did you know …?

In ancient Egypt, cats were known as ‘Mau’. Today, there is a breed of cat called the ‘Egyptian Mau’ although they are relatively rare.

Cats were worshiped by the Egyptians and given jewellery in hieroglyphics. It is written that when a cat died, the household would go into mourning and would often shave their eyebrows to signify their loss.

The feelings were such towards cats that killing one, even accidentally, incurred the death penalty.

little oscar

This friendly boy is 10 month old Oscar.  Oscar has been with his new mum and day and housemates for just a few weeks.  However, you would think he’d always been a fixture, he’s settled in so well….. and he likes nothing better than showing off his tummy and having belly tickles.  Hence the photo !

We think that Oscar may well have some Maine Coon in him.  He is such a friendly boy, and has a most gorgeous fluffy tail !

Mum is well on top of his brushing.   We called in to see him as he was in need of a nail trim and hygiene clip.

As far as we’re aware, this was the first time Oscar had had his nails clipped and he fared very well.  It can be a strange sensation for some cats, but sessions do get easier.

After the session mum Eve said :

“A massive thank you to you Sandra! I will and do always highly recom…mend you. After each session I’m always amazed at your patience and professionalism. You are so good with my 3 especially with their nervous nature and me with my ‘over-mothering’! Florence, Tiger-Lily and Oscar are very grateful even if they do kick up a fuss with the occasional swear word and bite, they love you really! Once again thanks Sandra and I look forward to your next visit! 🙂 xx “

Well done Oscar … Lovely to meet you and look forward to seeing you again.

radiant red

One of our little (little ?!) friends Red, the Siberian Forest Cat in Sandbach, Cheshire was recently due his maintenance groom.

Red is such a lovely, friendly, gentle boy.  It’s fair to say that he’d rather be playing out in the garden, rather than having his brush out – but he doesn’t put up too much fuss.  A little squirmy, but we win him over with lots of sweet talk and cuddles, which he loves !

As usual, Red was carrying lots of the garden around with him in his coat.  Lots of sticky bobs and bits of twigs and bracken, and there were one or two small areas underneath that needed some attention.

Afterwards, Red’s coat looked lovely and he felt soft and silky.  As soon as his feet hit the floor he was back out through that cat flap, to catch up with the pigeon he’d had his eye on that morning.  His accident with a car around 3 months ago hasn’t slowed him down.  His foot had healed very nicely and he’s as good as new, even though there’s a metal rod holding it together.

Nice seeing you again, Red.  Be good !

tiger-lily and florence

We call on these 2 lovely girls regularly to trim their nails.  As they are house cats, they don’t get worn down as easily as cats that play outside.

Tiger-Lily and Florence are both Oriental Shorthair mix and as such are very intelligent, and vocal.   Orientals often remain playful into adulthood and are very athletic with a slender frame.

Both girls are extremely timid by nature.  However, our sessions have become remarkably more calm.  Today’s sessions were fantastic, with both girls knowing just what to expect, knowing that it literally only takes 2 minutes, and that there’s nothing to worry about.  Florence in particular, took it all in her stride today.

After the sessions, mum Eve said :

“A massive thank you to you Sandra! I will and do always highly recommend you. After each session I’m always amazed at your patience and professionalism. You are so good with my 3 especially with their nervous nature and me with my ‘over-mothering’! Florence, Tiger-Lily and Oscar are very grateful even if they do kick up a fuss with the occasional swear word and bite, they love you really! Once again thanks Sandra and I look forward to your next visit! 🙂 xx “

Well done girlies !  (Oscar’s story is to follow, separately) …. See you again soon ….

september birthday babes

Here are some of our September birthday babes …

Happy birthday girls and boys !

Several breeds here : Siberian Forest Cat, Persian, Oriental cross, Ragdoll, British Longhair – plus DLH and DSH (domestic long hair, domestic short hair). Not one Maine Coon in sight !!

Can you identify who is who ?  Come over to our facebook page and have a look at what others are saying …

lovely lucy

It was nice to meet up again with Blue/Silver Tabby Maine Coon Lucy in Didsbury, Manchester.  Lucy is 18 months old, and is already quite a hefty lass !

Lucy is such a sweet, gentle girl – but yet so playful and inquisitive – and talkative !   When we arrived, Lucy was very friendly – laid on the settee, rubbing up and nibbling on fingers ! Just little love chews, of course .. !

