My Dream Pet

Up until a few years ago I would not have considered myself a cat-lover, however, that all changed when I caught sight of a Ragdoll Cat that belonged to a friend of mine. He literally took my breath away with his piercing blue eyes and beautiful markings which they're all known for. I guess you could say it was love at first sight. I had never even heard of Ragdolls until then, but my interest was piqued and I had to find out more. Once I learned more about them I decided then and there that one day I would own a Ragdoll. Oh, and did I mention the going price is $800 from a breeder?

Here's what I found out from the Ragdoll cats info site:

Ragdoll cats get their name from their tendency to go limp when picked up
or held. Ragdolls have a sturdy, imposing frame with soft, medium length fur in
different shades of brown and gray. Ragdoll cats are very affectionate and
friendly.

They easly take to new people and co-exist with other animals, including
dogs and children. It could take your Ragdoll four to five years to fully
mature; however, adult males weigh anywhere from 12 to 20 pounds and the females weigh 10 to 15 pounds.

Ragdoll cats are one of the least aggressive and calmest breeds of domestic cat and posses a warm, affectionate disposition. Your Ragdoll cat may greet your visitors at the door and follow them around your home like a puppy; in fact the breed has many dog like traits, such as fetching toys and loyalty to their owners.

Because of the Ragdoll’s laid back nature they should be kept as strictly
indoor cats as they may not defend themselves from aggressive animals. Their
trusting nature could also lead to theft by stranger so always keep your Ragdoll
inside.

Ragdoll cats are smart and are able to learn tricks easily making the
breed a favorite at many cat shows. The large frame tends to make them slightly
clumsy; however, they remain playfully energetic; if you’re looking for a large,
gentle playful cat, Ragdoll Cats is the breed for you.

Well, I thought my day had finally come after Salem was killed a couple weeks ago. After contacting several breeders I quickly figured out I wouldn't be going that route. So I started looking up rescue sites. After two days of intense searching I came across petfinders.com in Charlotte, NC. That is where I found the beautiful cats you see above. On the top left and middle is Bella. She is available for adoption through the SPCA for only $150! A steal for that breed. On the left is Greg with his eyes closed (who names a cat Greg I ask you?) and he is available for adoption through The Humane Society for $150 also. If he was mine I would name him Sebastian.

I found out yesterday they were both still available and I just knew it was my lucky day until my husband put the kabash on it. Allergies. I never dreamed it would be that big a deal since Salem lived in our house for three years. There were times he complained about allergies but it's not like he was having asthma attacks or anything. Since he seldom complained about it, I just figured we would get a replacement for Salem. No big deal, right? Wrong.

Much to my grave disappointment, it was not to be. Can I just tell you how angry I was? I was so angry, in fact, I contemplated moving out of the house so I could have those cats. I wanted both of them so desperately I would have figured out a way to make it happen. Have you ever been obsessed with something? Well, I was obsessed with those cats. They are all I've thought about this week. I had some birthday money saved which would've almost paid for one of the cats and the agent I work for said she would've bought the other one for my birthday. When she told me that I cried.

For two solid years I have dreamed of owning my very own Ragdoll. It was my secret plan once Salem was gone you see. I never really bonded with Salem because for the most part, she was anti-social. She had been a feral cat and was rescued by our neighbor. Eventually she found her way over to our house until we could no longer deny her entrance so that's how she came to be ours. In my mind she was always the "make do" cat. I cared about her but she was not my dream pet like the Ragdoll. And now my dream has been shattered. But in the grand scheme of things I suppose my marriage is more important than owning a Ragdoll (or two) so I've decided to just live with it. In the meantime I get to love on our neighbor's cats who live outside. And once again, "make do".