Vent/Rant - Persians

"Monique Y. Mudama" wrote in message
...
On 2005-05-11, penned:

wrote:
Check out this photo of a vintage postcard; this is a Persian, circa
1918. Beautiful cat. But looks nothing like the persians of today.

Sherry

Oops. Here's the link.

http://www.edwardian-delights.com/vh6540.jpg

Sherry

Looks like a normal cat!

... Er, I guess that's the point, right?



Yes.

wrote in message
Persians *are* odd-looking creatures, but they weren't always.
Breeders
have just ruined the breed, IMO. They've bred selectively for the
flat
face until they've not only screwed up the poor cat's appearance, but
it's health, also. Check out this photo of a vintage postcard; this
is
a Persian, circa 1918. Beautiful cat. But looks nothing like the
persians of today.

Sherry

Oops. Here's the link.

http://www.edwardian-delights.com/vh6540.jpg


Now THAT looks like a cat!
--
-Kelly

On 10 May 2005 22:11:27 -0700, wrote:

Persians *are* odd-looking creatures, but they weren't always. Breeders
have just ruined the breed, IMO. They've bred selectively for the flat
face until they've not only screwed up the poor cat's appearance, but
it's health, also. Check out this photo of a vintage postcard; this is
a Persian, circa 1918. Beautiful cat. But looks nothing like the
persians of today.


They have done that to dogs, too. It's warped and counter-productive.

I have a solution, but it would require the support of trendsetters
and celebrities, etc. Here is my solution:

Start holding very high-toned pet shows in which neutered,
non-breeding specimens are rated for overall health, appearance and
comportment rather than a specific phenotype with extreme features
that are often unwholesome. It would be black-tie, formal gowns,
lotsa money on display everywhere... make it clear that this is the
new chic amongst well-heeled animal connoiseurs, to go out there and
canvass the shelters and barnyards and FIND that exceptional pet.

You could have categories like "best all-black cat," "friendliest
cat," "best cat under 8 pounds," etc.

These animals couldn't be bred because who knows what recessives lurk
in their genetics. Hence every new champion would have to be found
from the population of animals, and the people with the most
discerning eyes, rather than the most inbred genetic stock, would
capture the prize. Breeders would still have a role, but they would
be free to focus on real animal quality metrics instead of arbitrary
breed standards.

Charlie

Charlie Wilkes wrote:
On 10 May 2005 22:11:27 -0700, wrote:

Persians *are* odd-looking creatures, but they weren't always.
Breeders have just ruined the breed, IMO. They've bred selectively
for the flat face until they've not only screwed up the poor cat's
appearance, but it's health, also. Check out this photo of a vintage
postcard; this is a Persian, circa 1918. Beautiful cat. But looks
nothing like the persians of today.


They have done that to dogs, too. It's warped and counter-productive.

I have a solution, but it would require the support of trendsetters
and celebrities, etc. Here is my solution:

Start holding very high-toned pet shows in which neutered,
non-breeding specimens are rated for overall health, appearance and
comportment rather than a specific phenotype with extreme features
that are often unwholesome. It would be black-tie, formal gowns,
lotsa money on display everywhere... make it clear that this is the
new chic amongst well-heeled animal connoiseurs, to go out there and
canvass the shelters and barnyards and FIND that exceptional pet.

You could have categories like "best all-black cat," "friendliest
cat," "best cat under 8 pounds," etc.
snip
Charlie

One of my favorites: Best bird catcher. Put three felines who are strange
to each other in a large cage with a few parakeets. The first cat to nail a
bird WINS!!! I love birds ... roasted.

wrote in message
ups.com...

wrote:
-Kelly

***I so agree with you, Kelly. It is indeed very sad, and I've,
personally,
always thought Persians were very odd looking creatures. It's
amazing
what
we humans will do to animals, all for supposedly our own (stupid
and
selfish) 'benefit'. When will we ever learn.


ML

Persians *are* odd-looking creatures, but they weren't always.
Breeders
have just ruined the breed, IMO. They've bred selectively for the
flat
face until they've not only screwed up the poor cat's appearance, but
it's health, also. Check out this photo of a vintage postcard; this
is
a Persian, circa 1918. Beautiful cat. But looks nothing like the
persians of today.

