05/03/06 - #35 Ew... (sorry Sophie) The Sphynx (aka Canadian Hairless) is a rare breed of cat with extremely little fur, or at most a short fuzz over its body, and no whiskers (vibrissae). This is a natural mutation that occurs every fifteen years (or so) and Canadian breeders have been working on the sphynx breed since the 1960's. Though very affectionate, it has illicited an initial reaction upon first encountering one as "ew..." in at least myself. It's pink and fleshy and wrinkly. It ends up seaming creepily human since that's my only association of furless flesh. Except, due to it's pinky-wrinkly-ness it also triggers associations of a a fetal lamb (ewe) as it curls into my lap looking for warmth. Anyway, they're squishy and wrinkly and clammy and fleshy and a little bit icky but at the same time they're quite wondrous and fantastic and cute and alien and affectionate and, I would want one except that they're very expensive and also require more maintenance than a regular cat.