whoever threw this cat away threw away a true treasure. And also a treasure with an Attitude. I wouldn’t give her up for anyone or anthing.
Bernie
April 19th, 2010 at 9:08 pmpermalink
I never thought of a tortie having Steelers colors! What a great story, Bernie.
Ingrid
April 19th, 2010 at 9:34 pmpermalink
The tortie “sporting” Steelers colors is a natural for anyone from Pittsburgh, where everything is black and gold, and nearly any color that even vaguely resembles gold will do!
Bernadette
April 19th, 2010 at 9:42 pmpermalink
I totally agree with Bernadette’s comment. My tortie is completely spotted in black and gold. This definitely works for us since our undergraduate university colors are black and gold. Not to mention our mascot is a Golden Eagle. All three live Golden Eagle mascots we have had were named Nugget, providing the inspiration for our little Nugget’s name. She also matches her New Orleans Saints bandanna that we always make her wear on game day….she hates it, but I’m convinced it was this lucky ritual that helped them win the Super Bowl this year!!
Drew
April 19th, 2010 at 11:20 pmpermalink
Bernadette : You are so right. Anything Black and Gold and my Steeler is a sure fire winner.
Drew: Great story. Hope little Nugget and you meet us in Miami in January 2011.
Bernie
April 20th, 2010 at 12:13 ampermalink
Bernie, LOVE that story!
I don’t know what it is about torties. I’ve never actively sought them or thought they were particularly pretty…in fact, while their coats are beautiful, their little faces tend to be…well, homely! But the two times in my life that a tortie has landed in my lap, they’ve become my all-time favorite cats, and even though I thought them both ugly at first, I now consider Hatchet and Monkey to be the two most beautiful cats I’ve ever had.
New “goofy Monkey” story: So, the other day I hear her talking to something in the living room. I go in to see what’s up, because she usually only talks to me and not to herself. I see her lying on her back in the easy chair, staring intently into space, writhing around, talking and batting at thin air. I almost called the emergency vet line, but then, as I was looking upward, I saw a movement and realised there was a tiny little spider crawling around on the ceiling.
Oh! She’s still trying to dig under the baby gate….not the sharpest knife in the drawer, my Monkey…..but she’s entertaining.
Lianimal
April 20th, 2010 at 8:38 pmpermalink
Lianimal: I glad I am not the only one who at first thought wow what a look. And to hear you too have a talking little Monkey. I have a habit of saying to my husband, when I am busy with something else) I will just keep saying ummm to him. The first time I heard Steeler mock me I thought I was losing it. Now it is her way of talking to me. She will follow me around and keep her mouth closed saying ummm and by gosh she is getting it down pretty good. I just find such pleasure in her company. Not only was she thrown away, but the vet says she was abused and her meow is almost silent from injury, but she can ummm with the best of them. So thanks for letting me know I haven’t lost it and that Monkey talks too. I think Monkey is smarter than you think. She knows if she jumps the gate she probably will get hung up on top. Steeler is not a jumper. I have to put a stool by the bes so she can get up on it with me. I think they have us pretty well trained. Loved the spider.
Bernie
April 20th, 2010 at 9:51 pmpermalink
Very Strange! The very first comment here was of a tortie named Sophie. I just got a beautiful little tortie kitten and named her Sophie. She is amazing, she never talks at all (for me is a plus) she is very clean and playful. All in all the perfect cat. She loves trying to lick my lips when I’m trying to sleep or my fingers any old time.
Kelsey S
April 21st, 2010 at 1:35 pmpermalink
Kelsey: I know the feeling of having an amazing buddy. My cat is almost 3 years old, according to the vet. You are in for a real treat. Your little Tortie will talk to you in time. Mine only says ummmm (and she says it a lot0. To get my attention she will often tap me with her paw and when I ignore that she will go ummm. She does this and does not open her mouth when she does it. So pick an easy work like a hum and use it often to your Sophie. One day you will get a wonderful reply.
Bernie
April 21st, 2010 at 8:40 pmpermalink
Bernie and Kelsey, I thought my Cookie was actually mute for her first year with me. She was five to seven months old when she came in, and she purred mightily and has always had a very expressive face, but until well past a year after her homecoming she never made a peep or a squeak or any kind of vocalization until one day she made a little hummm noise and that was it for years. Now Kelly has a big vocabulary and a special sound for every activity.
Bernadette
April 21st, 2010 at 10:53 pmpermalink
Bernadette and Kelsey my Steeler does purr like an engine. But I just love the way she talks to me. Kelsey you are in for a treat of your life when Sophie decides to talk. But given time and attention she will talk to you. You have to be patient, because these Tortis exude Attitude with a capital A.
Bernie
April 22nd, 2010 at 1:44 ampermalink
I also have alittle girl, tortie and she is lovely we amed her Jezebel and i had no idea thtqa she would live up to the name! I was told by my vert that these cats have avery low tolerance for things they do not like! That includes the vet, she is social but not too affectionate. She is always around us but doesn’t want much cuddling or petting, except for a 4am love fest which she wakes me for each night, then purrs livingly accepts some petting and then leaves while I struggle to go back to sleep! We love her and her quirks!
Karen Albertson
April 30th, 2010 at 8:31 ampermalink
Jezebel sounds like she’s all tortie, that’s for sure! The early morning love fest seems to be a tortie specialty
Ingrid
April 30th, 2010 at 11:01 ampermalink
[...] was the poster child for “tortitude” – that unique personality of tortoiseshell cats. She had definitely read the [...]
