Sophie Cat

The cutest cat in the World!

Another Sophie Cat!?

.........We thought one was enough!!

Dear Angie and Sophie..

Well. I thought I was the only one with a Sophie cat (that's what I call her, amongst other names such as mouse,my moggie face, daft names like that).

My dear friend sent me your Sophie site. because she knows how much I love my Sophie and just recently I have been soo worried about her...it could have been us two writing it..word for word...so...I just had to write to you..

My little girl came to me last November. I am a dog walker and one of my clients sister has leukaemia, therefore can't keep Soph any longer in case of infection. She asked if I knew anyone that might want her, I said I was sure to find her a home but no, no one wanted her. She lived in London so I hadn't met her. I said what would happen to her if we couldn't find her a home..well..it would be a cat's home (and we all what happens to older pussy cats there don't we!?)

Soph we think is 13 or 14, anyway I said 'OK I'll take her, for now, till we can find her another home'. You see for the past 3 years I have been travelling. I took redundancy from my job (corporate receptionist) and decided to see the world, talked to my neighbour about Sophie and she said you must have her, when you go away we are all here to take care of her. So came the dark November night when I had to collect her, I was as nervous as she was, I hadn't had a cat for many years and it would be strange living with someone else again.

So..like your Soph, she disliked being in her old wicker carrier (she now has a top of the range one) got her home, she looked at me and I looked at her, eyeing each other up, well she was the most beautiful little creature I had ever seen. There and then she totally captured my heart and I knew from then on she would ground me completely! and I would love her with my heart and soul, and I do. She is black and has lots of long shiny fur, beautiful little eyes that talk to you and I was astonished how verbal she was, she just didn't shut up! early mornings, she used to jump on my bed as if to say "I'm up, you get up". I especially love hearing her little tiny mews, much quieter at around 4 in the morning (yep I know!!) when she would jump on my bed and snuggle in for about 20 minutes then jump off again and go to sleep me wide awake!

Soph has always been an indoor cat which suits me as I live in a flat and all the other cats around this area are latch door kitties which I'd hate for Soph, at least I know she is safe and sound.

Like your little girl Sophie and I have our little games - the same time each evening and she knows words too, she's never been a lap or a cuddle cat but always sits beside me always follows me around until now and this is breaking my heart....

for the past month she has taken to hiding in the bathroom, nothing I could do would make her come out she didn't want to play, she didn't talk to me much, she did eat but only if I took her bowl to her one evening I thought she was going to die, she just wasn't bothered about anything. Usually she is perky as a pixie, friends with everyone and soo inquisitive my little little girl had lost her *sparkle*

So I thought, right time for the vet instead of stressing her by putting her in her carry box I'd have a home visit (Ł50) but worth every penny he examined her and said she's healthy and strong for a cat of her age and he was perplexed by her recent behaviour I know she misses me when I go away (I miss her more I get soo upset when I close that door!) but she is happy when Lorraine comes in to feed her and sit with her (she lives next door) and he said she should be used to my comings and goings by now he asked if anything had changed I have had a lot of painting and decorating going on then all of a sudden it clicked,I have a new carpet! I have been watching closely her behaviour and she just hates sitting on it, walking on it, sitting by me so I think that's the answer - the carpet.

He prescribed some calming tablets which I think have helped her, but now she is over grooming being sick with horrible fur balls so I am trying to tempt her with special treats and biscuits and paste especially for fur balls, this mog is costing me an absolute fortune but I'd do anything to help her - so after lots of gentle talking, coaxing, re-assurance slowly slowly she is coming round.

I could write pages and pages about Sophie and our life together..she has bought me such happiness and I hope I have with her. I pray she will get better, I'm sure she will.

I have loved reading yours and Sophie's story, made me cry, beautiful! I hope you will have each other for many many years to come.....

with best wishes

Elaine and Sophie xx

This cutie is Biscuit who lives with Wendy, Wendy's brother is our friend Louis who is also on the site with his kittie, Felicity!

Wendy says "She's 2 years old and called Biscuit as she was small black and round with a little white bit, so I thought of Oreos....She likes Ribena bottle tops, trickling water, scootching down under the duvet, cheese 'n chocolate and stalking our older cat Pebbles. Dislikes, being kicked off my bed when I go to work and cooking foil".

This is Magpie (aka Maggie, Maglet, Magpet) who lives with Sonya. Sonya works with Icanhascheezburger - mentioned here on the home page. So as they'd say there - 'dis Magpy hoo livz wid Sonya'.

