The Chausie: Wild, Wonderful And...Familiar

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

02 May 2006 01:48 AM

Imagine my surprise while researching exotic breeds of cats to find one that is the spitting image of a feline that is living in my very own house! I don't mean resembles or seems a lot like; I mean spitting image and duplicate coloring as well as body type and personality! Unfortunately, my attempts to scan a picture of our beloved Sam O. Vahr (Sammo to his friends and fans), did not work because the background in the photo and the cat are too dark.

Yes, Sam O. Vahr looks just like this large, heavy-boned creature with a full broad chest and moderately long legs. He is all black as is the champion Chausie indicated in the photo. Like this handsome fellow, he is pure black with virtually no markings whatsoever. (That is unusual, as I have had several black cats over the years and there has always a been a marking or small patch of white somewhere along the chin or tummy.) Our dear fellow had a life of tragedy before we found him, as he had been an abused street cat in New York City. Thugs (nice word) had taken a wire and wrapped it around his tail. The ensuing infection caused it to be amputated.

The Chausie is a fascinating breed, although The Cat Fanciers' Association does not recognize it. It is accepted by the TICA and is the result of breeding a domestic cat with a Jungle cat (Felis chaus). First-generation Chausies area always sterile and their long legs and lean bodies make them very active and athletic cats. They are deeply devoted and attached to their owners and do not integrate well with other cats in a household. They need much attention and play time from owners and objects and are not for everyone, especially a home with small children.

Whether our fine fellow is among the Chausies will probably never be clearly established. We love him no matter what he is or isn't. Still, from now on I will watch him very carefully whenever the MGM lion appears across our silver screen. If he shows any sign of recognition or kinship, maybe then I will know the truth.

Do YOU have such a cat? Please share your experience.

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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