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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

3929.0. "My first show" by SALEM::DILLON_M (It's never to late) Tue Aug 21 1990 15:58

	My wife and I went to our first cat show this past weekend in 
Manchester and had a great time. I was very fortunate to be standing next to an 
"expert" when Kai had his first judging. The conversation went something like 
this:

me: Hi, my name is Mike and this is my wife Diane and this is our first show.

Expert: Yes I know, I can tell by the lack of cat hair on your clothes.

me: Hey look! That's our cat!

Expert: Let the judge decide that.

me: Well, I should know who's cat it is.

Expert: It's not a question of who's cat it is. The judge will decide if it's
	 a cat or not. That's what they go to school for. 

me: I think the judge likes our cat, look at him smiling.

Expert: (with hand on chin, shaking it from left to right) That's the worst
	thing a judge could do. That's the first time in five years I've seen
	a judge smile. If I were you, I'd sneak out of here as fast as you can!

me: Boy, my wife and I are so proud of our cat! Look how good he is behaving.
    This is more fun than I thought it would be.

Expert: (grabbing my arm) Jeezus! Didn't ANYBODY tell you! Get that smile off
	your face! Don't look at the judge! Look at the floor. If you really
	want to do good in this ring, go back to your cage and make them call
	you to take your cat down! There are rules ya know!

me: I wish I knew what they were looking for. Why are they doing that?

Expert: First they look for fleas. Then if your cat is shedding they will 
	knock off points. Then they look into your cats eyes because they know	
	how much they hate that. And just for laughs they'll pull his tail, 
	rub his hair the wrong way and grab his head and pin his ears back.
	If your cat doesn't bite the judge, he'll win a ribbon. If he does 
	bite the judge, you'll win a ribbon.

me: How do I get points?

Expert: They have standards they look for. 

me: How do I win one of those big ribbons????

Expert: Eat one of the hot dogs they sell at the concession stand and survive.

me: Well, thanks for all your help. I think I understand it now. By the way, 
	what type of cat do you have?

Expert: Me?? I don't have a cat. I'm a retired judge. Besides they don't allow
	them where I live. They can get through the bars.

	
	I can't wait for my next showing!! Hey, are there any experts out 
there that can help me with a few questions??

Thanks,

Mike & Diane Dillon
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
3929.1WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityTue Aug 21 1990 17:0113
    Mike,
    
    Yep, that is a typical day of showing!!!
    
    (I especially loved the part about getting the big rosettes if you
    eat one of their hot dogs and live!  How true!)
    
    I am here to answer your questions, but I am no "expert".  Also,
    there are some excellent notes on showing already, check the keywords.
    Some of the notes are very amusing, like the one called "A Day In
    the Life of An Exhibitor" written by Dave McAllister.
    
    Jo
3929.2I value my life!PENPAL::TRACHMANEmacX Exotics * 264-8298Tue Aug 21 1990 17:148
    Jo,
    
    How is it that EVERY show hall has those really AWFUL hot dogs?
    They must all get together and tell each other, "Those crazy cat
    people will be here this weekend - let's buy the worst hot dogs
    we can find!!!"
3929.3giggle, giggle..AIMHI::MCCURDYTue Aug 21 1990 17:152
    Mike.. that is hysterically funny..!!!!!!
    Kate
3929.4A white is so hard to do, hat's off to you both!PENPAL::TRACHMANEmacX Exotics * 264-8298Tue Aug 21 1990 17:1710
    Mike & Diane, 
    
    Even though it was your first show, you both handled yourselves 
    like old pros!  No one would have ever guess that it was your
    first time (except that you really didn't have much cat hair on ya)!!
    
    Your cat was so beautifully presented !  I'm gonna take  grooming
    lesson from you!
    
    E.T.
3929.5He's a Premier now!TELALL::GERRYHome is where the Cat isTue Aug 21 1990 17:286
    Mike and Diane, you both really did a GREAT job of getting Kai ready
    for the show.  He might have even been whiter than his brother DWeeBs!
    
    Will look forward to the next one!
    cin
3929.6Some of those judges deserve to be behind bars!WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityTue Aug 21 1990 18:068
    Oh, so Kai and Dweebs are sibs?  It was a busy month for the Cattyshack
    kids, all of them having their adult debuts at Cat Shows.
    
    ET, they also bring in gallons of liquid cheese when they see us
    cat people coming.  Those nachos that they serve are equally
    disgusting.  It is no wonder that I usually don't eat at cat shows.
    
    Jo
3929.7can i relate...SANFAN::BALZERMATue Aug 21 1990 18:2811
    
    Mike, your note certainly did bring a smile to my face!  Bailey
    had his first show a couple of weekends ago and what an experience
    it was! Thank goodness I've got Cin coaching me from the East coast
    and Jo out here on the West coast.  While Jo was busy nursing Laci,
    Ken (Jo's hubby) had the dubious honor of pulling me through my
    first show.  I feel like I'll NEVER understand the nuances of this
    activity!!!   The Cattyshack Kids are certainly growing up.  Seems
    like yesterday they could fit in the palms of our hands...
    
    Marlene
3929.8CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313Wed Aug 22 1990 09:178
    re: terrible hot dogs - Yet another good reason to have given up
    red meat ;-)
    
    Congrats with Kai!!  Will we be seeing you in Framingham on 9/23??
    
    BTW - I have TWO unclaimed Feliner badges.  Speak now or forever do
    without.
      Nancy DC
3929.9I had a great time..AIMHI::MCCURDYWed Aug 22 1990 12:4923
    Nancy,,, I think one  may be mine.. er um when the kids divided
    up the Royal Estate...."they claimed it as theirs.."
     Apparently they "learned  well".. (insert BIG SMILE HERE).
    Also the imfamous "cattyshack sparklers" are also
    holding out well.. Happy JUMPED on one of them last nite
    as Preschie was dragging it down the hallway.. to  one of
    her many "stashes"..and it is still in one piece..(heh-heh..)
     Kai is a very Handsome guy..!!!!!
          I had a great time this weekend.. it was fun...!!!
         Although.. Cin  can tell you that I am " a tad clumsy".
    but I did think of a good name for the little cream
    baby.. CAFE' &CREME..
               Nancy I will be "kitty treat/toy shopping in
     Framingham.. the kids have already started their lists..
    They learn fast.. this weekend cuz I was there 2 days..
    Happy gave me  a list for Sat and  a list for Sunday..
    no substitutions or duplications allowed..of course
    I "complied".. after all she had her "combat gear on,
    and the protest signs ready just in case.. I er um
    made a mistake.... when shopping. I must admit
    watching teach Preschie about picketing was interesting..
    Kate, Happy,(well where is the loot Mom..) Preschie(WOW ,, NEATO
    PRESSIES!!.. MOM..)
3929.10CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313Thu Aug 23 1990 08:595
    Kate -
      Sounds to me like you might need to get another more "refined"
    influence into that house soon!  Heavens knows what Happy will
    be teaching Preschie!  Thank Goodness I have Isis to keep Bonnie
    in line -)