Hey, are ya’ll out there? Anypawdy? It’s me RaenaBelle. Most of ya’ have been here since befur I was born, and so ya’ ‘member dat I was rescued from a very uncertain future and a really bad place. I’s been here long enuff now to know dat mommy wholeheartedly supports animal rescue and adoptions. There are so many kitties, and doggies too dat need luvvin’ furever homes. Now I’s not furgettin’ all you other anipals, but let’s face it, shelters are mainly full up with cats and dogs. Most of ya’ ‘member mommy and sis Dezi’s search fur a new Service Kitty in Training after Lexi went to heaven (whispers: God rest her). Most of ya’ ‘member dat they kept hittin’ purrverbial brick walls every time they tried to adopt a “rescue” kitty. And most of ya’ ‘member how torn mommy was when she found me at a bakyard breeder. Mines “fee” was da same or lower than most shelters and “rescue organizations” in da area. But lots of peeps didn’t/don’t consider me a rescue kitty.
I’s ask mommy to look up da definition of rescue and here’s what da Webster dictionary says: An act of saving or being saved from danger or distress. To deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger. Well, let me tell ya’, mommy fur sure rescued me. I was born in a cage and had never been allowed outta dat cage. I was sick cuz of da conditions of da house and too many other animals who weren’t purropurrly cared fur. Mines future was uncertain till mommy saved me. We’ve had a lot of peeps ask exactly what is a Ragdoll. So I’s ask mommy ifin we could do some ‘splainin’ ‘bout da breed and a little ‘bout what goes on with these backyard breeders.
History of the Ragdoll
Let’s go back and give ya’ da history of da Ragdoll breed. In 1960, a non-pedigreed white Persian/Angora type kitty named Josephine had a litter of kitties sired by several unknown male Burmese/Birman like cats. One of these males had the colorpoints associated with da Siamese cat. Josephine later produced a litter of very docile, placid tempurrment, affectionate and a tendency to go limp and relaxed when picked up kitties. When a subsequent litter was born with these identical traits, Ann Baker purchased several kittens from Josephines owner and set out to create what is now known as the Ragdoll breed. Blackie, an all black Burmese like male, and Daddy Warbucks a Seal point with white feet male were among da furst litters born. Daddy Warbucks sired the founding bi-color female, Fugianna. And Blackie sired Buckwheat, a dark brown/black Burmese like famale. Fugianna and Buckwheat were both daughters of Josephine. All Ragdolls today are descendants from Ann Baker’s cats through the matings of Daddy Warbucks to Fugianna and Buckwheat. Other breeders were added and da breed grew.
The Temperament of the Ragdoll
Ragdolls are docile, calm and floppy in nature. These traits are attributed to da Persian and Birman breeds that were a pawrt of da foundation of da breed. Da breed standard states: The Ragdoll is affectionate, intelligent, relaxed in temperament, gentle and an easy to handle lap cat. They are often known as “puppy-cats”. They are easily trained, and appear to enjoy performing tricks or in our case, Service Cat tasks.
Physical Characteristics
Now let’s talk ‘bout those pesky physical characteristics. We call them pesky, cuz some peeps are more concerned with da appearance of a kitty than da purrsonality. Dat’s why black cats have such a hard time gettin’ adopted. Anyways, da Ragdoll is one of da largest breed of cats with a sturdy body, large frame and proportionate legs. Males are generally larger than the females. We did note while researchin’ fur this dat Ragdolls are being bred smaller these days; with weights being stated as somewhere between 8 to 20 pounds. We purrsonally have not seen any of those smaller Ragdolls. The color point gene is responsible for the blue eye color of the Ragdoll cats. Ragdolls have a plush medium length coat consisting of long guard hairs and no undercoat.
Ragdolls come in 6 different colors: Red, Seal, Chocolate and da corresponding “dilutes”, including blue, lilac and cream. This also includes da tortie in all colors including da 3 patterns. With full coloring occurring around 3 – 4 years of age. The 4 different Ragdoll Patterns are:
Pointed: One color darkening at the extremities
Mitted: Same as pointed but with white paws and abdomen. With or without a blaze, but must have a “belly stripe” (White chin with white extending from the chin to the genitals).
High Mitted Bi-Color: Same as mitted, with white chest, paws and abdomen. White V mark on the face, and color can be red, blue, seal, chocolate and cream.