Adventures in Veterinary Medicine - Virginia | The Conscious Cat
May 5th, 2010 at 6:05 ampermalink
So glad to find out about tortitude! My Annie (AKA Diva, Wild Woman, Evil One & more) is a little dilute torti and has it in spades. She was a very sick little kitten after getting her at the shelter so we bonded as I doctored her and I’m her Mom. She shadows me, talks to me, bitches at me, trips and tackles me, purrs, cuddles and kisses and generally makes sure I know she’s there. She knocks things off shelves on purpose; opens all doors, drawers, boxes and closets; pulls books off the bookshelves; rearranges my pictures on the walls (I think she was an Interior Decorator in another life) and flies through the air with the greatest of ease! Then she’ll come over, plop on our laps and purr her little heart out. She’s 19 mos. old now & has settled down quite a bit considering…at least we don’t feel like we should be wearing helmets in the house anymore! She also rules over our other 2 cats, 12 & 10 year old males. She’s super intelligent and curious and luckily she loves to meet new people and isn’t mean to them. The first time I boarded her when we went on vacation she opened her condo cage and was going around greeting all the other cats. Good thing they caught her before she let them out too! Now they know to use extra ties around the latches when Annie is around.
She grabbed hold of my heart (& my sense of humor) from the very beginning…took awhile for my husband to appreciate her but she greets him at the door each night for a play session and will cuddle with him too so they’re good. Also, she gets a lot of time-outs which she loves. She’ll act like a cranky toddler on purpose until I put her in her “room” for a nap…seriously (she could just go in and lay down on her own)! She just waits for me to pet her and purrs away until I close the door and then she’ll sleep for hours so I can get something done (I sell antiques & collectibles so I have to keep my “Wild Woman” away while I’m working with them.)
What a wonderfu,l personable breed of cat…and what a relief to know there’s a reason for their “personalities”!! Thanks for the info & for providing a place to talk about our own “tortitude” divas!
Sandy
Sandy
May 6th, 2010 at 1:38 pmpermalink
Whew. I am so relieved to hear other stories of torties. I was beginning to think mine was definitely outside the box. She has recently become very vocal…grouching at us, complaining about injustices, talking back…typical teenage cat stuff…but also has the coolest “whale song” type sound and I think she is singing to us at times. No irritation, nothing bothering her, but a sound something between a deep growl and a song…seems to do this shortly before bedtime each night. She was rescued as a baby and bottle-raised so at 9 months old she still loves to snuggle and suckle on an earlobe in the middle of the night. Partly to comfort herself and partly as part of her nightly routine. That took some getting used to, but now that she is weaning herself away from that behavior I am starting to miss it some. When I recently had the flu and felt horrid Dobby and her friend Karma (calico) took turns purring me to sleep and cuddling. So sweet! She is wonderful, wild and humorous…she has even rubbed off on Karma who didn’t much appreciate her invasion into “her space”. Now they get along well…love to play tag, wrestle and play hide-n-pounce…especially first thing in the morning and ALWAYS at bedtime. What wonderful friends!
Jeri
May 6th, 2010 at 2:14 pmpermalink
Karen, Sandy & Jeri my Steeler is not as active as Jeri and
Karen’s. But the late night treats is a must. When I rescured I made the mistake of putting cat treats under my pillow so when Steeler seemed to be confused I would reach under the pillow and give her treat and then she would lie back down and purr. Well guess what, she is all settled in now, actually she runs me and the house. The late night treats happen any time she decides to wake me up. The one thing I dare not do at night is turn my back on her. She is a hair grabber and believe me I turn over real fast. She lies down and starts purring. I on the other hand spend much time trying to get back to sleep. So I keep learning everyday how much power this miniture leopard really has over me. So enjoy your Torties. I really do.
Bernie
May 6th, 2010 at 8:36 pmpermalink
Sandy, Annie sounds like a wonderful and very special kitty. I love your “time out” idea – I may have to consider that for Allegra
!
Jeri, I love how Dobby and Karma purred you to sleep when you had the flu. To me, there’s nothing more soothing than a cat’s purr.
Bernie, it sounds like Steeler is ruling you with a firm paw! Love the treats under the pillow.
Ingrid
May 6th, 2010 at 9:04 pmpermalink
I had to laugh reading the comments about tortitude… our tortie Brooke we adopted as a 12 week old kitten, charmed by her because she was so cuddly and slept in my wife’s arms for hours the day we met her at adoption. Then, we got her home… and she finished napping. For 3 hours she ran around the house at 90 mph and we wondered what we had done! We had had kittens before, but never a turbocharged one like that. Five years later, she does rule the roost, having subjugated even our fiesty take-no-prisoners former barn cat, whom all the other cats in the house avoid. With the introduction recently of a new, young cat, we’ve had to hire a behavioral consultant to help us work on getting Brooke to tolerate her. When describing the problem, the consultant said, “oh a tortie!” We think of her as Lucy Ricardo with whiskers – always with some ‘splaining to do…
Harry
May 7th, 2010 at 5:58 pmpermalink
Harry: Lots of luck with the consultant. I enjoyed reading your adventures with a Tortie. Please come back and let us know how well your consultant succeeded with a 5 year old Tortie. I have never had a cat until I rescued my Steeler. All I can say is I just live here, she runs things. I have to admit these cats are unique and have the most beautiful eyes, and a very strong will of their own.
Bernie
May 7th, 2010 at 7:45 pmpermalink
Harry, I love your behavior consultant’s comment “oh, a tortie!” That says it all, doesn’t it!
Ingrid
May 8th, 2010 at 10:04 pmpermalink
Bernie – it’s still a work in progress, but we see some definite tortitude changes. They can be on either side of a baby gate w/o trying to get to each other or being too frightened, and when on harnesses in the same room can stay distracted and not focus on each other for 5 – 10 mins. (Don’t even ask about putting a harness on a tortie…)
Ingrid – it sure does. At least she knew what she was getting into!
