My wonderful Chanel No. 5

Hi Eleanore. Thank you for your kind words.
Actually Milly didn't grow her full ruff until she was maybe 4 or 5 years old. At 16 yo her eyesight is waning and she has become a bit rheumatic, but she still climbs the cat tree in no time. Having been with us all of her life she knows everything that goes on in the family and enjoys some extra privileges like not being scolded for sitting at the table.
It's only been a year and a half since we adopted Snow White. After we lost Somali Ivanhoe we decided that that the next cat had to be something completely different, so we found this chubby shelter moggie - and what a great cat she is. Its funny how her tuxedo pattern comes through in the pigmentation on her nose and gums as well, as you can see on the picture of her yawning.
Having two strong minded females together can be problematic, but whenever Milly pulls rank and hisses, Snow White just looks at her - knowing that she is twice the size of Milly. The only time Milly is in real danger, is when Snow White has her twilight craze and wants to play cat and mouse with her. Then Milly retreats to the cat tree for a while.
They'll never be best friends but usually they get on well. We are in the process of packing before we move to a new house and actually it's as if this break-up of daily routines brings them closer together. I've already told a bit about that in 'Cat Relocation Anxiety' and more will follow. 😉

Finn Frode:
I just looked at the pix of your two beautiful cats. Milly has the same fur as Chanel, in that she has that large fur collar (or maybe they call it a "ruff" like a lion) and then has a lot of fur on her belly and tail. She is gorgeous and the markings on Snow White couldn't be more perfect. They certainly look happy and content. I love the picture with the shrimp! Chanel also has a cat tree and is on it about 75% of the time. I had another one out on the porch for her, but it got wet and that was the end of that one!
Thanks for sharing your cats and memories with us.
Eleanore
P.S. I looked at the Norwegian Forest cat and you may be right, Chanel does look closer to that than the Ragdoll or Ragamuffin. Thanks for the heads up!

Hi Eleanore. Yes, I know what you mean. Cats are often a bit cautious towards strangers, so people that are not used to them will see them as 'just cats' and not as the individuals they really are. Each have their own personal traits like your Chanel, who have bonded so well with you that she seems to know how you feel.
When we cat people start talking about our wonderful companions, we easily get a bit too much for others. But actually we are no more crazy than those who talk about absorbing hobbies like golf, cars or gardening all the time.
As to my own cats, we have two elderly ladies at the moment - Snow White (mixed breed shelter cat) and Milly (Norwegian Forest Cat). You can see them at http://www.raarup.eu/index-en.html

Hi Finn,
Thanks again for commenting on Chanel. It feels good to have someone else appreciate her as I do. My family, et al, does not care for cats. They are "dog" people, as a result they do not see what I see in Chanel. To them she is just a "cat." You know what I mean? Due to their disinterest, I try not to talk about her very much, although I am bursting to tell of all the wonderful things she does. So, thanks for listening! What kind of cat/cats do you have?
Eleanore

Hi Eleanore. You are right. I was just mentioning that definition for the sake of accuracy, but in fact she could just as well be 100% something. I still see a lot of Norwegian Forest in your Chanel, but maybe it's just because that's a breed I'm more familiar with.
For a cat lover all cats are wonderful and the breed doesn't matter. The affection we receive when our own cats bond with us, is what makes them so special and precious to us. And Chanel seems quite confident in herself with the way she flags her tail. 😉

Hey, thanks so much for commenting on my great cat. Yes, I know she is a mixed breed, but as we cat lovers say, "who cares?" She indeed is dark gray. I saw her on the Internet being offered for adoption by a place called "Noah's Ark." She was about 9 weeks old and they called her "Lulu.." I knew she was mine the minute I saw her picture on the computer. I immediately sent an email and asked them to hold her for me. They called me back and said she was mine! The rest is history as they say. I am blessed to have her. Again, thank you for taking the time to comment.
Eleanore

Hi Eleanore. What a beauty she is and smart too! Just goes to prove what great cats are to be found from shelters and rescuing. They somehow understand that they have found a home because they are wanted - and pay back with all of their affection.
As to her roots I agree with Michael. Without papers she is per definition a mixed breed, but of course she got that fine semi-longhair fur from somewhere. With her triangular face I'd say maybe Norwegian Forest, but that's just one of the possibilities. And the percentage only her parents will know... 😉

Hi Michael,
Thank you so much for responding to my little bio of Chanel. I named her Chanel 5 because she was the fifth cat I had since my husband passed away in 1994. I am sure she is just a "mutt" cat, but as you said some of these mixed breeds can totally sweep you away. Her looks are great, and her personality is what keeps me going.
Thanks for the tips

Thanks for showing us Channel No.5. You say that she is "totally dark gray" yet the photo sows her as dark brown. Perhaps there is a color cast.

Although she is a stunning looking cat, I am not sure that she is a breed. She may have some purebred cat in her (Norwegian Forest, Maine Coon). As I mention elsewhere you need a pedigree (a documented history of parentage that are also purebred cats) to say that you have a purebred cat.

But that isn't important for me. Your relationship is beautiful and supportive, the perfect cat/human relationship. This is far more important.

And all cats are born and are equal. Also there are some wonderful looking random bred cats that are show cats (you can show moggies as "Household Pets"). These cats are as good looking as purebred cats and possibly healthier.