Myths and Folk "Tails"

According to one biblically inspired folktale, the Manx was the last of God's creatures to climb aboard the ark, barely making it before Noah slammed the door shut; and loosing it's tail in the door. A another variation portrays Noah's dog as the culprit responsible for the loss of the cat's tail. In exasperation, the tailless cat fled the ark and swam from the Ark to the Isle of Man, where it found a home. In yet another tale, Irish or Viking warriors stole kittens to use their tails as good luck charms, and to decorating their helmets. In order to save their kittens, the mother cats would bite off the tails of their young.

The Manx is the result of spontaneous mutation, which occurred hundreds of years ago. This mutation caused kittens to be born without the vertebrae which forms a normal cat tail. The isolation of the cats on an island meant years of inbreeding which produced dominate gene traits, which now appear in the "Manx Cat".

Just the Facts!

The Manx is a solidly built cat with a short back and compact body. It has long back legs which are noticeably longer then the front legs. Covered in a dense double coat the cats can weigh on average 10 to 12 pounds for females and 8 to 10 pounds for males. A highly intelligent and affectionate breed often referred to as the "Dog Cat". They love to play fetch and have a fascination with water. The Manx make great companions and are often a one person or one family cat. The Manx have origins back to the "Isle of Man"

Types:

Rumpy - Completely tailless.

Riser - Bit of stump at base of spine.

Stumpy - A short stump of a tail. Longy - A visible short tail

Isle of Man:

National Symbol: is the Three Legs of Man, first officially used in the early fourteenth century on the Manx Sword of State. The legs, clad in Armour and bearing spurs, run in a clockwise direction and bear the Latin motto 'Quocunque Jeceris Stabit' or 'Whichever way you throw it, it will stand' - a testament to islanders' independence and resilience. The Three Legs also appear on the Manx Coat of Arms, flanked by a Peregrine Falcon and a Raven. The source of the legs emblem is subject to many theories including the legend of the Island God Manannan, who is said to have set fire to the Legs in a fit of rage and hurled them down the hill in a burning wheel. The Legs are also related to Sicily's emblem of three naked legs surrounding the head of Medusa, which can be traced back to symbols representing the Sun.

Language:

The native language for the Isle of Man is Manx Gaelic. It resembles other Gaelic languages like Scottish and Irish and is part of the Celtic language family.

Good morning.... Moghrey mie ......( Maw-ra mye)

Good afternoon/evening ....Fastyr mie ....(Fas-tur mye)

Good night ....Oie vie ....(Ee vye)

Hello.... Dy bannee diu.... (Di bannee deeoo)

How are you ....Kys ta shiu.... (Kus ta shoo)

Fine thanks, and you? ....Braew, gura mie eu as shiu hene? ....(Brow goora mye eeoo as shoo heen?)

Please.... My saillu ....(Mi sall-yoo)