Harry
May 10th, 2010 at 8:56 ampermalink
Harry: It is interesting about one on each side of the gate. However, I tried only once to put a harness on Steeler so I could take her on the porch with me. To make a long story short, I was able to return the harness to the pet store. I still remember that battle. With all the attitude she gives me, the more I like her. She is as independent as can be. I just wish I could break her from waking me up (day or night) by wrapping my hair in her claws and pulling. Then purr like it was no big deal. I think you will probably just give in to her and she will train the other cats you have to be submissive to her. She is going to run the house, the cats, and you. Believe me, Steeler is boss in my house. But keep me up to date on her progress. Maybe the best thing would be like raising boys. When they were small and started to fight, once in a while you just let them go at it. When they found out no one was coming to their defense they quit. I think Torties are much like that.
Bernie
May 10th, 2010 at 2:17 pmpermalink
By the way Harry, my Steeler has a new trick. When I am saying NO to her, she has started turning her back end to me, walking away while holding that heavy tail straight up and twitching it at me.
Bernie
May 10th, 2010 at 2:21 pmpermalink
That’s the feline version of flipping you the bird.
Bernadette
May 10th, 2010 at 2:55 pmpermalink
Bernadette: I loved that explanation. I think it right on and the worst part is that I get a lot of flipping birds from her.
Bernie
May 10th, 2010 at 4:05 pmpermalink
Now that you know, it takes on a different meaning! Think of her as an arrogant teenager right now. It will never disappear, but it will happen less frequently. My eighteen-year-old tortie Cookie still flips me the bird now and then.
Bernadette
May 10th, 2010 at 4:12 pmpermalink
Bernadette: Are you telling me your Cookie is 18 yrs old. My Steeler is maybe 2 to 3 according to the vet. Well I guess I will spend the coming years being flipped off by my cat. Now explain how to stop her from getting a claw full of my hair while I am sleeping and pulling it to wake me up.
Bernie
May 10th, 2010 at 4:27 pmpermalink
Yes–I meant to clarify that Cookie is 18 in human years, which is 90 in cat years. I hope you have many years of being flipped of by Steeler. (By the way, I’m from Pittsburgh where black and gold is worn as formal wear, and while I wish all sports teams would move out of town for a while so we could do something else, I still react to the team names, and all torties are, in a way, dressed for a pep rally.) I don’t know how long your hair is, but I had a black cat who made an absolute nest of my hair every night until I braided it really tightly against my head and pinned it, even wearing a bandanna on it when he persisted. Good luck!
Bernadette
May 10th, 2010 at 4:34 pmpermalink
Bernadette: My hair is not long. So she takes advantage of me. I am from the southeast of Pgh. But I am a huge Steeler and Pens fan. So when this Tortie showed up, she automatically became my Steeler. I was thinking she is so muscular, maybe Dan Rooney would like to use her as a linebacker. The other strange thing is my cat isn’t a jumper. She gets on the bed by using a stool I placed by the bed for her. But jumping is out of the question.
Bernie
May 10th, 2010 at 4:46 pmpermalink
Does anyone have a good way to trick a tortie full of “tude” to take medication? Nugget is on to my little game….I got it chicken flavored since chicken and turkey are her favorite, but she still seems to sense with her sniffer that something is up. We have had to result to letting her hard food soak up the medicine, but I don’t know if she’s getting all of the dose. This is something she will have to take on a daily basis and if we just try to give it to her, she fights, scratches and foams at the mouth in excess. Its really gross, but kinda funny all at the same time. If anyone has some suggestions, please share. My husband and I are willing to try anything.
Drew
May 11th, 2010 at 8:09 pmpermalink
Drew, have you tried the pill pockets? You can get them in most pet stores. They’re a soft moldable treat with a hole in the center. You put the medication inside and seal the ends, and with any luck, Nugget will think it’s just a treat. They come in chicken and salmon flavor. They worked really well for Buckley.
Ingrid
May 11th, 2010 at 8:20 pmpermalink
Drew – I echo what Ingrid said. The only cat bite I’ve ever received – and I do rescue – was from our tortie, over a pill. We used to grind up pills or mix liquid into baby food, but then discovered she’d eat pill pockets with gusto.
Harry
May 11th, 2010 at 9:16 pmpermalink
Drew: I went to a pet store and found a pill popper and the dropper like you would use for babies. The pill popper is great. The the liquid dosing is easier also. One quick push and the pill or liquid is down. Now I don’t claim Nugget won’t be a bit miffed at you, but there is much less frustation. Hope this helps.
Bernie
May 11th, 2010 at 9:22 pmpermalink
iv had torties all my life and i currently have 2 females about a year or two apart both shelter kitties and i cant seem to get them to get almong they both have majjor attitude probs and both very affectionate …one constantly makes noise when she walks jumps or enters a room its rather cute … iv never met a cat that talks so much she deff makes her presents known … the other one is insane she does laps around the house i just wish the two would get along both for sure are amazing cats with a tortitude…cute word tortitude
lindsey
May 15th, 2010 at 12:28 ampermalink
I have been reading some of the posts. I keep reading how the Tortie’s keep talking. Steeler talks but only the same humming sound. I know this sounds odd, but I never owned a cat in my life sot this is my first. I am really enjoying her. I would like to encourage her to talk more, but don’t know how. Will she just talk when she is ready or is there some way to encourage her to talk more than just humming at different levels.? This Steeler of mine is more like a miniture leopard in disquise. Amazing friend.
