By Stacy N. Hackett
When the knobs on her entertainment center mysteriously came loose, Linda Gorsuch, secretary of the Cat Fanciers’ Association’s (CFA) Turkish Van breed council, knew one of her sweet Turkish Vans had discovered a new way to make mischief.
“One of my kittens was unscrewing the hardware on the knobs,” she explains, noting the breed’s intelligence and uncanny ability to find new ways to play. “This breed can think up things to do that most other cats wouldn’t.”
That innocent ingenuity led Pat Chapman, a Turkish Van breeder in Texas, to install childproof latches on her kitchen cabinets.
“I will now be installing them on my upper cupboards, as the cats open them in search of things to play with,” she explains with a laugh, recounting her cats’ love of heights. “They are now getting on the counters and on top of the fridge to open the unsecured doors.”
That problem-solving ability — and a general zest for life — attract more and more fans every year. Combined with the cat’s devotion to its owner, the traits make the Turkish Van an ideal pet, Chapman says. “They are friendly, affectionate and loyal.”
**Get the June 2009 issue of CAT FANCY to read the full article.**