Bi-Color: White legs, White inverted V on the face, white abdomen and sometimes white patches on the back. (Excessive amounts of white or “high white” on a Bi-Color is known as the Van pattern. The Van pattern is Rare).
Lynx: A varient of the above types and having the Tabby markings.
Inbreeding in Ragdolls is/was very high due to the very limited number of foundation cats. A lot of breeders continued to cross breed “foundation cats” to Persians, Birman and Burmese in an attempt to broaden the gene pool. In the 80’s the CFA determined there were sufficient foundations and no longer accepts for registration any cross bred Ragdolls. That means only litters born of two registered Ragdoll parents are allowed for registration. So inbreeding is still very high among the breed. However, Backyard breeders still practice cross breeding today. As far as health goes, Ragdolls have a significantly higher risk of developing and/or dying from urinary problems. We are also at risk for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy a genetic disease that can cause sudden death. A DNA test was developed in 2007 to identify the gene that causes HCM in Ragdolls, however it is costly, so not all breeders, especially backyard breeders, test for this. Otherwise we are fairly robust, low maintenance kitties.
Now we’ll get back to da rescuin’ of me. We do know dat I’s da product of 2 Ragdoll pawrents, same as sis Dezi. However, since I’s came from a backyard breeder, no testing was purrformed on mines pawrents fur HCM. And we can’t know da lineage of mines pawrents. However, I’s have an eye issue dat be purrevalent in Persians (stay tuned, we have a review comin’ up fur a great purroduct fur this). This could be da result of a latent Persian gene or cuz one of mines pawrents pawrents was a Persian. Either way, it makes no difference to mommy, cuz she luvs me and will take care of me furever. Dat’s what she purromissed when she rescued me from dat urine stenched, dank dungeon cage. Did I’s come from a shelter or rescue organization? No. Bit I’s was rescued just da same. Altho’ mommy was torn in da beginning, once she saw da conditions I’s was born into and living in and she saw mines face, she’s never looked back. She knows I was meant to be here with her and sis Dezi. And I’s so grateful she made dat call. And fur anypawdy wonderin’, sis Dezi is a Seal Lynx Point. At this time, I’s still a little young to call, but I’s fur sure a Bi-Color Van. Mommy says, I’s’ll purrobably be a Chocolate, but we’ll have to wait a little longer to say fur certain.
I’s gonna wrap it up now and see ‘bout getting’ some treats. I’s do wanna add, dat while we was writin’ this posty, da manager came knockin’ on our door to let us know our neighbor died last night. No, we weren’t close to her and we didn’t know she was “that sick”. She was tellin’ peeps she was gonna have a surgery and actin’ like it was nuffin’. Never da less, she was a mother, sisfur, daughter, awnty and neice to somepawdy, so ifin ya’ wouldn’t mind just sayin’ a purrayer fur her furmily dat would be nice. We’re joinin’ Rascal and Rocco fur da weekly Pet Parade. Go by and check it out.
Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me RaenaBelle. Purrlease, somepawdy come save me. Rats, mouses and kittens, did I ever get in trouble last night. Sissy was hissin’ and growlin’ and mommy was hissin’ and growlin’ and yellin’ and all li’l ole me was tryin’ to do is play?. Could I’s help it ifin sissy was in da pawdee box tryin’ to make a depawsit when I’s was grabbin’ her tail and swattin’ at her? Could I’s help it ifin while makin’ dat depawsit sissy looked like prey to jump on? Any kitty woulda made dat mistake, right? C’mon, just cuz mommy’s told me seventy billion times to leave sis Dezi alone while she uses da pawdee box…
Play? Really Raena? How ‘bout ya’ tell da truth. You wanna be da alpha cat here and it makes you mad dat mommy says me’s da alpha Queen and you’re just da Purrincess. Has me ever bothered you at all when you’re in da pawdee box? No!!! Has me ever grabbed your flickin’ tail while you were in da pawdee box? No!!! Has me ever once tried to jump on you at any time? No!!! Well, okay, but dat time doesn’t count. It’s not nice, and you know mommy doesn’t want us playin’ in da pawdee boxes no matter what. You’ve gotta learn some respect. You know, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, spells respect fur mommy and me.
Or somepawdy can come save me and let me be da alpha Queen at their house.
