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Conference misery::feline

Title:Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected
Notice:purrrrr...
Moderator:JULIET::CORDES_JA
Created:Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1079
Total number of notes:28858

58.0. "The Sacred Cats of Burma - Birmans" by MUTTON::BROWN () Thu Dec 05 1991 14:06

    I thought I would take the liberty of starting the official Birman
    topic. :')  
    
    What follows is the Legend of the Sacred Cat of Burma as taken 
    from the book "The Birman Cat" by Vivienne Smith:
    
    "The sacred cats of Burma, with their sapphire blue eyes and beautiful
    markings, hide an intangible secret as to their history and origin,
    and we can only surmise by legend and hearsay as to their clandestine
    background.  Here, then, is the legend of our beautiful Birmans."
    
    In a temple built on the sides of Mount Lugh, lived in prayer the
    very holy Kittah Mun-Ha, great Lama holy of holies, the one of which
    the God, Song Hio himself, has braided his golden beard.  Not a
    minute, not a glance, not a thought of his life was not dedicated
    to the adoration, comtemplation, and holy service of Tsun Kyan-Kse,
    the Goddess with the sapphire eyes, the one who presided over the
    transmigration of souls, the one who permits the Kittahs to live
    again in a holy animal for the duration of it's animal existence,
    before taking again the haloed body with the full and holy perfection
    of the great priests.  Near him was meditating Sinh, his dear oracle,
    an all white cat whose eyes where yellow, yellow from the reflection of
    the golden body of the Goddess with the heavenly eyes...Sinh, the
    cat to advise, whose ears, nose, tail and extremities of his legs
    were dark like the colour of the earth, mark of the stain and impurity
    of all that touches or can touch the ground.
    
    Now, one night, as the malevolent moon had permitted the murdering
    Phoums who came from hated Siam, to draw near the sacred place,
    the Grand Priest Mun-Ha gently entered death, having at his side
    his divine cat, and under his eyes the despair of all his overwhelmed
    Kittahs...It was then that the miracle came about - the only miracle
    of immediate transmigration:  in a bound, Sinh was on the golden
    throne and sat on the head of his sagged master.  He leaned on that
    aged head which, for the first time, was no longer looking at its
    Goddess.  And as he sat stiffened before the eternal statue, one
    saw the bristly hair of his white spine become suddenly golden yellow.
    His golden eyes became blue, large and deep as the eyes of the Goddess.
    As he was gently turning his head to the south door, his four paws
    which were touching the old skull became a dazzling white, up to
    the place that the silk of the holy garments were covering.  And
    as his eyes were turning from the south door, the Kittahs obeying
    this commanding look, which was full of serenity and light, hurried
    in the frist breeze to close the heavy bronze doors.
    
    The temple was saved from profanation and pillage - Sinh, however,
    had not left the throne and on the seventh day, without having made
    a move, facing the Goddess, eye to eye, he died - mysterious and
    hieratic, carrying on to Tsun Kyan-Kse the soul of Mun-Ha, too perfect
    for the earth...
    
    And when seven days later, the assembled priests consulted before
    the statue to decide on the succession of Mun-Ha, all the cats of
    the temple ran up, and all were dressed in hold with white gloves
    and all had changed to deep sapphire the yellow of their eyes, and
    in complete silence they surrounded the youngest of the Kittahs
    so thus the reincarnated ancestors were designated by the will of
    the Goddess.
    
    The legend also has it that when a priest dies, his soul was
    transmigrated into the body of the cat and upon the cats' death
    the priest's soul's transition into heaven had been accomplished
    - and according to Major Russell Gordon (an Englishman serving with
    the British troops in the Far East in 1898) "But woe also to he
    who brings about the end of one of these marvelous beasts, even
    if he did not mean to.  He will suffer the most cruel torments until
    the soul he has upset is appeased."
    
    A cat of mystery and legend, the Birman is a color pointed cat with
    long silky hair and four pure white feet.  It is strongly built,
    elongated and stocky, neither svelte nor cobby.  The distinctive
    head has strong jaws, firm chin, medium length Roman nose with nostrils
    set low on the nose leather.  There should be good width between
    the ears, which are medium in size.  The blue, almost round eyes
    are set well apart, giving a sweet expression to the face.
    
    The coat is long, silken in texture, with heavy ruff around the
    neck, slightly curly on the stomach.  The fur is of such a texture
    that it does not mat.
    
    Jo
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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58.1Birman chatterMUTTON::BROWNMon Dec 09 1991 14:5319
    Birman people, this is our breed topic!  So, where is everyone these
    days?  
    
