He’s smaller than he looks, and curls into a ball when you pick him up—very shy, very gentle: he’s a year old, been brought up in a cattery, and has never had a person of his own, hence the shyness. He’s used to other cats: hasn’t hissed or scratched or tried to defend himself, despite a hissy kitten who then tries to go to sleep next to his cage. He spent the night under the bureau in my bedroom, in the same room with Ysabel. Ysabel hissed a couple of times, but mostly spent the night on my bed, while Seishi sat under the bureau and howled, hoping to hear from his usual cat-neighbors. He has a brother who’s being shipped to Hawaii, and so he’d lose him, and then become one of those cattery neuters who just hangs around being Good Old George, but never having a large life.
Well, we plan to change that. We’ll get him out of his shell and have him playing in the wide ‘open’ spaces of the house, and traveling in the car—he made a 6 hour drive over the passes and didn’t have trouble with his ears and had no fear of the car.
So meet Seishi. The name, variously, [at least by the dictionary] means “heir apparent,” “true luxury,” “fourth companion”, and “remembered spirit.” Eushu, if you take it as Yushu, means “increasingly the master.”
Seishi contemplates his tail
typical Seishi, no matter what's going on
What a SWEETIE! I hope Ysabel decides to adopt him as a buffer to “His Fearsomeness.” Methinks the felaway is going to get a workout this year.
poor little chap … but no longer, he has the best household ever!
Seishi is already doing his job. Being persuaded out from under the bureau, he has taken out to explore the house, especially the hidey-holes, with Shu in constant and fascinated pursuit. A constant game of kitty-chess is going on, as Shu positions himself to make exit difficult, and in the end Shishi just hops right past him, ignoring the bluster. I think Seishi has gotten Shu’s number: fierce, but still with milk teeth and curiosity, while Seishi has 2x Shu’s weight. Sort of like an eighteen-year-old being pursued by a determined 12 year old. I think they may start playing, once Shu figures out this could be a game. Ysabel is in the kitchen ignoring it all.
Seishi was born April 17, 2010, and was neutered this last May or June. Shushu was born Mar 22, 2011, and not neutered yet. Seishi’s not really of the temperament to be a stud: too retiring, far from assertive. But they want to repeat his breeding, because his coat pattern is gorgeous. The tabby fur on him is soft; the white fur is a little coarser: it’s an odd difference when you pet him. Seishi is a sucker for head rubs. That’s what got him out from under the bureau. We have not had any cat fight, just a little hissing and tracking.
I have said that after losing my old Khym, I wouldn’t have another Persian, just because I couldn’t see how any cat would match his laid-back good sense and general trust and attachment to his person. But one thing Jane hesitated to mention to me until I said it first: this one is a very strong reminder of Khym, at very first meeting. Anxious to please, brave enough to take on intruding wildlife twice his weight, and gentle and sweet with his family. Maybe it’s the bottomless gold eyes, and the relaxed body language. But I have strong hopes he will become the linchpin of the household, as Efanor was, as Khym was, as Elrond was—they made sort of a partnership, in their day. I hope I have Ysabel a long, long time: she’s such a dear (to me). Don’t know how we’re going to get 3 cats into a motel room, but we’ll manage it.
Jane has more pix on her site.
Glad they’re all “assimilating” well. I’m sure it’s a bit of a challenge for Ysabel, being the senior cat in the house. It was kind of like that when I brought Sydney in to replace Ruthie, Birdie just stayed away from her for a while. Then the ultimate insult, bringing Sadie into the house. It’s been a year and Birdie Still can’t stand her.
There was a sign in a local restaurant here in my home town. “Cats are like potato chips. You can’t have just one.”
Terminal cuteness with the most gorgeous tail.
Why is it that new furries reduce some of us to baby talk? My favorite of Jane’s photos is #9 of 9.
It sounds like Seishi will be a good fit. Also sounds like he’s “not-the-alpha” like Goober, who has decided I’m stationary long enough to give him some attention. Smokey’s an alpha, still half-kitten at (gosh) close to 1 2/3 years old. Everything is an adventure, a curiosity. He gives Goober heck at times, and other times, they are good friends. I think as Smokey mellows, they’ll be a good pair. Goober’s quiet, a bit shy but with a sense of humor and play. He’s an “I want to be right near you” cat, not a lap cat. Smokey is an “I want to be all over you” cat when he’s not zooming around the house or fixed on some fascinating occurrence. (Yep, love ’em both very much.)
