Raggs – Ragdoll of the Week

I’d like to introduce you to my beautiful, funny, full-of-personality Ragdoll RAGGS. Raggsy (one of many nicknames) was born May 31, 2016 in Batavia, Ohio, at the Kikisrags Cattery – Tracey L Thebout, breeder. Raggs’ dad is Cash and his mother’s name is Gigi. I would very much recommend Tracey, and in fact, Raggs’ half-sister is now part of our family (they have the same father).

Here’s Raggs just before we brought him home.

He didn’t have a name then. I’m a firm believer in letting pets name themselves. A friend of ours looked at his photo – long before she met him – and said we should name him Daredevil and call him DD for short. Something in his eyes, she said. Turns out she was right! But the name Raggs stuck and it’s definitely him. It’s just that he isn’t afraid of anything, including huge jumps!

So how did I come to adopt a Ragdoll? Well, my fiancé Joey was the one who decided we’d be getting Raggs. My dear Daisy cat died in January 2016, nearly 20 years old. Daisy had been with me since he was nothing more than a black and white puffball of fur that I rescued from a busy intersection in Southeast San Antonio in May 1996. I read an article about Ragdolls and Ragamuffins somewhere that featured a black and white Ragamuffin that was Daisy’s spitting image. So, even though I didn’t know Daisy’s lineage, I was always convinced that he was at least part Ragdoll or Ragamuffin because of his doggy personality, large physique and strong attachment for me. Always following me from room to room, wanting to be carried around. And Joey heard me talking about that a lot, especially as Daisy aged and finally became ill with urinary disease. So a Ragdoll it was! And as for his name, it just came to me one day. But I wanted it to be unique, so I added a second “g”.

Raggs came home with us to Pendleton IN August 2016. Tracey advised us to kitten-proof the house…good advice. Raggs acquired some nicknames those first few weeks: Tasmanian devil, Whirling Dervish, Crazy Cat…you get the picture! Very active, very daring, able to scale table lamps in a single bound, and very expressive with his claws (in other words: OUCH!) Very affectionate little dude. Slept on my pillow until he got too big for it, and even a few weeks beyond that. Some nights I’d wake up with a noseful of Raggsy’s fur!

When he turned a year old, it was like he grew up. He’s still playful and an acrobat, but he seems more dignified now. Could be because he has to act the part of a big brother. As you can see by the pictures, most of which also include Kiki, they are great friends, playing, chasing each other around the house, tussling, or just sleeping on the end of our bed. They both get along great with our two Aussies, giving them lots of “exercise”. Raggs and our year-old 55-pound Aussie tussle all the time, and Raggs holds his own!

Raggs is still, when it’s all said and done, a very fine acrobat. The pantry picture has a story behind it. I was unloading groceries one Saturday, turned my head for a second to reach for some cans, and when I turned back, Raggs had leapt through the open pantry door (at least a 5’ leap) and settled himself amongst the rice. He also likes to open floor-level doors and slide inside, leaving me to call frantically when I can’t find him! He loves to leap on top of the kitchen or bathroom cabinets, or the fridge, so he can properly supervise!

It’s interesting to me that Kiki (born February 22, 2017) isn’t near the jumper that Raggs is. In fact, she’s a little on the clumsy side!

I fell in love with the Ragdoll breed when Raggs came into our home, and the love affair continues. What a great breed! They are strong, muscular, athletic, funny, brave, silly, and affectionate. I’m so glad they are part of my life.

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