Shadow – Ragdoll of the Week
Shadow – Ragdoll Cat of the Week
Shadow is a Blue Point Ragdoll, who was born 4/8/2013. He was named Nevan by the breeder (I later changed it to Shadow) He truly lives up to his name. His story starts with visiting a Ragdoll Breeder in Smithville, Texas in 2013, in search of a seal point mitted boy. I had seen a beautiful seal mitted boy on her website. I lived in Cedar Park, TX at the time, so this was only about an hour away. I had spoken with the breeder both by text and email and she suggested I come pay her cattery a visit, so I could interact with the one I wanted to make sure personalities, look, etc all matched up with what I wanted. What I later found out, she also screens who she allows to buy her Ragdolls, as she really feels such a connection to these animals that she wanted to make sure they went to good homes: places where they would be spoiled, as a Ragdoll cat should. I never realized breeding was such a time consuming field until I saw the care she gave her litters. She spends countless hours with the kittens, training them to use a litterbox, teaching them how to play and making sure they are fed and vetted appropriately.
I arrived at her very clean home (which was somewhat surprising considering she had several litters of kittens at the time). No cat smell – lots of toys for the kids to play with, lots of places for them to snooze.
The seal point male was so busy snoozing with all his litter mates he really didn’t want to interact with me at all. We tried to “wake him up” and get him to play, but he really wasn’t in the frame of mind to play, like the other ragdolls were. However, there was one Blue Point boy that was just a bundle of playfulness, running around, and he jumped right up in my lap. This boy had aqua eyes; his fur was a light grey, with a lighter grey nose. His fur was so soft. One thing I noticed about him right away is he did not use his claws. It was summer time when I visited the cattery, so I had shorts on, the other cats, playing, jumping would scratch me (not on purpose) but they were still young kittens and learning. Shadow did not. Actually the breeder told me she had not listed for sale, as she was going to keep him. She said he had never interacted with another potential customer in this way. He was playful (he played fetch) and kept returning to me, to sit on my lap and then next to me, as if to say to me PICK ME, PICK ME! She said when she saw this, she knew he wanted to go home with me as he never did that with anyone else that visited her cattery. They say cats can sense “cat people” and Shadow truly picked me and once I saw this lovable personality, I could not say no to him.
Although I had my heart set on a seal point mitted kitten, I could not turn down my dear sweet Shadow. He has been my constant companion over the last 3 years. He plays fetch (his favorite is a catnip mouse), which he constantly chases under the sofa. Its like Christmas time each week when I vacuum, he finds all his mouse toys he chased under the sofa.
I have spoiled him with whole life treats each day. He knows where they are kept (refrigerator) and every morning, he runs to the refrigerator to get his treats. When you ask him, do you want treats? His ears perk up, his eyes get big, and he meows a YES!
One thing about Shadow that makes him so unique is he always connected with me, since I visited him the first day, as if he knew I was to be his mom. Every nite, he will climb up in bed with me, and he kneads on my neck and tries to suckle on my neck, as if he is nursing with his mom. I figured he would grow out of this, but after 3 years, still does this. I think this is his way of staying connected to me, and telling me he loves me. He is not a lap cat, but he follows me from room to room and always sleeps at the foot of my bed, as if to guard me while I sleep. He truly has lived up to his name Shadow .
Shadow has grown from an adorable little grey kitten I visited to a regal Ragdoll, with a large fluffy tail. He loves to be groomed daily. He rarely sheds, as his tail is the longest fur on him, as most of the rest of his coat is smooth, silky, but not fur that sheds. I believe he is also part Mink, so I think that is why he doesn’t shed much.
His favorite toys are his catnip mice, and a pink feather show gurl (he plays fetch with both). He loves to long cat naps in the afternoon, and sleeps in the craziest positions. He sits on the top of the back of my office chair when I am on the computer. I spoil him, as he has shown me unconditional love that so few humans ever get to experience.
Love my Shadow Boy!
Do you have a Ragdoll Kitten or Cat? Consider submitting your kitty! Ragdoll of the Week submission guidelines
Read more Ragdoll of the Week submissions.
Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
And a VERY HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY to you, Jenny!!! Hope your special day was just lovely!!! 🙂 <3
thanks, patti!
Wow! What a stunningly handsome boy is your Shadow!!! (And you choose just the purrfect name for him.) Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful love story with Shadow.
I was truly touched by the details of your first meeting with him and how he choose you and then it was Lurve At First Sight! Congratulations on finding your purrfect Ragdoll baby! YAY!
Lurve how he truly is your little shadow. His big fluffy tail is glorious and you are so lucky he doesn’t shed a lot! Lurve his look so much!
Wishing you and Shadow many, many years of happiness, love and good health!
Big hugs!
Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle 🙂 <3
P.S. The pictures are so beautiful! That first picture of him as a kitten on that scratching post just stole my heart! 🙂 <3
Thanks- shadow is so sweet and I know you knew I was to be his fur mom!
You are most welcome, Liz! It was certainly Fate! And I didn’t even put two and two together with Shadow and Sinatra after reading Sinatra’s beautiful story yesterday. Gah! (Getting soooo old….lol). 🙂 <3
Thank you for sharing Shadow’s story with us. He is such a gorgeous boy! Love how he follows you around all the time and how you shower him with love, attention and lots of toys! You both seem like a match made in Heaven and wish you and Shadow a very long and happy life together. Agree with you that he really does look like he has mink in his line with his beautiful eyes and sleek coat!♥♥♥
The first thing I thought of when I saw this handsome Shadow fella was “He could be a cousin to Miss Gracie!” 🙂 <3
Haha! Me too Patti! They have the same type of fur, so soft and silky!
Yes!!! 🙂 <3 <3 <3
From an adorable kitten to a handsome cat, Shadow’s pictures are so sweet! 🙂 Love your story and your Shadow!
How special to have been picked out that way. He is truly a beautiful boy inside and out.
This boy is amazing, he loves his mother and he is always by her side. He used to wait by the door when he heard the garage open and she would literally have to open the door by sliding him back as she did. I am lucky to have a sister of his and she has become a daddy’s girl through the years. I can attest to how he was the day she first saw him and him seeing her in return. They both knew they were meant to be together. Shadow is truly a flopper and deserves the great mom he has.
Shadow is magnificent, and certainly as regal as you said. Those aqua/turquoise eyes are mesmerizing and are the color of the Caribbean or the Mediterranean on a sunny day. I am glad he chose you and that you chose him. True connections are hard to come by. Enjoy your beautiful furry fellow.
What a beautiful boy! Can’t think of a better name for him. Thanks for sharing with us. Chris
Such a pretty Shadow to have following you! His blue eyes stand out so well in his darker face. Glad you guys picked each other- seems like a match that was made to be! Thanks for sharing.
Lynn