My boyfriend of the time spotted Atilla and persuaded me, subtly, that this was "the one".
He never has felt like the one at all. In fact, for the longest time I questioned my choice in him. And right when I'm ready to write up an "OFFER: Cat - comes with carrier and toys", somehow I feel something for him and can't do it.
The boyfriend however was enamored of him - always. He admired Atilla's independent nature. His unusual cry (like he has water in his mouth - "gaaah") and that he was somewhat distinguished. He imagined that this cat was special and in fact, asked if he could take him when he moved out. At the time, it wasn't possible, but I'm still considering it. I want him to be loved as much as possible. Sometimes for me though, the humongous contrast between what Atilla is and what I am used tempts me into thinking it's time to write up that ad.
Atilla is a big cat...one of the biggest I've owned. He has a charming habit of side-winding his shanks towards you as a sign of affection or greeting. Or maybe it's just his way of saying, I'm hungry.
He is curious, to the point of being annoying. But it's also amusing - it really depends on the stress level at the time. He likes to climb and jump. He likes to get in tiny spaces. He likes to go outdoors as he pleases. He will scratch at all three doors that lead out of the house and meow in a very loud voice to get out. Once you let him, he flops on the ground and rolls all over. If you leave him out too long, when you open the door to let him in, he'll "scold" you and he trots past, using that odd voice of his.
He is a mellow cat. He tries to avoid the rough and tumble that Scar is so fond of, and the challenges that Carrot forces him into. But when he's had enough, he's had enough and will knock anything over in his pursuit of the one who has pushed him to this.
He used to throw up quite a bit. I'm not sure what it was. I stopped switching brands of food and flavor and that might have helped. Since the flood of the house and the replacement of the carpet, he has only done this a couple of times. It was several times a week before.
Atilla also likes to eat plastic. Which makes him throw up. He is a freak about it. I left a Scentsy order in the bag in our family room and left for a baseball game. When I came back I found that the plastic AND the warmer box inside the bag had been chewed to pieces in one corner!!
He insists on climbing on top of the bookcase and he uses the dining room table to do this. And if, on his way down, he knocks something off the table onto the floor, oh well.
On top of the throw up, the plastic, the scratching on the door (and tearing up of the insulation strips that frame it), and the attitude that he is King, he is also not affectionate or attached.
Atilla has his own style/feelings about affection. He will actually bend his back in a "U" when he walks past and you try to pet him, to avoid being petted. All the other cats I've known, arch their back towards this not away from it. He will jump up on your lap, but starts kneading, hard and heavy right off the bat, so that can't go on too long before I'm shooing him away.
His affection is a little different. He talks to you. That's it. He is delighted if you go outside when he is there. He'll flip-flop and roll around on the ground talking to you and he'll get all feisty.
I would say that if you accept that he is curious and make accommodations for his love of climbing - AND, if you have a cat door - Atilla might be the perfect cat for you.
I just know that I'm not the owner for him. One day, when he's ready, the boyfriend (who is now an ex), can have him. And the carrier too.
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