Q&A session with Lucinda King
How many animals are in your family?
8 = 5 cats and 3 children!!
How did you arrive at your cat's pet name?
Digit means finger or toe and since he has extra toes it just felt right.
Are there any special reasons why you specifically selected your poly
and why are these important to you?
Digit’s mum Missy was pregnant when she came from New Zealand to Sheila of Indys. I went with Sheila to Heathrow airport to pick up Missy when she arrived. We had a fabulous trip and were so excited as Missy was to be the only active MC poly here at that time. (You can read more about that trip in the MCPI ezine).
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When the kittens were born, I visited them when they were still very little and fell in love with Digit. However, Sheila already had a waiting list and he was promised to someone else. During the first 12 weeks of his life, I visited often even though it is quite a trip. I would have driven all day to see those kittens. Then at the last minute, the person who was to have him dropped out. Sheila immediately offered him to me and I was over there at the first opportunity! |
Can you tell us a little bit about your poly's toe configuration?
Digit has the mitten paw which means he has a thumb though not quite fully opposable, it is pretty close! He has 7 toes on one front foot, 6 on the other and the standard amount on the back, so he has 21 toes altogether. |
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What do you like about having a polydactyl cat?
To be honest, they are no different from a standard foot cat other than the fact that they have HUGE feet, so they have more to love.
Are there many Maine Coon polydactyl cats in your country or area of
your country?
Whilst there are many poly cats in the United Kingdom, there are only two Maine Coon poly breeders to date. One of those breeders has had sanctions imposed from the two MC cat clubs just for simply breeding the polys, but we keep trying to educate the public, and that is why it is fantastic that we have an organisation like MCPI promoting these lovely cats.
What kind of reaction do you get from people about having a Maine Coon
polydactyl cat?
Most people really don’t notice. However, one of my son’s friends was visiting a couple of weeks ago and mid sentence suddenly noticed Digit and said, “Wow!” as his eyes followed our poly out of the room. “Did I just see what I thought I saw?” he asked.
I dutifully went off to get Digit, picked him up and proudly presented his paws. “Man they are way cool,” he exclaimed.
Dan, our son, said, “Yes they are very handy he can do all sorts of things with them.”
“Like what?” asked Mark.
“Well I dunno pick up pens and stuff,” answered Dan.
“Yes and I am teaching him to write his name,” I said. “We have just got him forming the capital D, but it’s taking ages.” He actually believed me until Dan could contain his laughter no more!
What are your favourite characteristics about your cat?
His feet! I love the way he puts the outer part of his foot down first and then lays the poly part down. It almost looks like he is showing his extra toes with every step.
What is the cutest, or funniest, or smartest thing your cat does with
its poly paws?
He picks up pens -- it looks so cool and I swear one day he is going to write his own name!
How would you describe your poly's personality?
Digit is fiercely independent, only open to cuddles on his terms, and when he decides on a cuddle you have no choice in the matter. He wakes me up almost every morning with his cries for attention. I am sure he is saying, “Come on rise and shine! I want your attention now -- you have slept long enough!”
"Digit"
You can visit Digit by clicking here
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