My name is Fancy and I am a traditional Persian cat.
Photo of Fancy
the Persian Cat provided by Wiki Commons
It's a beautiful day at the cat colony.
I am a socialized, traditional Persian cat. My ancestors were imported from Persia and arrived in Italy sometime during the 1600's. Since then my relatives have been adopted all over the world.
Ships carried cats to every part of the world. Photo by Wiki Commons
Cats of all breeds were carried by ship to far away places like North America and Australia. Sometimes we worked as mousers aboard the ships, but usually we were transported in cages. I am sure the weakest cats died during the voyage, as did humans. Travel back in the old days was not easy.
Nine Persian
cats lounge on a bed - photo from Wiki Commons.
Today's cats travel on airplanes in padded carriers with velvet cushions. They even get pills to help them sleep through the flight.
I went on a plane when I was a teenager, around six months old. My family moved from New York City to Atlanta, Georgia. We lived north of the city in a small town called Marietta. The summer I turned one, we went to visit the mountains. That was the last time I ever saw my original human family.
A white Persian cat - photo by Wiki Commons
I remember rushing out the door to have a look at the wildlife. Birds were chirping nearby and a fat ground hog was sitting on a log. Then I saw a squirrel. I chased that squirrel from tree to tree until he finally got away from me.
Darkness came quickly in the deep woods and I was not sure which way to go. I was lost in the Chattahoochee Forest!
The next morning I found a house with people but they were not nice humans. They put me in a pen next to a bunch of barking dogs. I was terrified. They didn't even give me water until hours later!
The next day, one of the children came to see me. The little boy poked me with a stick and laughed about it when I hissed at him. When he opened the door, I ran as fast as I could back into the forest.
White cat in the woods - photo provided by Wiki Commons
One day, I found another house. Since I was so thirsty, I decided to stick around and see what I could find to drink. A birdbath provided me with plenty of water, and there was an old woman that gave me some tuna. I believe it was the best meal I have ever had.
The woman coaxed me indoors and tried to pet me. Of course, by then I was skittish and afraid of humans. I was starting to become un-socialized. Just so happens, she was on the move, too.
Since the nice woman couldn't keep me, she took me to see if I was micro-chipped. Nope, no micro-chip!
So she found Jan and Tony. I am glad she introduced me to the farmers. Living with them is a lot better than roaming alone in the wilderness.
Modern white Persian with flat nose - photo by Wiki Commons
Modern day Persian cats are long-haired with wide faces and short snouts. The modern Persians have been selectively bred to have a flat face which results in breathing problems and tear duct issues. Why would mankind want to change our natural looks? Don't you think the traditional Persians look just as pretty? I sure do! Healthy cats are happy cats, and it is horrible not to be able to breathe properly.
Persian cats with multi-colored coats - photo provided by Wiki Commons
Like all cats, Persians like to be pampered and treated like royalty. So why do I choose to live in a cat colony?
Actually, I live on the farm where there happens to be a large feral cat colony. I am free to come and go as I please, but I can also cozy up to my humans if I want loving attention. I think this is the best life for me.
Of course, Jan and Tony offered to let me be their house cat. They fixed me a litter box and gave me toys, but that life was not for me. I could never be a house cat again. I sat in the kitchen window and begged to go out. I scratched at the screen door until my toes bled. They finally relented and let me be an indoor outdoor cat.
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I love to run free in the meadows, catch mice, and play with the feral cats. When I get cockleburs or beggar lice, I run to Jan. She carefully removes the burrs, brushes my coat, and gives me a treat. At night, I go indoors to sleep on my soft chair. I never go hungry, I get regular medical care, and I am very happy. My life is purrrrrfect.
Painting of cats titled My Wife's Lovers - photo provided by Wiki Commons
Persian cats have long hair in a variety of colors. White, silver, gray, black, yellow, and a mix of markings make each one of us unique. Since Persians have long hair, brushing can help keep our mats under control. If you start brushing your Persian at a young age, she will learn to enjoy the process.
Some Persians benefit from having their hind legs shaved. This makes using a litter box much easier.
Persians are one of the top five cat breeds in the USA. I think they are number one!
Thanks for reading my blog post,
Fancy
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_cat
https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/what-you-need-know-bringing-home-persian-cat
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