    This is a big year for Birmans in the show ring, looks like me have our 
    very first Birman National winner this year.  GRC Shadowsnlace Nitro of 
    Junsui is holding his own with the big boys (and girls).  How do you all 
    feel about this?  It looks like Judy is planning on bringing Nitro out 
    west in January for our Tails & No Tales show.  We received her entry a 
    few days ago.  She probably double entered that weekend (Houston is that 
    same weekend), so she may not end up at our show, but we have a 50/50
    chance!  
    
    Also, Patsy is doing really well with GRP Kattah's Neko.  He is
    currently sitting at Best Longhair Premier in the Northwest Region, 3rd
    Best Premier in the Northwest region, and 21st Best Premier in the
    country.  She was only shooting for a regional award on him, but if he
    keeps this up she may have to go for the top 15. :')
    
    Jo
58.2I miss my Birman!!JUPITR::KAGNOKitties with an AttitudeTue Dec 10 1991 07:5922
    Wow, our very first championship national winner Birman!  That is great
    news.  I have seen Nitro's name plastered all over the CFA almanac, as
    well as Neko's.  Congrats to Patsy!
    
    As most of you know, I used to own a Birman and am waiting [rather
    impatiently!] for a replacement kitty for him.  Murdock was the very
    best cat we ever owned and my husband still grieves for him and tells
    all the other cats in the house that they will never ever fill
    Murdock's paws.  This, of course, doesn't win him brownie points and
    Taja puked on his briefcase this morning (smile!).  I hope that 1992
    will bring us another Birman; I would love a bluepoint this time
    around.  Since it is the "P" year for naming kittens, it shouldn't be
    too difficult to think up a name.
    
    You can bet when the new kitty finally arrives a reply will be added to
    this topic!
    
    -Roberta
    
    
    
    
58.3me too!FORTSC::WILDEwhy am I not yet a dragon?Thu Dec 12 1991 10:5017
Well, count me in....I am the proud property of Dilly, my blue-point
beauty from Mysihns cattery (did I spell that right, Jo?)....

Dilly has the sweetest face of any cat I've known and she actually can
Smile...no, I mean it! when she is playing "catch the flying mouse" with
me and The Flash, she is smiling....she looks so happy that I cannot
help but smile when I see her.

Dilly is a bright, quiet (most of the time) and affectionate friend to
me, and a very playful companion to the other cats.  She is a social
creature who will demand attention if she feels I'm not giving enough
focused attention to her, but she does not seem to have a jealous
bone in her body, she is generous with the other cats and the dog,
never crowding them away from me when playing or just hanging out
with me.

I could go on and on...and I will in the future, I assure you.
58.4MUTTON::BROWNThu Dec 12 1991 11:037
    Actually, Dian, it's Mysinhs. :')  Don't worry though, it's a common
    error.  I named the cattery after Sinh, the cat in the Birman legend.
    
    Which reminds me, it is time for me to get you your blue slip, am I
    right? I think I may have been remiss.
    
    Jo
58.5New England BirmansSTEREO::JENKINSTue Dec 17 1991 11:1840
    Well, I guess we can add our birman brags in this note.  I am really
    proud that there are so many birmans doing so well at the shows this
    past year.  The judges are really starting to take notice of us.  I
    decided with this past year of kittens that I would try to get as many
    birman babies on the show bench as I could.  Well, this past weekend
    there were ten birman kittens (I believe) entered in the show and five
    of them were from my breedings.  I owned two of them and three were
    sold for premiership homes.  My five month old sealpoint boy, Olery,
    made a LH final in Carolyn Bullotta's ring.  My bluepoint girl, Olinda,
    (Linda Sobek's namesake), got 1st place and Best of Color in five out
    of six rings.  Chatange's Outlander, a barely five month sealpoint
    male, I sold for premiership got one Best of Color and two Second Best
    of Colors but unfortunately didn't make any finals.  His BOC was an
    allbreed ring and competition was really stiff with the campaigners out
    in full force.  Chatange Obewan made an allbreed final and got 8th BAB
    kitten which was a thrill for his owner since she is quite new to
    showing.  My sister owns the other boy, littermate to my Olery and his
    name is Oliver.  Oliver got alot of consideration and he is a gorgeous
    kitty but he has one major strike against him, he has a runner.  He is
    big, heavy boned, lovely head, eyes, expression and coat but alot of
    judges will find it hard to final him.  He has however made a final at
    another show and it was an AB final also.  He should do pretty well for
    her in premiership as he enters that phase of his show career.
    
