# To whomever abandoned Barbara the cat **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 1, 2008, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880 "2008-01-01T13:53:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/21 "2008-01-01T23:31:53Z")
What a beautiful, sweet cat! Someone’s irresponsibility or carelessness is your good fortune. ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/22 "2008-01-02T00:22:24Z")
My Ceecee does not like other cats, but she does not like anything else, either. The first week we had we had Barbara, he suddenly disappeared. He stayed disappeared for 2 days and I was worried. I knew he had not gotten out, and Ceecee was acting incredible smug. Ceecee is nine pounds geriatric tabby colored death. I was starting to worry she had done him in. My husband tried to reassure me that we would have heard if anything awful happened. An hour later a little blonde and white paw shot out of the couch and patted him on the butt. Ceecee was happy because she had terrorized him. They have since come to an understanding: she growls and slaps him upside the head, and he dances around like a happy camper. Ceecee finally has a friend. ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/23 "2008-01-02T00:36:58Z")
Ceecee: [Ceecee | Conurept | Flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/conurepete/2156579294) ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/24 "2008-01-02T02:06:28Z")
When I was a kid, we had a siamese cat named Coke. He was very small for a male, had a crooked tail and was declawed. He was a sweet gentle lap cat, too. We got him because he’d been rescued by a nice man who’d taken him away from construction workers who were throwing things like hammers at him at the site of a house they were demolishing. I’m fairly sure he worked with them and was horrifed by their actions. So in addition to being abandoned, Coke was in danger of being killed by idiots. This interm owner wanted to keep him, but couldn’t because of his other cats (he wouldn’t defend himself - the only time we ever declawed a cat was to protect Coke from our other housecat). I never met the guy, but I’m grateful he stood up to the guys trying to hurt Coke. When we brought Coke to the vet it was determined that he was about 12 years old. We had him for 8 or 10 years after that. After everything he’d been through, he was still so sweet and gentle, and loved people. I hope Barbara gets the most of the years he’ll have with conurepete’s family, and puts the bad past behind him like Coke so obviously did. ---
**Author:** ![LadyMack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4491bb/32.png) [@LadyMack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LadyMack)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/25 "2008-01-02T02:23:22Z")
I’m glad Barb has a nice home with you. People can be so mean. They should be turned out into the cold with no food. We had [Tripper](http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/viewPhoto?uname=Dragon43&aid=5133333784081766529&iid=5133334278003005586) dropped on us when we were gone for a couple of days. He wasn’t dirty, overly hungry, or injured. I still can’t figure out what the droppers thought was wrong with him. Well. Except that he doesn’t know he’s a CAT, and doesn’t understand the others we have. And that walking around our ankles, thus the name. We really need to find him a home where he’d be an only, but I just don’t trust people that much. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/26 "2008-01-02T02:27:20Z")
[QUOTE=conurepete] My husband contributed the “Hitler” after Barbara staged a one-cat interpretive dance of the initial battles of WW II across the bed at 3am. The birds are not crazy about him, Zahzoo keeps saying " What is it?!" and chunking almond shells at him, Steve bird has snapped at the end of Barbara’s tail, and the twins ignore him. He has only looked at them when they flap their wings, but has not tried to approach them. The ballistic almonds probably have something to do with this [/QUOTE] Your posts are charming. You need to do them more often. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/27 "2008-01-02T03:42:51Z")
Looks like a match made in heaven for you guys and the Barbara. My friend had a cat adopt him, and she was Barbara too. They have a great relationship. Is your Barbara in any way named after [Edward Elizabeth Hitler](http://www.tv.com/bottom/show/770/summary.html)? ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/28 "2008-01-02T04:47:43Z")
Oh wow, I have never heard of that show, and now must see it. I just saw “The Producers” and found “name” Elizabeth Hitler jokes there , also. My cat surfs the wave of the next new meme! ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/29 "2008-01-02T18:22:08Z")
Congratulations on a happy kitteh in a loving home! ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/30 "2008-01-02T21:46:12Z")
Tripper is beautiful. I love the white shoulders. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/31 "2008-01-03T01:38:03Z")
