Norwegian Forest Cat - update

The Drammen cat Putin was obviously satisfied with the facilities and the size of the electricity bill and simply moved in with the Verde-Thons - there was no discussion.  In fact much like our old cat Soxie who lived in the outdoor bbq for a while before moving inside.

Here's the official blurb from the Norwegian Forest Cat Club:

The Norwegian Forest Cat is truly a natural breed and really does originate from Norway. The exact origins of the Forest Cats will never be precisely established, but one thing is certain: NFCs can be found in Norwegian folklore, where it is said that these cats were the family pets of the Vikings. As early as the sixteenth century such cats were described as being large, with long legs, big ruffs and ear tufts. Just like the Forest Cats of today, they had a particular liking for water, with the ability to catch fish in lakes and streams. In some folk tales they are referred to as the "Fairy Cat" - it is easy to imagine them appearing supernatural as they flitted amongst the trees with their long, elegant bodies and flowing, bushy tails.

The Norwegian Forest Cat as we know it today has developed through natural selection, as only the toughest cats with the thickest waterproof coats and other special features would be able to survive in Norway's harsh climate. However, they probably crept in to keep warm by the farmers' hearths when they could, and have always been known to like being around people. Eventually, as the remote areas of Norway became more heavily populated the breed was in danger of dying out, so a special breeding programme began. Since then the breed has gone from strength to strength and is now extremely popular in many countries, particularly Scandinavia. 

So they were the pets of the Vikings! No wonder they have such piercing stares..