Finding the Right Name For Your Cat: My Funny Kao K'o Kung

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By Frieda Babbley

In this hub

  • Ah, cats (sigh)
  • On naming your cats
  • Excuse me?
  • His Royal Highness wants to go by something else
  • Our favorite cat mysteries
  • Kao K'o Kung
  • Mistaken Gender and embarassed cat
  • Thomasito Vincenzo

Cats are finicky creatures. We've all heard that. We've all experienced that. Cats also feel and know more than many give them credit for. Any cat lover will tell you they are as bright as they are ornery.

It's the little things in life that they choose to notice. They are opinionated, so you can be sure that you will in one way or another find out what they think about the things that matter most to them.

One thing I've learned over the years, sometimes the hard way, is that one of the keys to getting a cat to respond to you properly is giving it the right name. That comes through trial and error.

If at first you don't succeed, try and try again. It's never too late, with a cat, to make amends. They have nine lives so to speak and they know this. While they may not have too much patience when it comes to their litter box, drinking water, food, or closed doors, they've got the time, and they're totally cool with giving you another chance. That is, if they've seen that you took the time and effort. They are smart and intuitive.

Some cats are perfectly fine with the special name you've given them, any ol' name, or even no name at all.  Other's require a bit more attention being placed to their naming, as I have learned the hard way.

Each cat comes with its own personality and quirks; and so to tell you what to name your cat or kitten would be a futile task, that is if you are desiring to figure out what it wants you to call it. I do not have all the answers for this issue, but I do have some experience. This is going to have to be your very own, personal journey, a committed one at that. Between you and your cat. You will possibly fail many times. But with any luck, you will figure it out and in turn have a happy cat that feels you really know him or her.

There are a few places to turn to for cat names, and of course one must never rule out baby name books and websites. You can find some of these resources in this hub.

My First Cat

My first cat I ever owned was named Pussia. I didn't name her. Nor did I purchase her or rescue her. (Well, okay maybe I did rescue her, from a cat named Aweful, but not in the superhero, animal rescue, sort of way.)

What happened was this...

I called my boyfriend at the time (now my husband) on the phone. (It was one of those neutral colored "modern" kinds of phones, complete with answering machine. The ones that set on your wall or could set on a table, take your pick.)

His mother answered the phone. "Hello."

"Hi. Could I please speak with Dave?" (She and I had not met yet.)

"I think he's in the bath, hun."

"Okay. Well, if you could just tell him that Frieda called?"

"Sure hun."

"Thank you. Bye." Feoof! That was over. Dammit, what was he doing in the bath. I wanted him to come over NOW! I didn't want to have to wait.

Well, Dave ended up falling asleep in the bath. Yes, he is one of those few men that enjoy a nice luxurious soak every now and again. But what came from this discombobulated evening, was a story I will never forget, and a story that brought my very first cat and I together.

What's in a Name

Dave did eventually wake up. Pruned, cold, and robed, he went to the kitchen for some chocolate, (some things never change), where he ran into his mother who told him that a girl called and, "she sounded like pussy."

"Mom!" (Flabbergasted.) (Confused.) (Curious.)

"Well she sounded just like Pussia."

"What? Who was it?"

"Frieda."

He looked at the cat and understood. He also didn't waist any time in telling me that his mom thought I sounded like pussy.

Love at first sight

It didn't take long before Pussia and I met. It was love at first sight, and a few weeks later, we moved in together.

She was a definite pussy cat and she knew it and she loved the sound of her name.

She brought dead mice to the foot of my bed (to show her love and devotion to me).

She sprayed my silk curtains with her eau de cologne while I was teaching piano in the living room. You know, just to remind me she was there and that she was thinking about me.

And when I went on vacation for four days without her, she had refused to bathe herself, had become hoarse voiced, and would not speak to me for days upon my return due to a cold shoulder and a broken heart.

Women!

