Nervous and depressed about cat show this weekend

Rescue Remedy can be used at the show (give him some in the morning). I had to do it with Jack the one show because the females in heat were making him act up.

Hopefully he will be ok and you can still show him in the future. And please note, that YOU can ask the clerk to separate the cats if they don't like each other and are upsetting the other cats. I've done it PLENTY of times - for the benefit of both cats!

Well....I'm home from our first attempt too I know who I brought to the show...but I'm not sure who I brought to the RING...b/c she too was psychokitty! In the first ring she hissed and growled at the judge and was difficult to handle. She forgave her for being novice and gave her fifth of five shorthairs (specialty ring). Next our neighbor gave us some vanilla to put under her nose. It helped! She did much better in the second ring! She acted cute and played (she hissed a little too, but the judge really liked her). She got THIRD of ten!! (LH and SH all together). I was absolutely thrilled! THEN. Third ring. Not sure what was different...other than the judge and maybe different smells added. I had to come and get her out of the cage for him; but it was still all down hill from there....I finally just took her back to our set up. He didn't put her number down but I didn't bring her back. So then we tried a little bit of rescue remedy. It seemed to help, but not enough that I wanted to risk a repeat, so I pulled her from the last ring. Overall, she did great in her cage... she ate and drank and played with her toys (she didn't ONCE use the litterbox though--all day!!); she got lots of attention..and many compliments and everyone was really nice!!! I loved getting a third place. I can see how much fun it CAN be. Most of the people thought I should try again. I'm not sure. We'll see.

Well a mixed day - but seems more positive then negative. I would show her again - but make it a month or two between times.

well TC did a little better today and got two finals (one was 7 of 7 shorthairs so it was really a consolation prize). I am frustrated because he is my only show cat left (Luna is out of the question). I wanted to show him two weekends from now in SC and early next month in Hickory, NC, but I don't know if he'll want to show again or not. He was fine in the last show.

Originally Posted by Starfish

well TC did a little better today and got two finals (one was 7 of 7 shorthairs so it was really a consolation prize). I am frustrated because he is my only show cat left (Luna is out of the question). I wanted to show him two weekends from now in SC and early next month in Hickory, NC, but I don't know if he'll want to show again or not. He was fine in the last show.

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Well that's good he did a little better today! If he was fine in the last show, maybe he'll be fine in the next one! Maybe a lot of the weekend's troubles was your mood going into it. Getting ninth out of 14 is not bad!! That is respectable, IMO. And the judge that gave him 7th today could have withheld the ribbon too. That's what they told me also when Gigi got 5th of 5 shorthairs this morning b/c she was pretty hissy.

If you decide not to show TC again, can you do other things with him? How about a therapy cat? If I decide not to try Gigi again then I might do therapy with her (doesn't involve other cats), or just continue to enjoy taking her places on her harness and leash! Coming from the dog world--I've had my share of disappointments there--a dog's career can end abruptly if he goes oversize or if you have a dog that won't show (hates it). I've had my moments where I wondered "what next?". I'm sure a lot of us know the feeling. You put all your eggs in one basket--showing this cat--looking forward to a particular show or shows...and then you feel you have nothing to look forward to if that path gets abruptly altered. I hope in your case you can keep showing TC. Try the rescue remedy someone suggested. Ask the clerk yourself to maybe put him in a spot where he won't be right next to another cat or can't see ALL the cats. Good luck next time!

Unfortunately that's what happens with spoilt cats - they get grumpy. When I was younger my show cats were bad tempered because I didn't stop showering them with kisses. Flutterby in my signature cannot be shown because she was my pet cat and was too spoilt.

Originally Posted by Starfish

well TC did a little better today and got two finals (one was 7 of 7 shorthairs so it was really a consolation prize). I am frustrated because he is my only show cat left (Luna is out of the question). I wanted to show him two weekends from now in SC and early next month in Hickory, NC, but I don't know if he'll want to show again or not. He was fine in the last show.

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I know exactly how you feel. That is how I felt when I took Church to his last show... He was SO grumpy and I felt really disappointed because all I had to show were him and Roxy and Roxy was also grumpy that show (Roxy went to one more show but also ended up stopping.) However a few months later I found a litter of feral kittens and ended up keeping several of them. I took two to a show and they did pretty well so we're going to our second show in October.

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

Unfortunately that's what happens with spoilt cats - they get grumpy. When I was younger my show cats were bad tempered because I didn't stop showering them with kisses. Flutterby in my signature cannot be shown because she was my pet cat and was too spoilt.

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Ugh, tell me about it Sam. My first show cats were spoiled and fat, and then they couldn't show because they were hissy, growly, and out of condition! We have to give them "tough love" and train them to do things by NOT rushing to their rescue the moment they seem uncomfortable. If my guys hiss, well . . . they hiss. That's what cats do when they are faced with a perceived threat. If I react to that hiss, I think I'm telling them they were correct in feeling threatened. If I don't react. . . they pick up on my calm emotion. Cats are very sensitive to the way we feel and how we react to them. And lots of treats after a good ring always help too!

