Conference misery::feline_v1

    She will be judged with the other Korats in every ring.  The number of
    rings will depend on the size of the show.  If it is an 8 ring show,
    she will be judged 8 times.  6 ring show she will be judged 6 times. 
    
    In CFA they do call the cats by number.  They also call the finals by
    number so you don't have to go to the ring to look for your number.
    
    You can explain to the spectators that touching spreads germs and
    therefore  you cannot let them touch your cat.  I usually do that, but
    sometimes you just have to say "please don't touch my cat".  You can
    get a little sign to put on the cage that says something.  I have seen
    everything from "Please Keep Your Mittens Off Our Kittens", to "Cat
    Doesn't Bite But Owner Might."  There are usually vendors at the shows
    that carry signs with these sayings on them, or you cat have one made
    at a trophy and sign shop.
    
    Jo

    Cheryl, when someone reaches out to pet Murdock at a show I politely
    ask them to please not touch my cat and explain how easily
    transmittable some cat diseases are.  If they really want to pet I have
    them spray their hands with a nolvasan mixture first to ensure they are
    disinfected.  Bring some in a small spray bottle to the shows and hang
    it on your cage.  A "Please do not touch the cat sign" will also help
    lots.
    
    Your Korat will be judged in two types of rings: allbreed and
    specialty.  In an allbreed ring, she will be competing against all of
    the longhair and shorthair cats in the kitten class (she is a kitten,
    right??).  In a specialty ring, she will only be competing against the
    shorthair kittens.  She will be assigned a number in the catalog and
    you will listen for it throughout the day.  First call will be for the
    premliminary judgings.  The judges will judge the cats by breed first,
    & pick their best and second best of color class.  If there is more than
    one Korat competing, Gracie will be judged against it for the first
    place ribbon.  I am not certain if sex is a factor here though.  Since
    Korats only come in one color they will not be separated into different
    color classes (like Persians that come in practically all colors and
    patterns imaginable!).
    
    Once the judge has looked at all of the kittens in the class she/he
    will call back their 10 best for the final.  If the cat is competing
    for grand points they will also pick a best and second best LH and SH
    champ (in an allbreed ring) and a best and 2nd best champ in a
    specialty ring.  They will earn points toward their grand
    championship/premiership.  The top 10 finalists are scored for national
    wins.
    
    I don't think that Gracie will be assigned a number as high as the
    700's :^).  Most cat shows have a limit of 225 cats, and some a 450
    entry.
    
    Also, each association varies slightly in regards to scoring.  If
    Gracie is still a kitten you won't have to worry about that yet.
    Kitten class is fun, since their are no titles involved to influence
    the judges decisions.
    
    Hope this helps you.
    
    --Roberta
    

    This note made me think of something rather humerous.
    
    There was a lady watching Murdock place in a final yesterday and when
    the ring was done she ran after me screaming, "Miss, miss, I have a cat
    at home that looks just like yours.  May I use him for breeding?!"
    
    I couldn't help but laugh and politely told her that Murdock was
    neutered and wouldn't really be interested in struttin' his stuff for
    her female.
    
    Some people!!
    

    Roberta, that is hysterical!!!! I can just see that now..
    you could have told her that although Murdock is  neutered
    he still enjoys sharing a pizza  with other kitties though,,
    hence his relationship with Happy..
    Kate

    I like the signs that say
    "Your kind affection may spread infection"
    
    Just tell folks that your cat was sick for 3 days after the last show
    and that you had let people pat your cat and that was why she was sick.
    
    Enjoy your show and be sure to let us know how you do.
      Nancy

    Cat show question ....
    
    In the UK to get a title the cat has to win 3 open classes (judged
    against the standard). To get a "Grand", it has to win 3 more. These
    wins (the groups of 3) have to be in the same year I think. How does it
    work in the USA? Can you just accumulate points until you have enough or
    do you have to win? Can you add up points from different years?
    
    
    Lisa

    Lisa, I will tell you how it works in CFA, the largest registering body
    of cats here in the U.S.
    
