quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
I can't explain the genetics fully, but, essentially, yes. The genes that allow for ginger and black cats (tortoise shells) and the white spotting gene which overlays to make calicos (three colored) are sex linked. It takes two X chromosomes to make calico cats. The calico combination can exist only in female cats. When it exists in cats that have male genitals, those cats have genetic abnormalities like XXY chromosomes, and are virtually always sterile. Even the few that aren't sterile are not healthy.

In addition, if you get a rare fertile male calico, he cannot sire calicos, only tabbys.

Pic of The Queen. My Himalayan girl Sophie. With her shaggy winter coat:

Off to the groomers next month. She LOVES getting a fur cut.

Funny you should post this. Just recently my cat has started "head-bonking" at first I just thought it was an anomaly but after three and four times now it's commonplace. He'll sit in my lap and let me pet him and then look up at me and crawl up my chest and nose dive into my face for a head-bonk. I seem to remember air soft guy mentioning that Agnes head-bonks I think also, I meant to ask him about this, it's pretty cool actually!

quote:

Originally posted by JeffreyD103:
Pic of The Queen. My Himalayan girl Sophie...

She's beautiful! My husband had a Himalayan when we married. She passed a few years ago and I still miss her. She was the sweetest cat, but dumb as a box of rocks, bless her heart. Is Sophie smart? I wasn't sure if that was a Himalayan trait.

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-p...-my-cat-head-butt-me

Why Does My Cat Do This?
According to Dr. Herron, this behavior is something that domestic cats share with their wild counterparts.

“Cats do this to deposit facial pheromones on people or objects in their environment,” explains Dr. Herron. “The head butting is actually something that we call bunting.”

Since kitties usually seem relaxed and friendly while bunting, people rightfully assume that it's a sign of affection or acceptance into the feline’s domain. But Dr. Herron says that bunting is a bit more nuanced.

“Rather than territorial marking or ‘claiming’ someone, as is commonly thought, cats do this to mark something as safe — sort of like leaving a signal of comfort and safety,” adds Dr. Herron. “So you could think of it as a sign that they are ‘trusting’ that person or environment.”

quote:

Originally posted by GJG:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Appliance Brad:
My wife made this quilt for our daughter at Christmas and her cat Lt. Nubbins felt it was his.


His? Not hers? Aren't all calico cats female?

Daughter lives in NC, didn't even give the calico gender thing a thought, I was sure it was a male cat but now I have to ask. I will report back.

quote:

Originally posted by cheesegrits: ... She was the sweetest cat, but dumb as a box of rocks, bless her heart. ...

Sophie?

Oh my God yes.

Not too dumb to find her way out of a room but... well, she's very sweet.

Seriously, she is such a good little girl.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JeffreyD103,

quote:

Originally posted by JeffreyD103:
Pic of The Queen. My Himalayan girl Sophie. With her shaggy winter coat:

Off to the groomers next month. She LOVES getting a fur cut.

Gorgeous feline, love the color of her coat and her eyes.

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:
...

Real men head-bonk with kittehs.

My kitty is a douche but my wife and sheltie love him. The bassett-mix tolerates him.

quote:

Originally posted by photoman12001:

What a great image!

It is a great shot! Beautiful dog. And an expression of smugness that only a cat can display.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
I can't explain the genetics fully, but, essentially, yes. The genes that allow for ginger and black cats (tortoise shells) and the white spotting gene which overlays to make calicos (three colored) are sex linked. It takes two X chromosomes to make calico cats. The calico combination can exist only in female cats. When it exists in cats that have male genitals, those cats have genetic abnormalities like XXY chromosomes, and are virtually always sterile. Even the few that aren't sterile are not healthy.

In addition, if you get a rare fertile male calico, he cannot sire calicos, only tabbys.

Early in my career I actually found one of these unicorns (male cali), and the story was picked up by the AP. Cat was actually reasonably healthy, if I recall correctly.

quote:

Originally posted by just1tym:
What a great image!

Thanks. Kitty bites for the dog immediately followed that photo.

This is Carlos, he was my shop cat for about 4hrs until my wife's boss nixed him being inside.

He was in the wall of my wife's office for a day or two until they figured out where he went, our maintenance guy rescued him today and Christy brought him over. We were going to keep him around to keep the rats out, but noooo.



Cute little fucker, such eyes. We let him go outside the office so hopefully he will meet up with his siblings that prowl the grounds.

Got some from my aunt...

Carlos snuck back into our shop overnight so we fostered him for the day. Christy is trying to find him a home, I sure hope she does, he's so GD cute.

quote:

Originally posted by billnchristy:
This is Carlos,

Take. Him. Home.

quote:

Originally posted by Cope:

quote:

Originally posted by billnchristy:
This is Carlos,

Take. Him. Home.

I'd gladly send money to Jeff for a years supply of food for the little guy..I couldn't take him myself due to immediate health sh*t or I'd do it in a heartbeat. Please let me know and I'll make the arrangements with Jeff!