Vocal Siamese have personality to spare

The Siamese breed has infatuated Westerners since their arrival in England in the late 1800s.

These fancy felines are considered to be a “natural” breed — one that developed without the intervention of man. Siamese cats originated in Thailand (formerly Siam), hence the breed's name.

The Siamese is described and depicted in “The Cat-Book Poems,” a manuscript written in the city of Ayuda sometime between 1350 and the 1700s. They were generally owned by royalty and monks of Buddhist temples.

These felines were considered royalty. I ask you, has anything really changed in the last thousands of years?

The Siamese breed still believes it is royalty, hence the unique Siamese personality. Siamese are vocal and affectionate, and they clearly choose the humans they wish to interact with. They talk to us and gaze at us as if they are communicating thoughts or ideas. They will keep up the clamor until their human caregivers get the message they are trying to convey.

For feline-fanciers who prefer their cats to be seen and not heard, the Siamese breed is not for you. Besides being vocal, this breed is busy, active and affectionate.

All Siamese cats are pointed. What are points? Points refer to the color of the face, ears, tail and paws. The term is generally used in combination with a color. The pointed pattern is a form of partial albinism, or a genetic mutation of an enzyme involved in melanin production.

This results in darker coloration in the coolest areas of the cat's body, including extremities and face, which is cooled by the passage of air through the sinuses.

The original Siamese cats that ended up in Europe were mostly Seal Pointed (extremely dark brown, almost black). Soon blue points (a cool gray) were popping up and accepted as a mutation of Seal. Other point colors include chocolate (light brown) and lilac (pale gray). Crosses with other breeds have created other point patterns, such as flame and Lynx Point (tabby).

Did you know that besides coloration variations there are two distinct types of Siamese? The original Siamese from Siam was long in body and muscular. These Siamese are called “traditional” or “apple-heads.” Their faces are very round and their body type and style do not fit with today's show standards.

The Siamese of today requires a slim, long tubular body with super-long legs. The face presents itself as a smooth wedge with large ears completing the wedge.

There are fanciers for both body and head types. I believe what Siamese enthusiasts really love is not just the look but the personality. My personal experience with Siamese felines would lead my opinion to the following conclusion: The more streamlined and wedged the Siamese is, the louder and more vocal it is.

AdoptablesHuggy is a 2-year-old buff to light flame pointed Siamese mix. He was rescued just before Thanksgiving from the busy intersection of Golf and Rand roads. He had given up and was laying motionless by the side of the road. He was so weak he was dead weight when his rescuer picked him up. He has since recovered and is thriving at the shelter.Huggy's appearance is more of a traditional apple head. His personality is outgoing and affectionate. He follows people he likes, much like a small dog. He wants you to know he is present.His vocal range is not characteristic of Siamese. He is much more soft-spoken, if that is a plus for you. Know now that this sweet boy will be constant company and underfoot. He also needs his own cat tree. You will find him perched at the top.Sugar is a white female Persian with blue eyes. She is young at only 4 years of age. She is a rare find at any shelter setting. She also came to Buddy as a front-paw declaw. She has the same watery eyes that are associated with almost all Persians, but her eyes and her sinuses are healthy. She is sweet and a true motionless lap cat.Buddy's 17th Birthday PartyHelp us celebrate 17 years as a charitable organization by joining us at Moretti's, 1799 S. Busse Road, Mount Prospect, from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. This year's theme is set in Oz, so just #8220;follow the yellow brick road.#8221; Your donation of $30 in advance or $35 at the door promises an all-you-can-eat buffet, two drinks and of fun. Buddy needs attendees and raffle prizes.#376; Contact The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806; visit us at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights; or online at thebuddyfoundation.org. 36492433Sugar