All Hands on Deck. The Birman Captain Has Arrived in a Gold-Trimmed Tricorn.

All hands on deck: the captain has arrived. This seal point Birman stares out from beneath a black tricorn hat edged with gold braid and a dangling golden cord. Brilliant sapphire-blue eyes shine from a dark mask, while a ruff of creamy fur spills out around a cascade of white lace at the throat. The captain's navy velvet coat is loaded with gold embroidery, brass buttons, and heavy fringed epaulettes. The expression is steely and determined, the look of a sailor who has weathered many storms and lost very few sardines.

Birmans are a gentle, affectionate breed known for their colorpoint coats, deep blue eyes, and the signature white gloves on all four paws. Legend links them to temple cats in Burma, though the breed as we know it was developed in France in the twentieth century. Birmans tend to be calm, sociable, and people-loving, often following their owners from room to room without being overly demanding. Their medium-long, silky coat doesn't mat as easily as some longhaired breeds, but brushing a couple of times a week helps keep it tangle-free and reduces shedding and hairballs. They generally adapt well to indoor life and enjoy gentle play.

With a crew of loyal deckhands and a hold full of fish, this captain is ready to set sail. Just don't expect him to swab the deck himself.