Photo of Spooky from Walthall9 on flickr

the books I used

The Melting Pot Book of Baby Names
Amazon Price: $8.54
List Price: $12.99
Exotic Names: For Babies and Beyond
Amazon Price: $29.95
List Price: $11.95

My Second Cat, or, Once Upon A Coconut Tree

My second cat I dreamed about, and before I even saw him or knew he existed, I was in love and new I had to have him. The day after my dream, I looked in the newspaper classifieds and found an advertisement for a kitten seal point Himalayan(which by the way is a breed created from mixing Siamese cats and Persians). I called. I visited. I paid. I brought home. I loved. He loved. We both loved.

It took me two weeks to name him. And I used a baby name book to do so. One with unconventional exotic names from all over the world. I decided on a group of names that when strung together meant His Royal Highness the Good-looking Coconut King.

Unfortunately he was in love with being called Mr. Puss Puss; and I therefore suspected that he was really Pussia, aka Puss, reincarnate with male parts and characteristics. In particular, he loved to watch me clean. It was the only time he ever purred.

Men!

books that inspired future cat names

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards
Amazon Price: $3.19
List Price: $7.99
Two Cats, Three Tales
Amazon Price: $6.95
List Price: $16.00
The Cat Who Saw Red
Amazon Price: $3.78
List Price: $7.99
The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers
Amazon Price: $3.37
List Price: $7.99
The Private Life of the Cat Who: Tales of Koko and Yum Yum from the Journals of James MacKintosh Qwilleran
Amazon Price: $3.85
List Price: $10.95

For the love of a good cat mystery

Dave and I always enjoyed a good book on tape. They are fabulous, especially on road trips. Of course now it's books on CD, but back then they were on tape, and we were obsessed. We were obsessed with mysteries, we were obsessed with Lilian Jackson Braun, we were obsessed with Lilian's "The Cat Who.." series, we were obsessed with Qwilleran. We were also obsessed with George Guidall, fantasizing that if we had a million dollars, we would hire him to read us to sleep.

Most of all, we were obsessed with Koko and Yum Yum, the two Siamese cats in the stories. We vowed to each other that one day we would have two Siamese cats, with the same characteristics described in "The Cat Who..." series, and we would name them Kao K'o Kung and Yum Yum.

When we first met

One day the opportunity arose for the possibility of getting our very own Kao K'o Kung and Yum Yum. We found an add in the paper for seal point Siamese ready for a home, and we were on it like a cat to catnip.

There they were, The cutest little boy with big round blue eyes, and the cutest little girl with big round blue eyes slightly crossed. We had our Koko and Yum Yum! They were so tiny and soft and sweet. It was raining so we kept them under out coats on the way to the car. And the best thing was, we had them named. We had them pegged too. We knew just what they were going to be like.

Our little girl?

Hmmm.

Over the next few months, Koko and Yum Yum grew. They went from curling up in a shoe to sticking their heads in a shoe. We made manly remarks to Koko, and sweet kitty sounds to Yum Yum, so sweet and so pretty she was.

Yum Yum was not happy, however. When we cooed at her she scoffed and showed us her butt. When we pet her and told her how much we loved our sweet little girl, she seemed to get disgusted and ran off.

Well, it was soon time for another vet visit. We packed up the cats in their carrier, drove to the vet's office, got sniffed by dogs in the waiting room, and finally got a room of our own. By this time they really weren't so sure they wanted to get out of their carrier. But they did. And each got checked. And then.... the news.

Let me just say we were shocked. We were, understandably, devastated. Yum Yum was... a he!

Our dreams were dashed, our expectations tarnished. How could this be? He was so pretty, so dainty, so sleek. What about The Cat Who? What about the mysteries they were going to solve? What about...

So that explained it. Somehow or other Yum Yum knew gender differences and he was not going to be taken for a female. Well, didn't that take the cake.

We looked at him and all we could do was guffaw.

He looked at us and thought, "Dummies."

Aha!

Needless to say, there were some changes around the house. Yum Yum walked around with pride. He was more talkative and in all around better humor.

But there was still one small little issue. It became apparent that Yum Yum did not appreciate his name. He vocalized this with nasty mews. And so the search began for a name that would please him. A name he could identify with.

