Cocoa Puff

Cocoa Puff

by Lois Betterton
(Sarasota, FL)

Cocoa Puff

Cocoa Puff

Ten years ago I spotted a very unusual kitten at my vet's office. I noticed that she had unusually long arms and legs, a full plumed tail, and her coat glowed a rich chocolate brown in the sunlight. After passing by the vet's window for several days, I adopted this unusually-coated cat and named her Cocoa (her nickname is Puff, which she seems to prefer).

She's extremely affectionate with me, is very shy with strangers, and doesn't socialize well with her other two feline housemates.

Her gorgeous fur is silken and she sheds in dark fluffs. Still, she's a great companion and is quite vocal...she responds to my voice and even "whispers" when I whisper quietly to her. She's a unique and enjoyable, though quirky, pet.

Now I've learned that she's a York Chocolate Brown...and, coming from New York myself, she's even more special to me.

Update...

Here are my other two feline friends. Lydia (Lavender Lilac of the Tropics) is a Snowshoe Siamese acquired from a breeder 12 years ago in Sarasota, FL, and Olivia is a Feline Diva who captivated me at my local vet's office 8 years ago...


Lydia


Olivia

Further update

Cocoa Puff aged 10:

York Chocolate cat

Lois

Hi Lois.. thanks for visiting and sharing. Great name by the way.

If you have more photos and want to upload them feel free to email me.

Best
Michael

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Cocoa Puff

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Mar 16, 2012
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Thank You NEW
by: Lois Betterton

Thank you for your kind words, Finn. Puff was a dear little friend...though shy, she was incredibly loyal and loving, and I sometimes imagine her shadowy silhouette peeking around the corner. She always responded when I'd whistle for her...she loved to be stroked and combed, and her coat was long and silky and her long, fluffy tail was her pride and joy. I am proud to say that I held her and comforted her and spoke to her softly when she left, and I believe I made her parting a little easier for her sweet little soul.

Here's to all our little treasures who add so much to our lives. Lois


Mar 16, 2012
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Thank You NEW
by: Lois Betterton

Thank you for your kind words, Finn. Puff was a dear little friend...though shy, she was incredibly loyal and loving, and I sometimes imagine her shadowy silhouette peeking around the corner. She always responded when I'd whistle for her...she loved to be stroked and combed, and her coat was long and silky and her long, fluffy tail was her pride and joy. I am proud to say that I held her and comforted her and spoke to her softly when she left, and I believe I made her parting a little easier for her sweet little soul.

Here's to all our little treasures who add so much to our lives. Lois


Mar 16, 2012
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Thank You NEW
by: Lois Betterton

Thank you for your kind words, Finn. Puff was a dear little friend...though shy, she was incredibly loyal and loving, and I sometimes imagine her shadowy silhouette peeking around the corner. She always responded when I'd whistle for her...she loved to be stroked and combed, and her coat was long and silky and her long, fluffy tail was her pride and joy. I am proud to say that I held her and comforted her and spoke to her softly when she left, and I believe I made her parting a little easier for her sweet little soul.

Here's to all our little treasures who add so much to our lives. Lois


Mar 15, 2012
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Goodbye Puff NEW
by: Finn Frode, Denmark

Hi Lois. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, but I hope you will find some comfort in knowing that Puff lived a long and happy life with you and your other cats.

Rest in Peace, Puff.
As long as we remember, they will be here with us.


Mar 14, 2012
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Christmas Angel NEW
by: Anonymous

My dear Puff passed away suddenly on Christmas morning at the age of 12. She was a loving companion and I will always think her with love in my heart. Lois


Aug 15, 2010
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Cocoa Puff Update
by: Lois B

My darling kitty, "Puff" has sprouted stunning pale beige silken "feathers" on her lower chest and tummy...they're the color of mocha ice cream and very luxurious (she's now 10 years old and has also become far more affectionate and relaxed recently, although she still seeks the solace of the bookshelves when feeling nervous or in response to an unexpected loud noise).

Hope you're all enjoying a beautiful summer!

Lois


Jun 23, 2010
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Finn
by: Lois

Hi Finn...Thanks for your comments...you are hilarious!

I think we must be related....two Vikings on a ship, perhaps (?)

Take care, your friend, Lois 😉


Jun 19, 2010
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Pink collar
by: Finn Frode, Denmark

Hi again. My Snow White has a pink rhinestone collar and a golden heart with her name engraved - no less! My wife thought I was crazy, but I thought that now we gave her the name of a fairytale princess, she should have some royal regalia to go with it. .. 😉


Jun 18, 2010
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Olivia
by: Lois

Hi Finn,

The photo of Olivia (who, by the way, Michael has suggested might have some Turkish Van in her lineage) was taken when she was a wee little thing. She is now a robust white phenom with expressive markings and a suspicious black tail. She's now so "chubby" that my friend, Duane, calls her "Puppy"...still I know she longs for tiny pink pumps and a pink rhinestone collar per her inner Diva.

Best wishes,

Lois


Jun 16, 2010
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Thank you for the pictures.
by: Finn Frode, Denmark

Hi Lois. Thank you for the pictures. Yes, you are indeed a friend and a cat lover too.
Olivia doesn't looke that chubby to me (at least not compared to SnowWhite), but I think I know what you mean by saying that she is athletic. Even heavier cats can be that - and fast too. 🙂


Jun 15, 2010
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Finn
by: Lois

Hi Finn,

You're a doll, and I hope you will consider me a long-distance friend and fellow cat lover.

