For whatever reason, when it comes to cats, I like mutts. Like I said, I have 4, all ex-strays. One of them, Ben, has one of those faces that just exudes innocence. Big innocent eyes and big innocent expression. If you watched him deliberately knock a lamp onto the floor, all he'd have to do is look at you for about 10 seconds, and you'd be off blaming one of the others.

One of them, Charlie (named after Charlie Chaplin, the little tramp) is a black, beat up, old warrior looking guy, but I swear, a gentler, nicer little guy, you've never met. What he puts up with from the other cats puts him in a class with Job.

>I bet you love Himalayan, Persian and Norwegian Forest cats too! :o)
>
>
>>>I had a samoyed when I was 14. Beautiful dog and a great family dog. However, when she shed (which was twice a year) it was a MESS. When outdoors they behave similar to a lab or brittany spaniel. They love to run and need plenty of exercise daily. They are also natural herders and will even attempt to herd small children - makes them great babysitters :o) They bark when small children wander outside of the dog's perceived bounderies (which is typically their property or 'yard'). Indoors though mine was very calm and well behaved. She was not a good guard dog because she wanted to bark at every animal outside.
>>
>>So, no sweaters I take it?
>>
>>As far as beauty is concerned, the only other dogs I can think of that come close are the Malamute and Siberian Husky. The Samoyed, though, is just gorgeous.
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>>I haven't read all of the responses, so someone else might have suggested this...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>My brother has owned a few Shelties, and they are great dogs. We prefer dogs over cats, but if we were to own one, it would probably be a Sheltie.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>KG
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I've never owned a dog, but when I was in my teens, a friend had a samoyed. Now that was a great dog.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Lady down the street had a Saint Barnyard when I was about 7, and she used to bring it out to the schoolyard where we would play football with it. She had a little rubber football, and it was us against the dog. We would tackle it if we could, and it would run over us when it felt like it. What a trip. I loved that dog. We all did.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Samoyeds are great dogs. I wonder if they are prone to illness, though. This may be just anecdotal but some former neighbors had three of them and they all died at a relatively young age.
>>>>
>>>>One of the most beautiful dogs on earth. Here is an excerpt from the Denver Samoyed Association web site:
>>>>
>>>>The normal temperature of a dog (taken with a rectal thermometer) lies between 101 and 102° F. Given his necessary shots and yearly booster, the Samoyed is a hardy dog and not prone to illness. Most illnesses and injuries are caused by incorrect diets and neglect. Long coated dogs are subject to hot spots and other skin diseases when not groomed and kept clean, from force feeding rich foods to promote excessive coat, and by not providing a cool place to sleep during the hot months. He will tolerate the heat if given a shady spot; he can adjust to any climate.
>>>>
>>>>And remember, if you collect the wool undercoat when brushing a Samoyed, you can knit yourself a nice sweater. ;)