For today’s entry, I thought I would share with you my first furbaby, Shoko, who is going to be two years old at the end of January. It’s hard to believe that I’ve already had him for that long. I still remember picking him up when he was an itty bitty kitty (see image below of him passed out during the first night home), weighing about 3 pounds, and now he’s 13 pounds! 10 pounds in less than 2 years! Imagine that! I hope he gets bigger, muahaha. According to their breed profile, it takes them 4 years to fully mature. So just maybe 😉
I would say Shoko doesn’t have the full temperament of a Ragdoll, mostly because when I was still ignorant, I got him from a backyard breeder (More on the importance of choosing a reputable breeder, if not adopting, in the next entry), and he wasn’t properly socialized. He is a bit of a scaredy cat, afraid of everyone and the vacuum (see the image of him hissing, lol), even though he is HUGE, and very serious. He also acts kind of aloof like a typical cat, but he’ll secretly show his affection by having to be in the same room as you, sneaking in during the middle of the night to sleep in between your feet but be gone by the time you wake up, and acts quite the lovey dovey fool when he is in the mood.
For people who are unfamiliar with the Ragdoll breed, here is a description of the physical chracteristics and temperament. Thanks Wikipedia.
“The Ragdoll is a cat breed with blue eyes and a distinct colorpoint coat. It is a large and muscular semi-longhair cat with a soft and silky coat. Developed by American breeder Ann Baker, it is best known for its docile and placid temperament and affectionate nature. The name “Ragdoll” is derived from the tendency of individuals from the original breeding stock to go limp and relaxed when picked up.
The Ragdoll is one of the largest domesticated cat breeds with a sturdy body, large frame and proportionate legs. A fully-grown female weighs from 8 pounds (3.6 kg) to 15 pounds (6.8 kg). Males are substantially larger, ranging from 12 pounds (5.4 kg) to 20 pounds (9.1 kg) or more. The genes for point coloration are also responsible for the blue eyes of the Ragdoll.
Ragdolls come in six different colors – seal, chocolate, flame, and the corresponding “dilutes” such as blue, lilac and cream. This also includes the tortoiseshell pattern in all colors and the three patterns. All Ragdoll kittens are born white. They have good color at 8 – 10 weeks and full color and coat at 3 – 4 years. There are three different patterns:”
Kat Ku's Modern Pet Photography 