He knew what I was doing when I tried on names. He enjoyed this very much and was more than willing to give me his honest opinion.

Here are some names that did not work for him;:

  • Buddy
  • King Kong
  • Hercules
  • Banter
  • Fred
  • Cosmo
  • Kramer
  • Cleotus
  • Fang
  • Bushwhack
  • Manly

I tried French names, Chinese names, Greek names, Indian names, Russian names... All to no avail.

And then one day, I thought to myself, "You know Yum Yum, you are very Italian."

His ears perked.

I took this as my que and started slowly naming off any Italian name I could think of. Luigi, Carmichael, Fabio, Lorenzo, Gino, Roberto.

"Oh Yum Yum, you're such a Tom."

His ears perked again. Was I onto something?

"Tom... Thomas... Thomasito." Aha! Not only did his ears perk, but he walked closer and licked his lips.

"Are you my little Thomasito?" Oh he was liking it.

"Thomasito Vincenzo?"

BINGO! I'd hit the jackpot. My legs were rubbed, he begged me to pet him, he mewed; he was, in a word, elated. I, myself, was impressed. Very impressed. What an odd name. What a fine name. Thomasito Vincenzo. Twin Conqueror. Who knew?

Awaiting the Mothership

Vinny and Koko

Tom Vinny, bandit catcher extraordinaire!

Now Tom Vinny felt free to show us the side of him he had been holding back for so long. He became quite the hunter, conquering beetles, spiders, mice, and snakes, just for us, out of respect and appreciation of the fact that "we finally got it". He proved to be lively and quick, and extraordinarily beautiful, in a Tom cat sort of way, of course.

 

And you thought cats couldn't talk

They can even talk human

Phoebe teaches smelly cat to Chrissy Hynde

Comments

Elena. profile image

Elena. 2 years ago

Hi Frieda!  What a cat saga! :-) I think you're right about cats being finicky, they think they are way above us humans -- must be because they hve more lives than us that gives them the competitive advantage!  Laugh!

I never read "The cat who..." series but have read plenty of the "Sneaky Pie" series by Rita Mae Brown.  What a character, Ms Sneaky Pie :-)

Lovely hub, as always!

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Sneaky Pie. I'll have to check that out. One tip about "The Cat Who...", I'd definitely read the first four or five in order, it shouldn't matter too much after that, but it does build on past mysteriesa and events. You've got to get them on audiobook though. George does a very fine reading job.

Elena. profile image

Elena. 2 years ago

Same goes for Sneaky Pie, I'd say you've got to read the first 2/3 in order, then it doesn't matter anymore.

I've just done one audiobook in my entire life, that was "The mists of Avalon", while I spent two days in a natural spa in some hills in Northern California.  After that experience, I don't know why I've never done another audiobook, I guess I'm old fashioned and like to hear my own voice in my head while reading a book???

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

My step dad was blind and listened to them a lot for entertainment in his library. So I have a high appreciation for audiobooks. With the cat who, I recommend the audiobooks for the simple fact that George Guidall is so perfect at reading The Cat Who. I guess I associate his voice with the characters. I love to hold and smell books and read them at my leasure, I even love to read out loud and hope that someone will be up to listening to me, odd as that sounds. But sometimes it's nice to be read to.

And the next time you go to a spa in Northern California, could you please invite me?

LondonGirl profile image

LondonGirl 2 years ago

fantastic hub! I agree, cats often choose their own names.

We called Elijah thus because I found him on the last day of Passover, when the prophet shows up. My parents' tortoise shell was called Cleo, and has been known as the Little Cat ever since.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Hi LondonGirl, good to see you. I loved that hub. I'm glad I had a reason to link to it.

Christoph Reilly profile image

Christoph Reilly Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago

You've definitely made me do it. I've thought often that I should rename him, something appropriate, something that fits his personality, and your hub has convinced me to actually do it. I have just named him...assho*e!. Fits him perfect! Thank you!