Bernie
May 20th, 2010 at 12:21 ampermalink
Happy “Gotcha Day”, Kasey (sorry about the vet visit)
May 21st., 2010 is Kasey’s second “Gotcha Day” anniveresry
She’s my “guard tortie”
Of course we had her examined right after comming home with her in 2008, so that also means her annual check-up/vacination day is in late May. I took today as a vacation day so we had a 10:00 appointment. However, it was a good visit, she behaved very well and all was fine; she’s happy to be back home.
My only regret is not taking her out of that place a few years earlier but she seems happy with the way things turned out.
Glen
May 21st, 2010 at 12:56 pmpermalink
Happy “Gotcha Day,” Kasey – love that expression, Glen! I’m glad to hear the check up went well.
Ingrid
May 23rd, 2010 at 7:43 pmpermalink
I have an amazing tortie named Otter. She was dumped on me and I really did not want a cat, however after a year and a half I wouldnt trade her for all the money in the world. It amazes me to hear of the loving torties though. Otter seems to be a secret lover, only cuddling for about 5 min. and only in the bedroom. She bites my feet at night (hard enough to draw blood). She totally hates my 19 yr old son. When he comes in its a riot in the house, constant Growling. I honestly think she believes she is a dog. She wont play with toys, just chews the metal on them, chews up my school books, and scares all our friends off with the growl or evil stare. The vet makes me stay with her till they sedate her when she has to go. She is the love of our life. My husband wants more but we have tried to get her a friend (now on our 3rd try) we got a 6wk old tiger stripe yesterday and its not going well. She will not eat anything but her cat food but wants to smell anything you have. My daughter is 9 and the cat wont go near her. We had Otter a year and my daughter was in my bed during the secret love and she suddenly said “mom thats the 1st time I’ve ever heard otter purr. Oh and terminex came 1 time after I got her, she followed the woman aroung growling like the dog she thinks she is and they have never been back. lol And it seems I am the only one not allowed to walk through the house without being attacked. And she bites me every time I try to get something out of my purse but will let my husband dig in my purse.She is extremely vocal, talks back worse than my kids. She gets real loud when you enter the kitchen and can have full food and water bowls but wont shut up till you add a dab more. She is the best cat in the world and I am glad to hear the stories of the very aged tortie cats. I hope Otter out lives me cause I dont know what we would do without her. She gives us hours of entertainment. Especially when she “talks” to flies before she kills them. She has even ran off babysitters with her evil glare. It was funny an 18 yr old friends daughter babysit one evening and at 9 pm called and said please come home your cat is scaring me. If they could only see her behind the bedroom door lol. However that is another issue, We can not have any closed doors in the house or she sits and knocks on it till we open it. she is awesome!!!! Love her like crazy!!!!
Anna
May 24th, 2010 at 9:29 ampermalink
About Otter I forgot to add she hates to be picked up, but loves laying in our computer chair. When my son want on the computer he will pick her up and put her on his lap, (remember she hates him) the funny part is instead of jumping down and running off, she lays on his lap looking up GROWLING at him. She is the funniest thing I have ever seen!!!
Anna
May 24th, 2010 at 10:02 ampermalink
Now that is some serious tortitude, Anna! It sounds like Otter could have written the book on tortitude. In fact, it sounds like perhaps she’s revising it as we speak!
Ingrid
May 24th, 2010 at 10:47 ampermalink
Wow Anna, you have a serious little homeowner. Little Otter owns you and all in the house. Runs you pretty good. Love those stories. My Steeler is my best buddie. She to was dropped off. But she is getting really good at telling me she wants me to go to bed at night or lie down during the day. She can’t meow, but she won’t stop humming until I follow her down the hall. I like you never knew the pleasure and surprises and most of all the happiness the Torties bring. They are the most unpredictable cat. I still think at times they are miniture leopards.
Bernie
May 24th, 2010 at 6:35 pmpermalink
Ingrid, I appreciate the experience you have on the Torties. This avenue of having others with Torties a place to brag, yes folks, we are bragging and with every right to do so makes it feel like we all have similar but different experiences with our Torties. I found it very interesting and amusing some times. So thanks for leading us in this direction.
Bernie
May 24th, 2010 at 6:41 pmpermalink
Bernie, I’m enjoying this Tortie community as much as you are. I’ve always felt it takes a special person to appreciate Torties, and all of you have clearly proven this by sharing your stories!
Ingrid
May 24th, 2010 at 7:22 pmpermalink
I have a tortie named Penny that I adopted from a local shelter. She is such a pretty and sweet cat. She is going to be 1 years old in June, but she is very small. She is really short I think she might od been the runt of the family. She is bestfriends with my Taby boy named Hunter, they are around the same age. Penny is really vocal with an adorable meow. She is mostly black and orange and reminds me of a halloween kitty. She does have a white belly though. She has tortitude big time, and is really high maintence and loves wet food and her toys. I love torties!!
Lindsey
May 28th, 2010 at 1:39 ampermalink
I have really enjoyed these stories! I have a tortie named Sophie. I adopted her and her sister Rose last July so they are just over a year now. They are total agents of chaos and absolutely rule the house. I didn’t realize that the talkative, water play and diminutive stature were tortie traits. Sophie fits all those to a tee. Her sister Rose is at least twice her size (the biggest cat I have ever owned). Rose is also a lot more “chill” than Sophie. I love it when Sophie puffs up her fur, arches her back and runs sideways across the room. I had to put my cat Georgia down two months before I got the girls (I had her for 17 years) and they made the transition so much easier for me. I saw a bumper sticker recently that I liked (it was from a shelter and had a paw print on it) it said “Who rescued who?” Enough said.
Angie
June 1st, 2010 at 7:13 pmpermalink
Angie, Sophie and Rose sound like wonderful cats, and it sounds like Sophie has tortitude in spades. Love the bumper sticker – so true.
