The Loveable Tabby Cat - by Charlie S. [and TPO (aka, Hénock Gugsa )]

The Loveable Tabby Cat 

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by Charlie S. *
[abridged by TPO]

Cute, cuddly, and intelligent are the three words which best describe a tabby cat. These cats are found in a variety of sizes and colors. But particularly, the type and color of a tabby's eyes  may vary from cat to cat. However, there is one thing common in tabbies ... and that is the mark, similar to the letter 'M', on their forehead which gives them a unique look. 

Personality Traits:

Some common personality traits of tabbies are as follows:-

• Tabbies are often referred to as the "dogs among cats" because of their extremely affectionate and playful nature. This is definitely contrary to the "aloof demeanor" with which most domestic felines are associated.
• They love to play around and are usually more attracted to a particular person in the house, who does all the tasks related to their day-to-day routines.
• They are very gentle by nature and they love to get attention.
• These cats are known to spend most of their time having fun and even sharing the bed with their owners.
• Although generally affectionate and cheerful, tabbies do not like it much if they are not allowed to do those things which they really love doing.
• The wish list of these tabby cats can be huge and quite strange at times - they would love to go out several times at their desired time, sit in their favorite corner or room in the home, and eat cat food items which they like.

Most tabby cats are known to be happy-go-lucky by nature, but are bound to get fussy if their wishes are not fulfilled. The colors of the stripes on the body do decide their behavior. Those cats which are black or white are said to be cool and people-oriented. Some cats are shy and love to spend hours in a peaceful and quiet place. They enjoy to be treated with love, care. And they do tolerate human toddlers to a degree, but rough stuff from adults is hissed at!

Sometimes, tabby cats over-react on small things while at other times, they simply won't show any emotions. Yes! tabbies can be definitely moody at times.  For instance, their behavior may be problematic initially when some other pet is brought into the household.  The adjustment period, however, is quite short generally.  And just like humans, tabbies love their individual space and love to be left alone.  They appreciate some amount of privacy, if you please.

Bodily Features:

One thing everyone should know about these cats is that, they are not a singularly-separate or specific breed of cats, as it is commonly perceived. But, all the same, tabbies certainly have particularly attractive and distinct features which are seen in few other cats.

Tabby cats have coats which have distinct markings in the forms of whirls or stripes. The color of coats varies ...  gray, orange, brown, etc. The stripes on the body can be easily and rightly compared to those which are found on tigers. The popular tabby cat is commonly brownish-orange in color and has green eyes. These cats are considered beautiful and graceful by many people. The mackerel pattern seen on a tabby consists of vertical lines similar to those of a fish bone. Some tabby cats are known to have particular spots on their entire body which easily distinguish them from other cats. And a tabby's tail can be furry, but generally it is strong and narrow.

The behavior of a tabby cats may not be altogether an open book.  But one thing is certain:  They are some of the best pets to have!

So when are you planning to introduce one to your household?
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* Source: www.buzzle.com
** More fun cat-related stuff at ... TCCF (Twin Cities Cat Fanciers) 

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Note from TPO: - My cat, "Biffy", lived to a ripe old age of 13.  He was a good old cat who gave as much love as he received. He is dearly missed. His twin brother, "Curie", is still going strong at 18 years of age!  Curie has a completely black and shiny coat except for a few patches of white on his underbelly.


 









Recent update: Curie, my cat whose picture you see on the right, finally succumbed to natural causes and died of old age (19 plus years) on April 1, 2013.  No, he wasn't fooling around. He was calling it quits! I buried him in the backyard with all his toys and favorite things.

"Thinking Ahead ..." - by James Tate

Thinking Ahead To Possible Options And A Worst-Case Scenario
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by James Tate  ( 1943 - )

I swerved to avoid hitting a squirrel
in the center of the road and that's when
the deer came charging out of the forest
and forced me to hit the brakes for all I
was worth and I careened back to the other
side of the road just as a skunk came toddling
out of Mrs. Bancroft's front yard and I swung
back perhaps just grazing it a bit. I glanced
quickly in the rearview mirror and in that
instant a groundhog waddled from the side
of the road and I zigzagged madly and don't
know if I nipped it or not because up ahead I
could see a coyote stalking the Collier's
cat. Oh well, I said, and drove the rest
of the way home without incident.