    I'm going to assume you mean the alter class since Rolf is neutered. 
    In CFA, it is called the Premiership class.  First, the cat competes as
    an open, where it is judged against the standard (and other cats of the
    same color and sex of it's breed).  The cat must receive six winners
    ribbons under six different judges to earn the title Premier.  Once a
    premier, the cat competes against other premiers, both longhair and
    shorthair, to earn points toward it's grand premiership.  75 points are
    required to grand.  In the longhair  specialty ring, the
    judge will choose a best and second best longhair premier, and both
    will earn points based on the number of longhair cats with the title
    Premier competing.  Same goes for the shorthair speciality rings.  In
    the allbreed rings, the judge will choose a best and second best
    longhair premier, and a best and second best shorthair premier.  Two of
    those cats will also become best and second best allbreed premier.  The
    allbreed premier winners will earn points based on the number of
    allbreed premiers (both longhair and shorthair) competing.  The ones
    who only got the longhair or shorthair wins take the points from the
    longhair/shorthair premiers competing, not the allbreed.
    
    Once a cat has earned it's 75 points, it earns the title of Grand
    Premier.  The points are not dropped from one season to the next.  If a
    cat has 60 grand points in the last month of the season it can still go
    into the new show season needing only 15 more points to grand.  Only
    the national points (top 10 wins) are not carried over from one year to
    the next.  The cats start fresh once the new season begins.
    
    The amount of time it takes to grand a cat varies.  A lot depends on
    the competition, how many premiers are competing, and the time of year
    you are showing.  It took Murdock five shows to earn his grand.  He was
    lucky enough to earn points in all of those shows.  I have known some
    cats to take months and months to grand.  I have also known some to
    grand in only 2 or 3 shows (like Jo's Birman, Westie :^} ).
    
    Hope this helps to answer your questions.
    
    --Roberta
    

    I also should have mentioned that if a cat is best longhair premier and
    best allbreed premier, it can only take the highest number of points,
    thus the allbreed points.  This is because you are not allowed to
    defeat the same cats twice in one ring.
    

    
    This looks like a good place to jump in.  I've asked for entry forms to
    be sent for the Concord, NH and Maine shows.  Though I haven't received
    them yet I'm not sure how to fill out the class.  They are both HHP but
    have received the Companion Certification.  Their first show I entered
    them as Novice HHP.  What do we do now?
    
    Thanks!!
    MaryAnne

    Going back to Roberta's description of how a cat becomes a Premier (or
    Champion). The cat must earn 6 winners ribbons from at least *4*
    different judges.  She explained everything else to a T.
    
    Also, *regional* and national points do not carry over from show season
    to show season.  But, grand points do.  You continue to rack up grand
    points as long as you show the cat, until it grands.  The CFA show
    season runs from May 1st to April 31st each year.
    
    And, to become a grand champion, the cat must also make a final.  Grand
    champions cannot grand on breed wins alone, they must make a top ten final.
    
    Jo

    Hi again Jo,
    
    Question...(yeah, I know, I should go home and read the show rules,
    but this is quicker...and *easier* heh heh)
    
    As far as the final required to grand...does it have to be a top
    ten, or can it be a best or second-best champion/premier?
    
    	Pennie

    Maryanne,
    Would you like me to send you an entry form for the April 13/14 show
    in Boxborough Ma?  It is CFA and the club is Black Tie and Tails.  I
    have them in my office.  As far as CFA goes for showing HHP they
    compete for rosettes in only one class.  When you fill out the form ite
    requests the age, and color discription -  to the best of your
    knowledge or ability.  If you have any other questions I will try to
    help.
    Karen, Ruby, Stinky, Wing +5
    

    Actually that is a really good question.  I am pretty sure that it is a
    top ten final, but I will have to check that and get back to you on it.
    :^)
    
    Jo
    

    In CFF, a cat must earn it's grand under at least 5 (I think it
    is five) different judges and also needs a 5th best cat win or better
    in order to grand.
    
    I am not certain if it is 75 or 80 points in CFF required for an
    altered cat to grand.  Can anyone help?
    

    I'm not sure, Roberta.
    
    To Master Grand in CFF, you must also have a BEST CAT win as a Grand
    Champion.  A Best Cat as a Champion doesn't count towards the Master!
    
