| Notoriously limp and lovable, Ragdolls are exactly | | | | 6:30 AM. After that, though, Staffers are expected |
| that...rag (deliciously soft, well-worn comfortable) and... | | | | to be up and ready to start the day's duties. |
| well...dolls! They are a large, docile cats. They are | | | | 2) The second thing is teaching them what you like |
| sweet-faced, muscular and elegant. They have a | | | | to eat: First thing, of course, is our "treat." I (that |
| medium-long, non-matting coat with a soft texture. | | | | would be me...the Princess) will only drink the juice |
| They are generally pointed in color (like the Himalayan | | | | from the cat food packet. I won't eat the food from |
| or Siamese) -- in seal point, blue point, chocolate | | | | the packet. Much too ordinary, boring and mundane |
| point, etc., with or without white markings. They are | | | | for a Royal Ragdoll. And, thank you very much, I |
| non-aggressive in nature, and therefore much better | | | | want it mixed with just a touch of fresh Norwegian |
| suited to being an "indoor only" cat. | | | | fish cod liver oil. Perfect seasoning for the Royal |
| Ragdolls like to share their homes with human | | | | Ragdoll. |
| "staffers" who will spend time with them, and ensure | | | | Hope, my younger sister, has (in my superior opinion) |
| their need for "service" and "attention" are well met. | | | | more "pedestrian" tastes, settling for a particular |
| Princess and Hope...Ragdolls who share this author's | | | | oceanfish canned variety in gravy for her treat. To |
| home...wanted to let you in on a few of their secrets | | | | her credit, though, she has discriminated several times |
| on how to select...and train... your human staff. | | | | quite thoroughly in turning down cheaper cat food |
| Princess is taking the lead in discussing what's | | | | pates clearly not suitable for the Ragdoll Royalty. |
| required: | | | | Whatever your choice of gourmet treat, just insure |
| "If you don't currently have staffing, and are in the | | | | your Staffers are clear about what needs to be |
| selection process, we recommend, at a minimum, the | | | | served...and when! |
| following: | | | | Of course, having our regular "best selection" of dry |
| A) Jump in the lap of your prospect -- decisively! If | | | | cat food is equally important. We like a premium cat |
| they jump up immediately and dump you...they're out. | | | | food, and are happy to help with the selection. We |
| If they go "Oh, isn't that sweet", they've passed the | | | | tend toward a somewhat sensitive digestive system, |
| first test. | | | | so finding the right food can be important...and may, |
| B) Knead their thigh. If they slap your paw -- forget | | | | in certain circumstances, even require veterinary |
| it! If they gently remove your claws, or provide an | | | | assistance. But not to worry, with a little help, caring |
| alternative, they've passed the second test. If you've | | | | human staffers can find what's exactly right for your |
| lost your front claws, lick their hand or arm. If they | | | | digestive needs. |
| bat you away -- forget it. | | | | 3) The third thing is, of course, training them on how |
| C) Make sure you deposit cat hair everywhere you | | | | and when you want to be played with: |
| can. Do your best to reach your potential staffer's | | | | Once treats are out of the way, if both our Staffers |
| face. It's easy to see at this point whether this | | | | are home and available, they are called upon |
| prospect has potential. If they like the attention, and | | | | throughout the day...to play...to visit...to ensure our |
| gently remove the cat hair instead of dumping you | | | | special dry food dishes and water dishes are always |
| immediately...you've got a Staffer with potential. | | | | full. And, of course, to run to the herb garden around |
| Now, if the prospect says to your agent, "I'll take | | | | dinnertime and clip a bit a fresh catnip for us to sniff, |
| that one" and doesn't pass any or most of the | | | | fondle and toss into the air. On occasion, we even |
| aforementioned screens, yowl at the top of your | | | | allow our Staffers to get a glimpse of our "Inner Wild |
| lungs....and run for the hills! Remember...Ragdolls are | | | | Cat" after a bit o'the Nip. After breaking several |
| Royalty...and not to be treated as anything less by | | | | items that were apparently Staffer Treasures in a |
| ANY Staffer! | | | | "CatNip Free-for-All Frenzy" several months ago, |
| Now, for our training tips, we recommend the | | | | though, they seem not as interested in exploring |
| following: | | | | more of our "Inner Wild Cat." |
| 1) The first thing is learning how to wake them up: | | | | ...sometimes Staffers just don't appreciate our "Wild |
| We generally start at around 3 AM in the morning. | | | | Side." |
| It's our usual time to start the day rolling. First thing in | | | | In between cat naps, Hope and I check the toys |
| our job description is to make sure Mom (Staffer #1) | | | | throughout the house, and move them about, drop |
| gets up to use the restroom. Most of the time, her | | | | them at a Staffer's feet if it's time to play, and we |
| bladder gives us a hand. She loves that last bedtime | | | | make sure one of the Staffers checks our restroom |
| cup of tea...that she really should skip! | | | | facilities regularly. Cleanliness is Critical! They need to |
| But... occasionally, she forgets, and sleeps past 3 AM. | | | | understand that. |
| That means one...or both of us...will need to walk | | | | By and large, our Staffers are fairly well suited for |
| across her head several times, and meow. We start | | | | Ragdoll Royalty. Since Staffer #1 is home-officed as |
| soft...and if that's not working, we "amp up." If | | | | a Writer and Value Creator, we have "nearly-instant" |
| necessary, we stick our noses under the blanket and | | | | staff. And Staffer #2 is obviously so smitten with |
| then crawl to her feet to nibble a toe gently...or not. | | | | our sweetness, playfulness, and totally endearing |
| If that's not working, we're not above flopping | | | | manner to him, we have simply to arch a tail, or plop |
| directly on her face, or chewing on her hair. Jumping | | | | down, or roll over in front of him to have his full and |
| up and down from the bed, talking loudly, chasing | | | | undivided attention. (... this....dubious Readers...was NOT |
| each other...doing what it takes. | | | | even someone who particularly liked "cats" before |
| Whatever it takes, we're pretty darn good at getting | | | | we came along). |
| that 3 AM Ragdoll Prance started. After all, this is | | | | All in all, we believe we chose well. |
| when we get our first belly rub of the day, and it's | | | | 4) Last, and definitely not least, is keeping it a secret |
| important how we start our day. We're generally not | | | | that YOU are always in command: We let the |
| really interested in eating this early, just want to | | | | Staffers believe...occasionally...that they are in charge. |
| make sure Mom gives us that first belly rub of | | | | As long as they continue to meet all of the Ragdoll |
| assurance that all is Right in Ragdoll Kingdom. | | | | Royalty requirements, I don't think there's any harm |
| Then, we're generally OK until 6'ish, and have been | | | | in a little innocent self-delusion, do you? |
| known to leave our Staffers alone until as late as | | | | |