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| Toebee's Paws |
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"Why We Love Polys"
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| Furkats Toebee P |
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In a perfect world, all cats would be polydactyl. Besides being wonderful to look at, those extra toes function as thumbs and a poly cat will often use them much as humans do. One of my Maine Coons, Furkats Tobia P (a/k/a Toebee), has learned to use her "thumbs" in her predatory pursuits. Tobia has the unique ability of being able to catch a fly in mid-flight. She will snatch it either with one paw or sometimes with both paws using her extra toes to ensnare it. The poor fly is doomed. Afterwards, she'll hold her paw palm side up, toes closed tightly in a fist, with the fly trapped inside while deciding what she'll do with it - quite amazing and comical. Her brother, Furkats Lefty P, is a "southpaw" poly and while not quite as dexterous as his sister in the art of fly catching, whatever lands in or under his left paw is there for the duration.
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| Furkats Lefty P |
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Maine Coons are the most beautiful and endearing of felines, but when you have two of them, as I do, who are polydactyl, well, they are just totally winsome, delightful and beyond irresistible.
Roe, New York City
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Why I Love Polys - and especially why I love "Furkats Ali'i Kahuna P. Huli hana" or just plain, "Huli"
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| Huli & his short haired friend |
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Let me count the ways...yes, there are at least 24 very good reasons on my poly boy for why I love him to pieces. Those multiple and very capable toes seem to have a direct line of functioning with an especially inquisitive cat brain. Before getting Huli, when people asked us if we'd "poly-proofed" our house, all we did was wonder why they asked. After all, we'd had cats for years. I grew up with cats. I KNOW cats (I thought). HAH! While I'd seen & admired some big black polydactyl cats up in New Hampshire when I was growing up, and have loved a DSH rescue polydactyl girl for nearly 20 years now, I'd never lived with a poly Coon. I remain in constant amazement over the things that can be opened seemingly for the sheer enjoyment of opening them, the lights that can be turned on, and the remarkable arm strength that accompanies the "I wants" from Huli. His outstretched paw is as big as my whole palm - how cool is that?! - and is big enough that he generally gets whatever he's after with one giant, gripping scoop. His best buddy is a little Devon Rex half his weight, and when Huli holds onto Disney with those big mittens, there is no escape. The game of mouse-catch means catch the mousie high in the air with those paws...and just try to pry it out. The list goes on and on, with as much sweetness as there are toes in my big Huli cat. Poly Coons Rule!
Penelope Hunter
Portland, Oregon
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