Finding your website was one of the happiest days of my life ever since I became a cat’s mom! I adore the way you write and your explanations are always so detailed and knowledgeable! I have been reading it for the past two hours and have learned so much!

I grew up with dogs and because I got scratched by a cat when I was a child, I grew up afraid of them (plus all the bad rep they get didn’t help!) until last year. Taking my morning walk in the park I lived by, I found this tiny little kitten by herself. Although at that point I had no plans to adopt her, after waiting and observing her for about an hour, I decided to take her with me as I was afraid she would die if left by herself and there was no sign of her mom. She seemed hungry, afraid and had one of her eyes closed in what seemed to be an infection. I took her to the vet, and besides fleas and the eye issue she was very healthy. I got very touched to find out she was only about three weeks! She couldn’t even use the bathroom by herself and the vet taught me to rub a cotton ball with warm water in her little belly (so she’d think it was her mom licking it) and feed her appropriate cat milk in the bottle and soft food. I wish I could send you pictures! I fell absolutely in love with her and decided she was in my life to stay!

My kitten name is Nina. She turned 1 year old (approximately) last week on May 5 (I read in some sites kitten-hood can last up until two years, is it true?) and ever since I have tried my best to be the best mom and cat owner I can. I have taken her to all the necessary visits to her vet, and everybody loves her there since they’ve known her since she was a baby; I’ve read few books to educate myself on how to raise them and read their behavior (and will read more based on your recommendations). Nina brought me a love for animals in general I never thought I could have, although I grew up with dogs, she taught me much more about respect, compassion and love. She is playful, silly and very cute. I am looking into volunteering in an animal shelter once my schedule allows.

I travel a lot for work and took her three times abroad with me last year: July, Oct and Nov. In case you guys are wondering, she never went on cargo! I chose an airline she could travel with me and she would go in her crate or sleep on my lap under the blanket, where she was the most comfortable. She would only cry a bit when I left to the bathroom quickly. I tried not to leave for more than four days and when that happened I took her with me. The other times, she was boarded in her vet. Although she loved the girls there, boarding was another story. She hated it! She cried and would crawl to my neck and without hurting me, hold on to my clothes and hair. The caretakers said the first two days were terrible, she would try to bite and attack them (which she has never done to me or any of my guests!!) It broke my heart to leave her and i started to look for a cat sitter and found a great one that now comes twice a day once I am gone and feeds her, cleans her litter box and plays with her. I think she got a sweet deal, although nothing is nicer than mommy! ;)

This is the part I should switch from “leave a comment” to ” ask a question” (so feel free to publish on the latter session if you think appropriate). My vet believes she is a mix of a Maine Coon and a Somali, given her personality traits and looks, although she is still petit, only 7lbs. This last trip I have made, lasted a week and I didn’t take her with me because I had to hop to three countries and it would be a nightmare! Reading your posts, it seems you kitties are all very affectionate to your momma, sit on her lap and sleep close to her head. My Nina used to do all that when she was younger, but now, although she sleeps in bed with me (on my feet) , is social to guests and greets me when I come back with her tail up (and hides/cries when I leave), and follows me throughout the house, she has been a little distant recently. I read here about how cats get over stimulated (thanks, I had no idea and it makes total sense!), I don’t overly pet her, but maybe once I come back I do, she hasn’t ever sat on my lap or came for me to pet her. I always go her way (she usually stretches her neck and let me rub it and her head, she closes her eyes and purrs very loudly), and when she’s had enough she moves and walks someplace else.

I don’t want to sound overly neurotic, but being my first pet as an adult and a first time cat owner, I just want to make sure I am not doing anything wrong and she keeps growing healthier and of course, loving me. Maybe I just feel guilt to travel, but there’s nothing I can do about it. When I am back, I home office, so we have time together. I thought of another kitten, but that would be so hard to travel with two and also the girls in the vet said she can’t stand other cats! (how is this possible?) and prefers dogs. Is her behavior maybe related to the fact she might come from a feral mom although she was just a baby kitten when I got her? I read Somalis are not lap cats either… Don’t know, this might be normal, I just want to make sure she is happy!

Sorry for the lengthy email!!! Any tips and help will be sooo highly appreciated!

Again, congratulations on the wonderful website!! Great team work, keep it up!!!! :)

Xoxo,

Carol (and Nina, meow – chirp sound-).