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Wow Christoph. That is so awesome. I'm glad you took my advice. Please spread the word. You must both be so relieved. So does assho*e like his new name? Perhaps now you two will get along better. Keep me posted!

Christa Dovel profile image

Christa Dovel 2 years ago

You are so right! When I was four I was given a grey calico cat. I named her something lovely, but she became The Gray Mother Cat. That was her name. There was no sense trying to change it, because try as you might, it would not change.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Hi Christa. Isn't that crazy. I bet it happens all the time and people don't even notice.

druneric profile image

druneric 2 years ago

Wonderful Kitty stuff. And then I got sucked into YouTube which led me to the hand-holding otters. OMG. I must return another time and finish reading as I have dog duties to attend.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Hi druneric. Hand-holding otters?! I've got to see that one! Glad you enjoyed. Hope you come back to finish your read. =)

rmr profile image

rmr 2 years ago

I loved this one! Fun to read, and so generous in linking other cat hubs. Our first cat, tigger, was an orange tabby. He liked his name, but on occasion would only answer to Tiglet. He never admitted it, but he also liked to be called Igamochop once in a while. What can you do? What the cat wants, the cat gets.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Hey there rmr. Good to see you. Glad you said something about that because your How to Speak Fluent Cat hub is way awesome and fits right in. Link you up, hope that was okay. Isn't that crazy, what the cat wants, the cat gets. I wonder why. I wonder if it's their beings or our wanting to please them. Or both? Thank you so much for popping by and commenting. Much appreciated.

Pam Roberson profile image

Pam Roberson 2 years ago

Frieda, I love your writing, and this one is super fine! Loved the pictures too! Beautiful cats. And I had never really thought about whether our animals actually LIKE their names. It's something to think about! I always end up calling my little buddies by something other than the original name I give them at some point and perhaps they are actually making me do that with some kind of mind control.

One dog went from being called Falstaff to Bubba, another went from being Andromeda to PooPoo, and Shadow is now called Moose. One cat started out being called Mr. Fuji, and then the next thing I knew, I started calling him Pookie. It must be mind control! They made me do it! :D

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

The same goes for dogs too, doesn't it. Think you're right about the mind control. Cats do it with purpose. Ah cats. I love PooPoo by the way. Bubba sure is a far cry from Falstaff! Thanks for sharing those great name changes, Pam. Love 'em!

JPSO138 profile image

JPSO138 2 years ago

I never had any cat for a pet but I surely appreciate your hub.

Random Person profile image

Random Person 2 years ago

Great Hub! Although I prefer dogs you did a great job!;)

Sincerly,

Random

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks JPSO138 and Random Person. Glad you came on by,and had an enjoyable read. Love dogs as well. We have two. I can never decide which ones I like best, dogs or cats, so I always have both. :)

RedElf profile image

RedElf Level 7 Commenter 2 years ago

What a great Hub. I am fairly new to this community, but I am quickly growing a deep appreciation of the richness and variety available.

Thank you for sharing your insights.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Hi there RedElf and welcom to my little section of HubPages. The variety here is fantastic! There's never enough time to read everything you want to read. I truly hope you enjoy. There certainly is much to appreciate. Glad you stopped in!

Susan Ng profile image

Susan Ng Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago

I named my three cats the first names that came to my mind when I first saw them the day they were born. Apparently, they were the right ones because Jiggy, Motmot, and Layla come when I call them. :)

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

You're lucky, Susan. Love those names! Now see, quite frankly we went about it all wrong from the getgo, overzealous, perhaps? Who knows. At any rate, I'm very glad we finally got it right because we're all much happier now. Thanks for coming by for a read.

frogdropping profile image

frogdropping 2 years ago

Frieda - my cat and I are unfortunately separated by several countries. I would have expatriated the furry hobo if I'd have thought he wouldn't bugger off back to the UK. Unfortunately, the last time I moved him (10 miles or so) he packed his bags for three months. Having made his thoughts clear regarding enforced relocation, he re-appeared by way of a vets' practice some miles away.

