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Pure white cat~
- Thread starter plastikpony
- Start Date
I have a Ragdoll, Turkish Angora, Siamese and Domestic and i don't resemble to one of them, well maybe i look like my Domestic
Come, come, Sam. Would you like to be put up on a bench and poked and prodded in your most intimate places by six strangers all weekend?
Those whose homes are graced by the Turkish Van know them to be both lovely and loving. For those who have not met him yet, and of course you have, Sam, here, here, and here are photos of how our lovely Samwise takes to the bench. To extend to our Sam, Sam, the honors to which he has been endowed, his full name is Grand Champion, Grand Premier, Caravanserai Samwise. One does not earn both his GC and GP without showing well.
Samwise has been joined here on the beach by his half-sister, Galadriel (aka "Molly"), who is herself a Grand Champion. Poor Molly had to quickly evacuate her new home with Samwise and the rest of her family just two days after her arrival, thanks to hurricane Rita. She was not even allowed back into her new hometown by the authorities until two weeks had elapsed, basic utilities like water and electricity had been restored, and her home had been repaired.
She became a well-traveled cat all around the state of Texas in her efforts to keep ahead of Rita, but she is now back home, frustrated as the seagulls taunt her while she sits on her perch at a window overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Nice chatting with you again, Sam. As I am sure you knew already, we do love our Vans.
Now those Persians....
Keep well way down there, Sam.
Luv,
Ann
BeachBum - what beautiful cats you have!
Thanks for the compliment. But none of mine can stand up for looks against some of these gorgeous angoras and Turkish Vans. Not that I would swap one of them!
Sam,
I forgot to mention something about Galadriel, Samwise's half-sister, who recently joined us on the beach.
She has a very close connection to you, Sam. The Galadriel after whom our "Molly" was named was the lovely elf Queen of Power and Wisdom who assisted the Fellowship in "The Lord of the Rings." You can read more about her here.
Galadriel, as I am sure you know, was played in the movie by Cate Blanchette. Both you and Cate are lovely ladies from lovely nations "down under." Indeed, the movie itself was largely filmed in your homeland. Jim says that while our Galadriel is lovely, he is not sure that she quite comes up to the standards of Cate Blanchette.
Our Galadriel came to the beach bearing a gift for Samwise, "a box with a G rune upon the lid, wherein was earth from Galadriel's orchard and a Mallorn nut." Samwise greeted her happily with loud-sounding purrs, as he has always loved her dearly.
"The Lady of Lórien! Galadriel!" cried Sam. "You should see her, indeed you should, sir. I am only a hobbit, and gardening's my job at home, sir, if you understand me, and I'm not much good at poetry - not at making it: a bit of comic rhyme, perhaps, now and again, you know, but not real poetry - so I can't tell you what I mean. It ought to be sung. You'd have to get Strider, Aragorn that is, or old Mr Bilbo, for that. But I wish I could make a song about her. Beautiful she is, sir! Lovely! Sometimes like a great tree in flower, sometimes like a white daffadowndilly, small and slender like. Hard as di'monds, soft as moonlight. Warm as sunlight, cold as frost in the stars. Proud and far-off as a snow-mountain, and as merry as any lass I ever saw with daisies in her hair in springtime. But that's a lot o' nonsense, and all wide of my mark." LotR, Book IV, Chapter V - "The Window on the West"
Our Samwise and Galadriel romp and play together, and often, it must be said, get in trouble together, but even then Jim and I ache with laughter. Here as we head for our morning coffee we find that they have upset their toybox and are commencing to scatter their toys around the entire house.
All the very best, Sam,
Ann
I forgot to mention something about Galadriel, Samwise's half-sister, who recently joined us on the beach.
She has a very close connection to you, Sam. The Galadriel after whom our "Molly" was named was the lovely elf Queen of Power and Wisdom who assisted the Fellowship in "The Lord of the Rings." You can read more about her here.
Galadriel, as I am sure you know, was played in the movie by Cate Blanchette. Both you and Cate are lovely ladies from lovely nations "down under." Indeed, the movie itself was largely filmed in your homeland. Jim says that while our Galadriel is lovely, he is not sure that she quite comes up to the standards of Cate Blanchette.
