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How I got my kitten FLUFFY... - Printable Version

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How I got my kitten FLUFFY... - MUM_of_FLUFFY - 12-14-2019

I had planned to get a blue colourpoint girl and call her Emily-Rose...

This is the story of how I got a male lilac point called Fluffy. I bought him in the middle of the night from a photo the breeder sent me. Tears were streaming down my face because I was grieving my Jack Russell. I had researched the breeder a fair bit during the 2 previous years and really liked her blue colour pointed ragdolls. But I fell in love with the photo she sent me, and I had always had an interest in the lilac colouring...

 [Image: 49028482266_5120dee9df_z.jpg]Baby Fluffy 

I asked why a lilac colourpoint was readily available and she said she had kept him back to appear in a children's TV show.

I wrote about the first year of his life here:
https://www.floppycats.com/fluffy-ragdoll-of-the-week.html

I like to think I've learned a lot more in Fluffy's second year of life Big Grin and we honestly are perfectly suited for each other. He's very affectionate in his own way, loves head bunting and purring on my lap (but always on his terms!) He doesn't love being picked up and he very rarely goes "floppy". But hey, neither do I!!! So we understand each other perfectly...and I adore him exactly for who he is Heart Heart Heart

He dislikes strangers and loves my mum, but it took a year before he permitted her to pat him. He hated me trying to pick him up and carry him around when he was little. So I stopped and played what I call the super-glue game. No matter how charming and cute he's being - I keep my hands "super-glued" palms down and refuse to pat him. He loves this game and it really built trust between us. I played it all day with him yesterday and he loved it!!!

I don't know if it's just his particular personality and I'm unsure if it was genetic (was he was simply born with that personality?) He was raised well, underfoot at home, with older children and dogs. I suspect in a hypothetical litter of 5 kittens he would be the one right at the back of the pack (the watch and wait personality). Interested to know what others think about personality/floppiness etc.


RE: How NOT to get a ragdoll kitten!!! - JanH - 12-15-2019

We were surprised by how much temperament seems to be inherited. However, it is well recognized in common understanding of breed characteristics. One does not expect labs, pit bulls, german shepherds, terriers and poodles to have similar temperaments.

That being said, one CAN entice cats to become more of what you want. Take small steps and appeal to THEM. Use sleepiness, toys, treats ...


RE: How NOT to get a ragdoll kitten!!! - MUM_of_FLUFFY - 12-15-2019

(12-15-2019, 07:52 AM)JanH Wrote: We were surprised by how much temperament seems to be inherited. However, it is well recognized in common understanding of breed characteristics. One does not expect labs, pit bulls, german shepherds, terriers and poodles to have similar temperaments.

That being said, one CAN entice cats to become more of what you want. Take small steps and appeal to THEM. Use sleepiness, toys, treats ...

Thanks Jan!!! I totally agree: one can entice cats to become more of what you want. And - the point you make about different breeds of dogs having different temperaments is very apt.

I worked from my gut instincts and googled "cat really loves their human" on youtube. I played it to him (relentlessly) on my computer and Fluff was definitely intrigued. After about two weeks of this he stepped onto my lap and fell asleep there. Finally - a breakthrough!!!
My angelic little boy had fallen asleep in my lap Heart and it really was one of the best days of my life...

Of course the next day he pretended it never happened Big Grin


RE: How I got my kitten FLUFFY... - Codysmom - 10-24-2020

I'm not sure how I ever missed this post! Just looking through kittens (because of Wesley) I came across this one. Thank you so much for sharing, I so enjoyed reading your story of how you got your lovely boy as well as the Floppycats article. xo

PS - You said the breeder kept him back, how old was he when you actually got him?


RE: How I got my kitten FLUFFY... - MUM_of_FLUFFY - 10-24-2020

(10-24-2020, 04:45 PM)Codysmom Wrote: I'm not sure how I ever missed this post! Just looking through kittens (because of Wesley) I came across this one. Thank you so much for sharing, I so enjoyed reading your story of how you got your lovely boy as well as the Floppycats article. xo

PS - You said the breeder kept him back, how old was he when you actually got him?

Fluff was 14 (going on 15 weeks) when I got him...and it took some time to earn is affection.
As I type this he is demanding kisses on the forehead, insisting that I hold him, and purring like a V8.


RE: How I got my kitten FLUFFY... - Codysmom - 10-25-2020

He sounds such a sweetheart. x


RE: How I got my kitten FLUFFY... - HelenMac - 10-25-2020

Fluffy sounds absolutely adorable Heart


RE: How I got my kitten FLUFFY... - MUM_of_FLUFFY - 10-25-2020

(10-25-2020, 07:07 PM)HelenMac Wrote: Fluffy sounds absolutely adorable Heart

Thanks Helen - he really is adorable and very affectionate now...

(10-25-2020, 01:43 AM)Codysmom Wrote: He sounds such a sweetheart. x

Thanks Colleen - he's grown into an absolute sweetheart now...