Conference misery::feline_v1

    Cheryl,
    
    What kind of cat do you have?  I know you said a household pet,
    but is it long haired or short haired?  I believe I started a note
    quite a while ago about what to bring to a cat show.  I can't remember
    what number it was.
    
    You will have to give your cat a bath and clip it's nails.  Clip
    the nails before the bath, this way you won't get QUITE so many
    scratches during the bathing process.  I use Nutrigena shampoo on
    Micki (My persian).  If your cat is a long haired cat, you will
    need a grooming comb and brush.  You will also have to blow dry
    a longhaired cat.  A shorthaired cat is much easier.  Give the cat
    a bath, let is dry itself.  The only thing you will really need
    is a shammy to groom her.  It is sort of like a lamb skin (I think)
    that you just wipe over the cat to make it shine.  
    
    Oh yeah!  You will also need stuff to clean out it's ears and eyes.
    
    Holly
    

    I've never cleaned out my cats ears or eyes -- is it difficult?
    
    I've bathed Shanti (she's a shorthair) before, and I can never seem
    to get her coat shiny. Will the shami help that?
    
    Thanks!
    

    try bathing her two or three days before the show.  This will allow
    her coat to get back some of its natural oils.  The shammy will
    help tremendously, especially if she has siamese type fur.  You
    can usually get one at an automotive store or department in a store.
    They use them on cars.
    
    As for cleaning their ears and eyes, its easy.  I usually take a
    Q-tip to the ears.  Just clean out any dirt you can see.  don't
    dig into the ears, you can hurt her.  Her eyes, just take a wipe
    and clean out any dirt and mucus you find.  
    
    GOOD LUCK!  If you have any questions, give me a call.  DTN 273-5402.
    
    Holly
    

    Another thing to remember is to rinse, rinse, rinse, and when you
    think they are rinsed, rinse some more!!!  Leftover soap makes
    flakey skin (nasty to get rid of and really shows up on black
    fur).
    
    Have fun!!!
    
    E.T.

    While it's pronounced "shammy", it's spelled chamois.  Any auto
    parts store or the auto parts department at Sears should have them.
    
       Gary

    Thanks for all the help thus far. I do, however, have a few other
    questions.
    
    In the instructions I got, they said the cat must be up on all shots,
    and spayed/neutered. Shanti is current, so should I get a listing
    from my vet as to everything she has ever had?
    
    I went to a cat show about a month ago and I know how they examine
    the cat. What are they really looking for? Will they look for the
    same things since mine is not a purebred -- just a *beautiful* *lovey
    dovey* housecat?
    
    What about teeth? I've noticed in the notes recently alot of talk
    about tartar. Shanti doesn't seem to have a buildup.
    
    Right now, I'M more nervous than Shanti is!
    

    That sounds very normal - I'm crazy before, during, and even after
    each show!  If any of you have ever spoken to me at a show, you
    will probably think so.  Probably cause I have to get up so early
    in the a.m.  If Shanti has had all her shots, then don't worry.
    As long as she is spayed (? female) you sound like you are all
    set.  Trim her nails front and rear feet and give her a good
    bath, comb her hair after she dries out - comb her hair before
    each ring and before each final - if she is a shorthaired cat
    the chamois works real well - 
    
    The judges will look for clean eyes, clean ears, trimmed nails,
    well groomed fur and a healthy not fat cat.
    
    You have everything under control - try not to worry too much!
    
    Have fun and enjoy seeing all the other pretty kitties!!
    

    E.T._who_will_start_getting_crazy_Sept.16th_1st_fall_season_show_on_the_Cape
    

    Three more days till Shanti's "Big Show" debut, and I was talking
    to someone about cat shows and now have another concern.
    
    Since the only other cat that Shanti has been around is Charlie,
    how nervous/spastic/crazy do you think she'll be with all the strange
    smells and cats around her? When she sees other cats outside our
    house, she and Charlie go balistic! Also, being in the cage with
    all sides covered (except the front, of course) may make her even
    more nervous! 
    