    In TICA, you have to 6 finals to Grand, 3 Top 5 Speciality or Top
    10 Allbreed.  
    
    The rules can be quite different from association to association.
    It's best to write or call the association your planning to show
    in and ask for a copy of the show rules.
    
    cin
    

    Cin,
    
    I just called CFF (when in doubt, go to the source :^} ), and it is 80
    points and a top 5 or better win for an altered champion to grand.
    
    I always thought it was 75, but Nancy DC kept insisting it was 80. 
    Well, Nanc, looks like you were right all along!!
    
    --R.
    
    

    How do you folks keep that stuff all straight? Has anyone put this into
    a flowchart? (I'm not kidding)
    
    Deb

    Golly Deb, that's a good question!
    
    I was so proud of myself when I FINALLY got the hang of counting
    up my kitten's points.  Then she became an adult.  Turned out that
    counting adult grand points is entirely DIFFERENT.  "Oh No," I groaned!
    
    It just takes time.
    
    Just like with FFT's.  <er, what are FFT's, or don't I want to know?>
    
    	Pennie

I really appreciate all this info I'm getting about 
showing my cat! And now that we're talking about championship/
premiership I have another question:

My kitten, 8-1/2 months old, is no longer considered a kitten in CFA, 
so she's up against the "big guys". Now, she's not a champion, so
I registered her in the "open" class. The only other class to register
for was "premier", but I don't plan on having her spayed. So, did I
put her in the correct class? (Since I haven't received my CFA rule
book yet, I REALLY feel lost!)

Again, thanks for all this info! And now I have a good idea on what
signs to put up on the cage!

Cheryl, Charlie, Shanti and Gracie

    Cheryl, if you registered your cat in the championship class as an
    "open" then you are correct.  Once she earns her six winners ribbons
    you must immediately claim her championship with CFA for a small fee
    (forms are in the show catalog) so she can enter her next show in the
    championship class as a "champion."  Then, you can either learn how to
    keep track of her grand points, or be lazy and rely on "Herman," the
    CFA computer, to tell you points earned in each show.  Personally, I am
    glad I learned how to keep track of points... makes for a really
    exciting show!
    
    I think there is a rule that if you do not claim your cat's
    championship before the opening day of the next show, your cat cannot
    compete as a champion.  I believe the envelope has to be postmarked by
    a certain time.  So, it is best to get that form in the mail the Monday
    after the show she champions in.
    
    --Roberta
    

    The championship claim form must be *mailed* before the opening day of
    the next show that she is scheduled to compete in. That means that you
    could mail it the Friday before her next show if you wanted to.  Once
    she gets those winners ribbons and you mail the form in, you have to
    either enter her in the next show as a champion, or if the entry has
    already been sent with her listed in the open class, you must transfer
    her to the champion class when you get there before the first ring.
    
    BTW, CFA just moved and has a new address and phone number.  I will
    enter the new address in note 666.
    
    Jo

    Well, this weekend is Gracie's first show! I wish I could say that
    she's as excited as I am. Well, she is, but not about the show. Since
    I've NEVER had a "fertile" female before, (she's about 9 months old)
    I believe she's in heat. (Oh fun oh fun). Is she going to be a terror
    at the show? Especially since this is her first one? (She's acting SO
    sleazy!)
    
    Cheryl, Gracie ("Hot to Trot"), Charlie (who doesn't know what to do)
    and Shanti (who's TOTALLY disgusted with the whole ordeal!)
    

    Oh pity the poor whole males.  
    
    Not too long ago I attended a cat show and there MUST have been
    a female in heat as a cat near where I was standing was tearing up
    his cage and yowling, hissing and growling. His owner put her
    hand in the cage to see if she could quiet him down and almost 
    got it clawed to death.  He wouldn't eat the valium which was
    given to him (in baby food, beef) and just continued be out of
    control.  I guess from stories I hear the next day was much worse.
    
    Most breeders say this is SOP but I thought it was cruel. MY OPINION.
    
    Barbara & her 3 M's (all neutered/spayed)              

    re: .23 Most of the time its not that bad.  Tho it did give
    Shadow ideas after the last show.  
    
