my new cat

[Panther]

Here's a picture of my other boy. He's the nephew of the first one I posted. he's a little aloof. Like I said, they like to be up high and Turbo is no exception. He jumps like his uncle. I just took this picture of him out on the ledge of the 9' tall divider that runs between my foyer and my livingroom. He is the second type of Bengal marking known as "marble" and he is also the more uncommon coloring of white with grey & black markings. Where his uncle has bright green eyes, he has bright blue eyes. He is about the same size as his uncle, but has never "bested" him one-on-one.



Mary... My alpha male goes by the name "Buster". His "official" registered name is "Desert Sun Spots", because his queen was "Desert Sun Rose" and his sire was, ummmm... i forget, but something, something, "Spots".

This picture is of "Turbo". Given that name because he gets the idea that he's going to race around the house without touching the floor sometimes... His "official" name is "Desert Snow Storm"... or something like that... I forget exactly. Turbo's mom is also living here. She's small for a Bengal and likes to talk, talk, talk...

Steph... let's see...

1. I purchased Buster from a licensed Bengal cattery in Massachusetts. There are plenty of great catterys where you can get Bengals... just do the research and make sure they aren't a "kitty factory" and that they are recognized with good blood lines.

2. There are a number of places to find out more... a Google search can help you find catterys in your area. However, here are a few links to help you get started.

The International Bengal Cat Society Homepage:
http://www.bengalcat.com

The Bengal Cat Webring:
http://r.webring.com/hub?sid=&ring=bengalring&id=&list

If you're interested in getting a Bengal and don't have the $$$, try:
http://www.geocities.com/mabengal/
You won't find kittens there. You'll find mature cats that were given up for many reasons... some reasons are the previous owners, some are because of the animal.


3. I got Buster for an excellent price. Buster should have sold for between $1000 & $2500 because he's "show quality", but I didn't pay that. Jesse, my queen, was also purchased without such a big pricetag because she wasn't "show quality", even though she has show quality genes, and I made a deal with the breeder who sold her that we'd allow him to breeder her for the bloodline. We got three kittens from the breeding. One was "Turbo"...

There are many ways to reduce the cost of getting a Bengal. (Besides the obvious of adopting an adult cat through the rescue league.) Purchase a kitten that isn't ideal markings... IOW, not "show quality". Agree that you will not breed the cat. (If you're going to become "the competition", catterys will charge for that.) Seek out a cat as a "pet". "Pet quality" costs a LOT less than "breeders" or "show cats". You can get a Bengal Cat for $100-$500 if you'll use that advice. Check out the cat before you decide to buy. Some cats (not just Bengals, but bengals can be this way as well... especially the females) are very aloof. If you're looking for a lovey-kitty, you don't want to get one that's going to hate to be held or picked up. Always wait at least 10 weeks after birth before taking the kitty. That gives it enough time to be properly weaned and will prevent you from many problems. If you go to a cattery, try to find one where the kittens are raise "under foot". IOW, where they are aclimated to people, not kept in cages. When you sit in the middle of dozens of kittens, let one of them pick you as it's pet human. You'll be happier, guaranteed. I originally had my heart set on a snow leopard, but Buster crawled up into my hand and fell asleep! He literally was small enough to curl up in my palm. He licked my fingers a bit and started to snooze. I knew right then that he was the one and that I was his chosen "Pet Human"! (And nothings changed over the years!)

And finally,

Bill... Most people that are allergic to cats are allergic to the oils in their saliva. When the cat grooms, the oils coat the fur and then you get it all over you and... bam. Bengals don't have the same oils in their skin and saliva as normal domestic cats. I have many friends who are very allergic to cats in general, but who come to my house all the time without problems! (Even my new bride is allergic to cats in general, but these sleep on her nightly without problems... )

Take care...

[IJ]

The cat that lets me live with him is Zuki, of the C-ville VA SPCA. All residents were evaluated, and Zooks rubbed up against me purring from the beginning. We'd decided he'd have a karate name from the outset, settled on zuki and kyoshi as the cutest, and figured if he was always falling off tables and even our balcony, he couldn't be promoted to kyoshi. He does however mingle even with crowds of 20, and he tackled a black lab that visited, and loves to wrestle. When we used to let him outside, he tried to follow me to work, and he asked to be let out, then would wait by the mailbox for me to come home.

The report from Tim is that Angoras are also hypoallergenic, and he's getting one for a new home with an allergy afflicted resident.

[Guest]

Panther, love your cats! So does my daughter, I fact she's so impressed with buster we hijacked him and he's know the background on my computer. Thanks he is a beauty. My daughter has spent a fair bit of time admiring him and exploring the links you posted!

We'll only borrow buster for a short time,a week or so , then I'll replace his image with a horse, her other love in life.Hope you don't mind loaning buster out.

I'd love to have a cat in the house for the kids but like Bill I'm alergic. Grew up with cats and dogs, but when I was about 25 I developed a huge reaction to cats and feathers.

(Kind of a bad thing to be alergic to fur when half your family are trappers) I spend 3 hours inside with a cat and I end up in emergency.

The feather thing ***** too. My hobby is fly tying, which can create a conflict, but nothing like sleeping on a feather pillow.

I might be able to live with a cat if I took medication, but I'd rather not . But everytime I go some where there are cats I can't stay away from them and I can't not touch them. I fact I end up playing with them of petting them until I start getting sick.

I wish I could have one, hey my mother inlaw has eight, I've never been in her home for longer than 30 minutes in 15 years.

Oh well , guess I can enjoy Buster from the safety of the monitor.

Laird

[Van Canna]

Panther,

Buster is one precious animal.

Never seen anything like it. A friendly ferociousness that is captivating.

More like a leopard.

[Mary S]

HOW TO BATHE A CAT:

1. THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE TOILET.

2. LIFT THE LID AND ADD SHAMPOO.

3. FIND AND SOOTHE CAT AS YOU CARRY IT TO THE BATHROOM.

4. IN ONE SWIFT MOVE, PLACE CAT IN THE TOILET, CLOSE THE LID AND STAND ON TOP SO CAT CANNOT ESCAPE.

5. THE CAT WILL SELF-AGITATE AND PRODUCE AMPLE SUDS. (IGNORE RUCKUS FROM INSIDE TOILET, CAT IS ENJOYING THIS.)

6. FLUSH TOILET THREE OF FOUR TIMES. THIS PROVIDES A POWER RINSE, WHICH IS QUITE EFFECTIVE.

7. STAND AS FAR FROM TOILET AS POSSIBLE AND QUICKLY LIFT THE LID.

8. CLEAN CAT WILL ROCKET OUT OF THE TOILET AND OUTDOORS, WHERE IT WILL AIR DRY.

SINCERELY,
THE DOG

[Bill Glasheen]

Same dog???



- Bill