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Post by Jackie on Feb 16, 2014 16:14:53 GMT -8
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Post by lynxlady on Feb 16, 2014 16:58:54 GMT -8
Thanks Jackie! Been there done that.. it's not really as easy as they make it out to be.. they are a hand full.. truley best left in the wild.. Hay why don't you catch one for me and bring it with you to trade? 
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Post by luna6killer on Feb 16, 2014 18:37:18 GMT -8
I've been around people who have bobcats and lynx (and other large wild cats) and wouldn't recommend it unless you lived way back in the back side of beyond for one thing, and for another, had lots of experience with them. One gal here locally had a bobcat and lynx that had been raised together - she built an addition to the side of her house specifically for them and it was very nice, roomy with lots of things for them to play with and enjoy. but altho she could enter their 'cage', no one else could - not her kids who had also been raised with them nor her husband. She had used to let them in the house but when they literally tore up her sofa and destroyed a wall/paintings, and all, they were not allowed back in the house. Too dangerous, and they had been adorable, sweet and loving until they reached sexual maturity - then all bets were off. I lived on the property in AR with another gal who rescued wild cats - they all had outdoor cages - again very nice and clean etc etc. Most of the cats had been pets at one time but once they matured, they became dangerous. Now this gal could go into one of the cages with this couger and "Precious" loved her but the other one? No way, she wouldn't do it on a bet! She also had 4 bobcats, a lynx and a serval......All of my idealistic ideas of raising and owning a wild cat went down the toilet while there. They were used to her, but she couldn't take a day off, ever - even if she was sick....no one else could take care of them. To clean the pens, they had to be ran into a secure holding area,then pens could be cleaned - and trust me, big cats messes are just that big messes - they spray everything!! Sometimes it works out for people with the wild ones, but since she had rescued all these from 'loving' homes that quickly found out how hard it was to live with one, I decided a long time ago - no wild ones for me. Maybe if I was young and could guarantee them a secure and happy life, yeah, maybe. But at 65, It's just not do-able. I believe Arlene could take one and manage it but she already has a ton of work to do every day <g> Doubt that she'd actually want more work! Now a geoffrey cat - still a challenge but at least they are the size of a big kitty cat - I have another friend (who I met thru Arlene) who has 2 of them - they're rather cool. I fell in love with Trevor, our friend's Geoffrey cat. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffroy%27s_cat |
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Post by Jackie on Feb 17, 2014 9:01:19 GMT -8
Oh yes! My first thought was feeding them a lb of fresh meat daily! Might as well have our boys move back in. Then there's the furniture issue! All fun and games till someone looses an arm  |
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Post by lynxlady on Feb 17, 2014 12:19:54 GMT -8
Yes Jackie, they do not only eat much more.. but they poop even bigger! If you think what your cats do smells,, well you can just imagine ;-|Add to it the spraying.. I think one of the things that really got to me was that they eat things I think are so cute.. like bunnies :'(also ducks.. so some only like to eat 'live' so it's not what those breeders are trying to say to sell one.. they can make a wonderful bond with their people and some even dye of a broken heart when they are turned in to a rescue, they stop eating..The bobcat is a bit easier, but the Lynx is very reclusive and usually hid from other people.. Since most all are given up once they reach a certain age it is sad..I know some people have then spayed or neutered.. fine but then they have them declawed! AND still they can't deal with it.. just so sad for the animals.. It's different to take one in as a rescue but to buy one is just wrong to me  |
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Post by luna6killer on Feb 19, 2014 19:51:12 GMT -8
I agree Arlene - very few people can handle them and by that I don't necessarily mean just tame/control them but are able to deal with the side of them that is a pain in the fanny. They're adorable as a 'kitten'. But you have to be able to devote your lifetime to them - for their lifetime!
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Post by lynxlady on Feb 20, 2014 15:29:00 GMT -8
So true Cyndi.. it is a life long commitment.. you can't drop them off at the vet and go away for a while .. no vacation time it's a full time thing with them.. They can be semi tamed but they usually wind up in a rescue or zoo Right now I have Tank to deal with and he is a hand full on a good day.. he will run across the room and jump on my back.. he warpes his paws around my neck and sometimes he growels and bites my hair, he has such a loud and feirce sound when he growels.... goof ball.. he is so full of himself it's not funny, and he is so solid and heavey.. like a tank ! He isn't a year old but he weighs in at 17#.. as for Trouble, he's no trouble at all any more, I just have to get tougher with Tank, but he is so funny and a lot of fun.. ( If your crazy like me) he follows me every where I go and spends the night sleeping out side the bedroom door with his paw and nose under the door waiting for me! |
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Post by luna6killer on Feb 22, 2014 12:53:15 GMT -8
Oh, he sounds wonderful! Even the jumping on your back thing - which probably is not a good idea but all that you've said just makes me think he's a true character! I've had so many friends ask me why I am such a cat person - they don't get how devoted they are with you - not the dog-like thing, but a true devotion. I've been so upset and sad since my brother died but my cats will sit with me for hours if I want to be still, cry with me when I cry and get upset and try to console me ...... true companions. Love my cats, and for all my brother's faults, he loved cats too and would sit for hours petting them when he came to visit, just seems like they miss him too.
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Post by lynxlady on Feb 22, 2014 16:20:01 GMT -8
Yes Cyndi, they have a wonderful way to show their devotion to us..they bring so much comfort.
As for the back jumping.. I think it is a bobcat thing.. most of them will do that, so when one has a bit more of 'that' in them they have a way of just doing it naturally.. that's my story and I'm sticking to it  I sure won't admitt he's a spoiled brat!
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Post by luna6killer on Feb 24, 2014 18:53:59 GMT -8
Oh we all know he's a spoiled brat - I've been around enough of your cats in the past to know you are so wonderful to them they probably qualify as 'spoiled' but it's a good 'spoiled' - and that's my story, and I'm sticking to it! LOL Give him a good scritch from me tonite!
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I sure won't admitt he's a spoiled brat!