Sherry

Oops. Here's the link.

http://www.edwardian-delights.com/vh6540.jpg

Sherry


What breeders have done to this once beautiful cat is a crime.

On Wed, 11 May 2005 07:17:08 GMT, "Philip"
wrote:

Charlie Wilkes wrote:

Start holding very high-toned pet shows in which neutered,
non-breeding specimens are rated for overall health, appearance and
comportment rather than a specific phenotype with extreme features
that are often unwholesome. It would be black-tie, formal gowns,
lotsa money on display everywhere... make it clear that this is the
new chic amongst well-heeled animal connoiseurs, to go out there and
canvass the shelters and barnyards and FIND that exceptional pet.

You could have categories like "best all-black cat," "friendliest
cat," "best cat under 8 pounds," etc.
snip
Charlie

One of my favorites: Best bird catcher. Put three felines who are strange
to each other in a large cage with a few parakeets. The first cat to nail a
bird WINS!!! I love birds ... roasted.

That is a fine idea. Anyone who complained could be referred to an
illustrious precedent -- the Vice President and de facto Prime
Minister of the U.S. He shot about 75 pheasants in a two-hour canned
hunt last summer. You proposed cat competition is at least as
sporting if not much more so.

Alternatively, you could use great-horned owls and have a contest for
"toughest ****en cat around."

Charlie

"KellyH" wrote in message
...
Poor Persians. Bred for a feature which makes it hard for them to breathe
and leaves them susceptible to upper respiratory infections. Purchased
for
their beauty and status as a "rich person's cat", but then neglected
because
they require so much work.

We get yet another Persian in horrible condition in today at the shelter.
I
wasn't doing the intakes today as I normally do (needed a day off) and
it's
probably a good thing this person didn't get me. This woman had this poor
cat for four years and finally decides to give him up because he's "too
much
work". Well, he must have been too much work for the past four years,
too.
He's all white, but yellowish in places, had fleas (indoor-only,
supposedly), badly matted, severe conjunctivitis, ear mites, yeast,
polyps,
and some other bacteria I'd never heard of. His ears were so bad that the
vet said the meds may not clear it up, and he will have to have part of
his
ear canals removed.

We get cats in poor condition all the time, but mostly strays. Persians,
owned pets that someone paid hundred of dollars for, almost always come in
worse than the average moggie. My feral trapper friend caught a Persian
when she was trying to trap a pregnant female. She asked around the
neighborhood, found who he belonged to, and the owner signed him over to
the
shelter without hesitation. Said she put him outside because she couldn't
deal with him anymore.

We got another Persian about a month ago from Animal Control, found by the
dumpsters at the mall, badly matted and underweight, only 4 lbs.

My only real point is that I don't see any other breed consistently
entering
the shelter in such horrible shape. It's very sad. I wish people would
do
research before they impulse buy such a high maintenance cat.

--
-Kelly



We adopted our Fluffer from the SPCA years ago. He looked like a Persian
should - beautiful regular cat face, the typical Persian build, with the
long luxurious fur. At any rate he was left at the SPCA because he had fleas
but the previous owners said he'd never been outside. Yea right! That's why
when we were shaving the mats off we found leaves in the middle of them. He
weighted 6 lbs. when we brought him home and this was a cat who went 15
normally without being fat.

sigh at least the owner took the cat to a shelter. Then there are the
people who move and put their cats out and leave them behind, the pregnant
cats who are locked out because people don't want to deal with the kittens,
the people who think feline birth control is drowning the kittens when they
find them...... We have a cat now who was left on the side of the road in a
cat carrier. If the vet tech at our vet hadn't noticed the carrier and
investigated, the cat would have starved to death. She's probably a year or
so old and isn't spayed.

"Wendy" wrote in message
...

"KellyH" wrote in message
...
Poor Persians. Bred for a feature which makes it hard for them to
breathe
and leaves them susceptible to upper respiratory infections. Purchased
for
their beauty and status as a "rich person's cat", but then neglected
because
they require so much work.

