Why a cat?

Both Simon and I love animals and neither of us is an outspoken 'dog' or 'cat' person, we like both. So, when we started planning our family we decided to (in time) have both. In order for the cat and the dog to live together, we though it would be wise to start with a cat so it can grow up in the house and have 'first rights' over the bigger dog.

I already have had cats in my life. Most of the time they were 'moggies'. The last one, Scamp, lived with me in Goomalling, but when I moved to a rental unit in Perth, it couldn't go with me, so it was taken in by my parents (with two others cats). By the time we moved to our own house, Scamp had lived with my parents for several years and I deemed him to old to relocate again.

We don't live in a too busy area, but there are still some busy roads around. Also because we are both working, we though an indoor cat would be the way to go. Of course personality, cuteness etc. are also factors. I sort of already had a Russian Blue in my mind, but when we visited a friend in the Netherlands (on our honeymoon), who had two, I was sure: I wanted a Russian Blue (and Simon was OK with it).

Russian Blue

Little is known about the origin of the Russian Blue, however, stories and legends abound. Many believe the Russian Blue is a natural breed originating from the Archangel Isles in northern Russia. Legend has these beautiful animals trapped for their plush double coats, which are sometimes compared to the coat of a beaver or seal. Originally known as the Archangel Cat or Foreign Blue, it is believed that sailors brought them from the Archangel Isles to England and Northern Europe in the 1860's. Rumour also has the Russian Blue as a descendant of the Royal Cat of the Russian Tsars and as a favoured pet of Queen Victoria. More recent developments are the Russian White and the Russian Black. Apart from their coat colours, they are identical to the Russian Blue.

The Russian Blue is a gentle, affectionate cat easily distinguished from other breeds. One of the most outstanding features of the Russian Blue is a short, dense coat of an even, bright blue colour with each hair dipped in silver. This silver tipping gives the Russian a silvery sheen and lustrous appearance that can best be appreciated in natural light. The density of the coat causes it to stand out from the body and allows patterns to be traced in the coat, which remain until you smooth them away. In lovely contrast to the blue coat, the Russian Blue has large, rounded, wide-set eyes that are a vivid green. The clean lines and graceful carriage of the Russian Blue give it a regal appearance all its own. Russian Blues are quiet, clean cats that are playful and loving companions. Despite their shy nature, Russians are devoted and quite affectionate towards their loved ones. They are very intelligent and have been reported to open doors and teach their owners to fetch. Sensitive to the mood of the house, Russians will "clown" to quiet a crying baby or sit patting your face to chase away the blues. They get along well with children and other pets.

A Russian Blue is a good choice for the modern home because their undemanding nature fits perfectly into today's busy schedules. They will entertain themselves if left alone for the day and be a contented companion upon your return. The Russian requires a minimum of grooming with periodic nail clipping and a coat that can be kept looking good by frequent petting and an occasional combing. Many Russians seem to enjoy being combed or brushed as it allows them additional time with their owners.

Roebel

After having decided on a Russian Blue (on our honeymoon in April), next was to find a breeder. As luck would have it my hairdresser had a Russian Blue and in between cutting and colouring I visited her house and got the details of her breeder. Unfortunately we missed out on the season and had to wait for one of her queens to get pregnant again (and then 50 days for the litter and another 12 weeks for the kitten to grow up). Some bad luck here as it took a while for the queen to get pregnant but on the 24th of September Roebel was born.

We had the name Roebel ever since we've decided on a Russian Blue. We wanted something special and after toying with some Dutch sounding names, we thought of a Russian name (Tsar, etc.) and came up with Roebel.

Shortly after birth we could visit Roebel (OK, to be honest we could look at the litter and choose who was going to be Roebel). She's so tiny and cute. She has a Black Russian mother, a blue brother and a black sister. When we visited, she was three weeks old, had her eyes open and just started to play. We visited again after 10 weeks and on 22 December we went to pick her up and take her home, just in time for Christmas.

She has settled in really well. We were a bit afraid to leave her alone over Christmas, when we went for 2 days to Lisa's sister down south, but everything went fine. When we came home she had eaten her food, used the litter-tray etc.

