Tuesday, April 5, 2016

A-Z Domestic Shorthair



Here's a favorite for almost all of most. How many domestic shorthairs have you had in your lifetime? I can't begin to count. We had cats when I was growing up and I've had them ever since. At one time I ran a small cat rescue and I've fostered on and off for years.  But back on track. Domestics are great cats with varied personalities and weigh between six and sixteen pounds. They're healthy, friendly and come in all sizes and colors. There's eighty million in the U.S. and 600 hundred million in the world.  Two unaltered cats can be the forefathers of eighty million cats.  That is why it's so important that people spay and neuter their pets. I can't stress this enough. For most of the blogsters out there, I'm preaching to the choir, but when two can turn into eighty million, EVERYONE who has a pet needs to make sure their kitty is altered. Many shelters are on a spay/neuter program and have special prices for seniors or low income.  If you think you'd like to add one of these sweeties to your household, visit your local shelter or rescue.  Someone is just waiting for you to take him/her home.


48 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

With the exception of a cat whose mother was a pedigreed Siamese who 'got out at the wrong time' all of our cats have been unashamed moggies. And all of them either rescue cats, or cats who moved in on/with us.
My world would be a sadder place without them. Cleaner perhaps without the patina of fur, but sadder.

Valerie-Jael said...

Good article, and very important to get them neutered. My last cat, Kitty, dies 2 years ago and reached the ripe age of 22. Hugs, Valerie

nashvillecats2 said...

Wonderful post Sandra, I've only ever had one cat a torishell, I think I told before she was diagnosed with diabetes when she was ten years old, I had to give her 2 shopr a day. She outlived my husband and it was me who was with her when she was finally put to sleep at 14. I did miss her as she was a great comfort to me after my berevement.
Yvonne.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

They are like the mutt - the best breed.
Any pets we've ever had, they've all been fixed. Neither I nor my parents wanted a herd of them.

Anonymous said...

As EC has says, we call them moggies. While we have seen two dogs and three cats out, I have realised that I would not be a good dog owner in the future, exemplified by when we look after Dog Jack on occasions. I think in our older years an apartment moggie might suit us very well.

Margaret D said...

How lovely that you looked after many cats in the past.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, dear Sandra!

I have memories of domestic shorthairs leading back to early childhood. My aunt had Sam, a pure white cat, and Felix, a black cat, and I loved to sit on the floor and play with them. In recent years I cared for a stray black shorthair with white on his chest and paws. His paws looked like white booties and so I named him "Boots." Other neighbors named him "Tuxedo." My sister-in-law has a shorhair named Louie. When I visit, Louie spends lots of time with me because he knows I will give him affection. He is always drawn to the minty smell of my chewing gum! :)

Let's all remember Bob Barker's words: "Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered."

Thank you, dear friend Sandra!

CJ Kennedy said...

DSH are the only breed that has owned me.

Jeanie said...

That's my breed! My Lizzie and her two predecessors were Domestic Shorthairs and all wonderful animals! All of them found me, too. Three cheers!

Pat Hatt said...

Damn, good thing we snip snip at our sea. They are a great breed indeed. had a few over the years.

Sandra Cox said...

'My world would be, etc' is fantastic.
You're a wordsmith, EC.

Sandra Cox said...

You were a good mom, Valerie, to get your kitty to that ripe old age.

Sandra Cox said...

Giving insulin is a huge deal, Yvonne. Kudos.
You done good. Is it time to get another?

Sandra Cox said...

Kudos, Alex. I wish everyone was that responsible.

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Andrew,
If I'd realized they were called mogies earlier, I could have used it for my M word.

Sandra Cox said...

Oops. Moggies.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, M-w. It's a wonderful feeling when they go their forever home.

Sandra Cox said...

My Chuck, who was also white, was a mint-aholic too. Loved gum wrappers. I used to grow mint for him:)

Sandra Cox said...

Wasn't Bob Barker amazing?

Sandra Cox said...

You've been owned by the best.

Sandra Cox said...

Good for you, Jeanie. I think the animals that have to find us are more appreciative of their homes.

Sandra Cox said...

It sure is, Pat. You're a responsible pet dad. Kudos.

That's Purrfect said...

We inherited our cat from my partner's late mother. She's lovely. All cats should be spayed/neutered. Interesting article about domestic shorthairs. That's Purrfect

Shady Del Knight said...

I started watching Bob when he hosted T or C (Truth or Consequences). Remember that show?

da tabbies o trout towne said...

WHOA !!!! we new gram paw dude waz old, but cranbereeez; we dinna think we wood see a fotoz oh him next ta de pyramids !!! ☺☺☺ awesum post two day...we gived it 984 paws up ♥♥♥

Jaye @ Life Afloat said...

I love the description, that they are basically the feline version of a mutt. Hybrid vigor!

Elizabeth said...

I have also owned many domestic shorthairs over the years. They are such great pets to always have around :)

Tom Benson said...

As I may have said in a previous comment, as much as I like the 'big cats', I couldn't have a cat in my life.
Having said that, I know the comfort they bring to so many people, and they are friendly creatures for the most part.:)

Sandra Cox said...

Good for you for taking in her kitty. You wouldn't believe the number of relatives that kick them to the curb or toss them in a kill shelter.

Sandra Cox said...

:) Thank you, Tabbies:)

Sandra Cox said...

Indeed!

Sandra Cox said...

They sure are, Elizabeth.

Sandra Cox said...

They do indeed bring comfort:)
Friendly, for the most part...heh heh

Stephanie Faris said...

I've never had a cat, but this is the one I see most often in people's homes, I think?

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Domestic shorthairs are all I've ever had. One of them was pure white and I was told would've made a good show cat, but I know Calvin would've hated it.

Sandra Cox said...

You're right, Steph:)

Sandra Cox said...

Sounds like a beauty. The cat I had the closest bond with was white.

Sharon Himsl said...

I'm enjoying learning more about cats!

Pioneer Women in Aviation A-Z


Magic Love Crow said...

I agree! Spay and neuter your cats! 80 million?? Wow! That is a lot! You had a small cat rescue? That is excellent! Loving these write ups about cats!

Birgit said...

These are all our cats! We saved all of them too. The fat one, we inherited fat and she is on special food but we have to watch her as she goes after the others' food. Our latest pussy cat, the tuxedo, is full of fun and mayhem! They are all spade/neutered and they are all indoor cats. I wish people would keep their cats inside and neuter them

Romance Book Haven said...

Completely agree. Its so important to have them altered!

Yolanda Renée said...

Yes, definitely a favorite. My mother's Miss Kitty was my favorite. She was so small and pretty, a real lover!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

HMMMM! I've had a Russian Blue, and Squiggles, who is definitely a domestic short hair that came from my local humane society. I was thrilled when I got him, even though Bleubeard was less enthused (and still is). Enjoyed this post, because I can relate to it with Squiggles.

Sandra Cox said...

It's amazing. They are just like rabbits...well in that respect anyway.

Sandra Cox said...

You're a good cat mom, Birgit. Kudos.

Sandra Cox said...

I wish everyone thought like you do:)

Sandra Cox said...

We had a Miss Kitty too! A little tabby.

Sandra Cox said...

Ahhh:)