Lissen up Raena. Are ya’ payin’ attention? You’ve got it good here, alpha or not. There ain’t nopawdy on this planet or any other dat’s gonna luv you like mommy and me do. You’ve got a nice warm bed to sleep in, purrlenty of food and treats, lots of toys includin’ da coveted nip nanner, and da bestest furiends in da universe. You woulda been splatted eleventy billion times ifin you’d pulled some of your stunts with some of our furiends. You bestest just count your blessings and learn some respect. And fankfully mommy says she’s gonna try to get me a pawdee box with a lid or better yet, one of those hidden pawdee boxes.
Why do you need a pawdee box with a lid sissy? And what is a pawdee box lid anyways? Why would any kitty want a hidden pawdee box?
A lid is somethin’ dat goes on top of da pawdee box so you can’t jump on me or swat mes tail while me’s makin’ depawsits. As fur da hidden kind, well dat would mean you wouldn’t know me was even in da pawdee box in da furst place, so me could go in peace.
Y, Dat doesn’t sound like much fun sissy?.
Goin’ to da pawdee box ain’t ‘bout havin’ fun Raena, it’s ‘bout takin’ care of business and gettin’ out so mommy can scoop and make it all clean again.
Whatever. Hey, are you gonna tell everypawdy ‘bout mommys’ latest blessin’?
Me thought you were gonna, but me will be happy to. So, ya’ know one of our Anonymous awnties sent some green papers fur mommy to buy her a few groceries at da store last week. And we even posted some of da goodies she got. Well mommy got her $10.00 in food stamps da other day and decided to see ifin anythin’ was on sale at da grocery store and see ‘bout getting’ a loaf of bread. Bread has been on sale fur $3.00 plus tax fur da last couple of weeks, and mommy hoped it still was. And no, it’s not special bread or anythin’, it’s just plain ole white sammich bread. Me can’t ‘member ifin we told ya’ll or not, but our grocery store was sold this year and taken over by a new furmily dat has grocery stores in several of da towns ‘round us. Anyways, da manager sometimes runs these “unadvertised managers specials”, so mommy was goin’ down each aisle to see ifin anythin’ was on special.
Mommy never goes to a grocery store dat she doesn’t walk longingly by da meat depawrtment. Mommy grew up in a house where steak and taters was a staple, but meat’s been off her menu fur a long time. One piddly cubed steak is $4.00 plus tax on sale, so meat hasn’t been a staple in our house fur years. Anyways, da bread was still on sale and da manager was runnin’ da 8 ounce generic brand cheese chubs fur $1.75 plus tax. There ya’ go, purrotein, dairy and starch, mommy could have 3 of da 5 food groups. While mommy was checkin’ out, da bag boy (we furgot to ask purrmission to give his name) was talkin’ ‘bout havin’ bought a huge rib eye dat was bein’ slow smoked and when it was done, he was gonna bring some up fur all da store employees.
Here comes da really good pawrt.
Let me finish tellin’ da story Raena. Where was me? Oh yeah, da checker (furgot to ask purrmission to use her name too) and mommy started commentin’ ‘bout how nice dat was of him, ‘specially since rib eye be one of da mostest ‘spensive cuts of meat. Long story short, when da bag boy was puttin’ mommys grocery sack in da car, he asked ifin mommy would let him buy her a rib eye. You all know mommy’s an emotional mess, so she started cryin’. Bag boy told mommy to wait fur him and a few minutes later he returned with a sack and gave mommy a hug and said, “All I ask is that someday you pay it forward.” Now mommy was even a bigger blubberin’ mess but managed to get out a fank you and let him know we would be purrayin’ fur God to bless him real good. Not her exact words, but da sentiment is da same. When mommy got home and told us ‘bout all this and showed us da huge rib eye steaks, yep, not 1 but 2, we couldn’t hawrdly believe our eyes.
Hmmmpht Mines eyes could see purrfectly and mines mouth started waterin’. Mommy’s eyes was still full of water. She said in all da years she’s lived here, nuffin’ like dat has ever happened to her. Mommy said quite furankly, she can’t ‘member ever havin’ this situation happen.
Yeah Raena, nuffin’ like this in purrticular, but we have all been really blest by our amazin’ furiends from online. Mommy says dat since we got da catputer, she has met so many pawsum peeps, dat made her realize there are still a lot of good peeps in da world. You know just like we’re purrayin’ fur God to bless dat very nice young man, we purray fur all our furiends and their furmilies every day.