    Now, Linda, when are you going to do some bragging???  One other birman
    kitten made a final this past weekend.  But... I will let Linda tell ya
    all about it.
    
    We have what other breeders are calling the birvan here in New England. 
    I have a voyager that Linda Sobek, Darlene (her friend), my sister
    (Kathy), sometimes Denise Lawlor (Obewan's mom) and sometimes Maureen
    Kopper, will be traveling to shows this year together.  We are having a
    wonderful time showing our birmans and trying to prove to the judges in
    CFA that we have as much right in those finals as the rest of the LH
    breeds.  We are showing sweet dispositioned babies and are starting to
    get some results.  This is an exciting year for the birmans of New
    England.  We have really tough competition but we aren't going to let
    that deter us.
    
    Nancy
58.6The National win will do wonders for all of usMUTTON::BROWNTue Dec 17 1991 11:5122
    We will all be getting more recognition this year, what with a Birman
    in the top 20 Nationals.  The breed had a spurt of extra recognition
    the year that Lalique made a National win in kitten class, and we will
    all benefit by Judy putting Nitro in the nationals this year.  That is
    why I feel it is very important that we all support Judy in her
    endeavor.  What she is doing isn't easy, and it gets more difficult now
    that she has her 100 rings in and is trying to replace rings.  This is
    when it gets expensive, when you travel to a show, and then don't do
    well enough to even count the show.  She has my full support, since I
    know how tough this next part can be (from helping Patsy show Neko).
    
    By the way, as of the end of last month, Judy and Nitro were sitting at
    6th Best Cat in the county.  Patsy and Neko were sitting at 21st Best 
    Premiership cat in the country.
    
    Hey Nancy, do you thinnk you could get that BirVan out to California
    this year for Tails & No Tales??  We have pretty good Birman judges
    this year, and we are looking for a nice Birman class.
    
    If not T&NT, then maybe for the White Glove Society Show in May 1992?
    
    Jo
58.7Go Nitro!!!BRUTUS::SOBEKWed Dec 18 1991 11:0547
    Judy was showing Nitro at the NY show this past weekend and it was fun
    and exciting competing in the same rings as this great cat. Nitro was
    finalling in every ring and all the Birman folks were gathering to
    cheer him on. 
    
    Dancer and Danny both had their share of wins. This was Dancer's first
    show as a champion. She was placed best Birman champion in two rings
    and has her first points toward Granding.  Danny made one final by
    winning a 5th Best LH kitten.  It was great to see so many nice Birmans
    all in once place at the same time! :^)
    
    As for my involvement with Birmans... well, it's hard for me to
    remember life BB (Before Birmans). I have always been an enthusiastic
    cat-lover ..but now I'm obsessed! :^)
    
    The day I discovered that FELINE existed I entered my very first note
    inquiring about Birmans. Jo's almost instant response brought me a
    wealth of information and has led to a whole new adventure. There was
    my first Birman (who would addict me to the breed forever), my first
    cat show as an exibitor, the excitement of my first Grand Champion,
    .. and meeting Jo and all the other Birmans and Birman folks at the SCBF
    and NBF shows each year. One of my goals in Birmans has been to receive a
    kitten from Julie Collin (Jo's friend, president of SCBF ..and breeder
    of many of Jo's foundation Birmans). That dream came true this year and
    I had the thrill of seeing Dancer honored as NBF Best Birman Kitten 1991 .
    
    These are just a few of the high spots that reflect only a small part
    of all the fun and friendships that I've found as a result of showing
    my Birmans. ...and I don't have the words to describe the amount of
    pleasure I get from sharing my life with my Birman kids. It's safe to
    say that I'm hooked! :^)
    
    The latest adventure is the arrival of our first Birman litter. I
    never tire of watching the four hellions (three boys and a girl) play
    ..and I love it when they climb into my lap and curl up for a nap. :^)!
    They're six weeks old now ..and learning fast.
    
    This is an exciting year for all Birman lovers as we watch to see just
    how well Judy and Nitro can do aiming for that National win. And it
    looks as though it's going to be a busy and fun year for us as more NE
    folks are becoming involved with showing Birmans.
    
    What do you think, Nancy?  I can't make it for the T&NT show, but do
    you think the BirVan crew should head out for the WGS show on the west
    coast in May? :^)
    
    Linda
58.8STEREO::JENKINSFri Dec 20 1991 13:3025
    That would sure be one heck of a drive but the plane trip could
    certainly be feasible.  We will have to look at that one for sure.
    
