Seasonal molts are common to animals wild and tame, to thin down that thick coat for summer or prepare for growing a new winter coat. We notice some thickening of new hair as early as August here, before the north winds blow.
Here is Orange, raised in the desert SW climate, he came to us with no undercoat under his short sleek hair. That winter we kept him inside untel spring to keep him warm enough. Two years later, we noticed he has put on a soft orange undercoat some of which he shed on me today.
And then there is our furry boy, Ruff, "The Mane Event."
Here Ruff, a Norwegian Forest Cat mix, sports his "Collie" winter Mane. Lion-like he sits at the window and watches the snow fly. He likes to shovel snow outside too, using his fur covered club shaped huge front paws like plows, he scoots forward, creating a path for himself through the drifts. Ruff has a triple coat, guard hairs thick and wiry, middle layer, and soft downy undercoat next to his skin. Texture of softness and waterproofing is combined. A cat built for winter!
Ruff even found his own local groomer. Sometimes he comes back inside with his feet and neck ruff already trimmed! He enjoys brushing and, like a Collie, closes his eyes while I brush his mane. Groomer Has It.
And then there is our Tom in long ago winters, a snow cat impervious to the cold.
Key Words Blog Search: Cats, Collies
Related Posts
Stars and Snow Spirit of Phoebe
Winter Wolf
Thin Ice
Call to Colors
Resources:
*Collie Cues Magazine, Hayward, CA 1980, knitting with Collie Hair
Dahlis Roy: Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor
Photos
by Dahlis:
Rob and Sky
Orange and Green
Ruff, the Mane Event
Tom in Winter, photo by Paul, published with permission