Ingrid
June 1st, 2010 at 8:10 pmpermalink
When I got my tortie, Nes (short for the loch nes monster), I picked her up and she immediately climbed to my shoulder, perched, and stayed their until she was adopted. This was all a cute act because when I got her home she was WILD and is absolutely the queen of the house. I had thought that I might want a dog, and I now realize that I basically got a dog in a cats body. She plays fetch better than ANY dog I know and even runs to the front door and growls when someone knocks. She’s just over one year old now, and I’ve since adopted a little tabby. It’s so funny the difference between the two. She is so spunky and puts Lou in his place. He is like her little sidekick and just sit back and watches all the mischief she gets into (he’s ridiculously lazy)….opening cabinets, chewing through plastic bags, hiding things under rugs. Every morning I wake up she’s tucked in all of her toys under the covers into bed with me. She’s definitely got me hooked on torties
Margo
June 9th, 2010 at 12:41 ampermalink
Margo, tthat’s pretty funny that Nes acted all cute until you got home with her, and then she showed her true tortie colors! It’s probably a good thing that Lou is so mellow and laid back and just lets Nes rule.
Ingrid
June 9th, 2010 at 7:14 ampermalink
I love hearing about other people’s torties. Dobby sounds like she fits perfectly into this elite feline group with her tortitude! I recently acquired a stray kitten – I suspect it is Dobby’s baby sister because of similiar stray cat parents in the area and especially since DJ (Dobby Jr) has the exact same behaviors, curiousity and mannerisms as Dobby. I keep expecting her colors to pop out to show me she is a tortie too, but for now she is simply black with green eyes and as much (or more) tortie-like behavior than Dobby. They love to play fight and chase together – leaving my calico to enjoy her peace and quiet and my lap – and they are eagerly teaching each other all types of mischief. The other night they were running around the house like miniature elephants as they normall do and later while 1 was sleeping on me (in the dark it is hard to say which one) – the other snuggled up under the blanket…pushing her way in and stayed for a bit – then left. I should have been more suspicious of their quiet and cuddly mood. Later I found they had brought me a nice treat – a dead baby mouse. How sweet. Ick! They make a great team. I think DJ may be considered an honorary tortie for now. She is learning fast.
Jeri
June 9th, 2010 at 10:08 ampermalink
[...] a kitten, I’m a tortie kitten! It’s a good thing that Mom understands about “tortitude,” because she says I have it in spades! var a2a_config = a2a_config || {}; [...]
Allegra's World | The Conscious Cat
June 16th, 2010 at 6:35 ampermalink
I have had a number of cats throughout my life but this is the first time I’ve ever had a tortie…or does she have me…hmm…
When I went to the pet store a couple of days ago to pick up some cat food and kitty litter, I stopped for a chat:) with the rescue cats they always have there. Josephine (now just Jo) rubbed the glass back and forth and then stood on her hind legs and, staring straight into my own green eyes with hers, rubbed her paws against the glass. It was like her spirit spoke to mine, like I could see her little soul through the windows of her eyes, and like she could see mine. She kept this rubbing up until I turned away, tears in my eyes. We already have 2 cats and I needed a 3rd one like I needed a hole in the head.
The next day, I just couldn’t get her out of my mind and I told my husband about her, again, crying, and I’m NOT a cryer. He didn’t say much. I figured he was mentally rolling his eyes
and thinking “such a sucker.” But then when we were driving home today from lunch, he asked if I still wanted that cat. I said, “Of course,” and he said, “That’s what I was afraid of.” Then he skipped our exit off the freeway and took the exit for the pet store instead 
What a guy.
At the pet store, Jo was like a totally different girl…she ignored us completely. I called the rescue lady Tina to ask her to meet me there so I could rescue Jo, and she indicated she was afraid Jo was never going to be adopted because she’s so shy and wouldn’t come out of her little soft-sided cloth house. Well, that was NOT the cat I met. At this point I was sure if I asked hubby if he liked the cat, he would have said, “What’s to like?” Hmm…
When Tina got there, she opened the cage to formally introduce us, and the whole time we talked and worked through the reams of paperwork, Jo huddled in her little house growling and hissing. She told us Jo was found abandoned in an apartment the owners had moved out of. This was in a small town with no animal shelter, just an animal control unit that keeps animals they find for 3 days then kills them. No public adoption, and they don’t even provide food to the animals. Fortunately, this unit has one person they allow to come in to rescue some of the animals. Jo was one of those lucky critters.
So we brought her home anyway, growling and hissing. We just stuck her little house in the pet carrier and stowed her in the truck.
I figured I would just sit her carrier in the laundry room (where we keep the litter boxes) and that she would come out when she was ready and meet the family later that night. Well, she would have none of that. As soon as I opened the door, she was out and circling my ankles. Then she popped out of the laundry room, through the cat door like she knew exactly what it was, and ran to the carpetted stairs, where she started rubbing herself up them. Then growling at the other 2 cats to make way, she stalked the perimeters of the whole house. Then – smart girl – when both hubby and I held our hands out to her to see if she wanted a pet, she went to hubby’s hand and let him pick her up and cuddle her for a minute. Okay, so who’s the sucker now? We both are!
Lots of growling from all 3 cats this evening. I’m about to go to bed, and the bedroom is no-critter territory (hubby is actually alergic), so I’m wondering if all 3 cats will still be standing when I wake up in the morning. After reading these stories, I’m also wondering if Jo will batter down that bedroom door:) Should be an interesting night. If we all survive, I’ll post pix on the Facebook Conscious Cat.