    I was able to talk to Judy some at the show this past weekend and she
    is very tired but feels she will be making an effort at a few more
    shows at least.  She says they are close to 8,000 points which is
    marvelous.  She knows that we all are pulling for her and she is
    soaking up the support as she needs to in order to keep going.  Nitro
    looked really nice and he is holding well it seems.  Judy says he wants
    girls, of course, and she is hoping to begin allowing him to do as
    nature says very soon.
    
    Well, Linda, Maureen Kopper, Darlene, Kevin and I will be off in the
    BirVan mid-January for the Persian Bi-color and Calico Society show in
    Whitehaven, PA.  This is about the only show that Kevin goes to because
    he is our designated driver.  This show is in the Pocono mountains in
    the middle of the winter and I don't do snow very well.  Then we will
    be on the road again every weekend until mid_february.  We have five
    show weekends in a row all out of towners.  I'll let you know if I
    survived after it is all overwith.  
    
    Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
    
    Nancy
    and the Chatange Kitties
58.9MUTTON::BROWNMon Jan 06 1992 16:333
    Hey Nancy, you guys missed a great show!  Maybe next year.
    
    Jo
58.10Can't wait to see you all in sunny CalifornIAMUTTON::BROWNTue Mar 03 1992 14:4526
    You Birman lovers best be making your plans to attend the first annual
    White Glove Society cat show on May 30-31, 1992 in San Jose,
    California!  The show hotel is the Red Lion, San Jose and we have a
    special show rate of $54.00.  The show will be held at the Santa Clara
    County Fairgrounds.  
    
    If you need a show flyer, contact Katherine and James Daugherty of
    Ultimate cattery.  They are entry clerking for us.  
    
    Our judges will be:		Becky Jones AB
    				Carolyn Bullotta AB
    				Jean Grimm AB
    				Sheila Mizzi AB
    				Norma Placchi AB
    				Olen Wilford AB
    				Carolyn Osier LH/SH
    				Kitty Angell LH/SH
    
    We will be having special awards for the highest scoring Birman kitten,
    championship cat, and premiership cat in show.  The show should be
    great fun.  I plan to enter Reste and Oppie.  If you are planning on
    flying out, American is hubbed in San Jose.  Make your travel plans
    now!
    
    Jo
    				
58.11Looking for a BIRMAN kittenEARRTH::GALVINTue Jun 23 1992 11:1811
    help!!!!!!!!!!!
    Does anyone out there know of anyone who sells Birman kittens? I'm
    looking to buy one for a pet. If you know of anyone could you send
    me there name and phone number. I'm hoping to find someone selling
    them in the MASS. or NEW HAMPSHIRE area.
    
    thanks,
    Kathy Galvin
    LUNER::GALVIN
    DTN 223-5869
    
58.12MUTTON::BROWNset home/cat_max=5 girls 2 boys 2 hhpsThu Jul 02 1992 02:004
    You came to the right place Kathy.  I sent you mail this evening with a
    couple of names of local Birman breeders.  That should get you started.
    
    Jo
58.13JULIET::CORDES_JAFour Tigers on My CouchThu Sep 03 1992 15:1324
    Well, this isn't about Birmans directly but it is about a particular
    Birman breeder I know quite well.
    
    I was at my sister's house (Birman Breeder extraordinaire) last
    weekend.  I went there to socialize after I visited my new hair stylist
    in Morgan Hill.  Anyway, while I was there Jo was doing her weekend
    chores around the house.  She quickly put me to work helping her clean
    out the stud cages, washing cat dishes that had been sprayed, putting
    up spray guards (aka chucks) around the cages, bathing cats, etc.
    Being needle-shy as I am I was able to talk Ken into standing in for
    the kitten vaccination job.
    
    As she was on her hands and knees scrubbing cat spray from the floor 
    of one of the cages I asked her to tell me, again, why she became a
    breeder.  Her reply:
    
    		 "the glory, the glamour, the money".  
    
    NOT!  It became our catch phrase for the day as we began each job.  I 
    had a great time visiting with her but I think I'll pass on the breeding
    of cats.  Seems like a heck of a lot of work in addition to being a 
    major financial undertaking. 
    
    Jan
58.14love it!FORTSC::WILDEwhy am I not yet a dragon?Thu Sep 03 1992 15:397
I can just see her saying that!  What a hoot...

Well, I'm glad she's a breeder - my Dilly is just wonderful...well, if
she and The Flash would tone down the night romps, they'd both be PERFECT..
but they are both wonderful.