He remains on UK soil. Selfishly so, in my opinion.

His name is Sully. He is beautiful. Unique. And we are estranged. I call him now and then, via the 'phone :)

He's a Bengal BTW and I wish I could show you a picture|

Lovely lovely hub, thankyou!

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

A Bengal! You're kidding! I want to get my hands on one of those! They're a great writer's cat I think. I agree, that is selfish. at least he answers your phone calls. You should hub about your cat's hobo life! That would be fantastic! Do you think you could? Complete with photos?

frogdropping profile image

frogdropping 2 years ago

Frieda - I don't see why not. He's a great feline, utterly fabulous :)

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Well awesome! I'll be looking out for it! Cool! You can link to mine if you want. Can't wait!

frogdropping profile image

frogdropping 2 years ago

Frieda - dutifully delivered, one hub devoted to my lovely, slinky ... murderous moggy ;)

HeSaid SheSaid profile image

HeSaid SheSaid 2 years ago

Delightful read. Cats are certainly something else. We had a cat named Boots (ordinary I know) but no matter, once we altered it to booty she came running every time. heehee.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Frogdropping, post it here! I'm on my way!

Hi Naddy and Hank. What a funny name, booty. I never heard that one. Too funny.

Teresa McGurk profile image

Teresa McGurk 2 years ago

Sophie and I have long conversations just about every day. I often wonder what she thinks we're talking about, and if I'm giving the right answers to her questions, but she always seems satisfied with them, anyway.

Shadesbreath profile image

Shadesbreath Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago

Hah, this hub is so funny.  And it's true.  We're still having name issues with one of our cats.  We got these two kittens (we = my wife came home with them one damn day, after our ONE cat died and I was nagged into agreeing that we could get another ONE if she absolutely had to have another ONE despite the vet bills and racket every night of the last ONE).  So anyway, obedient and always listening to me as she is, she brought these two damn kittens home.  I was all, "Fine. They're cute," etc.  So after a few days, I was wondering when they were going to get around to naming them ("they" = 3 kids and the cat lady I married).  No names after a week.  I was like, "How the hell do three kids and a woman not come up with even one cat name in a week?"  So, a few days after, I started calling them Assbreath and Shithouse.  I figured this would prompt the kids (at least my daughter) and my wife to get moving on the naming thing.  Still no.  Finally, like two weeks later--in the name of propriety and public decorum--I gave them new names, Slayer and Halitosis (which has since been shortened to Hali... and yes, she was Assbreath to begin with--I have no idea what's going on with her intestines, but my god!).  And still these people have not renamed their cats. 

Slayer is fine with his name, but Hali is still in total rebellion and refuses not to be a sucky pet until someone cares enough to give her a suitable name.  I have washed my hands of the whole affair, but she did bite the crap out of me one night when I stepped on her tail.  I think she lay under that dark chair in that unlit room and laid her tail out there like a lure, baiting an accident, just so she had an excuse to bite me that would have any jury completely on her side.  Damn cats.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Teresa, that's the way it is with Vinny and I.  He's quite the talker and has, as of late, enjoyed sharing my water glasses with me.  I've gotten wise to this and now set down two water glasses.  Vinny seems to understand our conversations, mostly about  how lovely he is.  As for the rest, he probably thinks we are talking about the same thing... his loveliness.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Shadesbreath, that is so darn hysterical. I picture the whole thing happening over here. Well, good for you, at least Slayer's doing alright. I myself would be a bit indignant if I was called Halitosis, however fitting to my ailments. Poor thing. What are you feeding her? I'm going to have to put in a video just for you. Look under the comments! And don't worry, it'll all work out okay... I think.

Shadesbreath profile image

Shadesbreath Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago

Haha... I so forgot about that song. Yeah, that's Hali's theme song for sure. LOL I'm still laughing. Especially the black and white part that opens the first one. That's damn funny. So is the fire flaring in the homeless guys' barrel. lawl

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Glad you enjoyed! Thought it was appropriate.

dineane profile image

dineane 2 years ago

I wanted to get two cats this time and name them Dill and Pickle...I know, my 17 yo thought it was lame, too. But unlike Shades' wife, I listened to the threats of divorce from my husband and only brought one home...daughter & I agreed on "Lucy" within 24 hours, and she seems to like it okay.

