By Alisa Howlett/B次元官网网址 staff
Hoot, Bedazzled, Voodoo, Boozer, Thai, Magic, CC, Angus, GFN, and donB次元官网网址檛 forget, Java and Bean.
These are the names of Susan MarshallB次元官网网址檚 show cats B次元官网网址� all 11 of them. Marshall fully admits living with 11 cats in a two-storey house in Sooke might make her the epitome of the stereotypical crazy cat lady.
B次元官网网址淚 spend more money on my cats than I do myself. No fancy nails and hairdos for me, but my cats have the best hammocks, toys, food B次元官网网址次元官网网址� says Marshall, whoB次元官网网址檚 been showing cats for more than 20 years.
At first her husband Graham wasnB次元官网网址檛 on board with the whole cat thing; it wasnB次元官网网址檛 until Marshall brought home her first Abyssinian, which made him come around.
B次元官网网址淚 said after I bought my very first Abyssinian it would be an only cat B次元官网网址� I lied. Now we have eleven,B次元官网网址� Marshall admits with a laugh. B次元官网网址�(My husbandB次元官网网址檚) a complete convert.B次元官网网址�
This particular breed looks like a mini cougar with its relatively large pointed ears, greenish almond-shaped eyes, long legs and tapered tail. The breed also has a uniquely different temperament than most cats.
B次元官网网址淢y husband says theyB次元官网网址檙e a cross between a dog, a cat and a monkey,B次元官网网址� says Marshall. B次元官网网址淭hey have a dog-like quality, they are so smart they drive you crazy B次元官网网址� they know everything. They also like height, which is the monkey part.B次元官网网址�
Some might think living with 11 cats is a bit, well, much; but the part that might be considered much is that Marshall is actually allergic to cats.
B次元官网网址淭he doctor said itB次元官网网址檚 allergy induced Asthma. I will not, I refuse, I will never give up my cats,B次元官网网址� Marshall says devotedly, adding she just doesnB次元官网网址檛 let too many sleep in her bed at once.
This weekend is the at SidneyB次元官网网址檚 Mary Winspear Centre. Over 25 different breeds B次元官网网址� including Sphinx, Maine Coon and Somali B次元官网网址� will be attending the show, says Marshall, a co-organizer of the event.
The cats are judged based on breed standards in several categories: kittens, adults (divided between short-hairs and longhairs), household pets and altered (anyone spayed or neutered).
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the same as with dog shows, although we donB次元官网网址檛 have to run them around B次元官网网址� thank God,B次元官网网址� Marshall says laughing.
Generally speaking, cats get the reputation of being independent and aloof creatures, but Marshall says most of the show cats love being in the show B次元官网网址� and for the ones who donB次元官网网址檛, they simply donB次元官网网址檛 come back.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 individual attention thatB次元官网网址檚 poured on them all day long, they love it,B次元官网网址� she says.
Because there will be so many breeds, the show organizer says itB次元官网网址檚 a great place for people who are considering a cat to learn about the different temperaments. The judging is interactive; judges openly discuss the breed and are available for more information.
In addition to a variety of breeds, there will be a number of vendors at the show selling niche cat products, such as hand-knit mice toys filled with catnip. Marshall says the mice are made and sold by a local woman and usually sell out in under an hour.
There will also be kittens for sale and local cat rescue groups accepting cat food donations for one dollar off admission price.
The family-friendly show is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both June 17 and 18. Tickets are $6 for an adult or $3 for children. Family admission is $12. Tickets are free for children five and under.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com