Thank you all for sharing your stories. I look forward to living with Jo’s “tortitude” and I believe this precious little spirit is for me. I guess I did need that hole in the head after all
Susan
June 21st, 2010 at 12:55 ampermalink
Sudan, I love your story of how you came to adopt Jo! I can’t wait to hear an update of how things went the rest of last night this morning.
Ingrid
June 21st, 2010 at 6:29 ampermalink
It’s been really crazy in our (Otter’s) house since we got the baby kitten. After a couple days Otter actually loved her. Which is really scary since she normally likes NOBODY!!! However the scariest time was when they both went to the vet.( I am finally healed up from the claws that Otter sank into my belly.) The vet tried a new spray that is suppose to relax cats lol YEAH that didn’t work! They think she is really a quard dog in disquise. I actually heard them warning the vet that Otter was loose in the room lol she is just a cat not a huge dog!!! After all the excitement and we was headed home I look at the kittens papers and she is listed as a Tortie/Tiger. OMG what have I done!!! She is wild and meaner than Otter ever was. We get no sleep due to not being able to shut her out of the bedroom because of Otters shut door issue. Otter weighs 10 lbs and the kitten (ALLI) (short for alligator) weighs 2.5 lbs. Amazingly Alli thinks she can beat Otter up (constantly) and Otter takes it!! I can’t get over how she is with her after 3 failed attemps to bring a kitten home. No matter how mean they are though at the end af the day I couldn’t live without either of them.
Anna
June 25th, 2010 at 3:32 pmpermalink
I have now had Steeler for about 8 months and she is an inside cat. Runs everything. Looks into every parcel or bag coming into the house. The good thing is that her vocal cords have evidently healed from the abuse she had suffered, because I now have a Tortie that hums and meows (although weak). It sound good to be able to hear her. Now she does not stop and she shows me what she wants. This week I had company and Steeler ran out the door for the first time since I have had her. Calling to her was useless. So I just closed the storm door and walked away. Well I thing Steeler must have had second thoughts about the outside lonely world because 15 minutes later she was at the door wanting back in. I let her in and I still laugh at her, because once she was back in she was like a grouchy old man and kept up a tirade of squaking, I don’t think she liked me closing the door. Not only are Torties unpredictable, but they really know how to push your buttons. I wouldn’t have her any other way.
Bernie
July 3rd, 2010 at 1:00 ampermalink
I told you about Jo a couple of paragraphs above, so this is my followup.
By the way, you CAN keep a huge cat out of the bedroom…if you’re more persistent than the cat, you can prevail. Spray water under the door when he starts thudding his body against it and yowling. You might lose a night or two of sleep, but you can win that battle. We’ve had to. Still, the 3 cats do still yowl and hurl their bodies against our bedroom door if I sleep 5 minutes late, but we can live with that:) not with the allergies.
Jo is part of the family now. I love this girl. Personality plus, and she does rule the house, as you have all said torties do. All 3 of my cats have green eyes, as do I, but Jo’s eyes are a darker green – brighter and more intelligent than any eyes I’ve ever seen. She’s so smart, so lovable, and so interesting. I’m so glad she’s claimed us all as her own.
Susan
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:14 pmpermalink
Bernie, I am so glad to hear about Steeler again! Perhaps because of the regional ties (and somewhat our names), I feel a kinship with this bossy little rescue. I’m glad she finally started talking out loud! Cookie was with me fully a year before she did anything but purr. Right now she’s sitting on both my right wrist and part of the keyboard and purring. Love those torties!
Bernadette
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:26 pmpermalink
Susan & Bernadette, it is good hearing from you on Jo & Cookie.
It seems all of us are kitty trained. Susan, spraying water under the door will not work. Steeler has developed the angry threat of either I pay attention to her when she wants or she heads for the wooden chair legs and starts clawing, until I go stop her. I have bought her several scratching apparatus, but she insists on the chair legs. I had never owned a cat before, but this little throw away stole my heart. A close friend of mine was here to visit and saw Steeler and her quote “OMG you must be crazy to start with a pet Torti cat. You will be in the basement before you know it. That cat will own the house”. I thought that was just plain funny. Now if this keeps up I just may move to the basement. Might be a pretty good idea afterall. I am still in awe of the way her voice sounds and she is certainly using it to the upmost of her ability. Heaven only knows what she will sound like if her vocal cords fully recover from the abuse she had suffered. Might have to build her an apartment of her own.
Bernie
July 3rd, 2010 at 1:55 pmpermalink
Susan, thanks for the update on Jo! It sounds like she has made herself at home in your house and your heart.
Bernie, I always love hearing about Steeler. That’s so great that she’s getting her voice back!
Bernadette, aren’t torties the best? They keep us on our collective toes, that’s for sure!
Ingrid
July 3rd, 2010 at 7:24 pmpermalink
Bernie, bless your heart:) You have a heart of gold:)
Susan
July 4th, 2010 at 9:21 ampermalink
Thanks Susan but this is the only place we can talk about our Torties and others with them know why we like to brag on them. I was reading the older post and one caught my eye. I can’t remember which it was but her Tortie did not like the rest of the family, but did like to sit beside her son at the computer. Steeler did not want me on the laptop in bed so she would use her paw to reach over and hit a key, what a trip. One day I was browsing U Tube and they had “Angry cats). I bookmarded one and when I was working on the laptop Steeler started her devilment, so I brought up the Angry cat and it started to play with hissing, growling, you get the picture. Drove Steeler out of the room. Never have had to stop her from hitting keys again. I think all the people putting up posts here have to have a love of these amazing cats, or they could not really put up with all their antics, (good and bad). (Steeler football training camp opens soon) Just a reminder for New Orleans Nugget owner.
