Well, it's official - as of Sunday we will be proud new bengal parents!
I know some of you will be bummed to hear that we didn't drive to see Amantra, but I think we made the right decision. Last night Sid and I went to see Gary and Suzanne Colby of San Diego Bengals. Just gorgeous cats there (and can I mention that they allowed us to come over late, at 7:30, because my work schedule is hectic). First we saw the brown spotted and blue spotted litters - the little blue boy turned out to be a little blue girl. She was the most reserved of the bunch: quiet, shy, not too energetic, and at 7 weeks wouldn't be ready to go home for another month. Having decided we wanted a boy, we went to see the other two.
And I confess: I have been smitten with the charcoal kitten from the moment I saw his picture. I think charcoal coats are so stunning. I knew in advance that I would have a hard time not playing favorites, and also that he was the most expensive. Luckily, I spent most of the time talking to Gary while Sid played with the kittens (including the other brown spotted boy and his sister), which allowed him to make up his mind free of influence. The charcoal boy was also the most reserved and skittish of these three, which concerned me. He took a backseat to the others when it came to toys, observed from a distance and didn't like to be held. But we've always appreciated the stoic loner, and Colby suggested that because he was less eager to play with strangers, he would bond with us more strongly. Sid, sensing a challenge, took the kitten aside and gave him a little TLC, and by the time we left the two were all over each other.
Sid has named him 'Stash' because of his mustache, but I'll have to have the final word on that. We're picking him up Sunday so that I can be there during my three days off. Be on the lookout for lots of pictures in the introductions forum!
Now, a few questions before we bring the baby home:
I am interested in training him to use the toilet and would like to start as soon as possible. This would mean putting the litter box in the bathroom near our toilet. I know many people use the bathroom as a "safe" room for their new kitten because it is small and usually free of clutter, but we spend the majority of our time in the living room.
1. Is the living room too big an area for our kitten to feel safe in? It can be closed.
2. If we make the living room his "safe" room, I'm assuming we have to have his litter box in there, too, correct?
3. If his litter box is in the living room while he adjusts, will it be easy for him to find it when we eventually move it to the bathroom for toilet training?
Any other tips or advice is welcome. I can't wait! Thanks again for everyone's help. This is a wonderful community.