My first impression of a Singapura was their desire to interact with people. It came when called, was confident even in unfamiliar surroundings, trusting that its owner was there to protect it, ever playful; giving unconditional love. It never occurred to me that I would one day integrate one of these adorable creatures into my household of gentle, quiet, peaceful Russian Blues.

When offered a kitten, I hesitated briefly. Quickly, addiction overcame dollars, and I succumbed. What to name this precious little person? My naming of cats is legend amongst my friends, who have come to expect hidden humour. It took a week to create “Singa Song of Sixpence” (now Sixpence to his friends).

He was three months old when I brought him home. Within half an hour, he had found and demolished his plate of meat, used his litter tray, greeted my 5 kg matriarch Russian spay with a feisty hiss, leapt onto my lap, and emitted the loudest purr I have ever heard from a kitten of his size. As I fondled him, I marveled at his delicately ticked coat with clear, cream under body, incredibly short and silky, feeling like fine satin. His legs were long and fine. Even as a young kitten, he was a miniature of adults I had seen.  A bundle of muscle, he obviously had already explored kitchen benches. And those eyes! Bold, clear luminous green, ever watchful for the next adventure.

At 10 the next morning, I telephoned Sandra. “Where's the off switch?” 

I quickly learnt that  the Singapura have only two speeds:  flat out - and the sedentary position is rarely used. They run, they jump, they leap, they are never still. Anything is a toy, preferred items being watches left on bedside tables, pens borrowed from the telephone table, and anything else a human is likely to value or look for in a hurry. They use their little paws like hands, and toss soft objects around like miniature monkeys. Had their ancestors copied their simian friends in native Singapore, and passed this trait to successive generations?

Very “in-your-face”, they are never confrontational in the negative sense of the word. They are totally honest. Unlike the scheming Siamese, mischievous Burmese, or conniving Abyssinians, if they are going to steal something, they do it while you are watching, with a “What are you going to do now?” attitude. But, acceptance is very important to them, and I quickly learnt that no amount of verbal reprimand worked as well as 5 minutes in the “Sin bin” (a carry case in the laundry) for unacceptable behavior. And that behavior, once punished is rarely repeated. However, the downside is that that ever functioning little brain is devising something new. They are enchanting.

Knowing the Singapura’s need for a play companion, I had acquired a Group 4 kitten, Cedric, three days younger – and twice the size of Sixpence. In their first encounter, Sixpence walked up to his new friend, and with noses only centimeters apart, hissed assertively. Gentle, submissive Cedric retreated to consider his position. It was not long before they approached each other again, this time Cedric took the initiative, tentatively growling, to see the reaction. Sixpence was amazed – no one did that to a Singapura! They started to play, and have been inseparable since. 

And what about the Russians? They accepted the new comer with bemusement. They had never seen a kitten so busy. Their furry grey tails quickly became toys, tolerated by maternal hormone driven females, vigorously shunned by dignified neuters who showed their displeasure by further flicking the “toy”, only adding to the fury of the game. But, where better for a Singapura to sleep on a cool day than curled up in the midst of three adult Russians occupying a two cat bed?

Participation is the key word in a Singapura’s approach to life. Whatever you are doing, they want to do it, too. Meals are not safe from swift, unexpectedly long darting paws keen to sample what humans eat. Having watched the numbers change on the LCD digital clock as I set the time, it took Sixpence only a day while I was at work to find the button to do the same. It took me several days, and catching him in the act to realize why my clock was always fast after I had reset it. I must be the only person who now has to keep a $20 clock from Big W in a china cabinet behind glass! On another occasion, he jumped into the open kitchen drawer to see if there was anything interesting, onto the warm stovetop (surprise!) straight onto the swing top of the rubbish bin, which in a flick devoured him. Hastily I rescued him to console and reassure. He wriggled impatiently from my arms - and promptly did it again, and again.  I have had to relocate the bin out of jumping distance, and now make sure he is on the verandah when I am cooking.

At last I have found my ideal male, unconditionally loving, welcomes me home each evening, does not criticize or make insane suggestions, does not ask how much my latest purchase cost.

I must warn that Singapura owners use a version of “Realestatese” when writing about their beloved little cats.  For example:

ENTERPRISING means that they are always looking for a new form of mischief,

ADORABLE means that they have just done something they should not have, and leapt into your arms, gazed into your eyes, and purred

AFFECTIONATE means that they want to be near you all the time, leaping onto your shoulder from unexpected angles at inappropriate times (e.g. the hand basin as you step naked from the shower

PARTICIPATION means o[l5ttre`J.dfesvcfzsvcwq\q@#^*)J  (sorry, Sixpence just jumped on the keyboard)

ON means in, as in sleeping on/in bed with you

Singapuras interpret NO to mean just one more time, Please?????

........…and so on.

If you want your life to be changed forever, to have a purry bundle of muscular sepia ticked satin fur forever near you, entertaining, faithful, sharing, you need a Singapura.

And no, of course I am not biased.

Margaret Steed