Bernie
July 4th, 2010 at 2:57 pmpermalink
I have a wonderful tortie cat named Tabitha who has been a part of my life for the past 13 years. Unfortunately, she isn’t prone to a cuddly nature. She is a very loyal cat and indeeds loves to have attention; however, she does no particularly care for the other members of our family. She is odd in the fact that she is very particular about who she gives her attention too. For example, she is great with smaller kids (even children who are strangers and walk by my house) but she does not care for my mom, dad and brother all the much. I love her with all my heart though
Alyson
July 12th, 2010 at 3:03 pmpermalink
Alyson, how interesting that Tabitha has such strong preferences about who she gives her attention to. Thanks for telling us about her!
Ingrid
July 12th, 2010 at 4:50 pmpermalink
Oh boy, where to start. I adopted my tortie Zoey as a kitten and she’s a year old now. When I was signing the papers they told me that torties were a little “crazy” and kept warning me about them LOL.
But I absolutely adore her. She loves to follow me (and her “dad”) around, can’t even go to the bathroom without her there, haha. She loves to sleep on us, constantly purring. She is a bit crazy though, often tries to climb curtains and screen doors, runs around with her tail poofed out, attacking the air, things like that. We never get tired of her antics though, though my other cat doesn’t seem to be as amused as us LOL!
Francesca
July 13th, 2010 at 12:14 ampermalink
Francesca, Zoey definitely sounds like she’s all tortie. She seems to share a lot of traits with my tortie kitten Allegra (she’s 10 months old), especially following into the bathroom and attacking the air with her tail all puffy!
Ingrid
July 13th, 2010 at 6:51 ampermalink
Thank U for this post!
Last weekend a Tortie Kitten literally walked in my, and my Humans life.
While she has not yet been Formally Introduced to me, or had her Public Debut by name, I’ve been blogging about her arrival, with pictures, for days, and Daddy assigned me to Research Duty, which led me to you. ;-D
Mr. Nikita Cat
July 15th, 2010 at 12:48 ampermalink
I’m glad you found our site, Mr. Nikita Cat. What is the link to your blog? I hope you come to love your new tortie friend.
Ingrid
July 15th, 2010 at 6:09 ampermalink
Tomorrow will be a month to the day that we adopted our tortie, Jo, and last night was the FIRST time she ever sat on my lap. She will sit BESIDE me or my husband, but never ON the lap. She purred and kneaded my leg as if she actually likes me or something
Of course it was almost dinnertime, and she likes to make absolutely sure that I understand and will follow through on my job of feeding the critters at 7 AM and 7 PM.
This girl has tortitude, for sure! She’s spent the past month working on convincing the other 2 cats in the family that this is HER house, HER humans, her world, and we better just get with the program. She overcame any objections the dog might have had very quickly, but the cats have been tougher to convince. My big old 13 year old male cat is so laid back he was pretty easy to bring around to her way of thinking, although he and Jo aren’t grooming each other yet.
But the 2 year old female tabby is another firecracker, and Jo spends some time every day intimidating her. The way Jo does this is she switches her tail, meows, and stands real tall while she walks toward Bridgid. This makes Bridgid back up to the wall or into the corner, and it looks like she tries to get smaller and smaller until she finally flees. So it’s becoming painfully clear who’s going to rule this roost ultimately.
So far Jo has still not been allowed into our bedroom and frankly, I’m worried that she will eventually try to wear me down on this issue:) All 3 cats are always waiting right at the door when I wake up in the morning, and if I sleep too late they “knock” on the door to let me know it’s about time for breakfast. Jo tries her best to dart past my foot and hightail it into the room when I do get up, but I’m pretty fast. The other thing she does is when I go to bed and close the door, she sometimes hurls her body against the door for good measure. I could see this problem escalating, but we’ll see. I hope she doesn’t turn into a terror about this like Bernie’s tortie does.
Jo has shown a remarkable (and scary) penchant for high places. One of her favorite perches is at the top of the stairs perched on the top bannister, which is like a low wall. The other cats think she’s a crazy daredevil, and so do I!
I’ll see if I can snap a couple of photos to share. I still haven’t taken pictures of her, and she is a gorgeous creature. I must share!
Susan
July 15th, 2010 at 1:54 pmpermalink
Thanks for the update on Jo, Susan! Sounds like she’s not only made herself right at home, she’s taking over your house – as befits a tortie!
Ingrid
July 15th, 2010 at 4:05 pmpermalink
Thank you, Ingrid!
I apologize for not getting back sooner, but Thursday I was formally introduced to our Tortie Rescue, and the 4 days since have been a whirlwind!
Today Daddy & I are hosting a Coming Out Party for the newest member of our household, whom we have named Elvira Mistress of Pussydom!
She is 5 mo. old, and weighs 5 lbs.
In between hosting the party I psted about the last 4 days, with more pics, and did a round-up of links I found in my research, including yours, which, it turned out is already in one of my blogrolls! ;-D
Anyway, when you go to the link in my name the first post you will see is the first of the days party posts, with a link to the post which began the saga, last weekend, so anyone interest will find ways to read everything posted about our Domestic Drama so far.
Sincerely yours,
Nikita Cat
Meowsings of an Opinionated Pussycat
Offishul Repurrter for The Cat Blogosphere
Professor of the Nikita Institute of Pussydom Studies (NIPS): The Most Opinionated Cat in America, With Talent on Loan from THE CEILING CAT!
Mr. Nikita Cat
July 18th, 2010 at 11:36 pmpermalink
Oh my goodness, Elvira is adorable! Thanks for sharing her story.
Ingrid
July 19th, 2010 at 4:34 pmpermalink
“How’s Ol’ Kitty?”
I was at one of our compressor stations yesterday and that’s what the plant Operator asked me.
He was asking about Kasey, my rescue torti.
