Magnificent

The tabby cat

I've been caring for an old-timer, a distinguished 'ol tabby cat named Cortez. He prefers to be spoken to on his level so much of my time was spent sitting on the floor or deck.

He wasn't much of a talker...much preferred to listen. But he stayed while I rambled...he had good manners.
I told him that the Tabby Cat was not a breed but actually more a pattern. That many pedigreed cats carry the tabby stripes. The gene for tabby pattern can be found in all domestic cats.  The most distinctive feature seen in common on all tabby patterned cats is the M on the forehead. This got his interest and he moved his head into the sun to show me his M proudly.  I told him there are many 'tales' of why the cat had the M on the forehead. One goes as far back as the story of the cat in the manger. A tabby cat sat in the manger when the baby Jesus was born and seeing the baby was fussing, he cuddled up closer to keep the baby warm. Mary was so pleased that she placed the initial M on it's forehead. A wonderful legend indeed.

I told Cortez that I thought the M stood for Magnificent. He agreed and began to purr.


I'm joining Diane at http://dianaevans.blogspot.ca/ for Sweet Saturday and http://camera-critters.blogspot.ca/2012/04/camera-critters-210.html for Camera Critters.


hugs, Deb