Memories of MELVAS CATS
Around 1988/1989 he was at his prime, winning Overall Best in Show at the Birman Cat Club Show plus his UK Grand title at two consecutive Supreme Shows.
In July 2001, one of his sons Pr Adivelo Romany Rio went to join his father over Rainbow Bridge. In the two years he had been with me, he had settled in and had become again a calm, beautiful cat and I shall remember him that way.
Several times he had been on exhibition to support local Clubs, and had been one of the cats in the Birman Cat Club Seminar 2000, which had been held locally.
His litter brother Amoretto slipped away on his 15th Birthday in January 2002. He had been a very stressed little cat when he arrived and it took him more than a year to relax, stop pacing, and learn to accept the love he was offered, which he reciprocated so gently. Sadly the previous years had taken their toll, but he was the gentlest cat and loved every moment of the following months.
In their youth, I had borrowed the boys to show, in the same Sealpoint Birman classes, with one or the other usually getting the PC - except at one Supreme Show when both were beaten by their grandmother Natalie! Rio won Best in Show Neuter at the Birman Show, with Amoretto achieving Best of Group at the following Supreme Show, where he was awarded two GPCs. This was the last time they were shown.
Ryeholme Anni Toplice was an elegant gentleman, the epitome of the true Russian Blue. Despite having had a reaction to his flu vaccination, which left him with nasal problems, he was the most gentle and loving cat. He was always the 'boss' though he never raised a paw to anyone or anything.
My memories remain of him striding around with his tail like a shepherd's crook. Our wonderful Smudge was named by my husband after his first moggie and Smudge was always 'his' cat. They both slipped away in 1993.
Sasha was the most gentle cat imaginable. All she wanted was food, love and sleep. Despite an excess of the former, she stayed with me until 1995. My memories are of her plush coat and comfy body curled at my side for 16 years. If only all cats had her wonderful temperament.
Dukie was always waiting for me at home and would leap into my arms with a howl of joy. It was a sad day when he left me in 1994 shortly after moving to my new home. I can still see his deep blue eyes staring into mine.
Karin came over to the UK many times to visit shows and always kept in touch. She has become a very good friend of mine and of the Turkish Van cat. I am delighted that in 2007 she was joined by a Cream Turkish Van, Tini.
Natalie was not a good traveller, and reluctantly accompanied her son Romeo to shows in an attempt to get the classes split Male and Female. She was "always the bridesmaid" behind her son, though at one Supreme Show, she won the PC against three grandsons.
Natalie became a perfect 'pat cat' and gave pleasure to many others too. From the day she arrived, she slept between the pillows until she slipped away in 1999 at the age of 16.
He retained his wonderful temperament and good looks until he slipped away in the Spring of 1999.
My beautiful Romeo was one of a litter of six Seal Points, who were all named after Shakespearean characters as I was then living in Stratford-upon-Avon. His sister Perdita was shown and produced several outstanding kittens, whilst Cressida rarely failed in producing show quality kittens in all her litters. The last of the sextuplets crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2001.
She kept the other old cats on their toes and used to pounce as they walked past 'her room' - the bathroom. Libby always greeted me on arrival home and I miss her welcoming me into 'her' room, where she always expected to be groomed. She slipped away in June 2004 at the age of 14.
Sealpoint Adivelo Kenty Barbarann had joined me, accompanied by her daughter Libby in 2001. Over the years, Polly had regular visits to a McTimoney Chiropractor and she tottered on until the age of 21 3/4 - one of the oldest known Birmans. She joined her daughter Libby on 1 February 2008 and there is a very empty space by the dishwasher where she used to sleep....
Sadly, in April 2006 my dear Furbell Lavender Blue slipped away to join the others at Rainbow Bridge. He tried so hard to stay longer with me, but some things cannot be beaten.
From the day he arrived, and went up the curtains in my bedroom, Dilly had always been a special lad. He was always at the centre of 'trouble' and I have so many wonderful memories of him striding around with his tail in a crook.
Dilly had come to me in May 1999 with his cousin, Russian Blue girl, Furbell Cornflower. She was born on 22 May 1990 He was born on 23 May 1995. Due to their names, they were Dilly and Dolly.
Dolly was a proper softie, though she adored food almost as much as she loved me. Sadly her hearing deteriorated in her old age and she could no longer hear tins being opened, though despite that she was the best meal time-keeper I have met. At almost 19, she reluctantly slipped away on 28 February 2009.
19th July 2006 was the hottest day on record, and my very elderly Sealpoint Birman, Tamandria Ricksons Folly found the heat just too much and slipped away. Hopefully he has now gone to join his Russian Blue friend Joe, and his previous owner the late and much respected GCCF Judge, Anne Rickson.
Chayli joined me at 15 years of age. At 21 years and 5 months he headed the list of Veteran Birmans on the Birman Cat Club Website.
In September 2004 I had been unexpectedly joined by a Tortoiseshell Birman female of around 15 years of age. Sophanise Carmen Miranda had several health problems, and it had been difficult to find a home for her.
Carmen adored attention, but loved me rather than the other cats and had continuing health problems until she slipped away in May 2007. I was surprised how much I missed my Tortie Birman and still look for her when I visit the bathroom - she used to wait for me there for special cuddles and a groom.
In July 2001, I achieved part of my dreams. Champion Yaralin Sjtsjoekin, a Russian White (16a 14c), was bred by Hilda Blackmore in Australia in 1993. He moved to the Netherlands in the following Spring, where he is now in the pedigree of some lovely Russian Whites, Blacks and Blues. When his descendants were registered here in November 2008, they were the first litter of Russian White and Russian Black kittens to be born in the UK for many years. After being neutered, he came to me by air in July 2001. Sugarlump, as he was affectionately known, was a large neutered boy (well over 7 kg), and adored fuss and attention. As with most Whites on the continent his hearing had been confirmed with the BAER test.
Sugarlump had been to a couple of Cat Shows on Exhibition in the UK, but he did not travel well and preferred to laze around at home. Also, at first he did not appreciate being picked up or sitting on laps. After a visit to a McTimoney Chiropractor (who treats animals), his neck, back and pelvis were realigned and he became even more cuddly and was always asking to be picked up..
His health deteriorated rapidly over Christmas 2007, and Sugarlump slipped away on 2nd January 2008. There is a great deal missing from my life without him.
The year did not continue at all well, with my much loved Birman lad, Elisheba Applejack, slipping away on 5 April 2008. He had arrived on New Year's Day 2003 with another cat to re-home. However, Pippin had major heart and kidney problems and reputedly had seizures, so he and his companion Mitten stayed with me. Pippin was a 'sound sensitive Birman', but with the help of homoeopathic remedies - and avoidance of certain noises - he has only had a few 'sound related' fits.
At nearly 20 years of age, Pippin was still a very handsome Seal Point Birman with the most beautiful light coat with golden glow, and deep seal points. He had a temperament to match, and it was sad that his hearing also went in the last year.
Pippin's Black and White companion, Mitten, continued well until November 2008 when at nearly 22, she too succumbed to old age. She was the first non-pedigree cat I had lived with since childhood and I loved her gleaming black coat with white bib, immaculate feet - and moustache.
So, in 2009, I have just one type of cat:
the Russian - though this does include Russian Blue & Russian White!
And time moves on
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