I'm hoping that some of you will tell your stories on the how, whys and whats of becoming a breeder and why you choose that particular breed....
Here's my story ...
I have lived with cats all my life and I started making rosettes in 1995 due to my BIL's (he's an equestrian) instigation. At the end of 1999, my little business made the local papers and I was contacted by the local cat club to make rosettes for them. My eldest sister had had already retired from breeding Persians so I thought I knew what breeding was all about. And really, at the time I had no interest in breeding anything!
Intrigued, I attended, by invitation of the club's then secretary, Wilson, my very first CFA cat show sometime in early 2000.
At that show, all I saw was Persians, Maine Coons and a sprinkling of Short haired cats. I also saw my very first Abyssinian. Love at first sight!
I had and still have less interest in Long Haired cats but the Abyssinian was striking! The color, the coat, the cat!
I told Wilson - I want one of those cats, to which he replied, for what? Breeding, showing or pet? I said, pet, not interested in shows and all that...
He said, ok, let me see if I can find you one worthy...
3 months later he calls me and says that he needed more rosettes for another show and I of course made them. And attended the next show...again the Abyssinian called to me...
This went on for quite a while - I became internet sort of savvy and I started doing research into Abyssinians getting mightily confused along the way. Breed standards, color, ethics, color...aaarrrggghhhh! I really didn't want to become a breeder but the Abyssinians!
Then I saw a picture of Bastis The Envelopeplease (Envy). I called Wilson and said, "I WANT that cat!" He said, "you can't have him"!
"If you want him, you'll have to breed him".
And so the search started - I was blessed. Wilson became my guide and mentor to that effect - where to look, what to look for. Since he was familiar with the judges, he got the judges on board and two of them were the Takano's. I didn't know it but they were and are Japan's premier Abyssinian breeders. They gave me Stevie and found me Reecie...
The rest as they say is history....
Here's my story ...
I have lived with cats all my life and I started making rosettes in 1995 due to my BIL's (he's an equestrian) instigation. At the end of 1999, my little business made the local papers and I was contacted by the local cat club to make rosettes for them. My eldest sister had had already retired from breeding Persians so I thought I knew what breeding was all about. And really, at the time I had no interest in breeding anything!
Intrigued, I attended, by invitation of the club's then secretary, Wilson, my very first CFA cat show sometime in early 2000.
At that show, all I saw was Persians, Maine Coons and a sprinkling of Short haired cats. I also saw my very first Abyssinian. Love at first sight!
3 months later he calls me and says that he needed more rosettes for another show and I of course made them. And attended the next show...again the Abyssinian called to me...
This went on for quite a while - I became internet sort of savvy and I started doing research into Abyssinians getting mightily confused along the way. Breed standards, color, ethics, color...aaarrrggghhhh! I really didn't want to become a breeder but the Abyssinians!
Then I saw a picture of Bastis The Envelopeplease (Envy). I called Wilson and said, "I WANT that cat!" He said, "you can't have him"!
And so the search started - I was blessed. Wilson became my guide and mentor to that effect - where to look, what to look for. Since he was familiar with the judges, he got the judges on board and two of them were the Takano's. I didn't know it but they were and are Japan's premier Abyssinian breeders. They gave me Stevie and found me Reecie...
The rest as they say is history....