We are really blest aren’t we sissy? I’s was only jokin’ earlier. I’s wouldn’t wanna live anywhere else but here. I’s purromise to try to be better and not bother you in da pawdee box. (Raena meows while crossing her paws)
Me would really purreciate dat Raena, but me still thinks mommy should do somethin’ to try to make me less enticin’ while me does mes business. Dat bein’ said, we wanna remind everypawdy to take a minute today and every day to give thanks fur da blessings in your life. And we fank you all fur bein’ a pawrt of our lives, and blessing us with your furiendship. And don’t furget to check out all da pawsum Sunday selfies over at da Kitties Blue bloggy.
Disclaimer: We received the Kinn Kleanbowl in exchange for mentioning the Indiegogo Campaign.
Don’t furget we wanna remind peeps ‘bout da great new Kleanbowl we got from Kinn. They have an Indiegogo Campaign to raise money to make da large 32 ounce bowls. They already have 8, 16, and 24 ounce bowls. These aren’t regular pet bowls tho’. Kinn says da Kleanbowl virtually eliminates 100% of germ build up by using eco-friendly disposable liners. We received da 16 ounce bowls to try out so we could tell ya’ ‘bout ‘em. There’s a really nice Stainless Steel cover dat is placed over da disposable liner bowl. Now you know we gotta tell da truth, and upon furst inspection, mommy was not impurressed. Da liners are made from sugar cane fibers but mommy thought they resembled a thick paper plate and could envision a water soaked, squished bowl dat had water all over da place. Never da less she filled it with water and put it down fur us to try. Dezi and me were both intrigued and drank from it right away. And guess what? No squishy bowl fallin’ apawrt and lettin’ water run all over da place. Now, mommy’s impurressed. Da Kleanbowl would be great fur anyone concerned about germs, who have pets with plastic allergies, travelin’ pets, and purretty much anypawdy. You can purrchase da biodegradable, soak proof refills at Kinns website.
You did good Raena. Da Kleanbowl is purretty cool huh?.
So you’re not gonna hiss and growl at me any more sissy?
Well…Not right now at least.
Hmmmmmm I’s not sure what ya’ mean sissy. (Raena reaches out to grab Dezi’s flicking tail)
Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me RaenaBelle. Mommys been lookin’ at fotos of Eagles and our flag and cryin’ a little. She said today is Veterans Day. And dat sometimes it makes her sad.
Sissy? What is Veterans Day?
Well Raena every November 11th we celebrate all those men, women and anipals dat served our Country in da military. Those who fought to make our Country great. Many lives were lost, and all lives were changed furever. You know da wondrous freedoms we have in America were bought with da blood and lives of many. Mommy says it’s purrtant to ‘member da families of all those who served in our military too. While they might not have been on da firing line, they served as well. Many of those families lost sons, daughters, fathers, brothers, sisters and furiends so dat we could be safe and free to worship, to speak our minds and so much more. Fank you all. We salute all our Vets and honor you today and everyday. Because of your sacrifice, your willingness to serve, we are safe and free.
Oh sissy, I’s so fankyful to all those who serve and did serve too. I’s sendin’ da biggest and loudest purrrrrrrrr salute to you all. Mommy says we should never take our good furtune fur granted, and dat we should always ‘member da sacrifices dat made it pawssible. Vets haven’t always been treated with da respect and gratitude they deserved. And fur dat, we are ashamed of our fellow Americans. Dat’s why mommy cries sometimes. She says, you might not always agree with da wars or military actions our government decides to take, but those who serve are only following da orders of our leaders and should be treated with da utmost honor and respect.
Dat’s right Raena. God Bless America!!!
It’s time fur da Pet Parade blog hop with Rascal and Rocco and their pawsum co-hosts too, right sissy?
Yep Raena. It’s gonna be a busy weekend fur us, so we better go ketch a nap while we can. We’ve got lots of visitin’ to do. Befur we go tho’ We wanna say Fank you again.
We sleep sounder, knowin’ you are there.
We walk prouder, knowin’ you are there.
We pray fur God to protect you as you protect us.
Let out Flag of Freedom fly high and our Country stay strong.
Woo Hoo!!! It’s Blest Sunday!!! Oh, meowllo everypawdy. Me hopes you’re all feelin’ as blest as we are. Ya’ know it might be stormin’ outside, but it’s been a pawrty inside all week long.