Shades' story reminds me of the time my grandmother's Siamese got me...this was a mean cat - she only liked my grandmother and the rest of us avoided her as much as possible. For some cat-plotting reason, she was sitting next to me in the kitchen while I was fixin' ice cream combs. I dropped a scoop of ice cream and turned "Sh*t" into "Shoot" since my grandmother was standing right there, but couldn't resist a good stomp of my foot...right on Spookey's tail (over the years all of my grandmother's Siamese were named Spookey, by the way). Spookey curled around my leg with all four paws and dug in her claws - scratched the sh*t out of me! Oops....sorry, but shoot doesn't work there :-)

Fun hub - thumbs up from me!

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

rofl, dineane!  Fantastic story.  "cat-plotting reason", I'm going to have to use that.  Must have felt a bit odd with the Spookey's one after the other.  Were they all the same temperament?  It would be funny if every time they died she'd find another and just continue on as though nothing had happened.  lol.  Cat's.  They're so crazy (and so are we people who own them).  Glad you stopped in for a read and enjoyed yourself.  Thanks for the great laugh.

dineane profile image

dineane 2 years ago

YES - they really were all the same temperament! Awful! My sister inherited the last one after my grandmother's death, and she has mellowed a lot with age - she actually sleeps with me when I visit and has not bitten me since she was a kitten :-)

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

That's so insane! But then, who are we to second guess cats. I suppose your granmother knew the ones that were meant to be with her. I'm glad the last one is much better. Well, I have to say I love your writing voice, and you should think about hubbing that whole story. Let me know if you do!

dineane profile image

dineane 2 years ago

thanks, Frieda. I was thinking as I left the comment it might make a good hub - I'll let you know if I get aroung to expanding it.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Oh awesome! By the way, I added frogdropping's hub on the "other cat hubs" list above the comments section, in case you're interested, it's a great one, "King of Small Beasts".

k@ri profile image

k@ri 2 years ago

I should have been sleeping, but I just couldn't resist reading! How I laughed! Cats do train us, don't they. Thomasito's name reminds me of a movie I love, "Thomasita" about a cat. (Don't let him know or he may make you change it again) LOL!

Mighty Mom profile image

Mighty Mom 2 years ago

Naming one's cats is, or should be, taken as seriously as naming one's children. Except that most people don't assign middle and last names to their fur children, only first names.

I think the lesson with Yum Yum is that every cat deserves to have her (or his) OWN moniker, not be named after some celebrity feline. I have known a couple of cats that handled cross=gender naming with aplomb. My friend Jody's "Chloe" was a male and my friend Wendy's "Ted" was a female.

Thomasito Vincenzo -- that conjures up quite an image! A virile, handsome, exotic Fabio of a cat:-). Reminds me of our kitten Jimmy (described in my hub 'How My Rescue Cat Rescued My Marriage'). My father-in-law, God rest his soul, took an instant like to Jimmy from day one. And Jimmy returned the affection. Even though Bill insisted on calling Jimmy "Thomasita" and "girl" Jimmy did not let that threaten his masculinity. Jimmy also thinks he's a dog, but that's another matter entirely!

Great hub. Glad to know you are such a fellow cat woman!! MM

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

I have not seen Thomasita, but I've heard of it. I'm going to have ot get it now, huh? That's actually been popping up. Well, glad you had a read, and I love yours. Put it under other Cat Hubs. Ran across that one a couple of days ago, so glad you came by cause I wanted to go back to it.

Mighty Mom, I love your cat stories. Thomasita comes up once again. And yeah, not all cat's are finicky. They've got as many personalities as people do, don't they? Jimmy sounds like a total sweetie. I'm going to put a link to your How My Rescue Cat Rescued My Marriage if that's okay, up with related Cat hubs. Thanks for mentioning that one. That was a great read, I remember it. A few months ago, wasn't it? Good to know so many cat lovers and appreciators.