She settled immediately on the grooming table whilst we got to work on her coat.  There were a few areas that needed some attention with the clippers, then we spent time brushing out her coat whilst she lay calmly.

After the session, mum Rebecca-Anne said :

” Thank you very much for coming to see Lucy !   She feels loads better without those pesky mats, and she also clearly adored all of the attention ! “

You could pop over to our facebook page and see a very short clip of Lucy shot just after her grooming session.  Listen to her little chirp !

Nice to see you again, Lucy !  What a good girl !

lovely oskar

Here’s 5 year old Oskar the Pixie Bob who lives with his housemates and family in Aspull, Wigan, Greater Manchester.

Pixie Bobs are intelligent, active, social, bold, and enjoy playing with other animals.  They mature at around 4 years old and they can be large cats, but on average are around the size of an average domestic cat.  Most are short haired, but some are long haired.  Oskar is much larger than average, weighing in at 7-8 kg – and his hair is long not short.

We were called in to help with brushing out Oskar’s coat.  Although mum and dad are able to comb on top, underneath is a little more difficult as Oskar isn’t too keen on the idea.

His coat wasn’t matted, but was quite thick in parts and was needing a good brush through.  It was an unsettled session as Oskar really didn’t want it to happen – and he told us as much in no uncertain terms !  However, we combed underneath, and removed lots of dead hair – particularly from around the flanks and back end.

After the session, Oskar was back in the room – very nosey – wanting to know what was going on !  Housemate Foley was in on the action too.  See piccie above of Foley on the grooming table, checking out Oskar’s dead hair that was brushed away !

Nice meeting you Oskar, you cheeky chappy !

We’ve been moving our mobile tel number over from one network to another this weekend. Although it should be flawless (?!?!), the number is down at the moment (Mon 1 Sep).  So if you’ve contacted us / do contact us on the mobile by voice/text and don’t receive a response please either try again / e-mail us at info@essentiallypurrfect.co.uk or ring the landline 01257 733755.

Many thanks and sorry for any inconvenience …

mr monkey man

Monkey …. A more affectionate, loving boy you will not meet.  At 8 years old, Monkey lives with him mum and dad in Clitheroe, Lancashire.

Monkey loves nothing more than being out in the garden and neighbouring fields, where he gets all sorts of foliage and bracken stuck in his thick coat.  It was time for his Autumn brush out, to get him ship shape for the coming winter months – as his coat will only get thicker !

We were greeted with head rubs and intrigue as Monkey watched us setting up stall.  He knows what to expect of a session and didn’t kick up any fuss at all as we set to work.

His coat was extremely thick and ready for a good brush out, and removal of one or 2 ad-hoc mats that had formed.  Not a problem for Monkey, although he enjoys to growl for the most part.  Think he just likes hearing his own voice !

After the session he was back in and out of the room as we were clearing up, wanting fuss and attention.  Then, off he went out into the garden to see what he’d been missing …

Why don’t you pop over to our facebook page where you can see a short video clip of Monkey after his grooming session

Following the session, mum Sue said :

“Thanks for coming again to comb through Monkey’s thick coat.  He is starting to get used to your visits I think !  He certainly doesn’t complain half as much as he did the first time.  He seemed fairly relaxed and he stayed around while you packed up as well.  He is very pleased with his sleek new coat !  I’m glad we’ve booked another appointment in three months time.  He really isn’t happy with me grooming his “no go” areas on his back and sides.  Anyway, at the moment he is busy grooming himself quite a lot.  By the way, we both enjoyed the new cat music !  See you in November !  Sue and Monkey xx “

Good boy Monkey ! – See you again soon.

little puddlin

We think this bonny little lady is quite young – maybe around 4 years old ?  Puddlin lives in Kirkham, Lancashire with her mum – and wreaks havoc on the local wildlife.

We stopped by to clip Puddlin’s nails which were extremely long and sharp.  Puddlin had other ideas – she wasn’t keen at all – and she tried her hardest to escape.  Have you heard of the album “Slippery when Wet” ?  Well Puddlin’s slippery when dry !

However the dirty deed was done, and Puddlin went outside to catch some fresh air.  As we were packing the car up, Puddlin sauntered over for a quick head rub and to say goodbye.  Friendly as anything.

Well done Puddlin – we know you weren’t keen on events.  Hope next time will be a little easier for you …