Cat's Name & Age:
Pity Pat, 3 years according to vet
Best Characteristics of the Breed
sturdy and smart
Most Challenging Characteristics of the Breed
haven't found anything yet
When, Where and How I Got My American Shorthair Cat
This stray wouldn't leave me alone (peering forlornly in the patio doors and begging me with plaintive meows to help her) until I finally put a little house and food out for her, and every day her head would pop out as I came into my back yard. She stuck to me in my rocking chair on the patio. As spring turned to winter, and the snow buried her house, I finally succumbed and let her in on a snowy and windy -5 below night. I had to fight the husband, and take her to the vet, but she has loved me ever since and runs from open doors. We named her Pity Pat because she coaxed me to take pity on her!
I'd Describe My Cat As…
Very smart. She survived for a long time outside with just her wits and then wore me down with just plain persistence and pitiful meows until I took her inside. She relearned to use the litter box after one day (seemed to not understand it after being outside so long), and if I just pat something and talk sweetly she knows what I mean (use her bed, sit on the couch in a certain spot, etc.) She has a long memory of her outdoor ordeal and doesn't give a fig about looking outside (never sits at windows or doors and runs if one opens). I just speak sternly to her and she obeys and remembers after one reprimand (don't rummage in the closet, etc.). She tries to sneak on the bed and knows my husband's footsteps coming up the stairs and jumps off before he gets there and sees her, but she never budges if it's me. She has claws but has never used them on any furniture and she never jumps up on counters or tables (just soft couches and beds!)
Advice
- Every cat has a special personality and each one is so different. Just love them like another unique member of the family. I had a previous calico cat who passed away who I could hold like a baby and rock and sing to and we would wink at each other (one eye or two and she would copy me). I can't do that with this cat but she's a lot smarter! She has me trained.