Ellandriel profile image

Ellandriel 2 years ago

Frieda, frist congrats for your kittens, Himalayan are amazing!

Thomasito, spectacular name, really, I suppose I will hire you to find names for my kittens...those imponent kind of names....

Love your cat hubs.....

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks Ellandriel. Aren't Himalayan's awesome? Siamese too. And coon mixes, and and and ... If I could I'd have all kinds of cat's. Glad you like the cat hubs. Me too. They weren't popular at first so I stopped. I'm finding lots of great cat people with awesome cat hubs, so I think I'm going to get inspired to do some more at some point. Thanks for poppin in.

Denny Lyon profile image

Denny Lyon 2 years ago

Hilarious AND true, does life get any better? I always take my time naming the cat folks - you never know when it might be an incarnated human doing penance for his stupid past lives. Sounds like your Italian guy might be one of them. :) And Pussia sounded like an Alpha female for sure! Blogging this on over to my humor, healing and poetry blogs for others to enjoy, thanks for writing it! You are a wonderful writer!!!

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Heck yeah about Thomasito, I think you're right. Pussia, ah, yeah she was. Crazy girl, I miss her so. Thanks for sharing this. Not many cat and pet people have found this or my other one, so the cats will be happy.

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne Level 6 Commenter 2 years ago

Goodness Gracious! What a great, thundering herd of cats you have had! I have 8 cats! They have such creative names as Mommy, Spot, Tiger, and so on. I have one named Kendall, but he came to me with that name. I tried to change it to Tigger, but he did not like it!

Here is a story I wrote that has a cat naming spell included:

Black Cat Halloween Story

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1097235/b

I hope you enjoy it! :)

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Hey there Suzanne. 8 cats? You are so lucky! There's no way we could. Not allowed and not enough room. Maybe one day. I'll check out that article. Thanks for passing it on.

Sunny Robinson profile image

Sunny Robinson 2 years ago

Mighty Mom, I give all my pets extra names. ;) Most of my pets get a lot more nicknames than they bargained for, too. My puglet is Ozzy Yona, my pekingese is Elly Darlene. Unfortunately, I have no cats. My boyfriend has six dogs of his own. I keep pestering him to let me get a cat. I made it known to him again after reading this hub, hahah. ;)

Lovely hub. Thomasito is a perfect name! I love how your boyfriend at the time thought his mom was talking about 'pussy'. Hilarious and cute vids, too.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

6 dogs... of his own?! Holy cow. I'm pretty sure you need some cats to balance that out, if you ask me. I love puglets and pekinese! Elly Darlene is an awesome name. And Ozzy Yona is perfect for those puggy faces. You did well. I hope they appreciate those names. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for sharing your story and names. That's my favorite part about this hub. =D

mayhmong profile image

mayhmong 2 years ago

Those are some cute kitty names. That's funny how Yum Yum was a boy the whole time!?

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks maymong. I know; it was shocking to say the least. We got over the disappointment and felt so horrible about it. We've been making it up to him ever since. I'm pretty sure he's the best cat I've had yet.

Sunny Robinson profile image

Sunny Robinson 2 years ago

Frieda, I agree. I keep telling him that, man. Just one cat, pretty please???

mulberry1 profile image

mulberry1 Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago

Cats do have a way of shaping our behavior, don't they? Our cats names often aren't what we call them. One just likes being called "The Big Guy" in a nice deep voice, and the other is my "good boy" or "little pussy cat" in a sweet little whispered voice. Enjoyed your story!

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

LOL I'm so glad you mentioned voice in there. I'm cracking up right now because Koko and Vinny are getting more and more sensitive to the "how" I call their names. It's really getting out of hand and is beyond hysterical. Thanks mulberry1 for sharing that. =D

John 2 years ago

What a great webpage - particularly like the article on cat names and the Friends video! Choosing a cat name can be tricky but you have hit the nail on the head on this page!

