Looks like I'm getting a cat...

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Car hole dammit! CAR HOLE!! or are you too good for plain english Mr. French La Tee Da.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Sliver

You can generalize characteristics within breeds. Of course with a purebred cat you aren't guaranteed to get the characteristics you're hoping for that the breed generally has, but you can increase your odds versus a random kitten at the SPCA that could have any number of undesirable characteristics.

I'm trying to increase the probability of me getting along with the cat, which is a prudent thing to do given my lack of enthusiasm for all of this to begin with.

I think there are a lot of pet owners out there that have put a lot less time and effort into making sure they get an animal that's the right fit for their life than I'm doing right now.

Re: bolded, and this might be different for cats, but I understand (could be wrong) that some purebred dogs have negative genetic issues that more profound because of the in breeding. A good example is Dalmatians. I believe they have a predisposition to hearing issues.

If you get a mutt, some of this is diluted.

[bigtmac19]

Quite often pure bred animals can have more health problems than a mutt.

[Sliver]

That is a drawback of purebreds, but the problems are generally well documented so it's not too big of a concern. We wouldn't get one with a ton of issues.

[Zevo]

People, health problems don't matter. He won't have it long enough to worry about those. It's all about having a cool cat while he does have it.

Pssht...health problems are for chumps, amirite sliver.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Igster

I just don't even know how to respond to this. Really.

How come?

An SPCA cat is an animal that exists because someone else was careless. They are put down because if they are not adopted they are pests. We don't need feral cats and dogs running around the city. They do not become someones pets until they are adopted.

Do you value them more than this because the above seems to me like the perfect definition of a "whatever cat". And if you do value them more than that do you do anything to prevent these cats from being euthinized. If you do I fully respect your position.

I do agree that in general gettng a SPCA cat or someones free kitten is better than paying for purebread as there are already to many cats and encouraging the market for more cats is not good in general

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Trolling because I want a purebred over a mutt at the pound? What are you even talking about? There are hundreds of purebreds out there for sale for hundreds or thousands of dollars. This, despite the fact you can pick up a random tabby for a hundred bucks at the SPCA. Surely you can see I'm not the only one in Calgary that would opt to pay more for a "special" cat versus a "whatever" cat at the SPCA. Hardly makes me a troll.

I didn't say that you're being accused of trolling because you want a purebred cat. I am implying that it's because of how you're stating these requirements.

You could have opted to leave out the superfluous comments about SPCA or non-purebreds being gross, but you left it in there in what could only be construed as an attempt to rile people up.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Zevo

People, health problems don't matter. He won't have it long enough to worry about those. It's all about having a cool cat while he does have it.

Pssht...health problems are for chumps, amirite sliver.

Oh Hell Yeah

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Zevo

It's all about having a cool cat while he does have it.

Sliver is Paris Hilton?

[ernie]

I guess I'm getting lost a bit in all of this...

OP doesn't want a cat nor will he take care of it. He is "indifferent" to animals and doesn't care about them. His wife and kids want the cat and will take care of it.

BUT

OP is hell bent on controlling where the cat comes from, if it's purebred or not, what breed it is if purebred, all the mannerisms the cat has etc etc.

Seems very odd to me.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I didn't say that you're being accused of trolling because you want a purebred cat. I am implying that it's because of how you're stating these requirements.

You could have opted to leave out the superfluous comments about SPCA or non-purebreds being gross, but you left it in there in what could only be construed as an attempt to rile people up.

He is always purposely obtuse like that in threads of his. Says something to get some people riled up, someone gets riled up and then he responds to the most innocuous part of his post in a reasonable manner as if he didn't say something inflammatory. Rinse repeat.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by ernie

I guess I'm getting lost a bit in all of this...

OP doesn't want a cat nor will he take care of it. He is "indifferent" to animals and doesn't care about them. His wife and kids want the cat and will take care of it.

BUT

OP is hell bent on controlling where the cat comes from, if it's purebred or not, what breed it is if purebred, all the mannerisms the cat has etc etc.

Seems very odd to me.

What is odd about that? I have to live with it, so it's only reasonable that I have input into the decision.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by Minnie

Sliver is Paris Hilton?