Sonya said "She was a little shelter cat too, but I was never quite sure if they picked her up off the street or if somebody didn't want her. She was very underweight when I got her -- I just can't imagine somebody giving her up. Moar 4 me, I guess! She also nearly made the ICHC homepage once with this caption (not mine). That's her sitting in my skylight. She usually sits facing the other way, with her butt sticking out of the alcove, watching the outside".

Don't forget to check out www.icanhascheezburger for more kittie pictures!

Update Oct 2008 from Baby and the d.o.g he lives with(!)

How u doing? I is a bit upset that u made fun of my hairdo on your site. I work hard lookin after da Bengalcats and dont always hav time to visit the hairdressers!

Anyway, I is sending u an updated pic of me so u can see that I hav fixed my hair now so no more need to laff at dis poodle!

Also, Baby wanted u to see how handsome he is up a tree!
RESPECT, Tasha

Handsome Baby up a tree (but all Bengals are naturally fabulous!!)

Baby & the d.o.g.......

We had an e-mail from our favourite sort of kitties (I know we shouldn't have favourites) but they are Bengals. Baby and Inca.

Baby

Inca

Baby was called Lyca when he came to us. Within two weeks, he caught his leg in a folding chair, the steel trapping him as if it was a bear trap. It took FIVE firemen to rescue him, one of whom got badly bitten on the thumb. Baby spent six weeks in a cage, with a steel brace on his back leg. We had no insurance, as according to bengalcatrescue, the papers were lost in the post. Ł2, 700, later.....

Baby is the most charming, intelligent, naughty cat around. He has been known to sneak into the neighbours house, to steal chicken, and even a bag of dry cat food...

Inca, his brother, was a seriously disturbed young man, but is now my very special cuddle cat. Never give up, Bengals will always make your time worthwhile ( even though they wake me up every morning around four, meowing deeply and disturbingly ) I just toddle down the stairs, let them out....and have my first cup of coffee for the day. * yawn *.

Baby woke me up this morning at three fifteen, and I just couldn't get out of bed. He meowed, he stomped around, he jumped on my chest but I kept my eyes closed and just prayed that he would use the litter box. After five minutes of stomp, stomp, scratch, scratch, and hopping up on my chest, trying to STARE me awake...he finally took drastic action. My drinking glass and bottle of water that stood on my bedside table, got a mighty swipe of a Bengal paw. Crash, clatter.......I had to concede defeat. Love him, though.

Maria, Baby and Inca

Warning.... kitties look away now - here comes a d.o.g. ............(only here 'coz we were threatened with discrimination! )

Hi,

My name is Tasha and I'm a fourteen year old poodle. I work in Security, guarding two Bengal cats called Inca and Baby. I deserve to have my photo on your page, Sophie!!!!!! No discrimination, pleez.

Love from Tasha

Tascha - with a heck of a hairdo!

This little lady is Minnie who lives with Angie's friends Sharon & Gordon. Here's some photo's of Minnie taken by Angie when she was cat sitting!......

I'll just lounge here a while...........

Any burglar thinking of coming in here - see what you'll get!

See.....here's a closer look at my big claws!!

This is a great hiding place!

I call this my 'buddah' pose

I love my mousie!

Ok seriously, who is that other cat on my computer?????!!!!

We love this story about a very unusual cat, Princess Sugar Pie (great name!). She lives in the USA with Jim and is a registered therapy cat (and show cat!!). Can't see Sophie working for a living somehow! Go to: http://www.volunteertv.com/tntraveler and click on the blue square under the video screen that is marked therapy cat, to see Sugar Pie at work - cutest & funniest thing I've seen in ages! I still can't see Sophie sitting still for that long

Sugar Pie's 'dad', Jim in his U.S. Merchant Marine Captain's uniform holding Princess Sugar Pie; "my smallest First Mate. I had just arrived back at my brother's home after participating in the County's Memoral Day Service held at the Courthouse. Sugar Pie is well known through out those courthouse halls. She is known, around Sevier County, better than some of the elected county officials. Princess Sugar Pie could run for any City or County office on popularity alone..."

If you'd like to learn more about Sugar Pie, go to http://community-2.webtv.net/LowJames/PrincessSugarPies/

Here's a Bengal, Orion, who's teaching his brother, Apollo, all the naughty Bengal tricks!!

