Full Name: Wackymoon Coon Virgo Clown P
Pet Name: Bailey
D.O.B: 19.July.2006
Country of Residence: Denmark
Colour: Red Tabby
Polydactyl Toe Configuration: 4wd
Breeder: Berit Sørensen
Owner: Dorthe Parsberg Mortensen
Status: Neutered Male
Q&A session with Dorthe Parsberg Mortensen
How did you arrive at Bailey's pet name?
Well. We thought that Virgo Clown was a little difficult
for our kids to pronounce, so at first we tried to find a name that was similar whit this. Before he arrived at our home, we called him Viggo. But when he came home, he was no Viggo at all. We then tried several pet names, but everytime vi said “ Where is Virgo… ahm… Viggo” – “Hi Virgo… ahm… Vilas” – “Have you seen Virgo… ahm… Cuba“ . By his looks, we thought a lot of finding a royal name – maybe something from Egypt or Afrika. But we didn´t find any name we all liked. (We are six in our family).
One evening my husband and I took a Baileys liqueur to our coffee, and then I said; “What about calling him Bailey??”
I have to say, I don´t enjoy liquor that much, but I do enjoy Baileys creme liqueur; soft, sweet, and strong at the same time. And - what Baileys liqueur does to my mouth – our cat Bailey does to my soul! :O)
From that day - Virgo… ahm – was gone, and the right name was found.
And still… sometimes I don´t find the name Bailey quite “enough” – not gracious enough, not noble enough, not cute enough – hm… just not quite enough . But so far Bailey is the name – among all his other nick-names
Are there any special reasons why you specifically selected him and why are these important to you ?
Before we got Bailey we had 3 maine coons… and of course we had to have one more :O) My husband had seen a polydactyl maine coon at the internet, and hereby got an interest in getting one himself. By searching around, we ended up at Wackymoon coon and their polycat First Love aka Flirt. He was simply so lovely and we were both impressed by him. To our luck, Berit at Wackymoon coon had some poly kittens available. At first we had 2 kittens from Berit and 2 kitten from her sister Merete to chose between . One of them was a brother of Bailey. We didn´t took a slightest look at Bailey – he was reserved at the time, and therefore… no reason to fall in love with the “wrong” cat. ;O) We fell for Baileys brother, and were almost certain to buy him.
Because of some problems with one of our other cats, we unfortunately had to tell Berit, that we couldn´t bye a new cat at just that moment, but had to wait for a while. A couple of weeks later we were out of the problems, and returned to Berit to ask if Baileys brother still was available. He wasn´t! BUT… in the meantime Bailey Was available again, and so was a poly kitten from another litter. So - we rushed to Hedehusene to look at these to lovely kittens.
With both kittens in our hands it was difficult to choose only one. But already in the car home – we knew who to pick. Virgo Clown aka Bailey was the one who had made the deepest impression in our minds and in our harts.
Somehow he was gentle and tough at the same time – he had this Egyptian majestic look mixed with the look of a shy innocent little boy.
One of our other cats is red – so actually we didn’t had a red cat i mind for our next buy… but in this case the colour had nothing to say – Bailey was selected because of his personality and because of the lovely nature he expressed
Can you tell us a little bit about Bailey's toe configuration?
Bailey is a 4wd poly. He has 6 toes on his front feet: Thumb, dewclaw and 4 toes. On his hind paws he has 4 toes and a dewclaw.
What do you like about having a polydactyl cat?
First of all – we just love the big paws. And the sight of Bailey skating on all four paws when he is running around the floors. Makes all of us smile (and even laugh).
I can´t tell if all of Baileys parts of his personality is because of him being a poly. But I´m sure to tell – he is not like any of our other four maine coon cats. I´ve never meet such a cozy and comfortable cat as him. He can be carried around like a toy ragdoll. He doesn’t mind how he is laying – doesn’t mind if his head is up or down, or if his is about to slide down from the couch – as long as he is lying, sleeping and/or is being cuddled. He has the most gentle temper
When I think about it… all of our cats were in the first row selected from some specific wants : Breed, colour, gender, and for Baileys sake - the paws. But when it come to the end – in a very short while of time, these things are not the primary cause of why we like having the cats. Every of their temper and specific personalities are the reasons why we love them. So now – the love we for Bailey is because he is the cat he is, and not because of his extra toes. The extra toes are just one extra reason to like and to love him.
Are there many Maine Coon Polydactyl Cats in Denmark?
I’ve never in my life seen or meet a polydactyl cat – before 2005, where we began looking up Main coon cats on the internet. I don’t have any idea of how many Maine Coon Polydactyl Cats there actually are in Denmark – but I’m sure to say… there is to few ;O)
What sort of reaction do you get generally from people in Denmark about having a Maine Coon Polydcatyl Cat?
Well first of all – when it comes to not-catpeople, the first question is if they find the cat (as an animal) charming or not. If the not-catpeople we know don´t find cats that charming, they apparently don’t care if Bailey is poly or not ;O) “Yes yes – I see you have a cat!! Can we go on to another subject !?!?!”
In the small number of breeders and fanciers we know, some just love it, and others wrinkle there nose. My guess is, that 1) it is a question of how you see the polydactyl cats in general… a fault or a natural trait – and 2) The polydactyl cats are not allowed at shows in Denmark – maybe this is why the poly cats aren´t that interesting for a show minded breeder or owner to have.
When it comes to the guests of our home… some f.ex find it soooo charming, cute, and/or impressive - while some few others f.ex find it wird, nasty and/or ugly.
My experience is, that ether you like it or ether you don’t. Do I have to say – that we LOVE the polydaktyl – and Bailey won’t be the last in our home.
What are your favourite things about Bailey?
Oh well – besides the things I’ve already told you about, I can supply by saying…
- Bailey can howl the hole neighbourhood awake. When the food is about to be served, he is starting his howling. Before we got Bailey, our other cats off course made sounds in feeding time. But after Baileys arrival… and after a short period of him howling every evening… the other cats has joint him. Now Bailey is the lead-howler of a hole quire. So one of his nicknames is – Hylemis ( = howl-cat).
- Bailey´s thousands most impossible ways of laying and relaxing. Well… impossible is actually the wrong word to use, because… when it comes to Bailey - every position is possible. His favourite position must be laying on his back.
- The way he catch up toys or snacks whit his paws. I could say – with his hands. For what I’ve seen Bailey do whit his “hands” – the only things I’m expecting for him to do next, is to shake hands with me or “give me five”… ahm… six ;O).
- Bailey is BIG. When we got him home at the age of 13 weeks his weight was around 2 kilos. Today – 8 month old – his weight is a little over 5 kilos. Not that I’m that focused on his size… but try asking my husband ;O)
- I just love his looks and his type From the top… I love the cozy almost dully eyes, which in the same time has the most deep loving present expression. His sturdy body . His beautiful shiny fur. HIS BIG BIG PAWS. And at last his very long tale whit the little white tip at the end.
- Bailey find it SO nice and lovely to lay side-by-side with the other cats. When Bailey is hearing one of them purr when laying with me – he runs to the place we are laying or sitting, and places his body to the other cat, like iron to a magnet. If the only way to lay down – is in top of the other cat – that is what Bailey does. Often when I hear him coming, I´m saying; “Well well - here comes mummy´s little intruder – one of his other nick-names.
- Among many other things… The summery of all these things is – Bailey is the most lovely, delicious, wonderful, gorgeous cat. I just LOVE him!!!
"Bailey"
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