Ya’ know sissy, not everypawdy had a birthday this week.
Sissy, come see what you got fur your birthday.
You’re gonna share right?
Me’s favorite treats. Fank you awnty Jeanne.
Me knows Raena. And altho’ me’s so grateful fur all our furiends, da cards, da new nip nanners and da pawsum bag of freeze dried chicky breasts from awnty Jeanne, me’s mostest grateful dat me has a furever home with a mommy who luvs me more than anythin’ in da universe. Me’s even grateful fur you li’l sis. And while me’s thinkin’ ‘bout it me needs to tell you all dat our comments on most WordPress hosted blogs are bein’ marked spam. So ifin we’ve “liked” your posty, or ya’ think we shoulda left ya’ a comment, purrlease check your spam folder, cuz we just might be there.
I’s happy to hear dat you luvs me sissy, cuz I’s luvs you very much. Are you gonna tell everypawdy ‘bout mommys blessings?
Yeah, this happened so fast it wasn’t da foto she had planned to take. She really regrets not gettin’ Raena’s face in this shot too.
Yes Raena, me was gettin’ to dat. Anyways, da awnty Anonymous dat sent money fur meez birthday pizza, dat me still hasn’t had by da way. And it’s not cuz mommy didn’t try. Sure ‘nuff, just as planned, mommy got on da catputer da day of meez birthday to order our pizza and get her some breadsticks, when she noticed da store address they was tryin’ to send our order to was 35 miles away (we don’t have delivery, only pick up and dine in). Mommy tried to change da store a few times and then she just decided to call in our order. Da fone rang and rang and rang, but nopawdy ever answered. Mommy purromissed she’d try again da next day. Same thing happened da next day and da day after. Well mommy put in a call to da Pizza headquarters and turns out, our Pizza Hut closed on meez birthday. Dat’s right, they closed down on da day of meez birthday fur remodelin’, and won’t be open fur a few weeks. So meez birthday pizza’s gonna be a Gotchaday pizza instead. But dat’s okay, me can eat pizza anytime.
Uh Sissy? You still didn’t tell ‘bout mommys’ blessin’. Ya’ know, how awnty Anonymous sent some green papers and told mommy to go to da grocery store and pick up a few items fur her to eat? And how awnty Donna sent green papers to buy tags fur da car?
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Well Raena, me was getting’ to it, but since you just did, we really wanna say Fank you. Ya’ know mommy luvs us so much and goes without a lot so we are taken care of. Me knows she worries a lot ‘bout how things are so ‘spensive and dat da monies don’t always stretch far enuff. And when November rolls ‘round and we suddenly have bills dat only happen once a year, it really stresses her out. But cuz it’s meez birthday and gotchaday month, she puts on a happy and doesn’t let it show. So we really do purreciate all da help. Now awnty Anonymous trusts mommy to do what they discussed with da money she sent, but we thought we’d post a couple fotos of what mommy bought fur her to eat anyways. Mommy even tried to get a pizza mix fur meez birthday since da Hut was closed. Mommy liked it fine, but me thought da pepperonis was a bit small. Da same Anonymous awnty sent us some noms too. We be so blest we just can’t contain it. Altho’ we’ve got material blessings to count this week, they’re fur sure not da only blessings we’re counting.
We feel so blest everyday to have each of you in our lives. We know we’re blest to have a roof over our heads and a warm bed to sleep in. A luvvin’ mommy and food in our bellies. Each week we remind you to take a minute to give thanks for the blessings in your lives. We know things aren’t purrfect and dat sometimes it can be hard to see da blessings fur da pains and curses of everyday life. But mommy says, as long as there’s breath in your body, you are blest and things can change fur da better.
Mommy says we’re her biggest and bestest blessings, doesn’t she sissy?
Yes Raena, she does. Blessings come in all shapes and sizes and can sometimes be found where you least expect them. So really, just take a minute today and everyday to give fanks fur da blessings in your life. And fank you all fur bein’ blessings in ours.
And don’t furget to check out all da Sunday Selfies over at da Kitties Blue we’ve got treat eatin’ selfies. Oh and ‘member to check fur our comments on your WordPress hosted blog posts in your spam folder. ‘Pawrently we’ve been spam since Furiday. MOL I’s gotta go ask sissy what spam is and have some more of those birthday treats; see ya’ll later.
Service Cats U.S. 