www.free-pet-wallpapers.comThere is some conflict on whether polys are considered a breed or not. Since the extra toe is a genetic mutation, some breeders consider it a flaw. Some breeders, especially Maine Coon breeders,recognize the polydactyl.
Back in the day, Polydactyls were very popular on ships. Those large paws helped them earn their keep as mousers. In fact, it was a ship captain that gave Hemingway his first polydactyl. The actual Hemingway cats, rather the descendants of the Hemingway cats, reside in Key West at Hemingway's former home. He left instructions in his will for his cats to be cared for. Their progeny, approximately sixty in number, can still be seen today at the Hemingway Museum.
Before they became popular with ship captains, they were often associated with witches and killed.
Their unique paws allow these cats to perform feats other cats only do in their dreams: open latches, catch things with one paw, etc.
If one parent of a litter is polydactyl, half the kittens will be polydactyl as well.
The only health issues that these kitties have that I'm aware of is that the extra claw can become ingrown and needs to be kept clipped.
Any Poly owners out there?
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Shardai is a large sleek cat with attitude. He has the courage of a tiger and the disdain of a king. The fearless feline has only one weakness...his guardian. He would do anything for her, even come back from the afterlife.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/45570
E Book $0.99
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Thanks Paul and Tami. This is a hoot.
15 comments:
What has to be the BEST advert currently running on British TV is one for a particular brand of MILK which stars "cats with opposable thumbs" - the point being that the LACK of an opposable thumb is the ONLY thing preventing cats taking over the world.
Can't find a link, but if anyone can 'stream' commercial TV from the UK the advert is for Moordale milk ...
I love it. Thanks, Paul. I'll have to track that down.
Oops! Make that "Cravendale", not Moordale!!
My cat Booby is polydactyl. I always know when she is approaching the bed at night because her extra nails click on the wood floors. She also paces rather than walks; i.e. legs on each side work in tandem, the front and hind legs on one side moving forward at the same time. This gives her a different gait. Interesting post, thank you. I think I'm going to have to put something in a will to protect my cats, too.
I love the picture of the black cat. My cat isn't a poly, but she's a beauty. All black, fat, with a short tail. Her name is Killer. She's a real sweetheart and afraid of everything, which is why my son named her Killer. I love cats and could talk about them all day. Thanks for the post. If this posts ok through Google you'll see a picture of Killer.
Ah, I once owned a Hemingway dog then. Lovely.
Thanks, Paul, for the correct.
Rhobin, we've got the critters listed in the will, asking the family to take care of them. Its a good idea.
Hi Cara, I love Killer's picture! What a doll baby.
Hey, Julia, I didn't realize dogs had the extra pad but it makes sense if cats do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6CcxJQq1x8 ha ha ha that is great!
We had some ferals that had 7 toes! :) We loved the little babies!
Hey Tam, How are you, bud. Yeah, I love the Hemingways too. Thanks for passing on the clip. Too, too, funny.
That trailer is so cute. I never heard about polydactyl cats. Very interesting.
Hi Mona, How are you? Isn't that funny?
ROFL. Funny clip. That's exactly how they'd act, too.
You bettcha
My cats aren't polydactyl, but I love all cats. One of ours is a grey tiger male who steals food, even off of our kitchen counter! And we have a black female with definite cattitude :).
Most of my books have cats in them. Great post!
Ruth J. Hartman
www.ruthjhartman.blogspot.com
Hey Ruth, Thanks for stopping by.
re: cats in books. Me too:)
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