“Sula mbuailfinn leis an gcat Albanach, mheas mé mé féin mar mhadra do-chorraithe”

And I could not imagine that a cat would live in the house

I have always been indifferent to cats. It’s not that I didn’t like them. Not! Lovely fluffy creatures, but the thought did not arise to get yourself one.

As a child, I had two dogs. One is a half-breed of a pinscher and a dwarf poodle named Parthos, the second is an English Cocker Spaniel Lady. Loved both of those! The initiative to get dogs was mine. The parents agreed. Due to my age, I only walked with the dogs, poured food, sometimes combed the long-haired Lady. I remember when she got sick, I took her to the clinic myself … But the main care for the animals was, of course, on my mother. As a child, we had fish, in a cage lived a budgerigar Carlos, who even talked! And how!

But there was no question of getting a cat. Yes, and never wanted to.

When I grew up and I had a family, the children began to ask for a pet. And I myself wanted a funny woolen ball to live in the house.

And I began to read about different breeds of dogs. Based on the description of the characters of the ponytails, sizes, reviews of the owners, the Brussels Griffon and the Standard Schnauzer were most liked.

I was mentally prepared to get a dog. But what stopped her was that she spent too much time at work. Plus frequent business trips. I understood that the main burden of responsibility would fall on me. And how boring it will be for a dog to be alone at home for 8-10 hours a day.

And then suddenly there was a meeting that turned my worldview upside down. And I think that it could not happen.

Acquaintance with the Scottish cat Badi

Like I said, I’m not a cat person. I knew that there are Siamese, Persian breeds … Probably, that’s all. And then for the company I get to visit friends of friends. And they have a handsome Scottish fold cat. He is so important, walks sedately, haughtily turns his head … As soon as she saw him, she was dumbfounded. I didn’t even know cats like this existed.

I was amazed that he allows himself to be stroked even by strangers. And his fur is so thick and soft. A real anti-stress. In general, I did not leave their Badi.

After that, she told everyone about him: her husband, children, parents, sister, colleagues at work. And she only asked: are real cats like that? And, of course, then the thought already arose: I want this.

I liked that cats are self-sufficient animals

Increasingly began to read different articles about cats. I liked both the Russian Blues and the Cartesian… But the Scottish Folds were out of competition. Jokingly, she began to tell her husband: maybe we’ll get a cat – soft, fluffy, big, fat. And my husband, like me, was attuned to the dog. And he didn’t take my suggestions seriously.

And what I liked about cats is that they are not as attached to a person as dogs. They can safely stay alone at home. And even if we went somewhere (on vacation, to the country), there would be someone to look after the cat. We have great relationships with our neighbors. They would have fed our pet without any problems, would have taken them to their place in the evenings so that he would not be so bored. In general, everything was in favor of the establishment of a cat.

We chose a kitten for the mother-in-law

On New Year’s Eve, we visited my mother-in-law. And she complained: she was lonely. You come home – the apartment is empty … I say: “So get a dog! Everything is more fun, and the incentive to once again go out into the street, and there is someone to take care of. She, after thinking, replies: “A dog – no. I’m still working, I come late. She will howl, annoy the neighbors, scratch the door… Maybe better than a cat…”

I meet a friend in a few days. She says: “The cat gave birth to five kittens. All dismantled, one remained. I ask the breed… Scottish fold… Boy… Affectionate… Manual… Litter-trained.

I ask: “Photos have arrived. My mother-in-law wants to get a cat.

In the evening, a friend sends a photo of a kitten, and I understand: mine!

I call my mother-in-law, I say: “I found a cat for you!” And she told me: “Are you crazy? I didn’t ask!”

And I already liked the baby. And even by itself the name came up – Phil. And what was to be done?

Gave a kitten to my husband for his birthday

The photo of the kitten in my phone was seen by the eldest son. And immediately understood everything. Together we began to persuade my husband. And suddenly stumbled upon insurmountable resistance. He did not want a cat in the house – that’s all!

We even cried…

As a result, she gave him a kitten for his birthday with the words: “Well, you are a kind person! Don’t you fall in love with this little harmless creature? ”A husband will remember a gift for 40 years for a long time!

