The Puffer Forum

I'm about to get a non-aquatic animal of my very own for the first time! We've had cats and dogs my whole life, sure, but they've been family pets. Now that I'm moving out to the farm and will be on my own, any pets will be totally mine... and I'm allowed to have a cat there!

A month or so ago, I was working on profiles for Petfinder.com for the Humane Society, and I wrote one up for Astrid: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/17682835. At the time, I thought she sounded really sweet, and she looked exactly like my black cat who'd just died from heart failure. Of course, getting another cat while I was in school and living in a dorm or at home was out of the question. But when I found out that I could have a cat, I immediately remembered Astrid. I looked at her profile again, and her personality seemed perfect - I want a constant companion to keep me company in a big, empty farmhouse.

So, I contacted the cat program manager and the foster mom, and we confirmed that she is available. She's adaptable enough to handle a few moves over the next several years, and the foster mom doesn't mind that I'm only 20. The cat program manager will cosign for me since I'm under 21. I've applied for adoption. I'm meeting her tonight at seven! Her foster mom said she's really shy at first and I shouldn't judge her based on the first meeting. But if we do get along, I'm going to adopt her, and she'll stay with her foster mom until I'm moved in up in Indiana. Then I'll come back and get her!



Isn't she adorable?!

Congradultions!!!!

She is a cutie . Looks sassy!

she?

ohhh you're in for it now!!!

Congrats !! Cats are so cool!!

I just met her. My parents are mad at me, but it's not their decision anymore, and I'm getting her! She was SO sweet. She was really shy until I petted her. Then, after a moment, she laid her head in my hand and flopped over and purred.

I took this picture tonight:

Adorable!!!! I'm glad you adopted her. That way she will certainly have a great home, with an owner that loves her!! hehe
Very good looking kitty

my female will crawl into the bed and when I put my hand on her paw she puts her head on my hand. It is so sweet!!

On the other side of the coin, she HATES having her back rubbed. They have a sensitive part right at the base of the tail, expect bites when combing.

She also plays a lot rougher than my male. The male knows not to draw blood, the female doesn't care

The female is also more laid back and aloof, where as the male is more "hey, I need attention and exercise"

<--- <3 cats. Duh. I have five, bf's rent's have six... 11 cats. 2 dogs. 2 snakes. 10 fancy rats. 2 fw tanks, 1 snail/ small QT tank...

It's a full house! We live right by the river and a nice grove, no traffic. Gotta love small town Indiana!

My BF and I have kitteh familiars that will follow us on walks and are (BARELY) harness-trained to go the vet! People must think we're insane... We always get asked, "Did you know there are two cats following you?!" Good thing there aren't witch burnings for us Yankees anymore!

My newest feline (only one not neutered--he's so popular):


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LilGreenPuffer, rescue pets are the BEST!! They will be thankful for years!

Congrats, she doesn't look too happy there I don't see the problem as long as you can give her the time and care that she needs and can afford any vet bills that she may get. I'd love to have a cat but I rent from my dad and he's allergic. I think we might try to foster some rats for a local rescue.

allycat, my mom used to have clients that had a cat that would follow them around. When they brought him to the vet they'd just let him out of the car and he would walk right into the clinic. He was wonderful and one of my favourite animals. He passed away from cancer a few years ago, I still miss him and I'm sure others do too.

My application got approved!

allycat, I found out that the farm is in Marysville.

I really think you need to get settled in your new place, before adding another life to the mix. Are you going to have a roommate?

No roommate, just me and Astrid in a 19th-century farmhouse. I'll probably have a roommate in March, but he likes cats. There's a cat living in the cottage he's in right now, actually.

My plan is to move to Indiana and get settled, then come back for Astrid a few days later. That way, she'll move in on a nice, quiet day.

I'm glad you'll have a furry companion.

Me too. I don't want to be too isolated - not good for my mental health, and NOT good for my sleep at night in an old house. o.0 Astrid is really cuddly. I made sure to pick a cat who'd want to stay with me at night and spend lots of time with me.

You'll let us know when you get her home, right? She has a virtuous little white chest patch. :swoon:

Yep, and I'll probably take a TON of pictures. She's going to be SO SO SO spoiled. I bought her a cat run and a window perch and pretty ceramic dishes and she'll be on super-high-quality canned and grain-free food and I already got her some toys. Oh, and she has a St. Francis ID tag to keep her double-safe (plus she's microchipped) and I got her a harness/lead for travel safety. I still need to get her a carrier and litter stuff and more toys and food and a brush and a first-aid kit.

Her white patches on her chest and belly are almost identical to the markings on my first cat, who died a few months ago. Total coincidence - like most people, I don't find black cats as attractive, and I really love calicos and torties and blue-grays and so on, but of course her personality was so much more important.

I'm going to visit her tomorrow, and I'm going to bring the harness so that she can start getting used to it. I want her moving day to be as stress-free as possible.