She had definitely energy to spare and was racing from one end to the house to the other, doing all kinds of naughty stuff. But it hasn't been too bad, nothing has been irreparable destroyed. Most of the time she listens very well when you say 'NO', but other times a little disciplinary help from the plant-spray is necessary (sometimes you only have to show it).

When she is not racing around she is very cuddly and likes to be near us. Just this afternoon we were all sleeping on the bed, with Roebel between us. At night we lock her out of the bedroom, and we have found a space for her basket she seems to like (on a blanket box, so a little above the floor). In the mornings we then open the door, and she always comes in too greet us (most of the time ready to play -with the curtain-, but sometimes to cuddle). She eats well, though not that many dry biscuits. She doesn't drink a lot of water, but thoroughly enjoys the kitten-milk we gave her (and even more the few licks of ice-cream we sometimes treat her to). She has also worked out how the litter-tray works now there is a cover over it and a flapping-door.

We have given her a blue collar with a bell and a little nametag. It was very funny when we put it on as she could hear the bell, but not see it. You should see the jumps and rolls she made in order to get hold of it. The collar is just for peace-of-mind even though we are not letting her outside. Yesterday we took her on our patio, with a leash, but she didn't like that and wanted to go inside herself. We will try to take her with us outside from time-to-time.

Roebel & Joshua

It was for all of us a change when Joshua entered our lives, but of course also for Roebel who now no longer was our only 'child'. Roebel is very good with Josh, or rather she keeps her distance. Never too far (in fact, when Josh is asleep, Roebel normally sleeps somewhere in the room), but never near him either. We have caught her ones taking a swipe (no claws) at him, but think it was more playful that jealousy. We've also caught Roebel napping in Joshua's cot and pram when he wasn't in them and made it clear that those are no-go zones for Roebel.

For a cat, Roebel has a strange fascination with the bathroom. No sooner is one of us going there of she is joining is. She loves to jump IN the sink and drink straight out of the tap, but the bath itself also holds her fascination. Already she has fallen/jumped twice into a full bath and when we are bathing Joshua with us, she normally takes position on the edge.

On the downside has she become a true escape artist. Originally an inside-cat, we never meant for her to spend much time outside (even though we've given her a collar and have got her micro-chipped). When summer started and we were outside we allowed her to come with us and her behaviour was impeccable: always with us and even when we left her alone, every 10-15 minutes she would come and check were we are. As she grew bigger and more confident she started to love going outside (preferring it over her litter-tray) and we let her. When my parents were here the backdoor was almost non-stop open and consequently Roebel was mostly outside. Soon enough she found out how to jump the fence and was spotted not only in the neighbours garden, but also at the front of our house and even on the road ! Now she has house arrest (much to her -audible- displeasure) or can only go outside under strict supervision.

Once Joshua grew somewhat bigger and became more interactive, Roebel became more interested in that little, loud thing that took away so much attention from her. At first she expressed this by becoming more affectionate with us, whenever one of us was alone. She never was a lapcat, but now she would cuddle up. Then she starting doing this also when you would have Josh in your arms. When he is asleep this is not so much a problem (as long as you make sure where Roebel drapes herself), but if he is awake he becomes interested and starts grabbing for Roebel. To my surprise she let him, just turning her head so he wouldn't hit her in the face (but instead behind the ears, which is a favourite scratching-place).

Another cat

Just before out trip to Sydney in June, we found this cat sleeping under our front-porch. It looked like a house-cat: a big tabby male, well-fed, groomed, castrated and with signs there used to be a collar. When we returned it was still there so we started feeding it once a day to prevent starvation.

So now we have two cats: Roebel inside and 'Sooky' cat outside ... and never the twain shall meet ! In the beginning it took some effort going in and out of the house with Roebel trying to escape outside to go for a wander and Sooky trying to get in to get to Roebel's feeding bowls and us trying to separate them to prevent a fight. Once Sooky did manage to get into the house and to our surprise it seemed that little Roebel scared her out of it again. Sooky has become part of our household with an old box with a towel under the porch. We have not been able to locate owners and are now trying to find a good home for him. Roebel and Sooky have resigned to their respective territories and now they have 'play'-fights through the back-window although sometimes the window shudders with such force that we wonder how much play it is. Quite often Roebel teases Sooky by standing on the window-sill or basking just in front of the window. I reckon they are scared of each other as neither seems so keen anymore to come in or go out.

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