Philemon has become a universal favorite

On the day when they were supposed to bring a kitten, I bought a tray, bowls, a scratching post, food, toys … My husband just looked and did not say anything. But when Filya got out of the carrier, her husband went to play with him first. And now, with pleasure, she launches sunbeams to the cat and sleeps with him in an embrace.

Kids love cats! True, the youngest son, who is 6 years old, feels sorry for Phil too much. He scratched him several times. We explain to the child that the cat is alive, it hurts, it is unpleasant.

We are all very glad that Filya lives with us.

Scottish fold cat care

Taking care of a cat is not difficult. Every day – fresh water, 2-3 times a day – food. Wool from him, of course, a lot. Have to vacuum more often. If not every day, then at least every other day.

We clean his ears, wipe his eyes, cut his claws. We give paste against wool, gel from worms. Brush your cat’s teeth once a week.

Bathed once. But he didn’t like it very much. Many people say that cats do not need to be bathed: they lick themselves. So we think, to bathe or not to bathe? If washing is a big stress for the animal, maybe it’s better not to expose the cat to it?

What is the character of the Scottish Fold

Our Filimon is a kind, tame, affectionate cat. He likes being stroked. If he wants to be caressed, he comes himself, begins to rumble, put his muzzle under his arm.

It happens that he jumps up to me or to my husband on his back or on his stomach in the middle of the night, purrs, purrs and leaves.

He loves company, is always in the room where the person is.

I know that many cats climb tables, working kitchen surfaces. Ours is not! And the furniture does not spoil, does not gnaw anything. The most he can do is ruffle a toilet paper roll or rip apart a rustling bag.

What funny stories happened to the cat Filimon

Firstly, I will say that our cat in itself is a great joy. You look at him, and your soul becomes warm, calm, joyful.

He has a very funny appearance: a wide muzzle and a constantly surprised look. As if he asks: how did I find myself here, what do I do? You look at him and involuntarily smile.

And even when he plays pranks, how can you scold him? Scold a little: “Phil, you can’t take toilet paper! You can’t climb into the shelf with packages!” Even the husband scolds him without fear: “Well, what have you done, furry muzzle!” or “That’s how I will punish now!”. The only thing Filimon is afraid of is a vacuum cleaner. 

Once I came from the store, a pâté bar fell out of the bag. And where did he go? I looked all over the kitchen and couldn’t find it. But at night Phil found him! And what he just did with it. He didn’t eat it, but he pierced the wrapper with his claws. The smell of the liver did not let him throw the find. So the cat chased the pate until the morning. And then he kept a little on his paws, fell asleep on the go and in positions unusual for him. So tired!

How does a cat cope with loneliness?

Phil calmly remains alone. In general, cats are nocturnal predators. Ours also walks at night, climbs somewhere, rustles something. The busiest time of the day is early morning. I get up for work at 5.30 – 6.00. He rushes around the apartment, runs into my legs with a run, wakes up my children and my husband with me. Then he abruptly calms down and disappears. And sleeps almost all day.

In the summer, when we went to the dacha for the weekend, they asked the neighbors to look after the cat. He knows them well and likes to visit them. 

For a long time until we left. And when necessary, we will ask our grandmother to move in with us, or we will again turn to the neighbors. We do not take a cat with us, as I read, and the veterinarian confirmed that moving for cats is a lot of stress. They can get sick, start marking, etc. Cats are very accustomed to their territory.

If we leave for a day or two, Filya gets bored. After returning, he caresses, does not leave us. He climbs onto his stomach, exposes his muzzle for stroking, gently touches his face with a paw without claws … He often strokes his head with his paws.

Which owner is suitable for a Scottish Fold cat

Fat, thin, young, old…

Seriously, any cat or dog will have a loving owner. If a person loves an animal, takes care of it, takes pity on it, this will be the best owner.

And the dream remains a dream

But, even though we now have the best cat in the world, the dream of having a dog has not gone away. After all, many people live together – cats, dogs, parrots, and turtles …

I think we will get a standard schnauzer for my husband at 45!

Photo from Anna Migul’s family archive.