Susan's Blog

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Cat Woman

What I really want, really really want, is a cat. I know exactly how to take care of them. They are the perfect level of maintenance for me. And they really have personalities. Mine used to nap with me, curled up next to my pregnant (with Nat) belly.

Truly, I can’t imagine a dog. I can less imagine a bunny. And the lesser pets are just smelly work. I want a cat. I love all black cats, where you can’t see anything but their eyes.I hate the siamese ones or the hairless ones, so don’t even bother suggesting it. I have a cat allergy and that’s why I don’t have a cat. I did not always have this allergy, not when I had BallyCat, 19 years ago. But now, I definitely do. I don’t know if there’s a way to overcome cat allergies. But that’s what I would do. Maybe I’ll email my doc and see if there’s some way to get me past the cat allergies?

13 comments

It only took me a few seconds to find it on the web, just to be sure I hadn’t misheard the news report earlier this year.

You can buy a genetically altered “hypoallergenic feline.” Seriously. That’s both creepy and cool at the same time, don’t you think?.

They’re called Allerca cats.

— added by Don on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 7:38 am

My son has a cat allergy but does fine with our cat by taking zyrtec. We LOVE our kitty. We adopted him from a shelter around xmas time and he has been a joy to all of us. He is sweet, funny and wonderfully low maintenance. He sits by me when I write on my computer during the day, but is playful in the evening when the boys are home from school. He has brought out the softer side of my boys and that is really nice to see. Plus kitty gets one of them up in the morning. Amazing how much happier he is to be woken up by a kitty purr and nuzzle than Mom’s typical screeching! You are definitely a cat person from what I know of you. Love to take naps, laze around, feel cozy, etc. Good luck! By the way, we looked into those hypo-allergenic cats and they were REALLY expensive!!! Better to get a regular cat from a shelter and shave him, ha ha.

— added by Sam's mom on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 9:03 am

How about a Chinchilla? Thay have very very soft fur.

— added by MarkZ on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 9:45 am

I don’t know about adults, but with one of my sons, when we brought a cat into the house [no cats in the property before] we found that limited exposure and banning the cat from the bedroom allowed him to gradually [6 months] acclimatize to the cat. He still has flare ups [face in the cats side!] but he knows to wash afterwards and the inhaler is always close by!
Cheers

— added by Maddy on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 9:46 am

Ah, yes Don, you beat me to it..

http://www.allerca.com/

— added by Doris on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 11:12 am

My hubby and I are both allergic to cats and yet we have two of them (both strays). He only has a problem when he comes back from being at sea for a few weeks. It takes him about 3 days to get back into our cat mode. If we go to someone elses place that owns cats we will spend the entire time sneezing and wiping eyes and noses. I think it might be possible to get use to your own cat. I wash bedding regularily (both people and cats) and we have air cleaners throughout the house. Anything that can’t be washed is either leather or leather wannabe and I wipe that often as well. It might be worth it to do some research on the subject and talk to a doctor and get some allergy tests done – maybe an allergy pill a day is a small price to pay to have a warm bundle curl up in your lap. My cats are also indoor cats – I wonder if that would make any kind of difference? I have heard of the cats that don is talking about but I have never seen one or no of anyone with one. I am not sure that I would want to own anything living that was genetically altered though – kinda freaky. Maybe you need a pet rock OR you can get yourself a Roomba – it would follow you around and clean up instead of the other way around!

— added by lizziehoop on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 12:26 pm

Hmm, it’s sounding like there’s hope for acclimation to a cat on one’s own turf. I guess if we kept it downstairs or at least out of my bedroom? And did what Liz said, to wipe things down and change bedding regularly (of COURSE I do that!!!)

I don’t really think you are serious,Mark Z…

Don and Doris: I looked it up and I don’t think it’s a realistic option. I could not stomach the thought of $4000 for a pet when so many should be rescued at the MSPCA, where we got BallyCat. And also, what do they know about this mutant cat? It will probably be nutty or something, in addition to being non-allergenic. Or die young, or something weird.

— added by Susan Senator on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 12:33 pm

Antihistamines are your friend. ;)–ASDmomNC, cat lover

— added by ASDmomNC on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 12:47 pm

I think that one does acclimate to one’s own feline over time. We have 2 cats that we adopted as a pair from the ASPCA. They are not related to one another, but were inseparable buddies. Grendel, the older kitty, is a very fluffy, long-haired gray cat; and Hansel is a sleek brown tabby. Guess to whom I’m more allergic? Hansel! I’ve come to believe that certain long-haired cats have less dander, and you can have full facial contact with their furriness without a single sneeze. I wonder if anyone else has had this experience? Both cats LOVE hanging out with my autistic son Max — they curl up with him, purr, and look up at him adoringly every time he sits down to read a book!(They are somewhat well-disposed towards Julian and Sam too, but Max makes far fewer demands of them). Have fun picking out your new kitty!(-:
Sincerely,
Teresa Peacock

— added by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 1:39 pm

Oh okay πŸ™‚ You can go the cat route; I love cats too.

I think there are allergy medicines, and yes adopt! Those cats are in need of love!! I can’t wait to see your pet-picure tabblos. πŸ˜€

— added by I Wax Poetic on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 2:11 pm

Tamsen,
I just spoke to Neddy Sweets who would also LOVE to get a cat! He says it is ultimately my call because I’d be the “drugged up” one (meaning the Zyrtec-enhanced/compromised one). You bet there would be tons of sweet cat pictures. Mew, mew.

— added by Susan Senator on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 4:02 pm

Black cats are wonderful, they are the best thing for cramps and cold winter nights. Also, calculate all the giggling the kids will do making the cat chase a flashlight beam around the house.

— added by Lisa on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 4:25 pm

You hate Siamese??! I may have to stop reading your blog, lol. Our Siamese cat Benjamin is the best. He has beautiful blue eyes, and a sassy, talkative personality. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to convince you to get a Siamese; I’m just pointing out how great they are. Good luck w/ getting a cat! A good cat is such wonderful company. –Lynne

— added by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 7:14 pm

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