My Munchkin Cat Can Play Fetch

As I sipped my morning coffee, I scanned the headlines of The 7, the Washington Post’s daily digest of the most important current news. When I got to the last story, I couldn’t help but smile. “Cats Can Play Fetch, Too,” the headline read. I clicked on the story and read it with interest.

I appreciate this topic making headlines. Too many people had always thought of cats as being independent and aloof, not the kind of animals who would enjoy playing games. This is a misconception. Cats are a lot more playful than people think. They just don’t always show it in the same way as dogs.

So Can Two of My Other Cats

Three of my cats all love to play fetch. I’ve had a few more in the past who also enjoyed the game. But they don’t all fetch in the same way. One of my cats will bring the toy back to me and drop it at my feet. Another will bat it around for a while before bringing it back. And the third will sometimes just carry the toy around in her mouth, not really interested in bringing it back to me at all.

My Munchkin Is Playful

Miss Mocha Mojo Munchkin is the most playful one of the Herd. She always makes me laugh when she plays hard, especially when she flips around like a ragdoll. She’s up for a game of fetch or tag when she is in a good mood, and she’ll even bring the toy back to me some of the time. She’s also very playful with her toys, and she’s always coming up with new ways to play with them. One of her favorite things to do is to bat at a worm on a string. 

Despite her grumpy moments, Mojo is still a loving and affectionate cat. She loves to cuddle with me and purrs contentedly when she’s being petted. She’s also a very smart cat. 

Mojo has not gone outside the catio since the snow started falling last week. She prefers to stay warm and cozy inside, where she can curl up on a heating pad and watch the snow fall from the safety of the catio. She doesn’t care for the cold or the snow.

I Found A Munchkin!

I was lucky when I found her. One day, I walked into PetSmart in town. Lo and behold, the first cat I saw was a Munchkin. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I immediately fell in love with her, even though she was trying to wake up from a nap. I drove to the Animal Control where the Munchkin was from to apply for adoption and paid the $40 adoption fee (it was discounted 50 percent off that weekend). She was about a year and a half old at the time.

I learned her history from the staff at Animal Control. Someone had dropped her off through a cage outside the facility one night, pregnant and with some injuries. She had been treated for her injuries and was doing well. I do not know what became of her babies. 

Munchkin Disqualified? Who Cares!

One question has nagged me for a long time. Why would someone give up a pure breed in the first place? I had pondered if the previous owner was a breeder who might have learned that she had a disqualification on her body proportion. For example, if her head was too big or her front paws were splayed outward, she might not have been considered a “show quality” cat and would not have been worth as much money. The breed standard is a set of guidelines that describes the ideal appearance and temperament of a cat of that breed. If a cat does not meet the breed standard, it is not considered to be show quality and will not be eligible to compete in cat shows.

In addition to its physical appearance, a cat’s temperament is also important for show quality. A show quality cat should be friendly, outgoing, and confident. A cat that is shy or aggressive will not be considered to be show quality.

The price of a show quality cat can vary depending on the breed, the cat’s pedigree, and the cat’s overall appearance. In general, show quality cats can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Mojo is lucky to be here

However, even if Mojo is not a show quality cat, she is still a beautiful and loving animal. I am glad that the previous owner was smart enough to drop her off at Animal Control and not in the woods or in a garbage dumpster. She would have surely died if she had been left to fend for herself. I had her checked through at a veterinarian. He said that her front paws were splayed outwards. She has some arthritis in her front legs, which is a common condition in Munchkins. A possible disqualification from cat breeding shows. 

I have often thought about the possibility of owning a purebred cat. However, the price tag is a major deterrent and that is simply not in my budget. I would rather spend that money on caring for as many cats as possible. While not immediately opposed to owning a purebred cat, I would only consider it if the cost were reasonable., I wouldn’t mind taking in a disqualified or handicapped purebreed. As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to receive a purebred Siamese cat as a gift. Among the litter, I had the privilege of selecting one. My choice was a cat with a broken tail. Unlike other cat enthusiasts interested in breeding or shows, I didn’t consider the disability as a concern or a hindrance.

Purebreed vs Mixed Breed

I believe that all cats are deserving of love and care, regardless of their breed. Purebred cats are often no healthier or better behaved than mixed-breed cats. In fact, some purebred cats can be more prone to health problems due to their inbreeding. In the meantime, I am happy to adopt mixed-breed cats from shelters and rescues. These cats are just as loving and deserving of a home as any purebred cat.

I toast to Miss Mocha Mojo Munchkin, my lucky treasure.