So you have seen a picture or met your first
Devon and - like us – you are smitten. And you want to know
more. What are they like to live with? What can I tell you? To give
you my own analogy (from years in teaching 4 –11 year olds!);
if you can imagine a classroom full of children, each of which equates
to a breed of cat, then the Devon Rex is the loveable rogue who
clamours for your attention, in often the most outlandish fashion,
but always with an impish grin. The one who no one would call good
looking in any conventional way – no Brad or Britney “wanna-be’s”
– but the one with the twinkle in the eye who engages you
immediately, and who repays all your attention by showing you that,
underneath that street urchin, gamine exterior beats a heart as
big as the county he is named after. That’s a Devon. Quirky
and adorable. Personality Plus! A cat that loveable deserves to
be loved back.
Your average Devon is a finally honed athlete,
with well-toned muscle – which makes him heavier than he looks.
Poles, scratching posts and/or activity centres will help to keep
him in shape – and avoid improvisation such as utilising the
curtains! He may well engage you in the coaching process. You throw
and he will retrieve – repeatedly! It’s amazing what
you can substitute for a frisbee!
Devons are quite vocal – in a conversational
way. They will provide you with a running commentary on the days
events (rather like “Five-Live”). Listen out too for
the characteristic, hunting “chatter”. This is not the
onset of a fit – just a “look what I’ve found”
initial warning to all prey. Contented purrs, however, start from
deep inside and cause the whole body to vibrate and produce a sound
somewhere between a wood pigeon and an outboard motor. There is
no other sound like it! It is wonderful!
Devons have a modified coat so are not ideal
for Arctic conditions – and, of course they do love their
creature comforts - duvets, radiators and sheepskin rugs feature
prominently on the list. And, of course, the best resting place
of all – your knee - or armpit. If
you are not available on a 24-7 basis to fulfill this basic requirement
then a substitute Devon bed is called for which meets all identified
needs and provides opportunity for long, undisturbed sleep.
Devons also appreciate spotlessly clean litter
trays and the same attention to feeding bowls and utensils that
you would give to your own.
When awake, your Devon is a very intelligent
animal, who needs to be engaged in challenging play. He could work
out how to open the drawer containing your underwear to play with
– or you can provide him with a selection of toys as an alternative
– preferably for use with you, or a playmate. And of course,
just like the child at Christmas, they often find the box and the
wrapping paper far more stimulating to the imagination than the
present itself.
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