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"NEWTON" is our Norwegian Forest Cat, who has a
very loving and gentle disposition...I have never seen a cat go
so limp when you pick him up.
I really never understood why they called them "Forest Cats"
until now... Newton climbs trees 25 feet PLUS, trying to catch
squirrels, and hangs out on the roof of our house teasing a couple
of Canadian Geese that often visit. He also loves to play in our
creek, he uses his big mitts, (other cats have paws) and tries
to catch little minnows, (fish) and then he will come in wet to
his ears, whining and looking for someone to help him dry off.
Newton plays so hard, he's almost unconscious when he sleeps at
night.
The Norwegian Forest cat is an ancient breed of cat which originates
in Norway over 500 years ago. Some people believe the breed is
1,000 to 2,000 years old. The Wegie, or Norsk Skogkatt , (as it
is called in Norway) is a direct descendent of the fairy-cats
mentioned in Norse Mythology. These cats were described as being
very large with long, bushy tails.
For example, in the myth, "The Death of Balder", Freya,
the goddess of love and fertility, drove a carriage pulled by
Wegies to Balder's funeral. And in the myth "Thor's Journey
to Utgard", Thor fails to lift Jormungand, disguised as a
Wegie, completely off the floor, as thus is defeated in a contest
of strength.
Maine Coon Norwegian Forest Cat
Head wedge shaped with triangular
square muzzle
Profile gentle curve straight
Eyes large,wide open almond shaped
Body long,rectangular medium length, square appearance
Legs med. in length long,bushy, as long as the body
Tail long and flowing, long and bushy, as long as body
as long as body
Coat silky, shaggy uneven, distinctive double coat, long
coat a slight undercoat guard hairs covering a woolly
undercoat
Ruff moderate frontal ruff when mature a profuse ruff
develops around neck develops around the neck
Size up to 20 lbs up to 15 lbs
Wegies have a loving, gentle disposition. They get along with
children and other animals. Wegies want and need to be with humans,
though not necessarily on their lap. They are very curious as
well as fearless hunters, so they must be shown what "prey"
is acceptable in the household. Wegies love to climb, turn knobs
and flip latches. They are very vocal animals, and have a wide-range
of vocal expression. They have sound to indicate displeasure,
hunger, frustration, fear excitement, and the need for social
contact. The sounds they make are soft and generally do not irritate
humans.PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society)
PAWS Wild Life Center
YAHOO Pet Page
Electronic Zoo
All Creatures Great and Small
Animal
Lovers Gift Shop
Recommened Book Reading: ordering information at amazon.com
The Cats of Our Lives by Franklin Dohanyos (contains a short story about our cat "Newton")
The Allure of the Cat by Richard H. Gebhardt, John Bannon, Tetsu Yamazaki
Legacy of the Cat : The Ultimate Illustrated Guide by Gloria Stephens, Tetsu Yamazaki
Breeding Purebred Cats by Anne Moore
The Complete Cat Book by Richard H. Gebhardt
The Tribe of Tiger : Cats and Their Culture by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
Help! : The Quick Guide to First Aid for Your Cat by Michelle Bamberger
Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland
