Good afternoon, blog readers! It’s a beautiful day here in Tennessee, so I decided to film a vlog outside. This video is in response to the questions that many of you have asked about whether we have pets and what’s up with the cats that roam around our property. I’ll show you my favorite cat (also pictured below), and I’ll introduce you to two of my childhood pets. Enjoy!
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Hmm. Not bad for a start. My family currently has 9 dogs, 1 cat,(Well, we had 3 kittens; strays not from out cat, but they all died around last week), and 1 parrot.
From the looks of it, Mr. Handsome has it easy for him when it comes to having a pet bird.
Wow, that's quite the family of pets, James. Do your dogs live indoors?
Ellie
Yeah. We also had 3 cats while my family lived in the States, but we had to put the oldest down, and give the two younger ones away. The oldest used to sleep with me when I was a baby. Maybe that's why I'm such a feline fan.
Not necessarily. They only come in during storms, so they normally live outside. My grandparents have also had lots of dogs, so I guess their love of dogs rubbed onto my dad.
You used the word and a lot and the word um quite frequently. I think I enjoy your blogs more than your blogs.
Loved your volg!!!
Thank you! 🙂
Ellie
Aw, precious kitty! 😍😍😍 What a darling.
I never had birds growing up (just cats, dogs, and guinea pigs), but I always wanted one! I hope you and Mr. Handsome are able to get one when you have your own house 😀
I know, isn't it sweet? The sad thing is that it can't make any noises. When it opens its mouth to meow, nothing comes out. 🙁
Ellie
That "silent" meow is actually a type of communication the cat feels it wants to do with you. It's a non-aggressive greeting that will draw some attention, but not undue attention like a howl, the type of tiny meow and mouth opening used with parents and littermates. If that cat wanted to make more noise, I'm positive it could.
My cats chirp small or silent meows at me except if I load them in the car to take them to the vet hospital. Then they unleash unearthly sounds, as if the whole world is ending! Cats will also make horrible noises at other cats to warn them to stay away. It's actually a defense mechanism that keeps the cat from having to physically engage with another cat. If a howl works to scare off a predator, then you don't have to expend energy fighting and possibly getting hurt. "Bark is worse than bite" kind of thing.
That's very interesting! Sounds like you know a lot about cats. Have you had them for a while?
Ellie
We've had fish and birds as pets. In a couple of months we will go down to the shelter so my son can pick out his birthday present. He's been begging for a dog. I'm still not too sure I know they are a big responsibility and we've never had a dog before. We'll see how it goes. Wish us luck!
What an exciting time of life for your son. I'm sure it will go well! 🙂
Ellie
It's great that you are planning to rescue a dog from the shelter. There are tons a dogs and cats at shelters that need good homes. Remember that adopting a dog is a lifetime commitment. You should get books about caring for dogs (free at the library) and use positive reinforcement to train your dog.
Much as you enjoy the wandering cats visiting you, it saddens me to see them loose in the neighborhood like that. They are in danger of being hit by cars; getting attacked by dogs, other cats, or any wild animals they might engage; picking up fleas and ticks and the associated diseases (worms, bacteria); getting heartworm from mosquitoes; picking up transmittable toxoplasmosis by eating what they kill; contracting bites or viral diseases from other cats; and generally getting into all sorts of trouble. I have to wonder about their owners and what level of care these cats are given if they're turned loose to roam the neighborhood. It's irresponsible to let your cat loose, and in many places, against the law (for good reason). Outdoor cats often don't live as long as indoor ones for the very reasons I listed, which is sad, and preventable.
I've had indoor cats all my life, and it's heartbreaking enough when they get old and develop an illness such as cancer. But at least I'm watching them every moment of their days, I'm limiting their exposure to danger, and I know what's going on with their health constantly. I can't imagine owning a cat and doing things any differently. You'll never have the same type of ownership experience or tight emotional bond with your cat if you don't keep it inside with you. That bond goes both ways…the more you give, the more you get back.
God bless and protect those cats you showed us. The owners aren't, so someone must.
I sure hope they're spayed/neutered, too.
Oh chill! They're just cats!! You should be more concerned for all the kids going through hardships, or living out in the streets because their parents don't care or are some kind-of-aholics. Plus, cats have more fun when they are roaming outside, not stuck indoors.. God bless u!
Who says I don't have concern for kids going through hardships?? Ask the ones I volunteer with at the elementary school in my neighborhood if they feel I'm not concerned for their reading skills and keeping them caught up with their classwork. Or providing them coats, gloves, and home-sewn scarves in the winter, through the school guidance counselor, when they have to go without.
