Reactions to Minerva range from “She’s beautiful” to “That is the ugliest thing I have seen in my life.” Minerva is a Sphynx. Sphynx are a rare breed of cat that was first seen in Canada when a regular cat had a bald kitten. This natural genetic mutation was seen with other cats in the 60s and 70s. The hairless cats were bred to haired cats and then back to each other to create a unique breed with a characteristic of little to no hair. Since Sphynx have no hair for the Fel-D1 protein to stick to and because they require regular bathing, people with allergies can often tolerate the hairless Sphynx better than other cats. Boy’s mommy is highly allergic to cats and her trachea starts to close up when she is around a cat. Yet she can not only tolerate, but love on Minerva.
The Sphynx is an amazing breed. It is the dog of the cat world and has been described by some as part cat, part dog, part human child, and part monkey. These bare babies love to curl up on your lap and crave human attention. Minerva is wonderfully patient with children and has never met a stranger. She is more work than the average cat. She requires regular bathing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning. When it is cool, she needs clothes for extra warmth. But she’s worth it. I would get another Sphynx in a heartbeat.
A Cat & Her Boy 