Due to his lack of opposing thumbs, I am writing this on behalf of my 18 month old Bengal boy Orion Nicodemus.

He's now fully grown and is completely HUGE! And as a typical Bengal, is completely insane, naughty and adorable. He is so naughty, he's nicknamed ASBO cat by my family!

Here is a photo of him with his six month old moggie brother, Apollo Blaise.

Orion's has a number of favourite games, one being, dropping anything he can get his paws on and lift, down the toilet. So far, this has included; the CD player remote control, jewellery, hair bands (a particular favourite), pens, pencils, socks, infact, you name it, it's gone down the loo!

His other favourite games are what we call 'commando kitty' where he waits in another room, cries like he is dying, and then leaps out and climbs up your legs, when you go to his aid and 'the duvet game'! In the duvet game, he climbs under the duvet (just minutes before I make the bed) and then when I see the lump, I have to call his name and pretend I can't find him. Eventually, he leaps out and howls with glee having 'fooled me'. What's really funny is that Apollo sits on the pillow and points to where Orion is when I call out Orion's name!

I think his weirdest habit is peeing in the bathroom sink whenever I am on the loo - what's hysterical is that he looks at the ceiling whilst peeing and adopts the expression of a man at a urinal! I have to get a photo.

As he was bred from my best friends breeding queen, I have known him since before birth. Sadly, Nahla, his birth mother had to have a hysterectomy, hours after the birth of the kittens, so Orion and his siblings are very precious.

I suspect some of his most insane behaviour comes from her - she pees on the feet of anyone she doesn't like! Sadly, that's just about any women who enter the house. Anyone who is thinking about getting a Bengal should really read your site, 'cos they are nothing like 'normal' cats. Apollo is bizarrely taking on Bengal characteristics now, which is scary.

Sophie had a message from her potty training friend Pebbles......looks like it's all go since we featured her on the website!!

Hey Sophie

Ever since you put my pictures on the web I have SOOOO much to do! I pretty much sleep in the office.

Pebbles

What do you mean - you want to meet? I have to check my agenda...

No... sorry - totally booked out!!

Yay, more Bengals - we just love 'em!!! Here's Lola age 2 ˝ years, a brown marbled bengal and Milly age 2 years who's a snow spotted bengal.

Lola, loves drinking from the tap and playing with water. Her favourite food is prawns and if Milly is quick enough she sometimes gets a few before Lola eats them all. She loves get me up at 4:30am every morning to have some fresh food put in her dish and if you don’t get up she will give you a nip or she will try to catch your toes under the duvet. Then it’s play time for her and Milly and I have to listen to them playing chases for half an hour!

Milly, likes playing fetch and has a fetish for anything with feathers on it so she has her very own feather boa which she carries around with her. She is very vocal and like’s you to talk to her and she will talk back to you. She loves to sleep on top of the fish tank to guard the fish and get a wee heat. Oh, and if it’s a nice day she likes to sit and the window and talk to the birds.

Here's 2 very cute bengal kitties that live together (with Elaine), Sorrell and Topaz!

Photographs all courtesy of Elaine of Crystal Cavies

These are my 2 Bengal kittens, both Miss-marked but beautifully glittered cheeky but loving kitties. Wood Sorrel is the Silver glittered, black, brown, charcoal markings with red tail tip, a few red bits on her body and few red belly spots too! and Topaz Misty Dawn is the Pearly glittered Snow with white paws, but coloured pads. They are now 20weeks old Sorrel and 18weeks old Topaz, Topaz loves water and has already tried to bathe with me a few times and shower with my hubby. I got them 2 days apart, but first night together as the first photo shows they got on well right from the start.

Sorrel is the main prankster of the pair, having laid out my clothes on the bed one morning, I turned just in time to see my bra disappearing into the bath! I have also never seen any cat run on its hind legs for some 6+ metres holding in its mouth and front paws a small hand towel, let alone a 19 week old Kitten.

Topaz leaps about the bed, doing forward rolls, backward rolls and stuff, making warbling chirps and squeaky noises as she does, so comical. she also sleeps really strange, she was actually sucking on her 'thumb' claw whilst asleep.