He used to work at the facility where she lived and he was one of her protectors. He is a vetran of years the petroluem industry, working in a world of big machines and tough work but he has a good guy with a soft spot for critters.
A year or so before I took her home in May 2008, some people at the site had their supervisor convinced she was “sick” and should be put down.
He went out on a limb for her and in the venacular of our business the said “just a @#$%&^* minute, there’s NOTHING wrong with that cat”. It worked and now she lives quite well.
He couldn’t take her home but he was over-joyed when I did. He never fails to ask about her and goes on about how happy he is that she has a good home. I fill him in on her latest antics.
We swapped a few stories about Kasey and the many years we have worked in this operation, I then finished up a few technical jobs I had there and headed back for the 2 hour drive home. It was a good day out of the office, Kasey and the other cats greeted me when I got home.
Glen
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:05 pmpermalink
I had M&M for 19 years, had to put her down last Oct. A wonderful cat…and YES, very talkative. She was very protective of me too.
After I had to put her to sleep my life was VERY empty so I went to the animal shelter. Came home with another Tortie (Willow) and a dark-gray stripe (Leo) kittens. This little Tortie is a bit shy, was scared too…took lots of TLC to get her to accept and trust us.
Ann
July 25th, 2010 at 2:07 pmpermalink
I’m so sorry about M&M, Ann. It’s so hard when these special cats leave us. I’m glad you have Willow and Leo in your life now. It must have been rewarding to get Willow to eventually trust you.
Ingrid
July 25th, 2010 at 8:54 pmpermalink
Love all the new stories, and both Elvira and Mr. Nikita Cat are beauties!
Monkey’s still nuts, and the fact that she even exists still drives my poor Peaches to distraction. They are getting better, though. By “getting better”, I mean that everytime Peaches is sleeping, Monkey will curl up within an inch or two of her, and Peaches doesn’t seem to mind until she wakes up, sees her there, hisses and stalks away doing the patented tail-flip-off.
Monkey still tries to dig her way out from under the baby gate when a delivery guy comes, yet the day I babysat my neighbor’s (very sweet, but thinks cats are hella-cool self-propelled chew toys) pitbull and put TWO baby gates, one above the other, in the bedroom doorway to keep the dog from trying to play with them, she climbed over them. Go figure.
She also has ambitions of being a storm-chaser. While Peaches hides from the thunder and lightning like any self-respecting cat should, Monkey likes to sit in the open window and enjoy the show…the wilder the better. The other night she escaped during a pretty tame rainstorm. I assumed she’d gotten bored and wandered off…it really wasn’t anything but a fairly good rain…..but then my neighbor knocked and asked if my cat was supposed to be out sitting in the yard. I went out and there she was, just sitting in the rain, looking around like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Apparently fleas don’t mind a little rain either. I’ve dosed her with Frontline, but she’s showing signs of allergic reaction. She’s got one of those severe flea allergies where just one bite can trigger scabbing and hair-loss.
Heheh…oh! One last story. She likes to sleep on me. So, the other morning when my alarm went off, she didn’t want to get up. I tried to push her off, but she hunkered down and dug in like she was riding a rodeo bull. I pushed harder, she dug in harder. So I decided to roll over, thinking she’d hop down, but she started doing the log-roll walk instead…..It took me a good 5 minutes to get out of bed! By then I was laughing so hard……
What in the world would we do without these little goofs?
Lianimal
July 27th, 2010 at 6:06 pmpermalink
I am crrently looking for a cat to adopt, so I went to the local animal shelter today and met with about 10 adult cats. One of these was a Tortie named Honey, and she was intriguing.
She was walled off from the other cats, and even so, if they came within a few feet of her (even through pane glass), she would howl and arch her back. HOWEVER, when I went into the room to visit her, she was the sweetest, most affectionate cat I’ve ever seen, especially with a stranger. She just lay there and let me pet her!
I don”t know which cat I’m going to eventually choose, but Honey sure got my attention! Are these Tortie traits?
~Michael
Michael
July 28th, 2010 at 12:48 ampermalink
Michael
I don’t know about all torties but that describes my Kasey.
Shis an indoor cat but she “guards” the house against threats from outside, however, she likes visiters and is friendly with people when they come inside.
She is very attached to me.
Glen
July 28th, 2010 at 6:36 ampermalink
Thanks for the update on Monkey, Lianimal! She seems to be the Ueber-Tortie! I’ve never heard of a cat who actually enjoys watching thunderstorms, and I’m still laughing at your description of trying to get out of bed!
Michael, Honey’s behavior toward the other cats could definitely be due to her tortitude, but it could also simply be that she’s a cat who just doesn’t like other cats and would do best as an only cat. Let us know who you choose!
Ingrid
July 28th, 2010 at 6:37 ampermalink
Michael, I think it’s a tortie thing. They tend to like to rule the roost, and not all cats like to let them. Monkey’s a little bit of a bully toward Peaches, but she’s so sweet and lovey with me and every other human she meets.
Ingrid, I’m still giggling over that too. And I always knew she was completely fearless, but the thunderstorm thing still floored me.
Lianimal
July 28th, 2010 at 12:29 pmpermalink
Lianimal, I’m still laughing over your Monkey stories. What a goof. She sounds absolutely delightful.
Michael, that sounds about right from what little I know about tortitude from my Jo. We already had 2 cats when she picked me, and she most definitely rules the roost now. She still hisses at the other cats when she’s sitting by me and they come up for some attention:) What she lacks in claws, she makes up with in tortitude, and the other cats still maintain a respectful distance from it:) But she’s as sweet as sugar to me and hubby.
Please let us know if you pick Honey…it sounds like she clearly picked you!
Susan
July 29th, 2010 at 4:17 pmpermalink