This lil 9 week old guy adopted us 4 weeks ago. Showed up on our doorstep, crying and scared. He took to us immediately, and because of an impossibly dumb rule I made years ago, he now lives with us permanently. We named him Critter, and according to the vet (and the size of his paws), he's expected to reach the 17-18 lb range. He has become incredibly affectionate, and being my first ever pet (in my late 40s), I can't get over just how much joy he brings us. I'm in love.

I have yet to upload it anywhere, but one of our cameras captured a rather remarkable moment when Critter made his move to join our little family of two.

Anywho, new to the world of cats, and so far it has been the most rewarding and fascinating experience of my recent life. Hope to share more of Critter's future with the community.

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[–] tooks@lemmy.world 1 points 21 hours ago

I don't have anywhere or anyone else to share my ever-growing collection of Critter pics, so here's three. Thanks in advance for tolerating my "proud parent" psychosis.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Cat Distribution System strikes again! He’s gorgeous. Enjoy yours and his life together!

[–] Hadriscus@jlai.lu 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

wow, he's astoudingly beautiful. Take good care. My cats bring me unspeakable joy too

[–] tooks@lemmy.world 2 points 23 hours ago

Critter thanks you! He seems to be astounding in just about every way. I'm vonvinced every decent human being should should have a cat.

[–] ZombieMantis@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I will give my life for Critter. Long live Critter. Glory to Critter.

[–] tooks@lemmy.world 2 points 23 hours ago

That makes three of us so far! I think this is how to start a cult. Regardless, Critter appreciates your devotion.

[–] aramis87@fedia.io 29 points 2 days ago (1 children)

You can't just drop this and not tell us about this impossibly dumb rule you made years ago.

Also: welcome home, Critter!

[–] tanisnikana@lemmy.world 15 points 2 days ago (1 children)

We demand impossibly dumb rule!

[–] tooks@lemmy.world 20 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Wildlife love our backyard. We've had a family of groundhogs, skunks, raccoons, oppossums, gorgeous arrays of birds, specifically geese... lots of geese.

I adore these animals for no good reason, so much so I donned the house in cameras to catch their goings-on. It's essentially a 24/7 parade of cute.

So my dumb rule. If any of them ever want to willingly enter our home AND allow us to bathe them, they can stay.

Not only did Critter essentially invite himself in, he also allowed us to give him a Dawn dishsoap bath in our bathtub (figuring if Dawn is safe for ducks, this lil fella would be fine). Not only did he allow this, he didn't make a sound, fight back, or anything. Just a peaceful little wet mess of fur (with gigantic paws). Wrapped him up in a towel (tossed in the dryer for maximum warmth) and sat on the deck under the afternoon sun when he dried/rested. Even with the rule, we decided on a 2 week trial. That lasted less than a day.

Nothing exciting, but the probability of it all atop the impact his limited time with us has had. Just a lovely critter.

[–] tanisnikana@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

BEST RULE

[–] tooks@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

I had hoped to net a groundhog with the rule, but Critter will suffice 🙂

[–] fakeman_pretendname@feddit.uk 7 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Isn't 17-18ibs about 8-9kg e.g. two normal cats?

What kind of giant cat-monster is he?

[–] tooks@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

Vet thinks he may have some Norwegian Forest Cat in him. Stray, so who knows.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

maine coons get about 20lbs.

[–] betterdeadthanreddit@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago

[–] kindnesskills@literature.cafe 8 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I can see why you love him already!

As a new cat owner there are a lot of pitfalls (I've stumbled into plenty in my time). Figure out how he acts normally, and whenever he strays from that normal - go to the vet.

For example: regular advice is if cat seems more withdrawn than normal they are sick - for me cat was more affectionate than normal so didn't realise they were sick,

Another time I was toilet training cats, and the one who got it turned out to be sick, because potty training isn't very normal and hides changes in urine and poop schedules.

And speaking of: if you have outdoor cats, keep them inside for three days now and then to have them go in a litter box just to check that they don't have parasites, bloody stool, pain around peeing, frequent pees etc.

If its an option, always have the insured for the vet, and better safe than sorry. Cats are experts at hiding their pain and injuries until its too late, so any change can be a symptom.

Not to bee a gloomy doomy - my current bastard is nearing 20 years old (with regular vet visits and daily medication no one guesses his actual age). They are for sure the light of your life, and I hope you have a long full life together!

[–] tooks@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Thanks for all the RL advice! We're a child-free couple (I have an estranged one from a previous nightmare), so we're probably already oversensitive to all of his needs. Being my first pet, and a kitten at that, learning how activeness can escalate from 0-10 immediately has been a experience. Yesterday, he was just chillin' and I was convinced there was something wrong. He reminded me that I was being oversensitive by pouncing on my arm and playfully gnawing the heck out of it.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

If its an option, always have the insured for the vet, and better safe than sorry. Cats are experts at hiding their pain and injuries until its too late, so any change can be a symptom.

this is debatable. just avoid banfield clinics if you can and you'll be fine. source: a very famous and well-connected veterinarian told me. you all know his dad.

[–] kindnesskills@literature.cafe 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

What is a banfield clinic and why should we avoid them?

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Big Venture Capital funded corporation went around buying a bunch of small practices everywhere and creating a network. like there are Banfield clinics in petcos and shit. They are generally the ones pushing insurance (that is so not financially worth it when you read the fine print). They are not good to work for, as a veterinarian, tech, office staff, you name it. They just bleed their patients and employees dry.

That's the short of it but i can ask Dr K next game night he hosts if there's anything i missed

[–] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

This made me smile, he looks exactly like our girl did when she was a kitten. What a cutie, it’s so sweet he already trusts you guys enough to sleep belly up right in front of you!

Since you mention this is your first cat, I just wanted to let you know that as a long haired cat at around 6 months old he’ll start needing to go to the groomer to get sanitary cuts, which are what they sound like. I really don’t recommend doing it yourself just because their skin is so thin it’s easy to hurt them accidentally. The cut lasts around 3 months, but accidents will probably still happen. Speaking from terrible, learned experience 😂

[–] tooks@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Thanks for the excellent tip! My wife has had cats before, one notable long haired, and was familiar with the necessity, but not clear on frequency or suggestion of professional assistance. We've been using pet wipes in the few times we found a necessity. He keeps himself really clean, which I find admirable as a mildly OCD clean freak myself.

[–] lonefighter@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Critter is adorable!

My first cat was also a stray kitten that my ex rescued. He was 2 pounds and completely stretched out was barely longer my forearm. The first time my Dad saw him he said "look at the paws on him, he's going to be massive"

The best part about having a cat that is 17 pounds of muscle and long legs is that there's so much of him to cuddle and hug, and he loves cuddles and hugs. The worst part is that when he decides to sit on my chest at 4 am, slap me repeatedly across the face, and scream for breakfast, it takes a surprisingly large amount of effort to get him off.

Consider yourself warned, and may you have many cuddles ahead of you.

[–] tooks@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

He gives the best cuddles already, so I can't wait for weighted blanket level snugs from a monster kitty!

[–] MintyFresh@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

When the universe seems you need a cat, bam! You've got a kitty! Critter seems dope AF

[–] tooks@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

Thanks! You're not kidding. Not to sound sappy, but in my late 40s now, I've been hitting that midlife existential crisis button hard for several years. Thinking about success, legacy, mortality. Devil's plaything thoughts from lack of living. Since Critter showed up, I can't recall having those thoughts.