    Sometimes the males get back at us by spraying the cage.  YUCK!!

    re: .23
      You know, there is another possible explanation for his 
    behavior.  It may have had more to do with the presence of other
    males - or just other cats period.  Whole males are very aggressive
    towards other cats.  It is instinctive for them to want to protect
    their territory.
    
    And that behavior isn't limited to whole males.  When we tried to
    show Mao she had the same reaction.  She hissed and growled and at
    one point tried to bite my hand.  
    
    She's wonderful with groups of people or in new situations but she
    won't tolerate alot of unfamiliar cats.
    
    I don't believe in showing any cat that has that strong a reaction
    to being shown.  Its no fun showing a cat that doesn't want to be
    shown.
      Nancy

    This is "sort of" related to cat shows --
    
    I'm trying to get my cattery name. Now, does CFA have a
    limit on the number of letters the cattery can have? So
    far, I 'think' we've decided on:
    
    Khunying Nimyuan
    
    which translated means "Graceful Lady"
    
    WHICH means Gracie's name would be:
    
    Kothai's Grace of Khunying Nimyuan
    
    How does that sound???
    
    Cheryl, Gracie, Charlie & Shanti

    CFA does have a limit on the number of letters that you can have in
    your cattery name.  I also think that they have a new rule that says
    that you can't have spaces in the name.  You should probably call them. 
    Their new phone number is in note #666, one of the last entries. (type
    666.last to get to the last entry in that note quick)  I think that the
    cattery name is limited to 12 or 15 letters.
    
    Also, keep in mind that the whole name can only be 35 letters long,
    including prefixes and suffixes.  So, when it comes time to name your
    kittens, you will be limited in the amount of letters you can use if
    your cattery name is long.  Also, if you buy a cat from someone else,
    your cattery name may not fit on the end of that cat's name if it's too
    long.
    
    Short and sweet is a good rule of thumb.  Also, think about what your
    cattery name will sound like when someone tries to pronounce it at the
    national awards banquet.  If it isn't easily pronounceable by the
    general public, then you can expect the award presenter to botch it
    when they announce you as CAT OF THE YEAR!!!!  (hey, it's always good
    to have goals ;^})
    
    Jo

    
    The 35 letters long also includes apostrophes.   When I first
    registered Bailey I didn't put " 's " on Cattyshack.  I switched it 
    to Cattyshack's and now I have 2 "letters" too many to add my cattery 
    name.  And it would have sounded so good... ;')
    
    

    That's why I picked Putiput.  Short and sweet (but still too long
    to fit on a Massachusetts vanity plate!)
      Nancy

    Is that a license plate?  I have my cattery name on my license plate. 
    We are allowed 7 letters here.
    
    Jo

    re: .30 - right.  In Mass they only go to 6 characters.  Maybe I'll
    move to New Hampshire.  I think they can accomodate 7.
      Nancy who can't think of a way to abbreviate PUTIPUT in any meaning-
    ful way.
    

	Nah, you're only allowed 6 characters in NH too.  Maine, maybe?

    PUTIPT?
    

    That sounds like something that  would come out of "bill the cat's"
    mouth! :^)
    

>
>    That sounds like something that  would come out of "bill the cat's"
>    mouth! :^)
    
but...I LIKE it!

Well, my cat is developing an "attitude" toward being shown....

This Saturday was Gracie's 4th show.  The first one, she cried, and bitched
about being held. The second, she hissed a bit. The third she 'talked' alot.
This Saturday, the judges wouldn't take her out of the cage she was so
nasty! All they saw (and everyone else) was 4 fangs, and hissing, and in
the last cage, spitting! My niece was embarrassed, I didn't know WHAT was
wrong! I think it was the number of people she saw. Maybe cause it was
such an open area. I don't know WHAT it was! I want to continue showing her,
but it seems her attitude changes with EVERY show! Is there anything I can
do to help alleviate this? Having different people handle her isn't that
bad, but I think when other people are around, that's what freaks her out.
(Should I have a large party, and force her to 'hang around'? )

HELP!

