In the year 2000, I was a complete newbie to the world of feline showing, and my first show was an eye-opener: I had no idea how many cat breeds there were, many of them totally new to me. As an educator and life-long learner, I had a great deal of research ahead of me if I planned to stay in this hobby.
One of the first breeds I met was the Somali. Jan Pitelka, owner of TheCatGarden Somali Cattery in New Lenox, Illinois, introduced her breed to me. Her show cat fascinated me; it had gorgeous, shiny, fluffy red fur with incredible black markings, including mascara. On being told that these cats are known as the “little foxes of the cat world,” I could see the resemblance clearly. Now, twenty years later, I remember Jan’s story well. Living rurally in Illinois, she and her son looked out the front door one afternoon to find a fox in their front yard. Her son quickly reminded her that “the ear set isn’t right.” That is when Jan realized she had been showing too long!
A very intelligent cat, the Somali is vibrantly colored, and its pride is that bushy plume of a tail. “The combination of ticked, dramatically colored fur, striking facial marks, large ears, full bushy tail and britches gives the Somali a ‘little fox’ look which immediately captivates.” (CFA Breeds) Recognized for championship by CFA in 1979, the Somali is a close relative to the Abyssinian and like the Aby, is shown in four colors: ruddy, red, blue and fawn. A very friendly cat, the Somali looks its best with daily grooming, and is highly active and energetic. (Purina)
No Kitten! Cats Are Part of the Military!
Felines have graced the decks of boats and ships back nearly to the beginning of time, roaming freely on passenger ships, war vessels, and merchant schooners, keeping vermin at bay.
Feline Summer Movie Fun!
School is almost OUT! Huzzah! But raindrops are plunking against the window, the amusement and water parks haven’t opened yet, camping is out, and roasted hot dogs and S’mores are another month away.
Kittens Are Special...
...and so are some of the show rules for them:
Genetic Pleiotropy and the Risks in Breeding Recessive Mutations
Nearly everyone loves what’s rare and unique. A slight defect in the minting process of a coin can create a demand and a value well beyond the face value of the coin. The coin is functionally no different than its perfectly minted counterpart, but its scarcity and uniqueness alone make it more desirable than the rest.
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
Most new pet owners can hardly wait to get their new kitten home. How to explain why most breeders wait until the kitten is older? | Let's take a look at WHY breeders delay, and why new owners will be happier in the long run that they did.
Who's That Kitten?
Your queen has successfully delivered her litter!
Kittens & Worms
You have settled in for the evening with your soft, sleepy kitten. As you rub her, you notice that her belly is large, round, and squishy.
GESTATION What Is Normal & What Influences Gestation.?
About 46.5 million households in the United States report owning cats in 2024.
Preparing Kittens For the Show Hall
Socializing kittens and making sure they are confident for their new family is only a part of the job description for a show breeder.
Library Cats felis cattus bibliotheca
Introduction - The Middle Ages, sometimes referred to as “The Dark Ages,” spanned approximately one thousand years, between 479 AD and 1450 AD. This time period is not generally considered to have been friendly to anyone, human nor animal, but it was especially hostile toward felines. Ignorance of knowledge and science was rampant among the majority of the population, with the ability to read limited to clerics and the wealthy. Myths, legends, and galliard songs spread widely throughout Europe as people migrated from place to place, searching for food and a safe habitat. Fear of the unknown and the unexplainable, particularly of witches and their cat familiars, was spread not only by the stories and songs, but by the Popes themselves. Without touching on the atrocities of medieval times, let us just say it was not the best time to be a cat.