Originally Posted by FerrisCat

Ugh, tell me about it Sam. My first show cats were spoiled and fat, and then they couldn't show because they were hissy, growly, and out of condition!

We have to give them "tough love" and train them to do things by NOT rushing to their rescue the moment they seem uncomfortable. If my guys hiss, well . . . they hiss. That's what cats do when they are faced with a perceived threat. If I react to that hiss, I think I'm telling them they were correct in feeling threatened. If I don't react. . . they pick up on my calm emotion. Cats are very sensitive to the way we feel and how we react to them. And lots of treats after a good ring always help too!

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Hey, FC--btw, at the show I went to I met a gal and her Vans! She was (or is affiliated with) Jazzcats? Do you know this cattery? I met her beautiful blue boy and her mismarked HHP called "Darnit" (no color on head, LOL re: the name!) She also mentioned someone named Don, a judge that she co-breeds with? Anyway, she was very nice and we talked quite at length. She told me about upcoming kittens, but I don't think I'll be ready quite that soon. I've also not completely decided on Vans vs. Coons. I love TA's too, but I like the bigger bone and body of the other two breeds. But one of the high points of the show was the people I met and the gorgeous cats!

Allmycats-- Yes, I know the Turkish Van breeder you met! We're good pals Missi's blue boy (Grover) is actually out of my breeding. He was the coolest kitten growing up, so tolerant. I could toss him in the air and flip him upside-down and he'd be purring all the way. Did you get to feel his coat? Just like a rabbit. . . Amazingly enough, he was from a litter of 9, and all survived.

Missi's newest litter has the same sire as our very first show cat, Otto. They're all cute and very well marked. Keep her info in your files, she will have many exciting litters in the future.

If you're trying to decide between Vans and Coons, she should be a good person to talk to. Missi has a lot of experience with Maine Coons as well.

Originally Posted by FerrisCat

Allmycats-- Yes, I know the Turkish Van breeder you met! We're good pals

Missi's blue boy (Grover) is actually out of my breeding. He was the coolest kitten growing up, so tolerant. I could toss him in the air and flip him upside-down and he'd be purring all the way. Did you get to feel his coat? Just like a rabbit. . . Amazingly enough, he was from a litter of 9, and all survived.

Missi's newest litter has the same sire as our very first show cat, Otto. They're all cute and very well marked. Keep her info in your files, she will have many exciting litters in the future.

If you're trying to decide between Vans and Coons, she should be a good person to talk to. Missi has a lot of experience with Maine Coons as well.

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NEAT!!! Sorry I didn't have her name on hand--have her name and contact info on a piece of paper upstairs!! How great that it was your friend I met!! Yes, Grover was gorgeous and so soft; and I got to pick him up and feel his "heft" Missi showed me pix of some of her other cats and we talked about heads and markings and bone, etc....it was fun! I told her too that I was thinking of Maine Coons. I hope to be talking with her some more. One person commented that "everybody shows Maine Coons"..sure seems to be true. It would be neat to have something a little bit different. Cats...love 'em all! So many types and colors and sizes to choose from, oh my! Lot easier than narrowing down dog breeds though, LOL!

I think "everyone" shows Maine Coons because they are such great cats, but I might be biased.
You know, Maine Coons do come in van coloration also...

Originally Posted by FerrisCat

Ugh, tell me about it Sam. My first show cats were spoiled and fat, and then they couldn't show because they were hissy, growly, and out of condition!

We have to give them "tough love" and train them to do things by NOT rushing to their rescue the moment they seem uncomfortable. If my guys hiss, well . . . they hiss. That's what cats do when they are faced with a perceived threat. If I react to that hiss, I think I'm telling them they were correct in feeling threatened. If I don't react. . . they pick up on my calm emotion. Cats are very sensitive to the way we feel and how we react to them. And lots of treats after a good ring always help too!

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Absolutely! I spoil my cats something rotten - kisses and hugs all the time. My last 2 show cats I've reduced the kisses and hugs I've given and not been at their beck and call and low and behold - 2 perfect show cats, touch wood!

Originally Posted by Nekochan

I think "everyone" shows Maine Coons because they are such great cats, but I might be biased.

You know, Maine Coons do come in van coloration also...

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That colouring is gorgeous, but then again with a van kitten myself I'm biased too.

Lovely to hear of some good natured TUV's. Ours have a bad rep here - not with the lady that breeds them, just in general. I haven't seen one on the bench for many years.

Originally Posted by Nekochan

I think "everyone" shows Maine Coons because they are such great cats, but I might be biased.

You know, Maine Coons do come in van coloration also...

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Yeah, I DO think they're great too They seem so laid back and easygoing. I love their huge muzzles and ears. They are such handsome cats!