Hmmm...attention whore, check. Kinda comes across as clueless, check. Likes little dogs, D'oh.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by Sliver

What is odd about that? I have to live with it, so it's only reasonable that I have input into the decision.

Limited input I'd agree but it seems to me as if you are controlling the process which IMO (and I understand it may not be shared) is not how a pet is picked out.

A pet with the intelligence/social needs of a cat and dog is picked out through visiting and getting to know a pet. No reputable breeder will let you simply show up and 10 minutes later have you going home with a pet in a carrier. At least for dogs, but I think cats are much the same. Despite what is commonly talked about, cats are also very sociable and there needs to be a bond. Even shelters I've dealt with require multiple visits before allowing you to make that final decision.

You've stated the cat will belong to your wife and kids. It is their cat. You couldn't have been more clear on that, and while yes you have to live with it you have already seemingly given your consent. The only thing that needs to be done now is to find the cat that your WIFE and KIDS click with given they are the ones responsible for it and the ones responsible to interacting, playing etc with it. I've tried the pre-determined checklist way back when I was younger.....that checklist goes out the window as soon as you see the pet you click with. Quite frankly, if you go in and stick to a checklist you may never actually find the pet you click with and the wife and kids will settle. That is almost a guaranteed way to end up with a "problem" pet because your family members will have limited emotional investment in that pet. Thus limited involvement in training, playing etc etc. And to be even more frank, with the attitude you have towards animals (indifferent - your word) you won't ever click with one.

But of course you aren't actually indifferent to them at all....if you were you wouldn't have favourite traits, looks, etc all figured out.

[bigtmac19]

Originally Posted by Sliver

What is odd about that? I have to live with it, so it's only reasonable that I have input into the decision.

It is odd that you feel the need to have so much control over choosing an animal you have absolutely no interest in. I realize it's just part of your persona over this whole subject, but the fact you can't see you are talking out of both sides of your mouth is astounding.

[V]

Yeah, that part is pretty strange. If you're going to ignore the cat then I don't really see the need to care about how it acts. Cats are cats, there are nuanced differences, but it's really not that pronounced.

Just let your kids get what they want and let them take care of them.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Burninator

He is always purposely obtuse like that in threads of his. Says something to get some people riled up, someone gets riled up and then he responds to the most innocuous part of his post in a reasonable manner as if he didn't say something inflammatory. Rinse repeat.

Credit where it is due, he is good at it.

[fatso]

Originally Posted by Burninator

He is always purposely obtuse like that in threads of his. Says something to get some people riled up, someone gets riled up and then he responds to the most innocuous part of his post in a reasonable manner as if he didn't say something inflammatory. Rinse repeat.

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Credit where it is due, he is good at it.

Also, he's been bringing some fresh techniques this go-round too. The 'update' to CP, allegedly following the SPCA trip, was a really nice touch, particularly given the majority of posts before it were from those expressing he shouldn't get a pet.

image hidden for size

NSFW!

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by V

Yeah, that part is pretty strange. If you're going to ignore the cat then I don't really see the need to care about how it acts. Cats are cats, there are nuanced differences, but it's really not that pronounced.

Just let your kids get what they want and let them take care of them.

I still don't think it's strange. For example, I want to limit the amount of hair around the house - that rules out long hair cats. I don't want a very vocal cat - that rules out Siamese. If we are going to bring an animal into our house, those just seem like practical considerations. Why wouldn't I have say? My wife certainty doesn't think it's weird.

I think most dog owners approach buying a dog the exact same way I'm approaching buying a cat. You don't start your search for a dog you can hike in the mountains with and come home with a Chihuahua. You look for a certain size animal, look at different breeds, and probably buy a Lab or something. Similarly, you don't set out for a lapdog and end up with a Newfoundland.

Since I'm going to be sharing my home - somewhat reluctantly - with this cat, it's reasonable that I would want to limit its impact on my life by setting up some criteria to maximize our chances of having it fit in with all of us. It's not like we need to get one tomorrow - when we find the one that ticks all the boxes, well meet it and see if we bond. If so, we'll get it. If not, we'll keep looking.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I really do marvel at how big these cats are. The sheer size of their paws. Knowing my cat and as much as she likes to cuddle and get pet she still has this wild/promal side to her which is why I think people are crazy to take their chances being in close proximity to such large cats.

There's big and then...

Spoiler!