Ann Baker must have been a person who believed in a sort of metaphysics or the power of things to happen that cannot be explained by science. This gave her the mind set to create the idea that Josephine’s accident or her subsequent treatment could result in some sort of genetic change to her and/or her offpsring. This was not science but it was the motivator to create a new breed of cat.
Speculating for a minute, I wonder if the whole pehenomenon of the miraculous change in the character of Josephine’s offspring was a promotional exercise upon which Baker believed she could successfully create and build a new breed. She perhaps thought a new breed needed something different to make it stand out. The 60s were a decade when most new breeds were created in the last century (15 in the 1960s – see cat history) and competition was tough.
Ann Baker was on the face of it very competitive, as she registered the Ragdoll name as a trademark to protect it. She created more than a cat breed but also a business model and the mentality to do that indicates to me that the whole proceess might have been planned to a certain extent from start to finish.
Ann Baker was a Persian cat breeder. Persians are also docile and good indoor cats. Perhaps Baker wanted to build on her experiences as a Persian breeder and create a cat that had this docile, limp, accepting behavior and the “phenomenon story” fits nicely into that desire.
Unfortunately she alienated people in the process.
If you’d like to read more on Ann Baker and some of the myths and facts (from a first hand observer) surrounding the origins of this breed click here: Ragdoll information.
In 2016, a cat adopted us. He was a stray, but we soon learned he was domesticated and fixed. My daughter believes he is a ragdoll. He fits the characteristics: size, demeanor, eye color etc. Can you view the pics and tell me what you think. I have other pictures of him.
Hi Dale. Thanks for commenting. It seems the years with the breeder may have affected her character. She is definitely anxious as you say. Chronically anxious it seems. I guess you have checked her out for cystitis. A long shot. Anxiety can cause cystitis and cystitis causes inappropriate elimination.
I presume she is spayed by the way. If not please spay her.
Sometimes a cycle can be set up. A cat pees on the carpet. The owner becomes annoyed. The cat becomes anxious. The cat pees some more on the carpet through anxiety and so on. That cycle needs to be broken. Is he litter trained? Crazy question perhaps but worth asking.
Are you around the home a lot or not much? If you are away a lot that may cause anxiety and her reclusive nature. It can also lead to cystitis as mentioned. Personally I don’t like the idea of drugs because it just treats the symptoms. If you have totally covered all the possible causes then drugs might be the answer but they must be a last resort.
What does your vet say? I’d try and interact more with her. Play with her. Be around her more etc.. If you don’t have the time for this it would be a shame because I think it may be the cure but it will a slow process I feel. Although I may be incorrect about the cause.
I presume she is a full-time indoor cat. If not and she goes outside sometimes there may be a cat outside who terrorises her. Sometimes indoor cats can be upset by the presence of cats outside who they can see through the window. That is a long shot to but may be worth checking out. I am speculating because I don’t know the full facts.
There is one last possibility: rehoming with a retired person who has time. But this may seem crazy to you and I’d understand if it is. Good luck.
Hello, I picked up my Rockstar from a breeder here in Vancouver Canada. She is a retired breeder who apparently never gave her owner kittens. I’ve had her for a year now(she is 4). She has issues with peeing everywhere. Bathtub, bed, my rug, and most recently my couch. I have been using Feliway but it only seems to work for a while. She spends most of her time alone in the basement. I got a kitten this past summer. They seem to get along. When I pick her up to pet her she has a look of “why are you touching me”. Will she ever warm up to me or is she destined to be anxious forever. I’m tempted to try drugs to keep her happy.
Thanks Art. Nice to hear from a visitor who has some personal experiences of the very popular Ragdoll or RagaMuffin (a very similar cat).