Our Galadriel came to the beach bearing a gift for Samwise, "a box with a G rune upon the lid, wherein was earth from Galadriel's orchard and a Mallorn nut." Samwise greeted her happily with loud-sounding purrs, as he has always loved her dearly.
"The Lady of Lórien! Galadriel!" cried Sam. "You should see her, indeed you should, sir. I am only a hobbit, and gardening's my job at home, sir, if you understand me, and I'm not much good at poetry - not at making it: a bit of comic rhyme, perhaps, now and again, you know, but not real poetry - so I can't tell you what I mean. It ought to be sung. You'd have to get Strider, Aragorn that is, or old Mr Bilbo, for that. But I wish I could make a song about her. Beautiful she is, sir! Lovely! Sometimes like a great tree in flower, sometimes like a white daffadowndilly, small and slender like. Hard as di'monds, soft as moonlight. Warm as sunlight, cold as frost in the stars. Proud and far-off as a snow-mountain, and as merry as any lass I ever saw with daisies in her hair in springtime. But that's a lot o' nonsense, and all wide of my mark." LotR, Book IV, Chapter V - "The Window on the West"
Our Samwise and Galadriel romp and play together, and often, it must be said, get in trouble together, but even then Jim and I ache with laughter. Here as we head for our morning coffee we find that they have upset their toybox and are commencing to scatter their toys around the entire house.
All the very best, Sam,
Ann
Sorry Ann. I totally forgot about my name sake. I should have said Turkish Vans I have met in person! Of course ole' Samwise absolutely loves the bench!
Nice to hear from you too!
Love to you and Jim,
Sam
Oh Ann, how interesting!
Thanks also for the link to the photo - they most definitly are busted!!
Sam
Thanks also for the link to the photo - they most definitly are busted!!
Sam
I think my cat might have quite a bit turkish van in her. She's obviously not full though. The problem with reading the cat handbook is that the more I find out about different breeds the more breeds I'd like to adopt. lol Turkish Van has just been added to a list along with Siamese and maybe even Sphynx (depending on where I move to).
I strongly doubt your kitty has turkish in her (Popcorn) - a lot of people think their cats do if they have similar markings but I doubt there would be a lot of Turkish van Crosses out there
Cherriey,
As our long-time buddy Sam says, it is unlikely that Popcorn shares a Turkish Van heritage, but it is remotely possible. We tend to doubt it after studying Popcorn's attractve photo in your siggy, and Turkish Van breeders may be particularly cautious about protecting the integrity of the breed.
As an example of this, we were unable to take delivery of our Samwise and Galadriel until after they had been neutered and we had been interviewed and approved by the breeder as being likely loving and caring owners who could be expected to give them a good home. We had to contractually agree to return them to the breeder should we ever decide for whatever reason that they could not stay with us or with someone else approved by the breeder or should one or both of them outlive us. These are not uncommon well-meaning demands of trustworthy breeders devoted to the continuity of their particular breed and their well-being.
We wish you the very best of luck as you search for what, for you, will be "the perfect cat," and we do hope you do not forget about the Turkish Van. You might find this article to be of interest in learning more about this fascinating breed. This article describes the appearance and characteristics of Samwise and Galadriel absolutely perfectly. On the left margin of this web site you will find links to other breeds in which you may also be interested.
We might in particular point out to you the discussion about the word "van," and its origin in catdom. Many cats, of whatever breed, may have a "van" pattern, as indeed might Popcorn, and we are certain that our mutual friend Sam "Down Under" knows well the charming "Persian Van." But Persian Van is not a distinct breed -- a Persian Van is a Persian with a van pattern. But there is only one "Turkish Van," a true distinct breed, originating in the vicinity of Lake Van, hence the word "Van." The misuse of this word leads us and other devotees of the breed to resist referring to the breed as "Vans," and we always precede the word with "Turkish."
All the very best, from a lovely day on a Texas beach.
Jim and Ann
Absolutely right!
Originally Posted by Beach Bum
We might in particular point out to you the discussion about the word "van," and its origin in catdom. Many cats, of whatever breed, may have a "van" pattern, as indeed might Popcorn, and we are certain that our mutual friend Sam "Down Under" knows well the charming "Persian Van." But Persian Van is not a distinct breed -- a Persian Van is a Persian with a van pattern. But there is only one "Turkish Van," a true distinct breed, originating in the vicinity of Lake Van, hence the word "Van." The misuse of this word leads us and other devotees of the breed to resist referring to the breed as "Vans," and we always precede the word with "Turkish."