Cheryl, Gracie "The Attitude", Charlie & shanti

    Maybe hormones are affecting her attitude?  Also, perhaps she now knows
    the ropes of showing and is expressing her displeasure.  It's like when
    I give my cats a bath for the first time... they are too confused to
    fight me (Hey!  What's going on?!).  The second time they are still a
    bit confused but fight a little and after that.... it's like they know
    what is happening and refuse to put up with it!  Most folks say that
    the more you do it the easier it becomes but I seem to have the
    opposite problem!
    

    My girls are usually nasty at shows while they are in season.  They can
    smell the males next to them, and they don't like to be handled around
    their hind legs when they are in season.  Was she is season?  Is she
    about to come into season?  This might be part of the problem.
    
    Also, some show halls can be harder on cats than others.  If the hall
    was small, crowded and noisy, that could upset the cat.  You could try
    only entering her in shows that you know are in large well ventilated
    show halls with lots of space between the aisles.
    
    Did something happen at the show that frightened her?  Did someone
    handle her roughly?  All these things can have an impact on your cat's
    behavior.  Hormones are the most common one though.
    
    Don't give up yet.  Could have been that something at that show set her
    off.  I would try again.  Try not to get upset yourself, as your cat
    will sense this and become even more upset.  Keep a positive attitude,
    reassure her and give her lots of attention.  Make the show fun for
    her, play with her between rings, give her lots of hugs and kisses. 
    That is what I do.  It usually works for me.  But, there are sometimes
    cats that just don't like to be shown.
    
    When I was showing Limoges, she started getting an attitude when we
    first hit the adult class.  It was mostly hormones for her.  She was in
    season a lot at first.  But, I kept showing her as she was never
    threatening to a judge, just sometimes hissed when being brought out of
    the cage or being put back into it.  After a few shows, she settled
    down quite a bit and started enjoying herself.  Pretty soon she was
    hamming it up for the judges and having a great time at shows.  
    
    Jo

Thanks for the 'consoling' words! I have a feeling she may be going back 
into 'season' again. I didn't notice the first judge handling her any
particular way. The only thing that was different was that they put
her in between girls in the ring. Her cage on the floor was literally
'isolated' from everyone! There was an empty cage beside us, we were on
an end, and no one was behind us (small tables). However, we were right
in the mainstream and EVERYONE stopped by, and she could see all kinds of
activity. Also, this is the furthest away cat show (we drove 5 hours the
day before, - to my moms house - then another hour to the show the next
morning). Maybe she was just tired of being driven around! Also, my husband
didn't come to this show, and she's his little girl! I was really feeling
bad, cause some of the spectators were coming around saying "There's that
really nasty cat". I hope it was just PMS....

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep an eye on her and see (or should I say
'listen' ) if she's in season!

Cheryl, Gracie (Ms. PMS)

    Cheryl -
      Were her pupils dilated?  That's an indication of fear.  It
    would at least help you know how to deal with her.
    
    I've seen some VERY nasty behavior from cats in season.  And
    don't take the spectators' comments to heart.  They need to see
    things from the cats' perspectives.
      Nancy

    One thing you might try is bringing a cover for the front of her cage.
    That would give her some privacy and security between rings.
    

I really didn't notice if her eyes were dilated or not.
But she seemed really freaked about something.

As for a cover on the front, I'm definite going to do that.
I did cover the front -- near the end of the show. She
showed me HER unhappiness. I peaked underneath, and she
had filled her food dish with litter, and then scattering
the rest throughout the cage! As I look in, she looks at
me as if, "ha ha, I'll show YOU!:" Needless to say, I
was glad we only had several hours left!

Now she's acting all "lovey-dovey". It's either PMS or
she's schizophrenic!

Cheryl

Well, y'all were right. Gracie is DEFINITELY OFFICIALLY in
heat. The past two nights were quite sleepless! So since I'm
new to all this, does this mean they start showing signs of
being in heat 2 weeks prior? Her first heat started the
first weekend in May. So, this second one started the
first weekend in July. Will this be some indication of
some sort of cycle? If so, then come September, she'll
be on her way to Ohio -- BIG TIME!

