#1 This Old Guy Was Trying To Save Me From Radon Gas
A couple weeks ago, I had a couple friends over for drinks and they observed him freaking out as soon as we moved to the basement, like he alwayse does where anyone's down there. I'd mentioned checking the place for evidence of mice or termites and joked that maybe my basement is haunted. My friend suggested getting a radon detector, as she had just had to get a radon mitigation system installed in an old house she had bought and is currently renovating.
Fast forward a few days. My new radon detector I'd placed at the base of the laundry room door where he seemed to be attempting to draw my attention to started reading levels as high as 600Bq. That is three times higher than the level Health Canada recommends action. Six times higher then the level the WHO considers acceptable.
I had professionals install piping and a fan to vent the gas from the sump pump well outside of the house. The radon detector now reads 20Bq. Right now he's cuddled up next to me on the basement couch, purring and calm for the first time ever down here.
Maybe I'm the one that doesn't have enough braincells.
Unlike humans with red hair, orange-colored cats are relatively common. But if you’re not super familiar with these adorable kitties, we’ve got some fun facts about ginger cats to share with you, courtesy of ModernCat. First, did you know that, while not all tabbies are orange, all orange cats are tabbies?
Another interesting fact is that all orange cats have an “M” on their forehead. Apparently, this trademark symbol comes from the same gene that gives orange cats their tabby pattern. Something else that’s special about orange cats is that they’re almost always males. In fact, only 20% of them are girls.
#6 As The Beard Grows More Orange, So My Braincells Decrease In Accordance With The Orange Law. I Fear My Time On This Level Of Thought Grows Shorter By The Day. Also There Was A Bird
If you happen to have an orange cat, you will know that these kitties tend to be extremely talkative. Gary Weitzman, the head veterinarian at the San Diego Humane Society, says that a cat’s personality will be linked to their fur color. And for some reason, orange cats tend to be the biggest yappers!
Just like human redheads, orange kitties often have freckles too. These dark spots typically appear around their nose and/or gums. Meanwhile, the same pigment that causes red hair in humans, pheomelanin, causes ginger fur in cats too.
#7 Neighbor Moved And Left Him On The Street With A Bowl Of Food, He Was Homeless For About 5 Minutes
#8 Stan Had Surgery On His Armpit, So He Has To Wear Shirts To Keep Him From Licking
Aside from being extra talkative, there are several other distinct personality traits that ginger cats tend to have. They’re often very affectionate and sociable, forming extremely strong bonds with their owners. Orange cats also tend to be playful, energetic, and curious. Because of this, their behavior is sometimes perceived as mischievous or goofy, which is likely where the “one brain cell” allegations stem from.
#12 Yesterday He Found Cheese In The Sink So Now He’s Looking For More Sink Cheese
It’s widely believed that orange cats are the silliest types of kitties, but is this really true? Well, experts told National Geographic that this may have more to do with the cats’ gender than the gene that causes their fur color. Carlo Siracusa, a clinical scientist at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, pointed out that male cats, in general, tend to be more outgoing. So the “single brain cell” behaviors observed in ginger cats might just be common in boys.
CNET also busted the myth that orange cats aren’t as bright as their feline counterparts, noting that a cat’s personality can be impacted by nature and nurture, just like a human’s.
"I've definitely seen and worked with hundreds of orange tabby cats and seen a wide variety of personality types," Zarah Hedge, chief medical officer at the San Diego Humane Society, says. "I would say that a cat's upbringing and socialization to humans, other animals and different environments plays a larger role [than fur color] in their overall personality and how they interact with humans."
#17 My Husband Decorated Early. The Reason? "It's Simon's Favorite Holiday"
Orange cats are also very popular in pop culture, so people might have more preconceived notions about them than other types of kitties. But they’re not the only cats that have specific stereotypes.
Hedges pointed out that she’s also heard that tuxedo cats are more playful than other breeds. "And of course, there's been a long superstition surrounding black cats,” she continued. “Having lived with many different cats over the years, and working with many more in the shelter, I can say these stereotypes are not true. Each cat has their own unique personality."
