Meet Eli: The Charming Ragdoll Cat of the Week

I grew up with German Shepherds and have always been a “dog” person. I didn’t understand cats, and I certainly did not think I would ever get one. Then, I moved to London for almost two years to work on my Master’s degree. When I moved back to the U.S., I knew I wanted a pet. I hated not having one in the UK, but I didn’t feel like a small apartment was appropriate for a large German Shepherd… Also, where I was moving (the town itself), is not overly dog friendly for renters, and all of my favorite breeds are “dangerous,” which is just ridiculous. Anyway, I started researching cats. I researched several different breeds for almost 2 years before getting my Eli, a sweet Ragdoll kitten.

I almost didn’t get him. I wanted a seal Ragdoll, and Eli is blue. I saw one of Eli’s brothers and one of his sisters, and fell in love with both of them. I even had names for them, and then there was Eli… The breeder talked me into Eli and out of choosing one of the others. Eli was… different. He was smaller than his siblings, a bit quieter and more reserved. The breeder assured me, though, that if I wanted a cat that acted like a dog and would cuddle, for sure this smaller kitten was the one for me. I was skeptical, but went with the breeder’s advice… And I have never once regretted it. Eli isn’t reserved or quiet, he definitely had me fooled the first time I met him. He is the chattiest cat, and will happily tell you all about his day! But he’s perfect. He comes when he’s called, he plays fetch, and he even sits on command! The best part, though, is that he is always there when he thinks I need him. I got the flu for the first time in my life, and he refused to leave my side. I had a miscarriage, and Eli didn’t leave my side for weeks. He would eat his food, and use his litter box, but then he was right back next to me, making sure I was okay. He just turned one year old on March 26, so he’s really still such a baby and is so energetic, but if he knows I’m upset or not feeling well, he just wants to lay with me and try to make me feel better.  I expect that behavior out of my parents’ German Shepherds, but I never thought I would find that in a cat.

I’m so lucky to have this little guy in my life, and I couldn’t be more appreciative that his breeder talked me into the kitten that fit my lifestyle the best. I can’t imagine life without Eli, and although I still do not see myself as a “cat” person, I am definitely a Ragdoll person.  He is the most loving cat, and I wake up every morning to headbutts and purrs. He loves to be held and cuddle, and his next favorite thing to do is to play fetch. He has a favorite toy that scrunches, and he can carry it in his mouth. He loves chasing it and bringing it back to me to throw it again. When he’s decided he’s done playing, he usually puts the ball in one of my slippers, and then he falls asleep in my lap. He’s absolutely perfect, and I am one lucky person to have him in my life. It’s amazing how much one cat can change your life.