adopt in pairs Archives - Fundamentally Feline

Lynx was Shadow's brother and my first experience with a "lynx point siamese" (mix). He was one crazy looking little kitten. I couldn't tell what he was going to turn into, he was kinda buff, kinda organgy, a black tail, I thought he was a little mess! Boy, was I wrong! He turned out to be such a handsome cat and now, I must say, that the lynx point color pattern has now become one of my absolute favorite coat patterns in cats.

Quite quickly our household of two boys became four boys. It was so easy! Now as a cat behaviorist I can appreciate why. Once we got some opinionated ladies in the mix that is when the trouble started.

When they were wee

Smaller than the shoe!

Would you look at him? SQUEE!

They slept this way their whole lives.

I just cannot get enough of these baby pics.

One of my favorite things that Lynx used to do was come up and "rabbit kick" our feet using his hind feet but in a standing position. He did this so very gently, like he was kicking the air, it was so freaking cute. I wish we had smart phones back then or I would absolutely have video of this behavior. I have yet to have another cat who does this behavior which is a reminder to capture all of the memories while you can.

Lynx was only 12 when he left us and as I shared when I told Shadow's story they were both diabetic, hyperthyroid and later developed liver disease, IBD and pancreatitis, triaditis. They acquired these diseases in a different order but they had all the same genetic issues. The benefit of adopting related cats is they are instant friends for life and have a playmate in each other, the downside is the host of medical issues and losing them close together.

This cat loved our hammock swing! Got "stuck" but not really, just playing.

All four of our 1st boys in "loaf" position.

Foraging, the early years.

My first food puzzles were old water bottles.

He too, had so many nicknames, Lynxy dinxy do's was one. I know, we are crazy. It should be noted that when I first implemented foraging toys we had 16 cats, Shadow and Lynx were the ONLY TWO cats that would use the toys, at first. They were my little super stars. They taught the rest of the crew how it is done, and my foraging crusade began. Lynx, thank you for the memories and for foraging. Your interest in food puzzles changed my whole world and I am so grateful to you boys for teaching me.

An old man long before his time.

Shortly before we said goodbye for the last time.

So handsome.

Complete with catnip froggy on his head.

First week home, 9 months old!

Mercury and Festus were brothers. It is always advised to adopt related cats and keep feline families together. This helps to ensure harmony and a bond. Re, as we often called him (or Re Re) was the more bold of the pair and I distinctly remember him playing with the strings on my backpack in the adoption room where we met.

Mercury was also the most insulted when I decided I was going to save the world, one cat at a time, and continue to grow our feline and canine family. Mercury was the very first cat in my personal life that started spraying! He even sprayed me once while I was sitting on the couch in my scrubs, needless to say I started changing immediately after arriving home after that. Behavior slowly became my focus, but initially it was so that I could better understand my own household.

Enjoying the nip. Mercury was a violent drunk on the nip.

Mercury very slowly became paralyzed his last year of life. We never got an official diagnosis but we managed his care and he became our SECOND paralyzed cat at the time requiring bladder expression as well as defecating help. These were the only two cats that never got to forage. I learned about that just after losing them. It’s sad the regrets one has of those who came earlier, before I knew as much as I do know, hoping I gave them a good enough life.

We love and miss you boys.