ABYSSINIANS OF MERIKARE
 
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Arlequino of Merikare
© Salome Krieger

This blue beauty is Arlequino of Merikare at an age of 6 months (these beautiful pictures have been provided by his new owners).
For our enthusiastic eyes this tomcat is a wonderful example for the discreet elegance of blue Abyssinians having cast a spell on us.

Elegance and self-confident beauty is of course a characteristic quality of all Abyssinians. A little sentimental enthusiasm about their character in general (and that of our Abys in particular) may be excusable. They are:

the whole youthful A-gang

  • considerate - pure velvet paws in dealing with humans, of course not always with each other - but even with six action-hungry blue whirlwinds we did not get scratched hands
  • very oriented towards humans , but never pushy - well, no lap sitters and no fans of being carried around, as they love to stay always in control
  • attentive, or should we say, excessively curious- (all you do may be used against you, these cats are very adaptive!)
  • willful and adamant - just try to keep the final say with an Abyssinian ... Don't try to restrain them against their will - even at a tender age they will deploy incredible strengths. Submission is not an option (we love this ferocity!)
  • self-confident, fearless, and brash - not afraid of nothing nor anybody (let's ride on the hoover, let's chase away cat intruders thrice their size, human visitors will be greeted condescendingly at eye level, if possible ...)
  • overwhelmingly and ravishingly gentle and afectionate - if in the mood!
  • very active - great jumping artists, passionate sprinters, and successful insect exterminators - no wonder with those legs...
  • might be continued for some time more ...

Butter would not melt in Arlequino's mouth ...
© Salome Krieger

Then there is this question about their origin. The only thing certain is, Abyssinians are one of the oldest recognized pedigre cats. Their breed standard has not changed since 1882 when it was established in Old England. There are of course some theories about their true origin. Their ancestry may be found at the shores of the Indian Ocean, or with the African swamp- or wildcats. Looking for their roots amongst the sacred temple cats of Old Egypt - this idea seems to us the most probable and most satisfying - considering their inborn majesty ...

This is no swamp cat!
© Salome Krieger

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