From Norsk mythology we learn
they believed in three levels to the world: land of the gods, of man, and
of the deceased. This top level, land of the gods, consisted of two kinds
of gods: Aesir (warrior gods) and Vanaheim (fecundity gods called the VANIR).
VANIR fought many battles with the Aesir, but ultimately both kinds of gods
united. Most well known of these VANIR gods was Freya, a dominating goddess
of love. In a battle with the Aesir she rode in a chariot drawn by TWO LARGE
CATS. . .which, considering what cats were there at the time, had to be
Norwegian Forest Cats. The history of the Norwegian Forest Cat contains
many myths and legend and lore. The story of the VANIR goddess Freya
and her chariot pulled by two huge Norwegian Forest Cats is but one.
 Later in history, we know the Vikings
kept the Skogkatt (forest cat) on their vessels for pest control and companionship.
The cats sailed the seas and oceans along with the Vikings, and today in
most of the places where the Vikings landed we can find cats similar to
the Norsk Skogkatt. It is widely believed that the Vikings landed in the
Newfoundland, Canada, area long before other europeans. It is most probable
that Skogkatts may have "jumped ship" to contribute to the feral
cats found in the United States, who later became known as Maine Coon Cats.
 The Norwegian Forest Cat evolved
naturally in cold, adverse climates. They developed through natural selection,
ony the fittest of the breed surviving, and today we have a very healthy
and hardy cat.
The Wegie, as they are fondly called, is a very people-oriented cat and
adapts easily to change. A Wegie who accepts you as their special person
will follow you everywhere and stick close his "special person".
Wegies often greet strangers at the door and wonder who are these wonderful
beings who are visiting my home. These cats adapt to most circumstances.
They have been know to sleep curled up next to dogs, children, and even
a pot-bellied pig.
VANIR CATTERY
CFA Certified Cattery of Excellence
Cheryl McConnell
PHONE: 515-249-0060
E-MAIL: VanirCats@aol.com
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