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Red Love

How does one explain love for red? Or blue or green? Why does one feel at ease with someone, maybe a total stranger? Kinship? Chemistry?

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved animals and my eyes were always drawn red-coloured animals; horses, red cows (red Dutch cows &Highlanders), red guinea-pigs, rabbits, birds, foxes, and so on. As I am writing this down, I realise it might have been because I wondered about the fact that Mother Nature could develop such a flamboyant color that reallly sticks out. I did not realise that animals often do not see red the way humans do. For them, red is more or less a light colour. We humans can see many shades of red.

In my case, the red attraction could stem from a natural desire to surround myself with a colour that compliments my own colors. I think it's common knowledge that certain colourgroups can have a very strong influence on one's behavior and looks. Autumncolours fit me best; they give me warmth. The cooler springcolours don't do it for me; my red cats do do it for me. In addition to this, my attraction to red can also be explained by the fact that very often red hair guaranties a red (temperamental) soul. I enjoy the company of highspirited beings, both human and animal. It sharpens my senses and keeps my body alert and active. Sometimes though, a "'~~~~:::::://///))))" will resound when a red monster unexpectedly jumps in front of my feet and I am an inch away from breaking something. I don't know if cats also curse in quotes, but I do know that one morning I saw my eldest catstrato limping around. It turned out he had broken his left-rear-calfbone.. He never told me exactly how it had happened, but I suspect our young red tomboy, who spent the night in the same room, had something to do with it. He tends to be somewhat overactive. There is an exception to every rule, but lets say the average red cat is quite...lively.

When I decided to start breeding Maine Coons, it became clear right away that most of my cats had to be reds. Reds in all the Coon-varietues: Red , red silver, cream, but especially solid red.. A torbie or tortie also passes on red, so that was allowed too. Two different reds never have the exact same colour, so it won't get boring easily. The all-red theme also attracts people who are interested in buying red kittens: how to kill two birds with one stone.

My love for red Coons has taken me to a decorative extreme. I got a permanent reminder of it: a tattoo of my first red catstrato Ricky. It was a birthday present from my husband Ruud. I hope Ricky will be with us for quite some time, but when he dies, I'll still have this beautiful image of him. Deservedly so, because it was his sweet, happy nature and fierce looks that enticed me to start breeding Maine Coons. It's exactly that happy presence, combined with those fierce looks I hope to be able to make accesible to other people

As a breeder I would still like to fullfill a big dream. Some day I would like to own or breed a solid red polygirl To me, polydactylity is part of the basic characteristics of the breed, but Polycoons also seem to have something extra (read: vivacity) to their personalties. With all the red we have here, there is no lack of vivacity, but solid red polypaws is a sight I would like to behold here in our home. This may not be a dream that's easily fullfilled, but to me living without dreams, is not really living at all.

This article has been published in the 2008 summer edition of "Coontime", the quarterly issued magazine of the Dutch Maine Breedclub.

This is my tattoo "held" by Ricky..

and this is me with Ricky and tattoo

Photos by Daniëlle Roozeboom

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This site has been updated on 12 mei 2009

Deze site is voor het laatst bijgewerkt op 12 mei 2009