Four paws declawed? I can understand the arguments for the front paws, but I can’t think of any reason for doing the back paws (and I don’t want to think about what kind of vet would do that job). I don’t think either of our cats has ever damaged anything with their back claws (except our skin, when we were asking for it). Um, I mean, good for you, **conurepete** , and good for little Barbypoo. (Barbara’s a great name for a cat - I can think of tons of nicknames. 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/32 "2008-01-03T02:16:45Z")
Lucky Barbara, and lucky **conurepete**. I was going to ask how the birds liked Barbara, but you already answered that. It’s good that he doesn’t seem to view them as sport. Then those are smart birds, they know how to command respect. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2008, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/33 "2008-01-03T05:27:37Z")
Better picture of Barbara! [100\_1870 | Conurept | Flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/conurepete/2160536071/) also Zahzoo [100\_1854 | Conurept | Flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/conurepete/2160536073/in/photostream/) Zahzoo does not have any almonds because he is trying to move into the copier, because you know, copiers are so much trendier then stupid birdcages. I don’t get the four paw declawed either. Barbara only survived because he had a porch with a hole under it and could hide from humans and other predators. ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2008, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/34 "2008-01-03T05:38:07Z")
Thus far, he does not seem interested in answering to “Bobby”, but like “Barabara”, “Barbaro”, and “Barbie”. I am posting so much about the cats because I am home sick with a cough. It is highly theraputic, thank you for responding to my thread. Barbara appears to worry when people stay in bed all day, and keeps sneaking up to reassure me with grooming. me: “snore…” Barbara: (worried face) “slurp” me: “snore” Barbara: “slurp,slurp.slarpslarpslurpslarpslarp” me: “I’m OKAY dammit” Barbara: “Purrr,slarp,slarp,surp,(happy headbonk)PURRR,slarpslarp” me: : …“You are trying to decide where to start eating if I die” ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/35 "2008-01-04T00:31:54Z")
Apparently, dogs will wait some time to eat their masters if they die. With cats, we’re lucky we don’t wake up with bite marks every morning (our cats aren’t allowed in the bedroom at night - yet another reason for that). My cat gets very agitated when I pretend to cry. The first time I pretended to be a crying kitten, we had both the girls in quite a state (they don’t fall for it as much any longer). ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/36 "2008-01-04T00:44:28Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] My cat gets very agitated when I pretend to cry. The first time I pretended to be a crying kitten, we had both the girls in quite a state (they don’t fall for it as much any longer). [/QUOTE] I’ve cried once in front of my cats, and I was startled at how quickly they seemed to understand I was distressed - they meowed and snuggled up against me, obviously concerned. Aww. I’d love to live in your house, **conurepete**. Sounds like fun, what with birds moving into copiers and chucking almond shells at cats. Congrats on finding such a perfect kitty. ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/37 "2008-01-04T09:15:04Z")
I had a no-cats in the bedroom rule, but Barbara can open doors. Almost all of my doors have lever-style doorknobs so they wold be easy for my father-in-law ,who had arthritis. I really like the household critters. They need attention, but they work so hard to entertain us. Still, we need a home copier more than the Zahz needs a hip new pad. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/38 "2008-01-04T10:04:54Z")
[QUOTE=conurepete] Better picture of Barbara! [100\_1870 | Conurept | Flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/conurepete/2160536071/) [/QUOTE] What a gorgeous cat! ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/39 "2008-01-05T07:43:08Z")
[QUOTE=conurepete] My husband contributed the “Hitler” after Barbara staged a one-cat interpretive dance of the initial battles of WW II across the bed at 3am. The birds are not crazy about him, Zahzoo keeps saying " What is it?!" and chunking almond shells at him, Steve bird has snapped at the end of Barbara’s tail, and the twins ignore him. He has only looked at them when they flap their wings, but has not tried to approach them. The ballistic almonds probably have something to do with this [/QUOTE] Your home sounds a lot like [this one.](http://shady-acres.com/susan/squirrel.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880/40 "2008-01-05T11:01:54Z")
I bookmarked the beet pulp warning. That is so awesome. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whomever-abandoned-barbara-the-cat/431880.md?page=3)