58.15boys=lots of paper towels, odorkleen, chucksMUTTON::BROWNeverybody run Prom Queen's Gotta Gun!Sat Sep 12 1992 02:5522
    Actually, until that day that Jan visited, I had been off the hook for
    cat chores for three months. :')  So I guess I had no room to complain
    that day.  (plus she makes it sound so easy...e.g. me being down on my
    hands and knees...no mention of the major body contortions that have to 
    take place in order to get down on your hands and knees without
    violating any hip restrictions ;'}).
    
    Those boys have to have their chucks changed twice a week, their cages
    completely wiped down, litter boxes scrubbed, food and water bowls
    scrubbed, etc. once a week.  They also need a once a week foot and tail
    bath.  And, when you are all finished, you notice that the Eau de Urine
    is coming from your clothing, not the freshly cleaned stud cage that
    you've continued to scrub and scrub.
    
    As we say around here, "oh the joys of boys." ;'D
    
    BTW Dian, DeeDee (AKA Oh-bli-de, littermate to Dilly) is now a fat and 
    very sassy spay. :')  Emphasis on the sassy part.  Amazing what spaying 
    can do for a cat's coat.  She looks gorgeous.
    
    Jo
    
58.16but, of course....FORTSC::WILDEwhy am I not yet a dragon?Sun Sep 13 1992 14:3912
    
>    BTW Dian, DeeDee (AKA Oh-bli-de, littermate to Dilly) is now a fat and 
>    very sassy spay. :')  Emphasis on the sassy part.  Amazing what spaying 
>    can do for a cat's coat.  She looks gorgeous.
    
Not suprising to me...the sassy part, for sure...must be a litter trait.
And, as you and Ken have seen, The Dillster has a georgeous coat as well.
Of course, there is the tiniest bit of a chance that I might be just a
little biased when discussing the Dilly girl....she IS the most wonderful
Birman on the planet.  Other than that, I am quite reasonable about this.

			D
58.17List of breeders requestedSMURF::KARENDZMon Dec 06 1993 14:187
    Could you please post or send me your list of breeders?  A friend of
    mine is looking for new addition, as she lost her Birman (I had no
    idea that was the correct term!) 6 months ago to bowel cancer.
    
    Many thanks,
    -Karen Dzendolet
     FLUME::KARENDZ
58.18Stay TunedDRUMS::FEHSKENSlen, Engineering Technical OfficeTue Dec 07 1993 06:407
    
    I put together the list of area Maine Coon breeders from my business
    card file last night, I can do the same for Birmans tonight.  BTW, the
    only other breeds I keep cards for are Abyssynians and Somalis.
    
    len.
     
58.19New England Area Birman BreedersDRUMS::FEHSKENSlen, Engineering Technical OfficeWed Dec 08 1993 07:4393
  Bonkaten Birmans
    CFA

    Kathleen Bonetzky
    11 Morgan Drive
    Auburn, NH  03032

    603-483-5066


  Chatange Birmans
    CFA

    Nancy Jenkins
    53 North Road
    Sandown, NH  03873

    603-887-2653


  Gillerin Birmans
    CFA, CFF

    Paula A. Chamberlain
    26 Essex Drive
    Raymond, NH  03077

    603-895-6678


  Imagine Birmans
    CFA

    Dolorese M. Letourneau
    17 Colonial Way
    West Warwick, RI  02893

    401-822-2496


  Kalim Cattery

    Karen Diamond
    146 Pine Needle Street
    Howell, NJ  07731

    201-840-2130

 
  Kopriha Birmans

    Maureen and David Kopper
    81 Main Blvd.
    Shrewsbury, MA  01545

    508-842-0782


  Nirmanakaya Birmans

    Diana Engelbart
    68 Bowen Street
    West Boylston, MA  01583

    508-835-2172


  Patsucre Birmans

    Linda Sobek
    Box 3125
    Westford, MA  01886

    508-692-8184


  Birma Cattery

    Andrew J. Hamilton
    59 Flanders Road
    Stonington, CT  06378

    203-535-0480


  Tomoka Oaks Ltd.
  CFF, CFA, TICA

    D. Wadsworth-Jeter
    P.O. Box 734
    Bedford, MA  01730

58.20DECWIN::JUDYThat's *Ms. Bitch* to you!!Thu Oct 24 1996 12:2721
58.21Very Likely Still ValidPCBUOA::FEHSKENSlen - reformed architectTue Oct 29 1996 07:437
58.22Nancy and Linda still activeSMURF::MSCANLONa ferret on the barco-loungerTue Oct 29 1996 09:407