Rebel Rose the Ragdoll

About three years ago I  ran over and killed our silver tabby on the drive way. To make matters worse, my two children were in the car at the time, so I am sure you can imagine the scene. Let me just say that it was horrible watching my two boys confronting death (albeit a pet) in a most violent manner for the first time. Needless to say, I felt dreadful and have since been labelled a 'cat killer'. That was when I decided it would be good to get another kitten...one that was placid, gentle and loved indoors!

And so my research began. After speaking to many cat lovers, pet shops and of course consulting the trusty Google Guru, I decided upon a Ragdoll. According to 'those in the know', Ragdolls are intelligent, floppy, love affection and are happy to be indoor cats (I didn't want another escape artist!)...so off we went to purchase our new pet.

I let my youngest son Jonathan choose her. There were some beautiful kittens in this litter, but my son chose the one that looked like a pirate! A patch over her eye, a mix of white, ginger and black fur and an attitude to match. Admittedly she was a very pretty kitten...but let me say...she is not your typical Ragdoll! 

Jonathan named her Rose after Rose Tyler from Doctor Who, and I have to say that she is aptly named. We have a cat who is blonde, feisty and at times outright crazy, with a dangerous sense for adventure outside the safe confines of our home.

Our Rose has very bad manners...she loves to spit and hiss, bearing her considerable fangs, flattening back her cute little cat ears and let fly with one of her paws, if she happens to be in a bad mood. So much for gentle!

When Rose is picked up for a cuddle there is not a floppy bone in her body! Instead, she  barely tolerates the attempt by her humans to give her affection...she wriggles and squirms to get back down. She does like a pat...but only on her terms when she feels like it! Sounds almost human doesn't it? Or is that just me? :)

Our Rose loves to trip me over when I am in the kitchen just so that she can have the pleasure of punishing me when I tread on her! 

Taking Rose to the Vet is a nightmare! I don't know how many times I have warned the Vet that she is like a wild, feral animal! Of course they look at me with disbelief as they peek through the cat carrier and see this gorgeous, furry cat with big blue eyes placidly sitting, waiting to be petted. Little do they know that this is just a ruse, a mean trick to lure them into striking distance  like a tiger in the grass! But they learn...the hard way! Even I will not attempt to touch or cajole Rose when at the Vets. I value my skin way too much!

On the face of it she sounds positively dreadful, and at time she is! However, at other times she looks so sweet, curled up sleeping on the end of someone's bed as if she loves and trusts us...just don't try to lie down on your own bed...

We love our Rebel Rose...she makes our lives interesting and some families need a feisty member to keep them on their toes!