Sorrel chirps and warbles and even says Ack-ooew (sounds a bit like thank you!) when she is given her food. although that's nothing unusual our previous cat Willow a beautiful Torty and White greeted people with a meow that sounded like 'Hello'

Having fibromyalgia myself and often days where my bed and sleep is about all I can manage when it flares up badly, I was amazed how quickly they started to be really quite and gentle around me, even snuggle up for hours purring, not leaving my side except for food or litter tray. some days the pain gets me a bit down, but having one shoulder treading purring kitty saying I love you one side and the other treading the other shoulder purring in the other ear, soon lifts your spirits.

Sorrel and Topaz give kisses too, Sorrel offered a paw in the hand shake, Topaz offers it in the 'high 5' fashion. also when Topaz offers kisses, she will also put her paw to the side of your face gently and touch it as she give a nose kiss.

The cutest photo of Sorrel I have at the moment on my computer is the one of her asleep dreaming and doing the 'wild grin' look (3rd photo). I have had several people ask which zoo it was I was so lucky to get right close up to a baby wild cat cub!

They are so cute and after losing Willow aged 16years 8months in July 07 I wasn't sure if I would get such an intelligent, friendly thoughtful considerate, not overly selfish cat, Willow too was good around me on my bad flare days. That was until Sorrel and Topaz came into my life, both are Willow in many ways and much of their own, very intelligent, very affectionate, love their mummy whether food is on offer or not. both have taken well to lead and harness training.

What about this for intelligence, I found Willows scratch post and platform she never used, so made it up for them, showed them how to use it, digging my nails into the sissal pole and Sorrel copied me right away and looked at me purring as if to say 'like this mummy?' and has used it and the other scratchers ever since. Topaz however watched me show her several times and then climbed it! although she prefers the flat box ones, to the upright poles.

Sorrel is the only cat I have even known to lick the very expensive Bitter apple spray off of a surface and not hate it, no she seems to like it! however the cheap 99p stuff she does hate and they also know what ' get down/leave it or Mummy will get the spray out' means.

I have the Calender with Sophie in it and notice she was in a cat mag recently too and think she is a lovely cat.

Thanks
Elaine

We've had an e-mail from Martina who is aged 9 and is obviously a real kittie fan! Here's Martina and her kitties......

"The little kittens they have stripes. The adult is their mom lacy, the young cat with me is cotton and the little kittens don't have names yet".

We're really thrilled to introduce Sophie's next friend, Mr Zenith a Bengal cat from the USA. We accidentally came across his photographs and thought he was absolutely stunning so asked if he'd like to become friends so we could share the photographs with all of you too. There is a special reason why we wanted you to see this unusual boy..................

Mr Zenith is what is called an F1 Bengal, for those that don't know that means, basically he is an early generation Bengal (50% Asian leopard) unlike Sophie who is an F4 (the usual, later generation domesticated Bengal). You can see the difference in the photographs of Mr Zenith as he retains a much more 'wild' look, and often temperament, than an F4. Although F1 Bengals are gorgeous they are not for the faint hearted, and should really only be owned by someone knowledgeable, that understands them and ideally is already experienced with Bengals or wild cats. F4 Bengals are high maintenance but F1.........well they're a whole different story. So if you're looking for a pet look at the later generations of at least F4.

Maybe if we ask really, really nicely Mr Zenith will send us photographs of all his kittie buddies that live with him too!

Hi Angie,

Mr. Zenith and I are very honored that you have asked him to send you a photo, and to be added to your list of friends, on your marvellous website!

Mr. Zenith came to me, as a young boy-cat, from a wonderful lady in Washington State. His father was an Asian Leopard Cat, and his mom an SBT Bengal. Which makes him an F1 (Early Generation) Bengal.

He was already so well socialized, when I flew to meet him, that he wore a little collar and was even calm and loving to me, while we waited in airport terminals, for our next flights.

He LOVES all of the other "feline" members of our family, and is often seen sleeping, playing and bathing with them. He is very bonded to me, and will even sometimes get in the shower with me. He can also be very gentle... so gentle, in fact, that I have taught him to take treats from my lips, without ever biting my lips - no matter how much he loves the treat I am offering.

He LOVES to play in water, so I have to keep my toilets closed, when not in use, and I have even purchased a "baby" pool, which I put on my screened porch in summer, for him to play in.

He is very bonded with me, and I am also very bonded with him. Although I love and adore all of my feline family members, Mr. Zenith has taken a very special part of my heart and my life.

If anyone considers getting an F1 Bengal, as a pet, they should seriously consider the bond that the cat develops with the person whom they choose to be THEIR person, because OFTEN they only bond truly with one person, and it is very difficult for the cat to adjust, if the person ever chooses to give them up.

