Throwing in the towel

kai bengals

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After 10 years, we're calling it quits. We've had a good run. It's now time to enjoy our pet cats and return to more of a normal life. We'll be keeping a total of six of our bengals as pets. (maybe one more, but we're trying to stay at a reasonable six)

Loki, our main stud, who has contributed so much to our success, will stay as a neutered pet. Today we purchased his outdoor enclosure, for him to enjoy during nice weather, in case he doesn't stop spraying. During times that are too hot or too cold, he'll still have his cattery room. Hopefully, he'll stop spraying and be able to enjoy our home with the others. Either way, he'll be loved and have a home with us forever, and I'm sure the other cats will enjoy spending time in the outdoor enclosure as well.

I've included some pics of his new digs, below in this post.

We do have a couple more females that have litters due, but shortly, I will be known here as just a bengal owner and not a breeder. Of course that won't stop me from defending breeding as fiercely as I always have.


The lok-man's new home: (it just arrived today, so it's not populated with cat trees and other amenities yet, but a ceiling fan and maybe A/C for the house part are in the works)





 

mom2raven

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THAT is awesome. I hope that someday when we have a house I can have an enclosure like that for our 2!
Congratulations on your decision. It is always interesting to move from one point of life to the next.
 

missymotus

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I'm sure many will be sad about your decision. Enjoy your pets, and I hope Loki stops spaying though that is a very nice enclouse
 

abbycats

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Loki has a nice house!!!! I would have loved to have purchased a Bengal kitty from you. You have such beautiful cats.

Thank you for helping me with Zoeys chapped nose condition. It is still being very difficult to heal and she hates having chapstick put on her nose. It is a battle every night.
 

goldenkitty45

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Sad and glad at your decision. You both have wonderful and stunning Bengals. I'm sure it was a hard decision to make, but if you are not enjoying it as much, time to get out.

I bred rexes for almost 10 yrs. I miss the babies at times, but know that you can't always be dealing with litter after litter. You've made a great contribution to the breed.

Are you getting out of the show scene entirely? I took a break from showing/breeding. I like going to the shows and having the alters. Charlie is retired now, we'll wait on our Jack and get him Granded. Then that will probably be it for us. With the price of everything, we all have to reconsider our hobbies.

While you are not breeding anymore (like me) we both can help out in those areas anyway
 

MoochNNoodles

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Wow! Like others have said, sad and glad to hear your news! I know it's a lot of work breeding and caring for the kitties. We will miss the pics of the kittens too. Just so long as you feel you've made the right decision for you, I'm happy for you!
 

snosrap5

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Oh Nial and Teri!!!! I want to sit down and cry!! My one day
far away babies will not come from you!!!


Oh well I still have my two beauties!!
I wish you and Teri the absolute best in your future retired breeding life!!
 

theimp98

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the house looks cooool, do they make one a little bigger ,
human size.

SO will you know what to do with your free time?
lol to bad man, i been working on the wife, to let me get a one of your cats, vs a all white one.
 

laureen227

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i'll miss seeing your fabulous pix of the new kittens. but i'm sure we'll still see fabulous pix of the resident cats! [hint, hint]
 

cococat

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You have produced some very nice Bengals and have had good ethics in breeding and contributed to your breed in a good way. Your pictures have been very appreciated as well by me on the forum.

Sorry to hear about your stud - I hope he can settle down and live with the rest too and stop spraying now. That is a nice outside enclosure for the cats to enjoy on nice days to be outside safe for a bit.
 

gayef

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Dear Nial and Teri,

I am saddened by your decision, but at the same time, glad you will be enjoying your stunningly gorgeous pets. I know this wasn't an easy decision to make for either of you. Your contributions will continue on though and that has to be a small comfort.

Best of luck in all of your endeavors, whether cat-related or not,

~gf~
 

kitytize

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I really don't know what to say. Hope Loki does quit spraying for you and what a wonderful house for him if he doesn't
 

jcat

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What a goorgeous enclosure! I'm sad to hear you're going to stop breeding, because I've always enjoyed the pictures of your kittens, but can understand that it's incredibly time and money-consuming.
 

siggav

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You've really helped the bengal breed with your work and produced some stunning cats and the work you did will live on in your cats.

Loki's new enclosure is gorgeous and he will enjoy it although I hope it won't be a necessary part of his life, i.e that he'll stop spraying.

Anyway good luck with your new lifestyle and enjoy your pet bengals
You'll still post pics of them and be around, right?
 

mzjazz2u

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I'm sure that was a hard decission for you to come to. I wish the best for you. You have produced some beautiful cats and I'm sure the ones who are lucky enough to remain in your home will be happy and loved. The cat house is awesome! Did you build it yourself? Now all it needs is a little interior decorating..... cat style!
 
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kai bengals

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Everyone, thanks for the nice sentiments.


We'll still be involved in the cat fancy to some extent. We have a young male to show this season as an alter.

I still plan to get a nice show quality Abby boy from Adilah and show him in TICA whenever she has one to send over.

So, we're not totally out of the scene, but there will be no more breeding and sadly that means no more kittens.

I am however, really looking foward to just enjoying our adult cats, they are so much fun.


And.....I will certainly post pics.
 

goldenkitty45

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Good luck with your alter. I have to retire Charlie, so I'll have to wait till next spring when I get Jack to get back to showing
 

krazy kat2

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I hate to hear that , but I understand that 10 years can really take a toll on you and you cats. I was always hoping to see you beautiful cattery, but I guess it was not to be. Please keep up with the pics of your remaining bengals. We still just love your pics.
 

abymummy

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Originally Posted by Kai Bengals

Everyone, thanks for the nice sentiments.


We'll still be involved in the cat fancy to some extent. We have a young male to show this season as an alter.

I still plan to get a nice show quality Abby boy from Adilah and show him in TICA whenever she has one to send over.

So, we're not totally out of the scene, but there will be no more breeding and sadly that means no more kittens.

I am however, really looking foward to just enjoying our adult cats, they are so much fun.


And.....I will certainly post pics.
Wont be long now...my red son (crossing fingers that they will produce outstanding reds) is on his way and his first mating will be to Reecie.

Retiring from breeding after such an illustrious career will be hard, my own breeder in the US will be retiring not so long from now and I am already saddened. However, I'm sure you and Teri will be wonderful mentors to whoever needs help.


You guys are still young and who knows, maybe with an Aby in the house you'll start becoming judges!
 

moonandstarkatz

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I am sorry to see you leave breeding, you have gorgeous cats and you have had a good run but there comes a time in ones life where priorities change or you just want to enjoy having "pets" again. Breeding is expensive and stressful although rewarding.

I am sure you have left a legacy to the Bengal and cat world and your guidance will be welcomed.

2 of my mentors have left breeding but they are still mentors only now more so because they don't have their own program to focus on.
Congrats on a decade of gorgeous cats and showing and promoting the breed and the best to your retirement.
 
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