| Do you feel that cats can't compete with dogs? | | | | above, they have powerful muscles and are great |
| Think again. In 2003, Rachel Tucker of Baker City, | | | | leapers, with hind legs, when extended, slightly longer |
| OR, entered her two hundred strong Siberian cat sled | | | | than the front ones. Their paws are large and |
| team in the Atta Boy 300 sled dog race as a publicity | | | | powerful as well. But in spite of all this strength, they |
| stunt. Much to the amazement and embarrassment | | | | are extremely agile, and have the sweetest facial |
| of the Husky competitors, Tucker's cats ran the | | | | expressions. They are very vocal and can be heard |
| three hundred mile course in just over twenty-two | | | | giving off a soft chirping sound. Siberian cats have |
| hours, not only winning the race, but beating out the | | | | quite a regal bearing. |
| nearest dog team by about an hour. No one thought | | | | But one of the most fascinating things about |
| she had a prayer, except for Tucker of course. "I | | | | Siberians is that people who are typically allergic to |
| told the puppy lovers to watch out, that these cats | | | | cats, who experience sneezing, wheezing, hives, and |
| were for real, but they thought I was joking," said | | | | watery eyes as well as other symptoms, have |
| Tucker. Centuries ago, Siberian cats were initially bred | | | | absolutely no allergic reaction to a Siberian. For a |
| as watch cats and used in Russian monasteries. | | | | shaggy cat, that is quite an astounding fact. People |
| Siberians are beautiful breed large cats that are a | | | | who in the past have even been hospitalized because |
| natural product of Russia, typically found in Leningrad | | | | of an allergic reaction to cats can comfortably cuddle |
| and St. Petersburg. They did not have it easy, either. | | | | with a Siberian and suffer not a single sniffle. |
| Not only did they have to endure the harsh Russian | | | | Siberians have wonderfully affectionate natures and |
| climate, but for a number of years it was against the | | | | are quick to give a kitty massage or bath to their |
| law for Russians to own and feed pets. These cats | | | | owner when they're feeling sad or down. They also |
| had to run the streets surviving 'underground' and | | | | have been said to have dog-like qualities, especially |
| eventually finding refuge in the local monasteries. | | | | when it comes to protective behavior. For all of their |
| They weren't introduced into the United States until | | | | power and protectiveness, Siberian cats are |
| the 1990s. | | | | absolutely wonderful around children. So if you |
| Siberians are semi-longhaired cats with thick | | | | happen to have children with allergies or asthma, but |
| undercoats and come in all color patterns, usually | | | | you would love to give them a pet, a Siberian Cat is |
| taking up to five years to mature. As illustrated | | | | just the ticket. |