Originally Posted by Yve_Hamilton_Br:
“Amikolaichek - there are pussies you could have.
Sphynx (which are not bald but feel like a peach)
Peterbald
It's either Cornish Rex or Devon Rex
Siberian Forest Cat
All supposed to be hypoallergenic.”
Oh yes, thanks for those suggestions, Yve_Hamilton ... and I would love to have another cat, if I could be sure it would 't be an allergen. BUT, most importantly, IF I were not so very old to take on a cat. For it'd be highly likely the puss would outlive me - and while my daughter and family love cats, HER husband is wildly asthmatic if near cats, dogs, and my son already has a cat that'd be murderously hostile towards a newcomer. No-one else comes to mind, really, to take on an 'orphaned' cat and I'd hate to think of it having to go to a cat rehoming place and wait ages there - or - worse - be put down as does happen these days by certain animal charities flooded with unwanted animals.
My late cat was a particular worry (even before UCLH found out about the dangerous allergy I had), as EVERYONE hated her- with, I'm afraid, reason - she was extremely vicious, especially towards children, which wasn't surprising, since she'd been a badly abused kitten by a nasty brat of a child during her first year or so of life, before being dumped with wonderful Cats Protection for rehoming - and I adopted her (I like a challenge!). We did have almost nine years together and she grew to trust me as far as she could, as she was treated with kindness, gentleness and understanding all that time, even though she never completely reciprocated! Of course, I adored her!
When I was so ill last year and reckoned I'd not long to go, I redrew my Will and 'bequeathed' cat to a gentleman friend, with a 'bribe' of a respectable sum of money PROVIDED he took her on (with my childrens' full agreement, along with relief, must add).
Well, I recovered, cat had to be PTS anyway because of a virulent and rapidly growing cancer (before I knew about my allergy), and I recently told gentleman friend about the Will and asked him if he'd have given my orphaned cat a home. His reply was an emphatic 'NO! - he bore some scars from her too!
Gone a bit off-topic. Anyway, I love hearing about friends' cats and seeing cute photos - so consider myself an elderly 'Cat Auntie' these days.
By the way, I am a teensy bit incredulous that Jones has seventeen cats plus Prudence. Especially when I recall a Dreary, or it may have been in one of her books, where she wrote about driving from old house in Exmoor to new place in Richmond with all the cats in carriers yowling in the back ... SEVENTEEN CATS in carriers? Was she driving a bloody lorry? Also, from the sound of it, these were (if they existed) feral cats - and good luck with catching those. even if she did actually put out food for them.


