… but first, a question.
We’d like your thoughts about renaming a senior cat, that has a negative-sounding name, to something that sounds somewhat similar and better. We are not fans of renaming cats, specially cats who have lived their entire lives with one name (but honestly, what cat has only one name???). But if the original name is unseemly, is negative, or perhaps downright horrible, is it wrong to change it to something better?
We asked this elsewhere over the weekend and would like more feedback, if you will please.
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Now, for the mischief!
Looking for Mischief – 2016 © Colehauscats.com
Mom: “Tessa, what are you looking at?”
Um, something. I’m not supposed to tell you.
Mom looks up, way, way up, on top of the kitchen cabinets and sees…
Quint – 2016 © Colehauscats.com
Mom: “QUINT COLE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE UP THERE!”
Quint: *gulp*
Quint finds Mischief – 2016 © Colehauscats.com
Quint: Okay, I’m getting down, Mom. Honestly, I was just… um, checking something.
No help from Tessa – 2016 © Colehauscats.com
Tessa: If you thought you were coming down this way, you are sadly mistaken, brother.
Cats are most definitely NOT allowed up on top of the cabinets in our kitchen. Not because we’re evil humans, but because there is no easy path up or down. No, we’re not inclined to make it easy for them, either. Every once in a while, and the behavior is usually started by Miss Newton who gets wild hairs, everyone tries a jump to the top. This was a first for Quint. After a good, stern talking to by Mom, we think it might be his last.
BTW: Mom had to help Quint down and put him on a time-out. Tessa was no help whatsoever. As expected.
Ouch Quint – fancy not being allowed on the kitchen cabinets especially when there’s food about and you’re feeling rather hungry!
Mom and I were watching Jackson Galaxy when he visited a home to assist w a cat’s behavior. The cat had been given a very negative name because of its behavior. The first thing he did was to tell them to give the cat a positive name! I say yes possibly change it to a similar but positive sound
Hugs madi
Sounds to me like a name change is in order, negative is not good!
Oh, Quint, and we thought you were the good one. Way to go!! the name thing…yeah… if it’s that bad it should be changed. Surely the cat knows he has a bad name.
guyz…we sneeked de cell ewe lar a way frum de food gurl bee for her taked off ta due sum werk sum wear…we think colette wood make a grate name coz if we think itz for ….who we think itz for….. itz gotta bit oh COLE and ITTY mixed up two gether……♥️♥️♥️
Ha ha! Reminds me of when Normie was here. He loved high places. His Daddy would always have to rescue him. Miss them both.
I hate it when I read on Twitter or anywhere else some horrifyingly terrible name some one named the innocent being. I am all for changing the name! If the persons hate their cat that much, you have to wonder why they have one.
Some people honestly think crude names are funny. Makes me wonder if they have them for their children. I’d change the name to something that starts with a similar sound and yes, you may have to get original 🙂
I bet Quint went up there to think about what he wants to paint next.
I think renaming is a good idea. I renamed my Joanie from the name Megan when IO adopted her and she was almost 5. I have read they respond better to names that end with the long e sound so maybe that would make it easier.
I see nothing wrong with getting on top of the cabinets. Of course, I am also the kitty who climbs on top of the shower glass.
Hey, Quint, we’re not supposed to be on top of the kitchen cabinets either. It just makes us want to get up there all the more. 🙂
We think you should definitely rename an animal that has a negative-sounding name. Ernie was a young cat when he was adopted from the shelter, he was renamed even though his previous name was not really negative sounding. The mom just didn’t think that name suited him.
Well done Quint ! Too bad that your mom didn’t appreciate your cathletic skills (and had to help you to go down….) Purrs
I agree with changing a negative name to one that suits the cat’s personality better. Flynn has so many nicknames that I wonder sometimes if he knows what his real name is, but he answers to all of them.
Changing a name is perfectly fine! I remember seeing a newscast when the local humane society brought adoptable pets to show on-air during the TV newscast, and one of the homeless dogs name was “Bitey”. I was devastated for that poor dog. If he ever had a chance to be adopted, it was ruined once they announced his name. If the person who named a pet refused to see the beauty in them and gave them a negative name, then the best gift you can give that pet is a new positive name.
Well, I had a previous cat whose name was Mischief and it wasn’t because he was always in trouble. He was rescued by a fireman and was even on TV before I adopted him. Mischief isn’t so bad…..at least for me. Steinbeck’s name at the Humane Society was Thorn and I thought that one was terrible. He didn’t even get out the door with that name. When you love your fur people, you have a sense of what their names should be.
Hugs to all Pam (The Mom)
I usually don’t rename cats either – but I don’t see why you wouldn’t/couldn’t if you felt like it. I didn’t think you meant that “Mischief” was the negative name you had in mind, I don’t even think Thorn is all that bad. I got “Shadow” from the pound, but after I got to know her, I renamed her “Sally Cookie” after the cat in the Sylvia comics, because that was who she acted like and I already had had a dog named Shadow. Buzz was called Buster, but that is the jerky little yapper next door so I renamed him after his wonderful purr and it sounds similar. (Sally Cookie didn’t seem phased by the name change.)
How’s the view from up there Quint?
http://emmaandbuster.blogspot.com
Shoot. Sorry you got busted for being up there, Quint. We bet the view was amazing, though, huh?
We think it’s fine to change a cat’s name from something with bad connotations. In fact, we think it’s the right thing to do!
I’m thinking that a new better life might be accompanied by a new name… Like a fresh start.
I say, rename the cat! Better yet, contact a pet psychic who can ask the cat what name he wants. I’ve heard multiple stories of that; once called by their ‘true’ name, life is better for all in the household. Quint, you rapscallion!
Thank you for your kind words about G.T.’s crossing. He is truly missed here at Forty Paws.
Re name the kitty for sure. And Quint you dufus, you could’a broken your leg! That would of put a hault on your painting
Uma aventura em lugares altos é legal! Desde que você saiba como descer de lá! hihi
I don’t think it’s a problem to rename the kitty, especially if it’s a negative sounding name.
Rename the poor kitty. We always rename ours. It gives them a fresh start. Quint, you bad boy, you could hurt yourself and you wouldn’t be able to paint.
No easy way up or down. Bah, we just jump!
We think even a senior cat can become accustomed to a new name. We say give it a go and see what happens. We used to get atop the kitchen cabinets all the time, which the humans didn’t particularly like, but for some of us it was a sanctuary. When they redid the kitchen, they made the cabinets go all the way to the ceiling and so we cannot do it any more. Pffft! We say, “Way to go, Quint.” XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo