Tucker – Ragdoll of the Week
This is Tucker, my wonderful blue lynxpoint mitted Ragdoll with a blaze. If you can believe it, Tucker is a rescue cat who passed his first 8 weeks at the pound in midtown Atlanta!
In July of 2009, I was grieving for the loss of both of my senior cats, who had died within 2 months of each other at age 17; a Maine Coon Mix, Fred, and Joris, my first Abyssinian and soulmate. After another two months, the quiet of the house and lack of feline presence made me turn to looking for a rescue while I was waiting for my second-generation Aby kitten who would not be ready to be placed until late August. I had intended to adopt a rescue cat anyway, as I know that cats are happier with a feline playmate.
I got on the Internet, and started perusing the local ASPCA websites. One of the first things I saw was an angelic photo of this dream-like, white fuzzy kitten with baby blue eyes. I ran – not walked – to the shelter that day to see him in person. The shelter workers had named him Friar Tuck, because he was so large, and was with his brother, a tiny grey cat called “Little John.” I had to have him. (Luckily, his brother was adopted the same day!) I counted myself very lucky that no one else had taken this beautiful baby boy.
I took him home. He did not have any papers, but as I have showed Abys in CFA, I know most of the breed standards. I suspected that Friar Tuck was a Ragdoll from the first. His large blue eyes, mitts, and points were clear at just two months, and within a couple more months hi belly pad stated developing. After consulting with many friendly and helpful purebreed Ragdoll breeders, I knew I had a Ragdoll, not just a “wannabe!”
Within a week, Friar Tuck became “Tucker.” When my Aby kitten arrived, I separated them, as Tucker had already grown (he was growing by the day – right before my eyes), and three-month-old Athos was tiny. When Athos escaped into the rest of the house (as Abys will), Tucker engaged him in some play – I thought that Tucker would kill Athos just because of his sheer size, but it was love at first sight. They continue to adore each other, as you can see if you view the video took of them last September.
Tucker is a beautiful boy, and very sweet. Unlike many Ragdolls, he is a little shy and is no lap cat, but he follows my husband and I around the house and salutes us with his quiet “mews” and trills. He always enjoys a brief cuddle, but still has the habit of backing away if you hold him too long. I attribute this to his humble origins in the pound, and I hope that he will eventually feel safe enough to become a lap-sitter. He loves to do the Ragdoll “flop,” and sometimes sleeps that way. He likes to climb, but once on the cat tree he cannot jump down without giving a little grunt and a big thud!
At 16 months, Tucker is still growing and his color has come in beautifully. Today he weighs 16 pounds. I know that Ragdolls are one of the largest breeds, but he is already so big, I wonder how much larger he can get! He still has his kittenish ways, and loves to play with his humans and his foster brother. He is a joy and a gift from above, and he has found his forever home!
Tucker was born on or about March 28th, 2009. I never saw his mother, but she had given birth at the pound.
Athos was born on May 28th, 2009.
Both Athos and Tucker eat Science Diet Adult Feline Light dry food.
Athos’ full name is PR Wil-O-Glen’s Athos de Joris Karl.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsJXBtr4jZo[/youtube]
Jacquelyn Babush
Decatur, GA
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,
Tucker is very handsome! I’m so glad that you found each other and hope you can all look forward to many years together. The fact that there are SO many Ragdoll “Wannabeees” in shelters is of great concern to me but even more disconcerting is that there are many genuine Ragdolls in shelters. It’s inconceivable to me how someone could allow any animal with whom they’ve been blessed to become homeless. It is my hope that increasingly more breeders will opt to alter their pet quality kittens prior to placing them as this will certainly reduce the number of “Wannabees” but I’ve yet to figure out how reputable breeders and Ragdoll lovers can affect the number of genuine Ragdolls in need of homes. I suppose the questions are not only how and why is it happening, but also what can be done to prevent it.
Paulie, our blue lynx colorpoint, has a similar temperament to Tucker in that I doubt he really ever WANTS to be held but tolerates it because he’s fond of me. All three of our adult Ragdolls won’t hesitate to tell me to “Talk to the Paw” by placing it on my face–usually my mouth to keep me from kissing–and actually bracing their leg. None of them are lap cats and all prefer to sleep in a variety of places, though they sometimes do decide to sleep on the bed with us. We have kittens now, most of whom have been seeking our companionship and affections since they were literally born, and have been working very hard (if you can call loving Ragdolls that!) to respect their individuality while attempting to foster the desire, but not the need, to cuddle. Ironically, my senior blue tabby, Haynes, who died last January at the age of 19 1/2, was WAY more resistant to being held when younger but, as our relationship progressed and mutual understanding grew through the years, he became very attached to me…literally! He was in my lap or asking to be held or carried and, if you ignored him, he would actually jump up into our arms from the floor. He completely surprised us when he did that for the first time and he didn’t always concern himself with whether our hands were full; luckily we caught him every time. They’re all special, aren’t they?