My cats

[nikkik]

These are our cats. Phinneas is a Ragdoll. Yoda is a Himalayan. They are both ridiculously friendly and love when company comes over.

They are fantastic with my toddlers. We work on teaching my girls to be gentle everyday, but sometimes they pull hair or tails in their attempts to love on them. Our cats don't retaliate, they just continue to purr.

[silken]

Very nice looking cats. We have 3 of the furry critters!

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by silken

Very nice looking cats. We have 3 of the furry critters!

Thank you! It's great to hear from other cat lovers. I know a lot of people who don't prefer cats, but I have two dogs too. I like both species for very different reasons. I grew up with animals around, so I can't imagine raising my girls without pets.

[Picotee]

Beautiful furbies. I can't imagine being without a pet. I grew up with dogs but have had cats all my adult life: Siamese, Balinese and currently a Birman.

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by Picotee

Beautiful furbies. I can't imagine being without a pet. I grew up with dogs but have had cats all my adult life: Siamese, Balinese and currently a Birman.

Thank you, Picotee! My husband grew up without pets until they got a cat when he was a teenager, so I'm happy he isn't against having pets. Although if he was, he wouldn't be my husband.

Birmans are gorgeous. I'd love to see a picture of yours if you have a chance to post one.

[howze01]

Awwwww. We used to have a Himalayan named Yoda too!

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by howze01

Awwwww. We used to have a Himalayan named Yoda too!

Very cool! When he was a kitten I got him out of a very bad situation. He had lost some of his hair because of his living conditions (he's recovered from that) but with his lack of hair, big ears and eyes, he was a dead ringer for Yoda!

[Picotee]

My husband actually picked out our Birman. I wasn't quite ready to have cats again after the loss of our two Bali's, at ages 15 and 14. But I caved in and am in total love with my Birman Boy, Pumpkin Furpants. We have had him since he was 6 months old and is now 8 beautiful years of age. Here's a pic as you requested.

[Paul]

What is the defining difference(s) between Himalayans and Ragdolls? Had you not said anything I would have assumed both were Himies.

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by Picotee

My husband actually picked out our Birman. I wasn't quite ready to have cats again after the loss of our two Bali's, at ages 15 and 14. But I caved in and am in total love with my Birman Boy, Pumpkin Furpants. We have had him since he was 6 months old and is now 8 beautiful years of age. Here's a pic as you requested.

Wow, what a beautiful cat! He has gorgeous eyes. I'm sorry to hear about your cats. I understand how heartbreaking the loss of a pet can be.

My "soul cat" was a Ragdoll that I had for 16 years. I still get teary eyed when I think of him. We got him when I was a preteen and just moved ti a new neighborhood where I didn't have any friends. He was there when I graduated high school and college. He moved with me when I got a job out of state. My parents were kind enough to bring him down a month later because I had to stay in a place that didn't allow pets for the first three weeks when I was waiting for my apartment to become available, in our time apart he lost so much weight he looked like a different cat. My dad said I was lucky he loved me because he would of dropped him off on the side of the road if he didn't because my cat, Petree, meowed the ENTIRE 14 hour drive. He was there when I got married. And to my heartbreak, he passed away right before I found out I was pregnant with my first child.

---------- Post added at 04:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:20 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Paul

What is the defining difference(s) between Himalayans and Ragdolls? Had you not said anything I would have assumed both were Himies.

Paul, if you seen them next to each other their differences would be very noticeable. My Ragdoll is a substantially bigger cat, my Himalayan is much shorter and rounder. My Ragdoll has much finer and shorter hair and hardly ever gets matted, while my Himalayan's hair literally breaks the bristles on a brush and if we don't stay on top of grooming he would have a coat full of matts. My Himalayan also has a much more peke-face (pushed in) then my Ragdoll, but not as much as some I've seen.

Personality wise, my Ragdoll is ridiculously laid back, which is what they are known for. Keeping true to his name, if you pick him up he goes limp like a ragdoll. My Himalayan is sweet but very demanding for attention, he will try to nudge the dogs out of the way to be pet and when that doesn't work because of the size difference he'll jump on them.