Warm Regards,

LaVon Fabian and Mr. Zenith

What a stunner eh?

Peek a boo! (on top (!) of the door).

Look at those markings!!

A big smile, hides a bundle of mischief........

We've had an e-mail from Leslie and her pretty adopted kittie Melusine, they live in Ireland.

Hi Sophie and Angie

We just saw your website and loved it!

Melusine is a 13 year old half-Birman girl and thinks it's great to raise awareness on rescuing cats. I adopted her as the owners of her high pedigree mum wanted to kill the half-breed babies!!! Just because the dad was unknown. This kind of thing is so wrong.
Anyway, 13 years later she has grown into a big lady, although not as big as a Bengal, and as you can see in the pictures she loves sun bathing and snails.

We were particularly moved by poor Sophie's lump episode, as Melusine also had one, on her shoulder, that had to be removed surgically. The lump had to be sent away to the UK (we live in Ireland) to be analysed and it turned up not to be cancerous (phew!). She's allergic to... fleas! Well, to a flea I should say, as I would have found them on her white belly if she had lots, but after much combing at the vet's we found one big old grandmother flea between her shoulder blades. It was scary but all is well now!

We're also very interested in the Litter Kwitter thing. Wondering if she'd take to it....... I think she's smart enough but maybe too much so. And stubborn! Well done to both of you for being so patient and persistent. I am still not sure whether we'll try it.

Well it's time for bed (when is it not) so again well done for your site and update the potty training please!

Lots of Purrs

Leslie & Melusine

We've had an e-mail from another Sophie (also claiming to be the World's cutest cat but Sophie cat begs to differ even though this other Sophie is very cute!)

Dear Angie and Sophie:

I was surfing the net one night, hitting the stumble button in Firefox (the easiest one for 
me to hit with my paw) when I landed on your website.  It's a lovely site and I really 
enjoyed browsing it, even bringing my human over to look at it.  We did, however, argue 
with one point.  That is that _*I*_/ /am Sophie Cat, the cutest cat in the world!  I found 
my human on June 30th of this year when she wandered into the Humane Society where 
I had been taken in May.  I quickly endeared myself to her so that she couldn't resist me 
and took me in.

Since I showed her your site, she's been doing some reading on Bengal cats and she has 
been asking me if I have some sort of Bengal background.  I've tried to answer her, talking 
her ear off when she  gets home and though she answers me back and chats with me, she 
hasn't understood much of what I've tried to say to her.  She does feed me and love me and 
pet me and play with me though, so I think I'll keep her.

Anyway, I just had to send an email to let you know that you have a namesake across the ocean 
in Canada.  I'm attaching a picture so you can see how similar we look.

Sophie, the other cutest cat in the world! 
(My human, Erin, helped to type this email and attached the photo.  That's one of her sons lying 
down in the background).

A cute, cheeky kittie, Quinn, from the USA has sent us loads of pictures of his family, with some stunning Bengal Marbled kittens!!

Hi, Sophie and Angie. I am writing from the east coast of the United 
States. I wanted to compliment your website. It's great! My name is 
Quinn. Here are some photos my mom took of me:



I love my monkey. Aren't I a pretty boy? My mom wishes she could brag 
about me on Bengaltalk.com, but I'm not a Bengal. She owns my sister, 
Roz, and calls herself Rozsmom. That's where she saw your website.



I have another sister named Hunny. Here's her photo:

I also have a sister, Nigelle. This is Nigelle:

She's  a melenistic Bengal (mix). Here's a recent photo of my sister 
Roz. She and Nigelle were litter mates:

My mom wants to buy one more sister, who is a Bengal. Here are some photos of her. 
Her name is Bayla:

Bayla's on the left.
Thanks for looking at me and my family. Oh, one more thing. 
My mom 's an author. She wrote a book about a one-footed goose.
 
http://www.bandythegoose.com

Nice to meet you! Have a nice day!


Quinn, Hunny, Roz, Nigelle, and Bayla (and Marcia)

We got a really great photo from Cloudy, he's a boy of few words. When we asked for some info about him he said "I'm a boy, I'm two years old, I live in VA. I am one of three siblings. I was given away to Claire. I like things that move and I hate water".

But when you're this handsome a cat you don't need to say much eh?? Another kittie that has toilet fascination, like Sophie!!!