to want this cat? I think DH is being vvvu.

[BerylStreep]

Me & DH have agreed to get a cat, now that our DC are at an age where they can respect an animal and hopefully won't torture it.

I absolutely adore devon rexes - mainly for their huge affectionate personalities, but I also find their looks exotic yet sweet at the same time. They also have the benefit of not shedding too much.

DH, who knows nothing about cats, has refused to let me get one, saying they look like gremlins and are 'freaks of nature'.

I am really upset about his dismissive and judgmental attitude. So what if the cat looks different? It will still make a wonderful family pet - more so because they love human company. My response to him is how would he have reacted if one of our children didn't have conventional looks - he would be devastated to hear anyone making such unkind remarks.

I know it seems irrational, but I really, really want one of these cats. I am also really upset that DH is vetoing the cat based only on looks.

OK, so I come into all these dog/cat threads and weakly echo/agree with what Dogs has already said, but I'm gonna do it again...

Having recently got back in touch with animal rescues, after a few years of animal-lessness, I have to say (and please correct me if I'm wrong, posters who know), that there does seem to be a more urgent need for rescuers for abandoned animals than there was 10 years ago.

I can see that breeds should be protected by responsible breeders, but it does seem that if you're getting an animal as a family companion, then surely its character is the main issue.

(That said, personally, I adore Burmese cats, and would look out for any moggy with a streak of Burmese at a rescue centre, but still wouldn't go for a pedigree/'bred for sale' cat.)

I think if Dogs is sounding militant, or whatever, it may be because, like issey she sees what goes on with abandoned animals. Once you've seen it, it's impossible to to ignore. And buying 'bred for sale' animals as 'pets' (eurgh, hate that word) is effectively ignoring animals from rescue centres.

Just had to add that.

Quite asides from the breeder vs rescue thing YAB incredibly U to think of getting a cat that your DH doesn't want.

I want a cat, DH thinks they are all evil. We don't have a cat.

We both want a dog eventually, DH wants an lab, I think they look a bit thick so I want a different type of dog. He woudl never buy a lab considering I don't like them much EVEN THOUGH HE REALLY WANTS ONE because my feelings come over his feelings for an animal.

:o

On a lighter note, Sponge, I know bright and thick Labs but I think I know what you mean about some of them looking a bit thick (apart from my own who, like my GSDs, is beautiful and brilliant of course). :o

Oh, and on a less lighthearted note, no decent breeder nor reputable rescue will allow the OP to have a Rex under the current circumstances anyway.

Tchootnika yes there is more need for people to come to rescue centers even than last year, last year if you came after 11am on saturday morning you had no chance of adopting a kitten from haworth there was more demand than kittens, this year they are reserving kittens due to more kittens than people wanting them, last year our waiting list was 300 cats about 3-4 months this year it is around 800 cats 6-8months, last year average stay of a young friendly adult cat 2 weeks, this year 4-5 weeks, older cat last year average stay 3-4 weeks, this year 3-6 months, the reasons for cats coming in to the center are more jobs and homes lost than last year due to the reccession, not all bad news though so far this year we have managed to rehome about 300 cats and kittens but for each cat that leaves us we probably get 3 phone calls asking for help

Oh, god, labs don't just look thick. Seriously, they are the American fraternity brother of the dog world: gormless.

They're the dog version of Tim: nice, but dim.

I had a rescue Devon rex for years, and she was the best cat ever. When she died and it came time to get another cat (to save us being buried under mice) I looked high and low for another Devon to rescue. Their personalities are fab, they don't shed and I find their fugliness endearing. They remind me of gargoyles. Or Yoda.

Sadly I couldn't find any in need of a new home and couldn't pony up the £400 for a pedigree kitten. So we took in a tabby kitten instead. But I'm still wistful, and hope for a Devon in the future.

I think the Rex is lovely. I have a sphynx, which are very similar, except they have no hair! She is ugly but I love her. If you want a very affectionate and playful cat, and one that doesnt shed hair then they are brilliant.

They all look thick. Like 'oooh, hello tall dog person, what's that in your hand? shall I flollop around for a bit so I look like I have 2 extra legs and then trip over my own feet, and then give you my winning smile?'

I do like them, I couldn't own one.

They are not 'freaks of nature'. They have been selectively bred, through human intervention to look that way. This can cause serious defects in certain breeds as they have been bred exclusively for looks. FWIW I don't like the way they look at all, but that isn't their fault, it's the fault of those who breed and those who buy them.

You would do far better adopting a cat from a reputable organisation such as the cats' protection league. Shelters at this time of year are overflowing with cats and kittens desparate for a good home, rather than subsidising specialist breeders - some, but not all, of whom, are far from scrupulous.

*update**

I still love cornish / devon rexes. In an attempt to persuade my DH to come round to my way of thinking, we went to a local cat show (pretty sure I may get flamed for that, but give me a break?). There was a cornish rex there, and she was gorgeous in a kooky way. She certainly attracted a lot of interest from other people, and I got chatting to her owner. He is nuts about them, and honestly, you will never touch anything as soft as a Cornish rex's coat.

Anyway, whilst we were having our Cornish love in, my DH came to the conclusion that he was glad he went to the show .... because it confirmed to him that he genuinely dislikes Cornish rex.

However, on a pleasing note, he really took a shine to burmese cats. This is a compromise I could live with.

In a happy coincidence, I have been contacted by someone who knows a breeder who is looking for a home for her former burmese queen (lilac), in about 3 months' time. It hasn't been confirmed, but I am hopeful that this is the cat for us.

good luck burmese are lovely gentle cats and by going to the show and looking at different breeds you have found a compromise that both you and DH are happy with