Cat Quotes 5

"The smallest feline is a masterpiece."  -  Leonardo da Vinci

MORE CAT FACTS

A cat's alignment of whiskers is as unique as a fingerprint is to humans.  They use their whiskers, all 24 of them, to measure the distance of a space, to see if it is wide enough for them to pass through.

An alert cat will have very erect whiskers.  However, more droopy whiskers will be seen on a cat when relaxing.

American Shorthair Pedigree Cat

A-Z OF CAT BREEDS, WORLDWIDE

American Shorthair

Although they weren't listed on the manifest, American shorthairs are thought to have descended from the cats on the Mayflower which disembarked with the crew in 1620 at Plymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

It is possible that they landed in the United States even earlier on ships carrying settlers to Virginia in the Jamestown colony and maybe with the Spanish explorers landing in Florida.  They might have accompanied the Vikings when landing in Newfoundland, Canada.

Farmers and storeholders needed to protect their food stores from mice and rats.  The Shorthairs were strong cats suited to the wild terrain back then.

They were recognised by The Cat Fanciers Association in 1906.  However, they were shown at the first U.S. cat show in 1895.  In 1896, one brown tabby American Shorthair was offered for sale for $2,500 at the Second Annual Cat Show at Madison Square Garden.  The pedigree cats were given the name American Shorthair in 1966.  Previously they were called Domestic Shorthair.

These cats have solid muscularly built bodies with a large head and chubby cheeks.  A true breed of a working cat with athletic looks, retaining its hunting ability.  They have a large assortment of colours and patterned fur, some of the most popular being silver.  The fur is short and thick, making it easy to groom.  Males, weighing 11 to 15 pounds, are generally larger than the females at 6 to 12 pounds.

Personality wise, the American Shorthair fits in OK with families who have children and cat friendly dogs.  It is a social cat and is unlikely to run away from strangers.

Their lifespan is 15+ years.

LEFT-OVER ROAST CHICKEN PESTO WITH TAGLIATELLE

Bought a large roast chicken and there is plenty leftover?  What to do with it?

1 onion peeled and sliced in half and then into thin slices

The chicken taken off the bone and sliced into pieces

A little olive oil and spoon of butter to fry

Salt and black pepper

Half a tub of crème fraiche

3 tablespoons of green pesto sauce

A small glass of white wine and a splash or two of water

Fresh tagliatelle

Fry the onion in the olive oil and butter for about 5 minutes over a medium heat until golden and soft.  Add the cooked chicken, seasoning, crème fraiche, pesto sauce and stir thoroughly.  Add the white wine and a little water if the sauce is too thick.  Simmer for about 15 minutes to let the flavours combine.

Meanwhile fill a large pan with salted water for the tagliatelle....I add a little oil to the water and use fresh pasta, rather than dry, but it is a personal thing.  Cook according to the instructions on the packet and then drain.

The chicken carcass can be put in a pan with water, seasoning and herbs to make chicken stock.

Cat Quotes 4

"What greater gift than the love of a cat?"  -  Charles Dickens

Cat Quotes 3

OH!
Well I never!
Was there ever
A cat so clever
As Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!   -  T.S. Eliot

Cat Quotes 2

"In ancient times CATS were worshipped as Gods;  they have never forgotten this."

Terry Pratchett

DANGER TO CATS

There are many everyday items which are a danger to cats.  Daffodils, for example.  They should be avoided, as well as the water in a vase.

The pollen stems on lilies can cause kidney failure.

Poinsettias will set off diarrhoea, cramps or even blindness.

Licking anti-freeze could prove to be fatal.

Paracetamol is poisonous to cats.