Peabody is a dog-cat. If you have met Peabody (he lived at the Fox Valley Cat Clinic for the first year of his life before retiring to my home in 2010), you would probably agree. The "dog-cat" personality is fascinating to me because in many ways these cats are more canine than feline. Dog-cats are social creatures, enjoying strangers, kids, and dogs and new cats. They come when called. They fetch toys (and actually bring them back). Peabody can be held like a baby for an indeterminate period of time. Although it has not been tried, I am certain he would willingly accept being dressed up like a doll. He willingly accepts bathing, nail trims, grooming -anything that involves human contact.
So in a species noted for their aloofness, where does this social trusting personality come from? In Peabody's case, I believe it was created. He was brought to me at 6 weeks of age by a local rescue. He was severely ill from feline distemper, and required long days of forcefeeding , and medicating. He was too weak to use a litterbox, clean himself or eat on his own. It was weeks of TLC and constant gentle handling before his strength gradually returned. Every day he got stronger, and more responsive. He started to purr and kneed anytime he was handled. When not being handled, he would talk, and talk, and talk until being handled again. Looking back on his early life, I believe that the constant care he required to regain his health allowed him to develop this social, interactive dog-like personality.Dr. Maureen Flatley
All hail Peabody! Love that little man.
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