Check this out!

No, this is not another picture of Maisie. Turns out she is not just a tabby with unusual colouring and beautiful blue eyes. She is a Lynx Point Siamese. Well, that certainly explains the colouring and the eyes.

This “breed” first appeared in the US in the 1940s when someone decided to see what you would get if you crossed a seal point Siamese with a domestic short hair tabby. The result was a cat it was decided bore a striking resemblance to a lynx. 

Other breeders took note and got on board.

According to one article I found, “The Siamese personality is one of legend. They are intelligent, affectionate, and even ‘passionate’ if you apply a human trait. The best of these, coupled with the best of the tabby, seems to have benefited the Lynx Point, who are friendly and social, at least when it comes to being around their owners. The tabby part of their personalities seems to have calmed down the reputational temperament of the pure Siamese. That said, they are still full of energy and playfulness. You’ll even see them being silly from time to time.”

Another article says something similar: “Like all Siamese, the Lynx Point Siamese is active, outgoing, affectionate, and curious. Siamese are some of the most intense ‘Velcro cats’, a nickname that refers to their need to be close to – often touching – their favorite humans. They want to be part of the action and will follow you all over the house to learn what’s going on that day.”

All that checks out, although there is no mention of shredding paper, so that particular quirk must be Maisie’s alone.

If you’d asked me, before I was informed about the provenance of this little lady, I’d have been more likely to say minx than lynx, but I’m just fine with the latter.