Sandra Cox's Blog, page 193

A-Z: Pixie-Bob

Like the bobcat it resembles, the pixie-cat has a one to six inch shortened tail. It's a healthy, large cat with a double coat and polydactyl toes. This cat requires very little grooming but it does need it's claws trimmed regularly.  It has few health issues, tends to live a long life, is dog-like in its devotion and can even be walked on a leash.  If you are interested in adopting please visit your local shelter or rescue, petfinder.com or overstock.com.

A-Z: Ocicat

This domestic cat was bred to look like a wild cat. It has a spotted coat either blue, lavender, fawn, silver or cinnamon. The Ocicat is big-boned and strong with a long, sleek body.  It's a healthy cat but prone to gingivitis so it's owner needs to brush its teeth regularly.  The Ocicat needs minimal brushing.  It's social and will do best in a lively household. If this is the cat for you, please check your local shelter or rescue, petfinder.com or overstock.com.

A-Z: Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest Cat is the official cat of Norway.  It has a dense double coat that is weatherproofed and long tufts of fur between its toes to prevent frostbite.  Except for its head, which is an equilateral triangle, it resembles the Maine Coon. It has a tendency for kidney issues but otherwise is considered hearty. With its calm temperament this is another good cat for the first time cat owner. The Wegie sheds heavily in the spring and requires extra brushing. If you are looking to adopt a Wegie, please try your local rescue or shelter, or Petfinder.com or Overstock.com.

A-Z: Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a large American cat from Maine. It has long whiskers which can be up to six inches in length. It can weigh from seventeen to twenty-five pounds and averages forty inches in length. It is second only to Persians in popularity.  This cat has oversized feet for walking in the snow. It's strong and healthy and has three layers to its coat.  Besides it's distinctive whiskers, Maine Coons usually have a very discernible M on their forehead. If interested in adopting, please check your local rescue, shelter, Petfinder.com or Overstock.com.

Faux Paw
This is a picture of Faux when she was younger. Take a look at those whiskers.  She has all the characteristics except the M on her forehead. She's a mix, but the genes lean heavily toward the Maine Coon side.

 Makita must use her second life to return to earth and take care of her pal, Bennie the Boxer. But finding Bennie is only the beginning. After they're reunited, Makita and Bennie stumble upon a dog fighting ring. Now the fearless feline must use her considerable cunning to breakout the hapless creatures that have been stolen to use as bait for the fighting dogs.

Available at Amazon.

A-Z: LaPerm

Like many breeds the LaPerm came from a gene mutation. This mutation is called a Rex gene. These felines come in both long and short hair. The longhair has a curly tail and the short hair has a bottle-brush tail. Their heads are wedge-shaped and they have tufts of hair in their ears.
These cats are good with children and are also a good cat for first time cat owners. Since their gene pool is diversified they are less susceptible to disease. They only need to be brushed once or twice a week.  All in all, a healthy purebred.
Interested? Try your local shelter, rescue or petfinder.com or overstock.com.

A-Z: Korat

vetstreet.comThe Korat is a rare and beautiful short hair that is one of the oldest breeds of cats. It is mentioned in Thailand's book of Cat Poems written between 1350 and 1767 A.D and its ancestors could be found in the jungles of the Malay Peninsula. They were and still are considered good luck.
The Korat cat belonged to the common people. New brides were given a pair of these beauties to insure a happy marriage.
This cat has a silver-blue coat with a silver edging. Its eyes are emerald, large and luminous. The ears are rounded, the face heart-shaped. It has a medium build. His/her coat is short, fine to the touch and lays close to the body. Korats are intelligent and social. Like dogs, they love to fetch.
This kitty is related to the Siamese but considerably less vocal. It is dog and child friendly, and adaptable. The Korat is prone to obesity and GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis, a fatal genetic defect. Its average life span is between ten and fifteen years of age.
These cats are rare even in their homeland. If you decide you want one please check petfinder.com or your local rescue.

A-Z: Japanese Bobtail

By jonny-mt - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...



Like our domestic shorthair, Japanese Bobtails are considered domestics in Japan. Though, after America jumped on the bandwagon to consider them a breed, Japan followed.
In Japan, they are associated with good luck.
There isn't a record of their origins but the legend is that one cat slept too near the hearth and its tail caught on fire. It ran through the city and all the houses burned down. Angry, the emperor ordered that all cats' tails be bobbed so there would be no more fires in the city.
These cats were quite prevalent in Japan by the seventeenth century. They could be found in the streets and were used to protect the silkworms from rodents.
Bobtails come in nearly any color but the most popular are the tricolored, red, black and white. These are the kitties that are considered good luck. The Bobtails'  tails more resemble a bunny rabbit's than a lynx. The average length of the tail is four inches, but it appears shorter because it curls up.
These cats are medium in size with lean bodies. Their eyes are large and beautiful. They have a long nose, high cheekbones and a triangular head.
The Japanese Bobtail is intelligent, affectionate, gets along well with children and other animals.
They 'chirp' and like to ride on shoulders. The average weight is around seven pounds. It has little to no health issues and is easy to care for. The average age is fifteen-eighteen.
Japanese Bobtails' claim to fame: It's the inspiration for Hello Kitty.
This is another kitty that is prone to overeating and won't hesitate to beg for more food.
Even though these cats are rare in the states, if you think you might want one, please check out petfinder.com or your local rescue or shelter.

~*~ Released TodayPiper Dunn isn’t who you would call a normal teenager. For one thing, she doesn’t want anyone to know she was born with a blowhole. Even stranger, she has two love interests. Joel, a fellow dolphin-human hybrid, and Tyler, a human.

It’s hard to choose when a mad scientist is hot on Piper’s trail. Worse, she’s trapped in the Bermuda Triangle. And . . . wait for it . . . Angel, her test-tube daughter, is apparently a real-deal reincarnation. It all adds up to an impossible situation, with happy endings all but lost at sea. Unless, of course, a voodoo high priestess casts a spell or two . . . http://www.ekensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/32232

A-Z: Inbreeding

Inbreeding is  the mating of animals that are closely related, mother and son, sister and brother and is sometimes used to get desired characteristics in a particular breed. When the animals are related but not as closely, i.e. cousins or half sibs, this is considered line breeding. Inbreeding occurs not only in the pedigree world but in small, feral colonies as well, and is responsible for many genetic healthy issues, including the breathing problems of Persians. 

A-Z: Himalayan

This is one of my favorite breeds. They are gentle and social. Himmies are a cross between Siamese and Persians.  From the Persians they receive their sweet temperament and long hair. From the Siamese their blue eyes and points. Himmies are the only Persians with points. These points are the darker colors on the tips of their fur and come in flame, lilac, chocolate and seal colors.
They do need some upkeep. Unless you plan on lion cuts, Himmies need constant grooming and their eyes washed daily.
Himalayans have short heads and flat faces, and prone to hairballs. On the plus side, they are  wonderful with children and good with other cats. If you don't mind the maintenance, they're a great pet.
Interested? Check out petfinder.com or your local rescue or shelter.
Jo Bu, who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge

A-Z: Goofy Cats

My sister is hiding behind one of those mustaches. Figured out which one?