My guy can order take-out!
Posted on 10/11/2008 6:34:29 AM PDT by Daffynition
Maybe you've always thought your feline friend had the makings of a champion. So if you want to see how your Fluffy stacks up against the best of the pedigreed bunch, enter her in the annual CFA-IAMS Cat Championship agility contest.
More than 600 cats from all over the world will converge on Madison Square Garden the weekend of Oct. 18-19 for the cat show, including more than 300 show cats from 41 breeds and about 300 shelter kitties available for adoption.
The agility portion – a track riddled with tunnels, hurdles and ramps – is open to pedigreed and non-pedigreed cats alike, you simply register your kitty online.
Owners coax their cats through the events using a string or toy, but if the cat is feeling contrary, attitude can be is sometimes the biggest obstacle on the course.
"They're cats, they'll do whatever they want," said show spokesman Peter Collins. "There's nothing more embarrassing than for someone who may have trained at home and then when they get there, the animal just stands there," he said.
Only the pedigreed champs, from American Curls to Maine Coons to Egyptian Maus, will vie for top titles of Best of Breed and Best of the Best, which are awarded on the closing Sunday of the show.
"It's based on body structure, hair, and how well-groomed the animal is," Collins said. "These are pretty pampered cats so they all come out great, but some are greater than others."
IF YOU GO: Register your cat in the agility contest or get ...[snip]; The show runs Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 19 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; [snip]
Cat Contender Q + A: Robin Beckett and Rustling Rapunzel
A local cat breeder tells us how Rustling Rapunzel ("Rappi"), her 5-month-old British Shorthair and a contender in the upcoming cat show, is prepping for competition.
Q: How did you know "Rappi" had potential to be a show cat? A: You learn by watching litters over the years what to look for and then you cross your fingers. Every breed has a standard, something as specific as ear shape or eye set. She had the widest head, the best ear set. She has an exquisite profile and fabulous eye color.
Q: How do you prep her to compete? A: With kittens, you want to get them used to the way the judges will handle them. They will take a kitten and hold them up in the air. Also you want them to get used to activity and crowds. Cat strollers are becoming very common, so we'll take her for a walk in the stoller in our neighborhood and into Pet Smart. Even with all of that, you could get a kitten who appears to love to show but you get it in there, it will hate it.
Q: How pampered is your cat? A: Our cats are members of the family first. My girls are all loose in the house, they sleep with us. We built an extension on the house for the boys. But you need to balance the [show] goals with the needs of the cat. These are pets first and the needs of the cats are always more important than the goal.
Our condolences on the loss of Luca, angcat.
Cute.....only thing is that my Gregio thinks 4am is the right time for breakfast.....and of course they get it.
My guy can order take-out!
I am so sorry for you, Angcat. Today I learned my mother’s beautiful, beautiful calico cat was torn apart by wolves in the canyon behind their house. She ran down the canyon with the shovel to try to save her, and my dad called on her to stay back, but it was too late. The cat died in her arms, at least knowing my mother was there. The filthy despicable wolves did not get the satisfaction of tearing her apart.
She’s now purring with your adorable Luca on St. Francis’ lap, suffering no more. I send my condolences.
God Bless
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