Best wishes,

Lois


Jun 15, 2010
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OK with me too, Lois
by: Finn Frode, Denmark

Hi Lois. I didn't mean to insult you or Cocoa Puff either. It's quite natural being a bit sensitive about your cats and I would probably react just the same in case anybody questioned something I said about our own cats.
Our other (or rather my wife's) cat Milly is Norwegian too by the way and so I have nothing but good things to say about that heritage. Milly just turned 16 and has been with us for all her life. She knows our routines in and out and has become scaringly human at times like old cats often do.
Returning to the York Chocolate Cats, it is still a new breed and so we probably don't have to go back that many generations to find semi-longhaired mixed-breeds in their lineage. So even in case Cocoa Puff does not relate directly, she is still the type this breed was made from.
And whatever her roots may be, she is a beautiful and very impressive cat. I too would love to see some more pictures of her and your other cats as well. 🙂


Jun 14, 2010
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Thanks, Tracey!
by: Lois Betterton

Your are absolutely right, Tracey...Felines Forever!!! Lois

I'll post Lydia and Olivia's photos, too...

PS....And there really IS a Santa Claus, I was just being bratty. Pay no attention, kids!


Jun 14, 2010
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Aw you guys!
by: Tracey (England)

Cocoa puff is adorable whatever breed she's mixed with.

Its nice to know a bit about our cats heritage but not worth disagreeing; we cat lovers must stick togeather no?

Anyways I loved your article Lois I do hope we'll see more of your cats on PoC in the future.


Jun 14, 2010
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It's OK, Finn
by: Lois Betterton

Hi Finn,

You're absolutely correct, my discovery of the York Chocolate breed was an exciting experience for me, I did sort of imply her belonging to the breed upon further attention to my statement, and I was simply thrilled that my "alien space cat" as she's been referred to has a real breed to identify with (if not officially, at least by comparison). Didn't mean to insult you, either...I'm just being sensitive, I guess.

I also have a 12 year old purebred Snowshoe Siamese named Lydia who is beginning to show her age and a half-Siamese, half "mutt" 8 year old white, black, and pink kitty named Olivia who is an athletic (though chubby) diva...I think she was in "show biz" in a former incarnation.

I, too, am not purebred either...my Dad's heritage in British from generations ago and my Mom's family immigrated here from Bergen, Norway a century ago (and I have the papers to prove it!)

Thank you for your information and attention to detail...Happy Day, Finn! Lois


Jun 14, 2010
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Sorry, but...
by: Finn Frode, Denmark

Hi Lois. Sorry if you found my reply harsh, because that was never intended. English is not my native tongue and I sometimes miss some of the finer details...
That said, you did write that 'Now I've learned that she's a York Chocolate Brown' and also you placed the article in the York Chocolate Cat section. To me that sounds like stating or implying that Cocoa Puff belongs to that particular breed.
I have no personal interest in the breed, but when I look through all the entries of the York Chocolate section here on PoC, I notice that very few (if any) of the cats have papers to prove the breed. No wonder, shelter cats rarely have. The same seems to be the case over in the Turkish Angora section, where a great many white semi-longhaired cats are claimed to be Angoras.
Of course purebred cats sometimes end up in shelters, but breeds like York Chocolate, Turkish Angora or Tiffany for that matter are not that common, so I can't help wondering why we see so many here...
Belonging to a breed means having papers to prove that both parents were purebred too. This is not snobbish, just a matter of definition and not having those papers is in no way degrading. Neither is being a look-alike. In fact due to less inbreeding the mixed are often healthier and live longer than the purebred cats.
My own cat Snow White is a mixed breed shelter cat - you can read about her in 'My Snow White is Not a British Shorthair'. She is quite happy with that and so am I.

Finn Frode avatar


Jun 13, 2010
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Harsh Response
by: Lois Betterton

Hello Finn,

If you re-read my little story, I neither stated nor implied that my Cocoa Puff is a pure-bred anything...she exhibits the characteristics of the York Chocolate Brown is all. As I am a responsible cat owner, she was spayed eight years ago following her adoption.

I have adopted and loved many fine felines during my lifetime and have enjoyed invaluable experiences with them over many years I am not trying misrepresent, breed, sell, or show my dear pet, but rather to provide an endearing story to other cat lovers like myself.

Please save your obvious expertise for informing tiny children that there is no Santa Claus. I'm sure they'll appreciate your knowledge in the same way I have. LB


Jun 13, 2010
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Excuse me, but...
by: Finn Frode, Denmark

Hi Lois. I don't wanna bring you down, but what makes you say that now you've learned that Cocoa Puff is a York Chocolate Brown? Is it something you've learned from talking to a previous owner or is it just from reading about the breed?
Because unless you know for sure that both of her parents were purebred YCB's, all you can say for sure is that she is a chocolate brown mixed breed semi-longhair or maybe a York look-alike.
And that is not bad at all - in fact most cats are mixed breeds and no less loved for that. No matter what she is, Cocoa Puff is still special, right? 😉
You can read more in the article 'What Breed is My Cat' here on the site. And this is another similar article.


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