My white kitty displays the van patterning as do many cats. Its a genetic expression of color. The Turkish Van all display this expression but so do many many other cats because it might even be a dominant trait (not entirely sure on that).
Oh how I wish it was a genetic trait!! Harlequins (we don't call them vans in NZ) are the most wanted thing over here! It's so hard to breed them though.
It is genetic. Maybe I was wrong though, maybe its recessive if its difficult. Isn't harlequin slightly different than van? Something to do with spotting on the side maybe..not really sure just remember reading something...
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that I automatically assumed that any cat having the Van pattern was automatically a Turkish Van. It's just I've been reading up on them and she seems to have a lot of their personality, her fur is... sort of longish and the Turkish Van's faces remind me a lot of my cat. I was just noticing similarities and wondering if there could be some Turkish in her background somewhere. They sound like awesome cats! lol Actually I've added them to my 'I wish I had a cat from that breed' list! Is it true that they'll swim readily enough?
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What do you define as a purebred white cat? I have a "purebred" white cat. She is a purebred domestic short hair.
I just had to show off her picture! Some other people got to post pictures, so I did, too!
I hope you find the cat you are looking for. I don't really know anything about well bred cats. That's what I am here for, to learn!
Sorry I do mean recessive.
No what you consider the Van pattern in the United States is what we call the Harlequin pattern here in NZ. I voted in a recent vote saying we change the name to van for good but I was about the only one in 40 that voted for the change! LOL!
No what you consider the Van pattern in the United States is what we call the Harlequin pattern here in NZ. I voted in a recent vote saying we change the name to van for good but I was about the only one in 40 that voted for the change! LOL!
I must sincerely aologize, Cherriey, as I did not mean to suggest that assumption. My note is unfortunately easily read that way, but it was just a result of typing off the top of my head too fast. My fingers get ahead of my brain. I suspect that after 70 years my brain is slowing down faster than are my fingers.
After observing our two critters and discussions with others obsessed by the breed at cat shows and on the 'Net, we have decided that the answer to your question about swimming is "Yes and No." That is, some Turkish Vans do like to swim; others do not. It appears to be the general consensus that of all the breeds, the Turkish Van is possibly the one most likely to like to swim. Here is a famous photo of Matabiru Lady MacBeth enjoying a dip. In the wild Turkish Vans were observed to swim in Lake Van and nearby streams catching fish as part of their natural diet.
There is a fun myth about Turkish Vans, which I will jump at the chance to share with you.
Lake Van is located not too very far from Mount Ararat. As you know, Mount Ararat is reputed to be the place where Noah's ark came ashore. All the animals had been cooped up together on the ark for a very long time, and the ark had become a rather smelly unpleasant place to be. When the peak of Mount Ararat loomed up on the horizon two little white cats with big red tails and spots of red on their heads, a little boy and a little girl, decided "we're out of here," jumped over the side, and swam ashore to Mount Ararat -- the first animals to leave the ark. The little boy and the little girl were the first mom and dad of what became the Turkish Van breed, as as the flood continued to recede they and their progeny made their home at nearby Lake Van, where they continued to swim happily forever more, becoming known to this day as "The Swimming Cat."
And that's the truth.
(My apologies to those readers to whom I have related this tale before).
In the case of Samwise and Molly, I am afraid that to them the sight of water in the bathtub means a bath is coming, and that is not their most favorite thing. Back in their showcat days they got the standard patented 32-step Turkish Van bath before each show, another story in itself. This was often weekly, and was not their most pleasant experience. It could well be, however, that if they were given the opportunity to swim in a pool or such they might be right at home. We hesitate to give this a try, as they cannot be trusted to not romp off into the countryside, and where we live there are bobcats and coyotes wandering about, resulting in an absence of feral cats.
All the very best from down here on a lovely day in Texas. We hope you will drop us a note when you find your "perfect cat."
Jim, along with Ann, Samwise, Molly and Miss Kitty
