Ohio Living Will Document
Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world. Three out of ten households own at least one cat, or 73 million in the United States alone. These animals usually have four legs, fur, whiskers and a tail. Well, with the exception of the manx. There’s something missing on this interesting import – in many cases, its tail. But that’s not the only thing that’s different about our foreign feline friend.
History finds the first manx pre-1700s across the pond on the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. One legend has it they rescued themselves from the Spanish Armada ships wrecked on the cliffs off the coast by Port Erinby by swimming ashore and making themselves at home. The “stubbin” as they are called in the language of Manx, are either missing or exhibiting only a brief tail. With no others available to influence it, this genetic mutation became common here as the breed established itself.
The manx is a stocky, big-boned animal with a broad chest and strong front legs. The shortened or missing tail is thought to be due to the presence of polygenes which take various forms affecting the spinal region either towards the upper or lower spine. These variations can result in no tail, a stumpy tail or even longer tails in some cases.
The manx’s ears are set rather far apart giving them the appearance of falling off their head. They have large, round eyes and prominent jowls set in a round head. Their fur exhibits a coat within a coat with shorter hair mixed amidst longer hair, including tufts in-between their toes. Their hind legs are much longer than their front legs giving them the appearance of a jack-rabbit. Legend also states that cats and rabbits mated and the ensuing progeny were cabbits. This was first stated in the 1800s by Joseph Train in his book An Historical and Statistical Account of the Isle of Man. And even though the two are similar in size, number of chromosomes and gestation period, a resulting cabbit is unrealistic as the mating of two different species will not result in anything.
Other myths of the manx include the breed being tail-less due to Noah shutting the ark door on the tail of a cat who had decided to stay in shelter it had discovered on its own. It wasn’t until the rain reached it that the recalcitrant kitty ran for the door squeezing everything in but its tail which was severed and carried away with the rising waves. Another myth features the tail as the prize trophy of Irish and even Nordic warriors who hunted the cats down and cut them off to carry home. It is also said that the mother cat, fearing for her kittens’ lives, bit the tails off herself to save them from the invaders.
These days, things are a bit more civil for the “rumpies” and “stumpies” of the Isle of Man. The Mann Cat Sanctuary, founded in 1996 by Carole Corlett and Sue Critchley, is set just off the main road in Santon where unwanted and elderly boarders can roam free within the six-paddock area. In the beginning, the sanctuary had only six pens, but with community involvement and financial initiatives, it has grown to house not only just the abandoned or neglected manx cats but other animals as well. With multi-level sleeping quarters, furniture and fireplaces, those who can’t be re-homed have a peaceful haven for the rest of their lives.
The manx is found in many homes as a pet but is also a show cat. There are many stipulations regarding size, color, tail types and hair lengths. Manx are very expressive, playful and talkative. Our manx, Tess, came to us during a hurricane in 2002 from the Siamese Rescue Organization. She had been one of many cats claimed in a raid on a backyard breeding site where she had been forced to breed multiple litters even before the age of two. She now lives happily in the sun during the day and at night on anything we leave lying about such as shoes, purses, computer bags or laundered clothing. We have adopted the Mann Cat Sanctuary and Albert Schweitzer principle: “Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.” We may not be on the Isle of Man, but to her, it’s a safe and secure home and hearth.
My name is Jacquie Galvin from Tampa, FL. I am currently a medical device marketer but have a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. I have worked in and out of marketing and editorial services for 20 years and have had articles and short pieces published. I have also been a newsletter editor for the City of Columbus and former editor of the home services division of CompuServe Inc. I have written articles for various small publications for over 20 years. The first book of my Tucker and Reggie mystery series, A Tease of Murder, is in submission for publication and the second one is under construction. Get help with your copywriting needs. http://www.mysterystoriesbooksnovels.com for rates and availability
Rent to Own, Lease Option – County Living in the City – Whitehall Ohio
