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A day in the life of Charlie

I'm a Mandalay! What's a Mandalay?

I had to go to my new vet yesterday because I had a scratched eye and it was sore. His name is Michael and he is really nice. He is also a cat expert which makes me feel better. Anyway he said that I was one of the most beautiful Mandalays he'd ever seen (and he owns 2!) I had to ask what a Mandalay was - I only know that I'm from the Auckland SPCA and maybe had some Burmese in me!

He told me that Mandalay cats are a NZ breed, created by crossing a Burmese with a domestic black cat. Mandalay cats have officially recognised status here and beautiful, glossy black coats and amber eyes - just like me! My colour is 'ebony' and my panther-like shape and chilled out personality are common traits of this breed.

Apparently I am identical genetically to my Burmese siblings, the only difference being that I have solid colour genes, whereas they have 1 bi-coloured gene which gives them their coloured points. Wow!

I can also enter cat shows if I want (although I don't think I will) as a full pedigree without papers.

So, that was a very interesting trip to the vet! I'm glad to find out more about my background and I emailed my lovely brother, Tyson, to let him know too. We know that we are both very special but this makes us even more special.

Charlie

Reuniting with my brother Tyson!

On Sunday I was having a quiet snooze in the sun when my mum rudely interrupted it and put me in my cage. I thought that we must be going to the vet again, so I wasn't pleased.

I also wasn't pleased to discover that mum had taken me back to the SPCA - where I came from - although this time there were lots of people and big, loud cars everywhere. I was quite scared.

But the nicest surprise was meeting my real brother, Tyson, there! Tyson looks just like me (except that he is bigger and has extra toes!) and he was snoozing in his cool kitty lounger.

I am so proud of Tyson - he's a SPCA Outreach cat and he loves meeting new people. I wish that I could be as brave as he is and have people patting me all day.

Anyway, Tyson's mummy and my mummy talked lots and now we can stay in contact. I was really happy to see him again - I've missed him, and it's nice to know a bit more about what my family is up to!