    She's used to being in a cat carrier (rather large one at that)
    and doesn't seem to mind. As a matter of fact, she sleeps in there
    alot of the times the door to it is left open!
    
    Anyone have these problems?
    

    Yes, the smells & other cats & lots of people may bother her, but
    she will probably be so overwhelmed that she won't remember to
    react.  You will be her only familiar anchor with all this newness.
    Stay close by her and talk to her a lot - let her know that you
    are there and you will see her relax as time goes by and she
    convinces herself that she will come to no harm.  Remember to
    hang on to her tighly when you take her from her benching cage
    to the ring - she may try and bolt - you will be able to feel
    her tensing & getting ready to spring - just hold her good!
    
    The drapes on the insides of the benching cages are so that they
    can't see the animals on either side or behind them - and to prevent
    the cat next door from sneezing into your cage.  Rember to cover
    the top of your cage also.
    
    Sounds like you are READY TO SHOW !!  please don't forget to let
    us know what happens and tell us how wonderfully you do .
    
    GOOD LUCK!!!
    
    E.T._waiting_for_a_cat_show_story !!

Well, I made it through my first cat show with few scars. But I do have
a story!

I got there at 7:30 a.m. and trying to safety pin my cover to the cage.
The guy behind me hands me binder clips, stating he knew this was my
first show. (Must have been the safety pins that gave me away!)

Anyhow, this guy puts his cage together, and starts putting pictures
of his cat, Overpass. Then I hear about Overpass and his career: 

1982-73 Happy Household Pet Cat Club Kitten of the Year
1986-87 Happy Household Pet Cat Club Best Southern Region Cat
1986-87 Happy Household Pet Cat Club 2nd Best Cat, US & Canada
1986-87 International Cat Association 2nd Best Southest Region Cat
1986-87 8th Best International Household Pet of the Year
Kal Kan Spectators Choice Spokescat 1987-88
State of Va. Spokescat for Spay and Neuter Program

And my poor Shanti is in the SAME division as this cat.

Anyhow, Shanti is a blue & white, and Overpass is black and white. 
The first ring came up and she was judged first against the other blue and 
white cat there. Beautiful cat! And Shanti beat her! YEA! Then, all the cats 
(black & white, Blue & white) were judged against each other. Shanti won BEST 
IN DIVISION! And for the finals, won 7th Best Shorthair! YEA! She was SO
relieved, and thought, "Okay, now, let's go home".

Next division: Shelter cats. She still got a blue ribbon and best color
ribbon, but was NOT happy with the judge. She didn't place at ALL overall.

In fact, the next two rings she didn't make the finals -- BUT, she
did get 1st (beating the other blue) and 2nd best in division, losing only to 
Overpass! (With his reputation, how could she NOT lose to him!) And the
third ring was not good at all! The judge had this thing for cat's with a 
story. If they had an extra toe, or short tail, blind in one eye, etc. she
would place them higher. As a matter of fact, she gave me 2nd place to the
blue I had beat all day! And gave me third in division! What was a REAL
riot, was the girl I had beat, that judge gave her Best Cat! And she went 
home and didn't get it! Ha ha! I'm sorry, I shouldn't be that way. But
I stuck it out to the very end -- 7:30 last night. (They ran 2 hours over).

Anyhow, we bid our farewells to Overpass, and went home. Shanti and I ate,
and both of us went up to bed, and passed out!

It was a tiring day for both of us, and it'll take us a few days to get
our strength up again. But, for mom, she's brought all the ribbons to work
to show ALL her friends, co-workers, etc. what a GREAT kid she's got!

Cheryl (who can't wait till the next show) and
Shanti (who CAN wait till the next show -- if ever!)_

    Well Congratulations!!!!!  Well my fellow exhibitors, another
    one is HOOKED !!  Sounds like a normal show weekend to me!
    
    See you all in Braintree  !
    
                               
    E.T.