My Itchy Fingers

Odd Encounter

Itchyfingers were wandering at Katong area trying to get some nice backdrop to shoot some photos of our little handmade miniature cats when Tisu Boy exclaimed in pleasant surprise and pointed to me a rare sight.

It was a cat. To be precise, it was a white cat sitting behind the glass window of an old but refurnished shophouse now used for residential purpose.

Recently Itchyfingers started to photograph stray community cats around the housing estates, so we have been on the lookout for cats to photograph whenever we are outside. Whenever we see any cats with interesting markings that we have not photographed before, we would get very excited. So far we have not photographed a pure white cat, although white cats are not uncommon. But what got Itchyfingersso so excited was that this white cat was no ordinary white cat. Why? Because it has eyes with different colouration. In Chinese, we could call it 阴阳眼 (yin yang eye), though in folk belief, this term is also used to describe the ability of some people who can see see ghosts or other supernatural phenomena invisible to most ordinary people. In a more scientific term, this is known as Heterochromia iridum, which refers to a difference in coloration, usually of the iris but also of hair or skin. Heterochromia is a result of the relative excess or lack of the pigment, melanin. It may be inherited, or caused by genetic mosaicism, disease or injury.

This pretty cat was sitting behind the glass window. We were so worried
that we might scare her and lose the golden opportunity to photo this rare cat,
so had to be fast and extra careful. These so-called odd-eyed cats are almost
always white, with one normal eye (copper, orange, yellow or green) and a
blue eye. Itchyfingers decided to call her Oddie :p

In some countries and culture, the odd-eye cats are very popular. In Turkey, the pure white Turkish Angora cats are protected and considered a national treasure! The mascot of the 2010 FIBA World Championship hosted by Turkey was a species of odd-eye cat name Bascat! Cute!

After Tisu Boy secured a number of shots of Oddie, being Itchyfingers, we decided to come up with some mischief. We were curious to find out the reaction of Oddie if she sees my little handmade miniature cat, Mo…

We caught Oddie’s immediate attention the moment we placed Mo on
the window frame!

Sniff, sniff…So cute! Oddie tried to check out the new little puss in town…
“Who is this little young lady?”

Then Oddie tried to claw Mo from behind the glass window! This was so
cute and hilarious! Itchyfingers couldn’t stop laughing! 

Oddie must be feeling frustrating not being able to get hold of Mo…

So she tried again! “This time I must get my paw on you and let you know
whose territory is this!” 8)

Oddie stayed with us for close to 10 minutes before she decided to retire inside her house. Off she went! Felt really lucky to have met Oddie and photographed her. But too bad she was indoor and behind a glass window. I was so happy the moment Oddie saw Mo! She was totally intrigued!

Mo, the customised miniature handmade cat made by Itchyfingers for a
friend. After this brief encounter between Oddie and Mo, Itchyfingers was
curious if my friend’s cats would be equally intrigued when they saw their
own little furry doubles…Find out more from the post here at the Mushroom
Creative Shop! 8)

Also see related post:
> Visiting an Old Friend