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I thought today I’d introduce you to the latest addition to the household, ‘Harlequin’. Or ‘Harley’ when she’s only wearing her second best tiara.
The image above is Harley after she has just shredded the contents of my waste paper basket – you may note that the rug is tightly covered in a thick protective coating of dog hair….
Harley and I met a few weeks ago. I was out and about, looking to buy paint for the mosquito breeding ground that masquerades as my swimming pool (Summer was hoving into view and when the temperature here hits 105 degrees and more, it’s not fun).
I couldn’t find the shop I was looking for and while wandering the back alleys looking for it, I came across this little scrap of fur, abandoned and all alone.
Everyone is entitled to a vice. Mine is that I’m a serial dog-rescuer. But I’m open to cute little kittens too. So guess who came home with me, nestled on the passenger seat in an old towel next to the tins of paint.
In fact, it’s the first time I’ve had a kitten, so I’m a bit vague about just how old she was, but my best guess is about four weeks, certainly way too young to be fending for herself in the back streets of Spain….
Now the choice of name, ‘Harlequin’, I think speaks for itself – the ‘two-faces’. But the general name for these colourful characters is ‘chimera cat’. They are the result of an accident of genetics when, while still in the womb, very early on, two embryos merge to form a single individual.
Probably the most famous chimera cat is ‘Venus’, who is part ginger (usually only found in male cats) and part black. She even has different coloured eyes. Venus even has her own Facebook Page.
Anyway, back to Harley, she’s taken me on as ‘Mum’ and, God-Save-Me, is also a retriever cat (I’ve never yet had a successful dog retriever, but there you go). I throw little rolled up balls of paper and she brings them back for me to throw again. I’ll catch it on video sometime to show you.
If you have a chimera cat (or other chimera animal) of your own, send me a pic – I’d love to see it.
All the Best,
Simone
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Simone, I have never heard of chimera animals before reading your comment. I don’t know if that’s a European term or different from the tortoiseshell which is a variation of calico coloration and are almost always female. I am looking on Google right now and will comment again if I find anything. Anyway thank you for saving Harley!
Hi – no… it’s not just a different word for a tortoiseshell 🙂
I grew up with Boxers and St Bernard’s. When I got married my husband had cats so I learned to love the little furry creatures. Where we live is conducive to animal dumping and so we’ve had some really interesting animals and we love them all. Either they stay with us or we find them a home and yes they are the most loving because they have been disposed of. Find yourself a laser pointer and see what Harley thinks of it and tie some old ribbons together and let her chase after the end. We had a cat that would turn light switches on or off when we pointed the laser pointer on it! Gotta Love Gods creatures.
A laser pointer! What a great idea. I’ll get one 🙂
They also have little mice some that move on their own & some with cat nip on them(although you can always fond cat nip)some in bubbles,sprays,dried/fresh. See what Harley thinks. 😊
Now there’s a great idea – cat-nipped paper balls….
Love it!
Harley is gorgeous and love the retrieving!
When my son was in 3rd grade, I let him get a cat from the Humane Society. He wanted a kitten because his best friend had just gotten one. I told him that the kittens get picked first, and maybe he should consider an older cat. I was thinking like a year or two older. My son picks the ten year old rescue cat, Kelly because she wormed her way into his heart when he held her. Wherever my son slept either in the loft or on the couch, Kelly was right next to him for 6 years.
That’s great. And I couldn’t agree more. whenever I’ve taken dogs from the rescue centres, I always made a point of taking one who, for some reason or other, would have a problem being re-homed: age, scared, mistreated – one had been used by a paeodophile as a lure for kids. The young pretty ones will always find homes. It’s the old, ordinary scared ones that really need us.
Absolutely precious! Hubby and I have always had a soft spot for strays as well. Every animal (cat and dog varieties anyway) were found by us or someone who brought them to us! Each one holds a special place in my heart ♥️
They do indeed kinda sneak up on you don’t they. Love ’em all 🙂