Cats have just as much "fun" indoors, if you give them the proper environment. That means cat climbing furniture, scratching posts, toys, and the much-needed human interaction. Birds and squirrels and other "fun" nature can be safely observed through a screened window or porch.
I take offense at your saying they're "just" cats. They are intelligent, sentient animals that deserve to be treated properly and with respect. There is no such thing as "just" any pet, no matter what the species.
We have four cats who come and go as they please through a cat flap. They are all chipped and vaccinated annually, and very fit and healthy according to our vet. So I think it's perfectly safe and healthy to let cats go outside, and a more natural way for them to live…although I do appreciate different countries have different ways of keeping pets.
The only thing I would say Ellie is that if you do want to feed any stray cats, its best to give them something like dry cat food as its properly balanced for them, and some 'human' food can harm them.
Bee 🙂
You can love cats and kids equally. Cats are innocent just like children and need to be taken care of. It is very offensive to say they are "just cats." You are "just human." Gods loves all his creatures. You need to learn some empathy!
I disagree that you should love cats and kids equally. You should take care of Gods creatures, but as humans kids have souls and are more precious to God.
And I disagree that animals don't have souls or are any less "precious" in the big scheme of things. What if you find out someday that your thinking is totally wrong?
I've had two of my cats who had passed away come back to visit me. One had just crossed over yet was able to make some of his toys move in front of my eyes as I stood there dumbfounded. I heard the toys moving loudly while I was in another room, and I was able to get there in time to watch. The other cat jumped up on my bed during the night while I was wide awake. I felt his weight, I felt him purr, I felt him lie down against my legs, and my hands reached out and felt his fur. I turned on the light to look, and there was "nothing" visible on the bed. Yet I'm positive which cat this was by his weight and fur. Both experiences were awesome and gave me hope for the time when we're all reunited, happy and healthy.
My friend heard her dead dog's tags rattling and his paws on the floor during the night, as she got up and followed the sound through the house before it faded again. She was not dreaming or sleepwalking.
So I'm sure there's a loving soul-level connection with pets that remains with you forever and is able to transcend anything after death.
My friend runs a no-kill cat shelter. Some of you wouldn't pass the through pre-adoption questionnaire at that shelter. (But at least one of you would.) They won't place a cat with anyone they feel won't treat it to their standards. They'll keep it or foster it instead.
Ellie I know what you mean when you say it's sad there is no noise when the little cat meows. My cat is old,he is almost 19, and he started about a year ago of silent meowing. But,he still CAN meow with noise, we just assumed it was his age is why the silent meow. I suppose cats can choose to make noise or not who knows. But it looks sad to me when I look down at my cat and only his mouth moves no sound. 🙁 He is doing fine otherwise still healthy and still likes to play outside just by the door he doesn't wander anyplace and its only about 15- 20 minutes he likes now of the fresh air.
That's very interesting. The other cats meow constantly, but maybe this one just has a different way of communicating. Lol.
I agree that it's sad to watch. When this one does it, he makes a faint clicking noise. 🙁
Ellie
Cute video Ellie!! Hope you do get to have your pet bird in the near future. Right now we have 2 dogs or fur babies as they are called in our house. Cinnamon a girl she is about 11 and Scooter a boy that is 3. We might also be taking in my Grandmothers 2 dogs soon because she is not doing to well.
I enjoyed your vlog. Thanks for sharing, sounds like a good plan for pets 🙂
Hi Ellie, I enjoyed your vlog. So nice to hear your voice and get a better sense of you, your personality, and your life! Thank you so much for sharing. We had birds as pets when I was a child but I am a cat lover and have always had a cat until health stopped my ownership from asthma. Miss them! I noticed your tomatos in the background, how is your gardening coming along? Maybe you can do a segment about gardening next? It looks so lovely and green in Nashville with all kinds of birds chirping in the background. We are still waiting for spring here in Alberta Canada. Cannot wait to get outside and garden. We feed the birds in our neighbourhood all year long. Those are our pets now! Eileen
I'm glad you enjoyed it! So sorry you aren't able to have pets anymore. :'(
Last year I bought starter plants (tomatoes and peppers) and they did very well. This year I started them indoors from seeds. They did great until I put them outdoors. Thankfully I still have a few plants left indoors, so I might switch them out.
I was born in Canada, so I totally understand waiting for spring. Do you live in a city or out in the country? Alberta is beautiful.