I’m not picking up on the name reference, but it reminds me to pick up that learning Japanese material again. The “-ishi” seems to be a stem. (And I’ve managed to forget the “whitey/snowy” name root; haven’t watched Bleach in a couple of months. Life is too scattered.)
Hmm. Some meditate and concentrate on their navel in lotus position. Seishi contemplates his tail, at least for now. Perhaps a peaceful warrior shall fill the bill and provide the necessary element. — He looks like a fine cat.
You know, I still find it funny that I have two cats, one black with a spot of white, and the other black and white tuxedo with a paint splash, rather than the more colorful characters I’ve had in the past. But I had two tabbies for years before, so perhaps basic black is a nice restrained…no, they are neither one as restrained as they seem, haha! However, inky black does suit an artist/writer type.
When Ysabel has decided if the new interloper is suitable, you might try for a composition, if too early for a group photo. 🙂
I get the feeling the three will be striking together. They’re each beautiful and the personality differences should make for something special.
He looks like a real sweetie! There is something about animals who have not had the best of lives, seem so grateful when they find their people.
Hot and humid today, the kittehs have taken over the plant shelves by the screen window…..one per shelf…..hopefully when it gets colder they will move back to the stove. 🙂
He really does have a gorgeous coat, and that tail is magnificent. And his expression is so gentle and sweet. Being raised in a cattery is an advantage in this situation; he is accustomed to getting along with all sorts of other cats and prefers a multiple cat household. As an only cat, he would be lonely. He won’t let Shu’s antics bother him, and he won’t challenger Ysabel’s ruling position. He looks much too mellow for that. He’s going to be a great stabilzing influence.
And clearly, from Jane’s photos, he has found his person.
Congratulations to all five of you!
“Remembered Spirit”; I like that. And “increasingly the master” sounds like Shu’s ambition, at least.
Oooh, adorable! And he looks a bit like Maru, don’t you think?
Thank you — that’s the name I was trying to remember. Does he have a tropism for boxes?
He is Maru’s breed: Scottish Fold. Scottish Folds are bred with the ears tightly folded forward—or with normal straight ears, in which case they resemble the British Shorthair. The folded ones are the ones that are shown; but you cannot get a healthy Fold by breeding Fold to Fold: you have to breed Fold to Straight-eared. Maru is a straight-eared Fold. So is Seishi.
He’s a handsome fellow. I hope you share many cat and kitten stories!
He’s gorgeous! I’m getting a ‘British shorthair’ feeling from him with that face and cobby body. What a lovely guy! I hope you are all happy.
As above, Scottish Fold, definitely a cousin of that breed. And if you’ve never seen any of the Maru vids on UTube, look up Maru box and prepare to laugh. Here’s one of a lot of clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03kZSHR2U-A
how cute !
Zette, that’s exactly what I was thinking! He does have that look. He’s beautiful!
Jane just figured out he doesn’t know how to navigate a door: he’s been carried from crate to house and set down to play for a while, and carried back to his crate in the cattery, which will have been about 4×4. Poor fellow has no real experience of house architecture. He trapped himself behind the bathroom door. But he figured it out. Shu has figured out he’s a potential playmate and is taking play swats at him, wanting to romp.
Oh little guy, your world is about to get so much bigger. Thankfully.
Oh, Scottish Fold! Lovely cats. There was actually one loose around here a few years ago (folded ears and all) and the owner doesn’t know how much I coveted that cat. LOL
I think you will all do well. He appears to be quite sweet. I love Jane’s slideshows, too!
Seishi and Eushu are playing. Hurrah. Seishi has discovered a catnip mouse and actually knows what to do with it: Eushu had not a clue. Now he does. Ysabel has had a very peaceful day, napping on the sofa. And all is well!
Such a handsome young man. A Hani profile, I think. Glad to hear he is loosening up a bit.