The Norwegian Forest Cat

Cat of the Month ~ February 2010

A Norwegian Forest Cat

Norwegian Forest Cat

Norwegian Forest Cats (Skogkatt) are well known for their bright emerald green eyes, long fluffy coats and adoring nature….but where the cats originate from and how they developed their long wild coats is still a mystery?

There are many myths and folk tales that explore the development of this unique cat breed. The most likely story is that Forest Cats descended from domestic cats and arrived in Norway from Europe with the Romans. Further back in time it is also thought they travelled with the Vikings to help rid the longboats of rodents.

It’s likely their long coats developed over the centuries to withstand the cold nights and harsh weather conditions in Norway where they evolved into cats with great survival instincts with water-resistant fur.

For more details try — https://www.norsvana.co.uk. One of many sites which give more details of this beautiful breed.

Cats Sleep Anywhere

Cats sleep anywhere

Cats sleep anywhere

Any table

any chair

Top of piano

Window ledge

In the middle

on the edge

Open drawer

Empty shoe

Any body’s

lap will do

Fitted in a cardboard box

in the cupboard with your frocks

Anywhere, They don’t care

Cats sleep Anywhere.

‘Cats’ by Eleanor Farjeon

norman cat asleep

Moggy Norman ~ Anybody’s lap will do

Eleanor Farjeon

Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965) was a British author of children’s stories and plays, poetry, biography, history and satire. Many of her works were illustrated by Edward Ardizzone. She lived much of her life among the literary and theatrical circles of London, and her friends included D. H. Lawrence, Walter de la Mare and Robert Frost. For several years she had a close friendship with the poet Edward Thomas and his wife. Edward Thomas: The Last Four Years is an account of their relationship. She won many literary awards and the prestigious Eleanor Farjeon Award for children’s literature is presented annually in her memory by the Children’s Book Circle.

From the Faber books website
norman cat asleep

fast asleep on a sunny window ledge

Cat Chat

Cat Chat! We just can’t resist the cute purr chatting of these two kittens. It’s infectious!

A fascinating video from the YoutTube stable.

The one on the right is the spit of kitten Norman.

Seasons Greetings from Norman

Norman at Xmas

Merry Christmas folks!

Well it’s dull and rainy out, and was a bit blowy too earlier, but we’re all set here for the snow which is sure to fall soon….

….and I smell the pine, from that tree behind me, and the mince pie mix, which’ll be cooking again at the weekend no doubt.

Now these pies are not for me, as I’m not at all that keen on fruit, though will crunch on a bit of pastry if I find some. No, pies, they’ll be for those pesky guests always fussing and picking me up (the little one’s) or ignoring me entirely (a lot of the big one’s)… but this is the cat’s lot it seems…

..but there are perks, as I myself might get a fishy treat or two any day soon….if I behave myself that is….and well, if there’s enough, I might invite a few of the gang around too…but erm, second thoughts… naaah’ there won’t be enough for sure, so we’ll give that a miss then.

That long hair two doors down is a bit too tough for my liking anyway and he’d be stealing all my treats given half a chance. Can’t have that…even at Christmas.

Nevertheless Ed and I are hoping it’ll be good one this year for us for you alike…

…and so here’s wishing you a Happy Christmas (whichever big guy/gal upstairs you might believe in) and we hope you have a great Happy New Year too.

Norman.

helped by Ed of course

Hi from Norman again…

Oi. Wat u lookin at

Ah, Back home again

Well, I’m here again reader, just back from my trot around the patch, and ready to tell some more about what I’m about and where I came from….
Did I tell you I’m four years old and have lived with my owners for exactly one year now. It was such a relief to get out of the cat protection shelter after six months. Those people in there are fabulous, they really try to do a good job of caring for you (you get food and fuss sometimes and all that). My one complaint is there’s no room to move in a little 80 x 200 cm (thats metric) cage. And your joints and bones get stiff, even when you’re young like me. We got about half an hour a day to walk around in a bare yard, you know, no trees or long grass to lie in (and stalk a bird or two). I know its cruel of me but you see it’s all built into my nature, so I can’t help that now can I? o.k. That’s the moan over with, on with the tale…[teaserbreak]

How I ended up in the shelter was a whole heck of a mix up really. Like a tangled ball of wool it was! I had lived in a flat with a nurse but because I was out and about a lot (as we Tom cats like to be…mmm yes) when she moved out I got left behind. Well what a cheek I thought! You’d think she’d have remembered me after all those nights of fuss and purring and licking her hand and all. I’d always been a good cat for her, ate my food, settled down early and caught the odd mouse which I’d leave as a present outside her door, just to show her I was a good un.

Out on my own I began to drift for a bit, picking up scraps here and there and sleeping under sheds and pine trees, but my luck was about to change. A kind lady down the next street left out some cheese for me. I cleaned the plate, and you can bet I went back to that door soon after, for another fill up. Before I knew it I was sitting in front of her gas fire watching the TV. Her kindness seemed to wear off after two weeks though, when she went and had me neutered. After a strange ride in a car it was ow! did that hurt (now for those of you who never heard of this, or what it does – neutering is what stops you wondering around and causing trouble with the lady cats in the neighbourhood). Things got even worse after this as I went into a sulking, skulking mood and began bossing her other two cats around so much they wouldn’t come into a room with me. Ooops, I went and did it again.

So ‘kind lady’ wasn’t so kind after all, although when she packed me off to the home she did put all my toys into a box so that my next owners would be able to play with me. Talking of next owners that’s them now telling me to pack it up for the evening and get into my box. It’s cosy in there but you can’t see much. Much prefer the back shelf, you know the one above the radiator. You can see all kinds of stuff passing through in the moonlight.
Anyway, I’m off there right now so until next time,…
Norm.