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Great site you have there, john. Hope people click on your name in the comment here. Thanks for stopping by and for the comment. I know, I love those vids!

David Fallon profile image

David Fallon 2 years ago

Great hub :) if you have some time, please check out my hubs about Paco :) would love to hear what you think

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Wonderful series you have going there. Both of them, David. Thanks for the read and recommending your hubs. Wonderful to meet you here on HubPages!

Peggy W profile image

Peggy W Level 8 Commenter 2 years ago

Hi Frieda,

This was a fun reading adventure. If you don't mind I would like to link this to my cat hubs. Like you, I love both cats and dogs. Each have their own personalities and add so much to our lives.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Oh please do! That would be wonderful. I'm a sucker for both species, that's for sure. =]

LovingYourPet 2 years ago

Great hub, choosing a name can seem impossible at times!

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks LovingYourPet. It certainly can.

lauren98 2 years ago

my cat's name did not go so well but i got two cats the fist one is tinkey and the second one is cutie and they both are girls but what's funny is that cutie got on the toilet and used the bathroom.................not!..n....o....t!

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

I'm thinking cutie should have been named tinkle, lol. Great story! Thanks so much for sharing it.

MFB III profile image

MFB III 2 years ago

I have this cat that I call "Fly,"

I'm almost positive he could,

He leaps up,oh,so very high,

As a fly....this cat is good,

His feline form he often flings,

To sudden death it's certain,

Like a Kamikaze without wings,

till he's clinging on my curtains,

He leaps again, first here, then there,

As a cat he's no ones equal,

Then he disappears into thin air,

in his Amelia Earhart sequel,

He later crouches in the grass,

Letting Mother Earth's form hug him,

As he snatches flies with nimble paws,

making meals of things that bug him.

If cats could talk I'm sure he'd say,

That he's due some recognition,

for saving us from pesky flies,

His only competition.

^ ^

. .

>0<

^

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 2 years ago

Excellent MFB III. Thanks much. What a joyful piece for my page. =D

SamAntone 23 months ago

Very original and cute names. Cats are amazing creatures, and more complex than one might imagine. My female and male cats (brother and sister) were named "Bonnie and Clyde" by my wife.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 23 months ago

Hi SamAntone. May I just say your wife has a wonderful sense of humour and is a wonderful cat-name picker herself. Bonnie and Clyde! That is wonderful. Thanks for sharing that. =) Cats are amazing creatures. Glad you came by for a read. Thanks much.

Enelle Lamb profile image

Enelle Lamb Level 4 Commenter 22 months ago

What a great hub! Loved the Yum Yum story :D I have been a cat lover since childhood and I agree 100% you need to find the name that fits the cat and they like!

I am adding a link to your hub on my blog (A Cat's Tail - the 'Purr'fect Blog) on blogspot.com for my readers to enjoy! Thank you for such an well written, funny and entertaining hub :D

theherbivorehippi profile image

theherbivorehippi Level 2 Commenter 22 months ago

What an adorable hub! Love it! Rated up!

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 22 months ago

This was so fun to read again. Thanks guys for commenting on this.

Thanks so very much for the link Enelle. I'm going to check out your blog now. I've got one over at blogspot too.

herbivore hippi, thanks much for the rate up. Glad you like it =D.

Winsome profile image

Winsome Level 6 Commenter 19 months ago

Hey Frieda, only Elvis is getting more fans than you even after being gone for a while. I think you should come back and make a hub of you reading a story--no commentary, no facts, just a youtube of you reading outloud one of yours or a favorite. I promise to listen. =:)

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 17 months ago

What a great idea. I could dress up and act out the characters. Like a one woman play! I'm going to have to have a pizza and a Greek salad and mull this idea over. Ah the possibilities.

deblipp profile image

deblipp Level 1 Commenter 9 months ago

That's Chrissie Hynde not Heinz.

Frieda Babbley profile image

Frieda Babbley Hub Author 9 months ago

Woops, my boo-boo. Thanks much deplipp! All fixed.

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