Purrfectly Feminine Feline



Avatar

 Mittens as with all the other cats, started out as a wondering stray. She first showed up when I still was leaving my back door open, letting the cats come and go as they wished. Eventually she started spending the majority of her time with me. Most nights sleeping in bed with me. When I would pick her up I noticed that she smelled perfumery. A nice pleasant aroma not at all like dirt or the outdoors, not like the litter either.




Skinny Cat



One day while “M” was over we were discussing some of the traits each of the cats have. Mittens was in the room next to us when she observed how pink her nose is. I happened to mention that Mittens has the pinkest lips I have seen on a cat. “M” said that was because she was a proper little girl, which caused me to mention how sweet Mittens smelled. She said that mittens was a totally feminine cat. I had to agree. She was all delicate and graceful at that time, still is pretty much. She has lost her girlish figure along with some of her grace along the way.



Good Pose of Mittens.



When you can get a good look at her straight in the face it looks like she is wearing a mask. It reminds me of one worn by French women at masquerade balls in the 1800's. Like you see in the movies, big, flowery that covers the eyes, held on a stick in front of the face. Cat like coming down to a point at the bottom, like in the image. One of the ones that flair out around the cheek bones instead of curving back around the face. Most defiantly a ladies mask. I tried to find a good picture on line here is the best I could find.



 

Masks from online



Face mask shot.



 

 

I have not been able to get a full on face picture of her yet, at least not from the proper angle. If you look at the close ups of her you can get the idea. Both sides are flawlessly symmetrical. She also has little black teardrops under her eyes. Almost like little clasps to hold the mask on her face. Of course she is wearing a long black cape with her underbelly in white. All dressed ready for the ball.



Tear drop at the eyes.



When you scratch her behind the ears she will stare at you with a soft delicate look in her face. Like she is both enjoying it and patiently putting up with you at the same time. I have nicked named her Mamma Mittens. She will sooth and mother the other cats, letting them curl up next to her. She will bath and clean them, attending both Squirrel and Mizz Purrzzy on a regular basis. Those two will come up rub against her until she starts to lick them. Then they will lay down next to her while she cleans them. She will tolerate most any cat, I have seen her do this once or twice with one of the long haired calico's also. Lil' Bit is fiercely independent not into all of that. Mittens is gentle with her too, they both play and chase each other.



Pink nose.



 



While Mittens has a calming affect on the other cats, she is not sure what to think about the Martian. She along with the others will growl and hiss at him, but wont attack him. When Mizz Purrzzy tries to start a fight with him, she will run to join in along with the others. Over all Mittens is a very kind and loving cat. Especially when she was pregnant, she would purr loud and proud eating up all the attention.

Mamma Mittens
grooms Mizz Purrzzy.

 

She still likes belly rubs, with scratches behind the ears. But no longer tolerates being held. Hardly ever fusses, rarely meows. She is very factitious though requiring an exceptionally clean litter box. She will come up rub against my legs then walk to the box, then back to me. Continuing until I get up and clean it to her satisfaction. Watching me every step of the way. Then once finished will jump in and use it. All prim and proper like the hole time.





Momma? I need some lov'n.



One more skinny shot.

 

 

Mittens is the only one that does not pick on Girl, although Lil' Bit is only trying to play with Girl when she does. Mittens can be insistent but is not pushy. To finish, overall Mittens is a “Purrfectly Feminine Feline” all lady like and proper, 100% girl. Hope you enjoy the pic's of her.

Innocent Bully



"All Kitties are good Kittie

I talk a lot about my cats with “M”, often bragging about their progress and achievements. Frequently about the dynamics in the relationships between the cats. Some times I think I give her the wrong impression about what is happening with the cats. Depending upon the cat in question she will say something like “but they look so sweet and innocent.” I am not really saying that the cat is bad, instead I am describing the affect its actions is having on the others.



Case in point with Mizz Purrzzy, “M” is under the impression that I think she is a bully. That Mizz Purrzzy enjoys dominating and intimidating the other cats. Even though her actions can be construed as those of a bully, I believe she has no intentions of being one. When her personality first start to show its self I wanted to call her Jealous or some name with that meaning. Unable to find a suitable name and with her tendency to constantly purr (even when getting scolded), she wound up with her current name.



Girl tolerates Mizz Purrzzy



I think she was just insecure, not sure that someone actually cared for her. That she needed the extra attention to feel more loved. Like Mittens before her, when ever I would play “string” with one of the other cats she would dive in front of them to catch it. In this case causing Mittens especially but also the others to quit playing and walk away. (Mittens did that to Squirrel when she first showed up, it has taken Squirrel almost a year before she would chase after her fuzzy tail on a a string again.)



"Mamma" Mittens grooms Squirrel



What made it worse though is when ever I sit down to pet one of the other cats she will come up between us, wanting attention. Again I am thinking that she just need a little extra reassurance. This would naturally cause which ever cat I was paying attention to, to get upset and walk away. She was constantly butting in and not letting me have any one on one time with the others.



This caused some resentment amongst the others. Unintentionally of course but never the less it still happened. Lil' Bit will growl at her then run away to avoid conflict. Squirrel just ignores her and will walk away. Mizz Purrzzy just wants to play though and will try to play with Squirrel and chase her. Which will lead to a small skirmish between the two of them. This leads to her getting bored as Mittens (mama Mittens) is the only one that will play with her.



She follows Mittens everywhere almost like her shadow, Mittens will tolerate it. Even will groom her, when Mizz Purrzzy is insistent about it. Mittens eats, she eats, Mittens goes to the potty, she follows, Mittens try’s to play she is right there. Mittens will tire of this and sometimes will slap her or try to hide from her. Mittens is patient though and will still mother her.



 

Tuckered out from play.



Now that Ugly is spending more time inside the two of them will chase each other through the house, so now she has someone else to play with. She used to constantly come up to me and “meeah” at me wanting me to get up and play with her. I would say "is that so" she would reply “meyeaa” and have a conversation with me. Mizz Purrzzy is still very energetic and playful, more so than the others with the exception of Lil' Bit. I think she has been watching Lil' Bit play, taking some cues from her. She has started to use the toys and other items around the house to amuse herself more, finally.

Cat dynamics can be interesting to say the least. The way the hierarchy, structure, bonding changes with the introduction of each new cat or situation. What can appear to be the actions of a mean bullying cat, are instead the ones of an insecure timid and maybe slightly fearful little kitty. Seems that she was just a little misunderstood at first. Squirrel is a bit more bold around her, even Lil' Bit is a tiny, tiny bit more tolerant of her. Things are starting to get back to normal, it just takes a little time and patience.

Rare photo indeed.

So the first pic is a common one of Mizz Purrzzy, with her tongue sticking out. “M” thinks it is odd I think it is cute, especially when she is stretching. She normally has anything from just the very tip up to ¾ of it sticking out. The second pic is her with Girl, who I need to brag on in a post soon, as I am so proud of her. Third is Mama Mittens cleaning Squirrel. Next is Lil' Bit in the piano passed out from playing so hard. Finally a rare photo, no tongue.