Cheryl 

    Heat cycles can vary from cat to cat, and then vary again in an
    individual cat.  Mark this down on your calendar and then you can start
    trying to track it.
    
    She could have spent the last two weeks "warming up" for her heat
    cycle.  My cat will generally become really affectionate and clingy for
    a week or so before they come in season.  That is always a sign that we
    watch for.
    
    Jo

Thanks Jo! You have really been a life saver when it comes
to knowledge of cats! :^)  I've been meaning to thank you
time and time again personally, but just haven't figured 
out how! I hope I get to meet you at a cat show (if I ever
make it out west -- possibility -- might buy another Korat
from a breeder in Alameda). But thanks for all your advice!

Another quick question: when do you stop showing cats once
they've mated? Right away? Certain number of weeks?

Thanks again and again!

Cheryl (from Maryland)

    No need to thank me, I don't mind sharing what I have picked up over
    the last few years.  If you go back far enough in this file you will
    see that I asked a lot of these same questions when I was starting out. 
    :^)  I started my cattery shortly after coming to DEC.
    
    Anyway, who is the breeder in Alameda, I probably know her. :^)  I show
    extensively in California.  Also, I will be coming east for a show at
    the end of August, Medina Ohio for the annual Sacred Cat of Burma show. 
    Maybe some noters from that area will attend.
    
    Once I have mated a female, I don't show her again.  I figure why risk
    the chance that she may pick up a cold or worse at the show?  There are
    lots of medications that you can't give to a pregnant cat, so they just
    have to suffer through.  I have had that happen and it was no fun.
    
    Many people do show their cats once they are bred.  Usually, they do
    not show after the third week post mating, since that is when you can
    begin to tell if the cat is pregnant.  Since there is a CFA show rule
    that you can't show a pregnant cat, three weeks is considered a good
    cutoff since you would know if they were pregnant by then.
    
    Jo
    

The breeder in Alameda's first name is Helen -- don't remember
her last name. But the name of her cattery is Saang Jahn's. I'll
look up her last name tonight. But, I'm sure you have it --
her Korat was listed in the almanac as one of the best (think
hers was second best). But I'll look it up anyhow.

Thanks again!
Cheryl

    I know Helen, but not that well.  We smile at each other and say hi at
    shows, but haven't gotten a chance to get to know each other really
    well.  She seems very nice though.  Her cats do very well at the shows
    out here.  Good choice for your next cat! :^)
    
    Now that you mention it, I can't remember her last name right now
    either.  Of course, if I wasn't trying, it would be right there. :^D
    Give me a few minutes and I may be able to come up with the name...
    
    Jo

    Helen Something-Basford!!!
    
    Jo

    Is there a list of things to bring to a cat show somewhere
    in this notesfile?  (besides the cat, I mean! :-))
    
    I have already been offered a pair of curtains to borrow....
    What else should a first time showee take along?
    
    L-

    Just a quick note to those of you having your first experiences with
    whole females in heat.  I have discovered, much to my dismay, that
    females in heat often spray and/or mark so you might want to confine
    your girl during those times.
      Nancy DC
    

    Foster and Smith catalog now carries Tomlyn products. Those include Sno
    Sho shampoo and the shampoos for other colors of cats.  I think that we
    recommended this brand of shampoo to a noter who wanted to show their
    red and white cat.  That noter would want to use the Fiery Bronze
    shampoo.  Anyway F&S offers the shampoos at very reasonable prices!
    
    Jo

    
    Jo, what would I use on Ms. Compri's Callandre of Calyx?  I can do a
    whiz bang job on a red tabby, but this blue-cream is another story! :')
    
    

    Maybe you could mix Sho Sno and Fiery Bronze and use that.  The Sho Sno
    will help the blue parts of her and the Fiery Bronze would highlight
    her creams?? :^)  You always ask those hard questions. ;^)
    
    Are you bringing pictures to Oakland this weekend?
    
    Jo

    
    re: pictures  I took a couple of pictures of her but do not how well
    they turned out.  With her ear and eye infections she is not looking
    her best.  Of course I would never want Auntie Jo to see her in less
    than perfect condition ;')