Yes this could have to do with the fact that Freya the Norse Goddess of love, beauty and fertility drove a chariot pulled by cats.
So, if I ever get married, I fully expect a catmobile.
One of the other reasons why they gave cats to each other was for their valuable skills as mousers. Cats were able to control rodent populations around their properties.
Also, Norse myths are thought to have the earliest literary descriptions of the Norwegian Forest Cat. They were described as large, strong cats that drew Freya’s chariot and were so heavy that not even Thor, God of Thunder, could lift them from the floor. (Source)
They kinda live up to the legend, too. Your average Norwegian Forest Cat is twenty pounds of solid muscle, with claws large and strong enough to climb solid rock. They’ve been known to attack bears when defending their territory. And yet they’re one of the cuddliest breeds out there, particularly noted for being patient with small children.
I have a Norwegian mix, and can attest that she is the cuddliest cat but also insane enough to try and fight a bear.
i love mythology in any place of the world. It’s all just great!
My brother has a Norwegian mix he’s huge. If you’re on the couch with a blanket he’ll crawl under it and lay on his side so he’s spooning with you. I used him to teach my 6 year-old cousin to get over her fear of cats too ‘cause he’s very calm and patient and didn’t react to her jerky hand movements- he just sat next to her and purred until she got the courage to pet him.
At the same time this cat took on my neighbor’s two German Shepherds and came away with only a dislocated shoulder. She used to take them out without a leash and they ran after him and she couldn’t get control of them so he latched onto one of the dog’s faces, dug his claws in and didn’t let go until my dad came and got him. The dog still has scars but the cat’s shoulder was fine within a month- the vet said she’d never seen a dislocated shoulder on a cat before the dog must’ve shaken him really damn hard.
He also took on a full grown male deer once but that’s another story. He’s a good cat.
theclumsiestninja 