Melbourne - Ragdoll of the Week, a Seal Mitted Ragdoll cat

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I would like to introduce you to Melbourne. He is our Seal Mitted baby. He was born March 2nd 2017 and we brought him into our home on June 2, 2017, where he has stolen our hearts and healed them as well.

Melbourne - Ragdoll of the Week Melbie strikes a pose — Melbie strikes a pose

We have had several cats since my husband and I got married thirty some years ago. But when we bought a house with my Mother-in-Love, Dodo (her real name is Lola – Dodo is really a term of endearment, not just the extinct dodo bird -), I thought I may have to give up my cat. You see, my Dodo had a license plate frame that proclaimed “cats flatten while you wait”. Well, she loved me so much, she was willing to try to get along with the cat (at that time we had a shaded silver Persian) named Quantas. He was a gorgeous boy with lovely green eyes. He worked hard, and he began to win her over. When he passed away and I was lost without a cat. I looked at different types of breeds to see which had a more suitable personality for our family and set my sights on Ragdolls.

Melbourne - Ragdoll of the WeekQuantas won over his Dodo - my Mother-in-Love — Quantas won over his Dodo – my Mother-in-Love

Melbourne - Ragdoll of the Week Ho Ho Hobart - Why is it that all cats love to be under the Christmas tree — Ho Ho Hobart – Why is it that all cats love to be under the Christmas tree

Hobart was our first Ragdoll. Hobart was a beautiful blue mitted boy. (Can you see any type of pattern starting?…) He had a big personality and loved his immediate family (those of us that lived in our home). He did not love our grandchildren so much. He would stalk them whenever they came over. They were loud and ran around and his people were quiet and did not chase him. It was always interesting to see how his temperament changed when the kids came over. He was not a fan of crowds and we had 5 grandchildren. But, he won over his Dodo completely. He would wait outside her bedroom door in the morning, and escort her to the kitchen for treats. He loved to play with his toys and they could be found all over the house, but mostly under furniture. He was 10 years old when he died in January 2017. We were all heartbroken.

Melbourne - Ragdoll of the Week Melbourne at 7 weeks — Melbourne at 7 weeks

I started to search for breeders in our area (the breeder we got Hobart from had closed her cattery). We were lucky to find 5-Star Rags in Hollister, CA. Karen Walsh had a Seal Mitted boy that was just born and would be ready to go to his forever home soon. We now had to just patiently wait.

Melbourne - Ragdoll of the Week Melbourne 6-12-17 just over 3 months old — Melbourne 6-12-17 just over 3 months old

We brought Melbourne (Melbie) home and he has taken over the house. He weighed just over 5 lbs. when we picked him up. Now just above 14 lbs. He will be a big boy. His dad was a big boy too. He is the most social cat we have ever had. He gets along with everyone (even the occasional dog that has visited). He is a purr monster. He even purrs when he goes to the Veterinarians’ office. The Vet Tech there has teased me saying she will take him home with her the next time I come in to visit. He loves to explore and surprises us when he comes up with a toy his uncle Hobart left for him.

Melbourne - Ragdoll of the Week Melbourne at the Vets office -check out that fluffy tail and he was purring the whole time until his shots — Melbourne at the Vet’s office -check out that fluffy tail and he was purring the whole time until his shots.

He has his favorite toy – a neko-fly bug. I have never seen a cat jump so high to play with a toy! All you have to do is rattle the handle and he will come running. He also loves cat toys shaped as springs – and will chase after them and then carry them in his mouth upstairs and drop them on our bed. His Uncle Hobart left lots of toys for him to find, but what we love most is that he also waits outside Dodo’s bedroom door and walks her down the stairs for treats in the morning, (we don’t know how Hobart did that), but we are grateful. This was his first Christmas and he spent lots of time under HIS tree. He even took to hiding springs under the tree skirt so they would be easier to find later. I have been excited to see his color change as he has gotten older. He is a true floppy cat and spends lots of time on his back.

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Melbourne - Ragdoll of the WeekDon't tell Dodo - Melbie is in her favorite skillet — Don’t tell Dodo – Melbie is in her favorite skillet

Now for the names – Quantas took me to Australia, Hobart is the capital of the Australian island state of Tasmania, Melbourne is the state capital of the Australian state of Victoria (I have always wanted to travel to Australia – my husband should be catching a hint here ) – my next cat’s name will be Sydney (when we get another ragdoll).