Ellie
Oh, I was also wondering how your book was coming along Ellie? Maybe you could share about your writing and research. I felt very bad for Mr Handsomes great grandmother buying all those gifts and not hearing back from everyone. So wrong. I am so happy for her that she has you and Mr Handsome thinking of her and including her. So lovely to give her a personal gift of a painting by Mr Handsome. Eileen
Hi again,
My book is coming along well. With blogging, I don't have as much time to work on it as I would like, but I'm still trucking along. Thanks for asking!
Ellie
Ellie, I'm having a really bad day. Please pray for me.
-M
I'm very sorry to hear that! I will be praying for you. Hang in there! God loves you. 🙂
Ellie
this little kitty feels very safe around you or she wouldnt keep showing up. you should be very pleased because cats pick us! it means you are good people and she trusts you, especially if she cant meow! thank you for being so kind to her. feral cats need love too
That's encouraging to hear, Darlene. She definitely brings joy to my life. Hope I do the same for her. 🙂
Ellie
I liked your vlog (video blog). I love animals. I worry about the stray cats. During the hot days in summer, it's hard to find food and water. It's great you rescued your bird. When you get a new pet bird will you rescue again? Hope so. Kimbers Kritters Parrot Rescue and Exotic Avian Sanctuary of Tennessee are near by. Maybe you could volunteer?
Places like that are usually looking for foster parent volunteers. You get to foster the animals and give them human contact and training, but any vet bills should be covered by the foster organization.
I'll have to take a look at that organization. Thanks!
We would definitely rescue a bird, rather than buy one from a pet store. Not only is it a great thing to do, but the pet store birds just aren't well behaved. (My first bird growing up was from a pet store, and the second was from a rescue.)
Ellie
You should volunteer at this bird rescue in TN! They are really helping birds. http://www.tnavianrescue.org You could do a vlog about it! Please Lily!
Great suggestion! 🙂
Ellie
Gray cats are my favorite, they're so beautiful! She is very cute 🙂
I agree…she's very cute! 🙂
Ellie
Your favorite kitty is camouflaged in the dirt. It is nice that you host your pet visitors. However you are also training them by being kind and friendly. Some people might get hoses of water and spray them every time they were in their yard to keep them away. At some point are you going to take responsibility for any of them? Will you work at determining where they might be coming from? If you give those little squatters the idea that you are their human then aren't you? Or are you just fair weather friends who think innocent animals who don't have the brains that you possess should be responsible for their own well being. It is sort of goofy that you are going on about the birds you had and the birds you will have when you are right now in the process of all but adopting some strays in your back yard by your behaviours towards them and yet you are being ignorant and irresponsible to the consequences of your own actions. Do you care that these cats grow to love you and look to you for care?
I agree that the owners should be found and a discussion should be held about how these cats are being taken care of and what they're getting up to on their own. This is not responsible ownership OR visitation rights.
I've debated whether I should comment on this for a couple days, but decided that I should. All I'll say is that if you do get a bird, you should adopt one from a rescue agency, not buy one from a pet store. Most pet store birds are bred in deplorable breeding mills, similar to puppy mills. Also, get something like a budgie or a cockatiel, NOT a parrot. The fact that such intelligent, wild animals are bred or captured to be kept in captivity is heartbreaking. I know you had birds as a child, but just make sure you do your research.
I completely agree. 🙂 Growing up, my first bird was from a pet store. He was sweet but wild and untrained. We rescued our second bird from a sanctuary, and her behavior was much better. She had more personality, as well. It felt good to know that we were adopting a bird that had been abused and desperately needed a home.
Ellie
I would love to have a bird too, but like you we are renting and not allowed pets. We hope to have a budgie (what you call a parakeet) and a dog when we get a house of our own. I had a pet budgie as a child that I just loved. We regularly used to let it fly around the house, it would sit on our shoulders and nuzzle up to us, it was so cute. If you get a male bird before it reaches 12 weeks old, you can teach them to talk. You repeat one word over and over until they start saying it. Once they've learnt one word they are able to learn other words, even as they get older.
Hi Ellie,I enjoyed your video and seeing your favourite cat. 🙂
I had a budgie as a child and a hamster when I was older. I had two cats until recently, brother and sister. My girl cat died in Jan aged 17 but I still have her brother. 🙂
Ah, I love the cats! Too cute!
I am sorry but birds are not meant to be pets. It is really sad to have a bird in a house. They need to be able to fly in the sky. How would you like to be trapped in a house forever? It is very cruel to have a bird for pure entertainment 🙁 Get a dog. You can take them outside and they can run in the park etc, but please do not contribute to cage birds.