We get yet another Persian in horrible condition in today at the
shelter.
I
wasn't doing the intakes today as I normally do (needed a day off) and
it's
probably a good thing this person didn't get me. This woman had this
poor
cat for four years and finally decides to give him up because he's "too
much
work". Well, he must have been too much work for the past four years,
too.
He's all white, but yellowish in places, had fleas (indoor-only,
supposedly), badly matted, severe conjunctivitis, ear mites, yeast,
polyps,
and some other bacteria I'd never heard of. His ears were so bad that
the
vet said the meds may not clear it up, and he will have to have part of
his
ear canals removed.

We get cats in poor condition all the time, but mostly strays.
Persians,
owned pets that someone paid hundred of dollars for, almost always come
in
worse than the average moggie. My feral trapper friend caught a Persian
when she was trying to trap a pregnant female. She asked around the
neighborhood, found who he belonged to, and the owner signed him over to
the
shelter without hesitation. Said she put him outside because she
couldn't
deal with him anymore.

We got another Persian about a month ago from Animal Control, found by
the
dumpsters at the mall, badly matted and underweight, only 4 lbs.

My only real point is that I don't see any other breed consistently
entering
the shelter in such horrible shape. It's very sad. I wish people would
do
research before they impulse buy such a high maintenance cat.

--
-Kelly



We adopted our Fluffer from the SPCA years ago. He looked like a Persian
should - beautiful regular cat face, the typical Persian build, with the
long luxurious fur. At any rate he was left at the SPCA because he had
fleas
but the previous owners said he'd never been outside. Yea right! That's
why
when we were shaving the mats off we found leaves in the middle of them.
He
weighted 6 lbs. when we brought him home and this was a cat who went 15
normally without being fat.

sigh at least the owner took the cat to a shelter. Then there are the
people who move and put their cats out and leave them behind, the pregnant
cats who are locked out because people don't want to deal with the
kittens,
the people who think feline birth control is drowning the kittens when
they
find them...... We have a cat now who was left on the side of the road in
a
cat carrier. If the vet tech at our vet hadn't noticed the carrier and
investigated, the cat would have starved to death. She's probably a year
or
so old and isn't spayed.



I'm sure this has been expressed before but I just *cannot* stand the way
some people treat their animals... cats, dogs, horses, etc. At our house,
we can't watch Animal Planet unless we make sure the Animal Cops show isn't
on because I will start tearing up as soon as I see it. How some people can
neglect their 'beloved pets' is just amazing! I saw a horse once that had
its mane shaved, every rib sticking out and a hole in its neck from the bad
care it received. I have always thought the best remedy is to let the
people who treat their animals that way be treated in the same manner so
they can understand what harm is being done! Of course, it will never
happen, but it does make me feel a little better instead of just being
outraged and helpless.

"Charlie Wilkes" wrote
Start holding very high-toned pet shows in which neutered,
non-breeding specimens are rated for overall health, appearance and
comportment rather than a specific phenotype with extreme features
that are often unwholesome. It would be black-tie, formal gowns,
lotsa money on display everywhere... make it clear that this is the
new chic amongst well-heeled animal connoiseurs, to go out there and
canvass the shelters and barnyards and FIND that exceptional pet.
snip

I love it!! What a great idea.
--
-Kelly

"blueberries79" wrote
I'm sure this has been expressed before but I just *cannot* stand the way
some people treat their animals... cats, dogs, horses, etc. At our house,
we can't watch Animal Planet unless we make sure the Animal Cops show
isn't
on because I will start tearing up as soon as I see it. How some people
can
neglect their 'beloved pets' is just amazing! I saw a horse once that had
its mane shaved, every rib sticking out and a hole in its neck from the
bad
care it received. I have always thought the best remedy is to let the
people who treat their animals that way be treated in the same manner so
they can understand what harm is being done! Of course, it will never
happen, but it does make me feel a little better instead of just being
outraged and helpless.



Same here. I can't watch that show, either. I've thought of that before,
too. Anyone who neglects, abuses, tortures another living creature should
have the same thing done to them. It's sick, and I don't understand how
people can do things like that.
I know what I see at our shelter is nothing compared to other places, but it
still gets to me sometimes.

--
-Kelly