March 10 - 11, 2007. The Hamilton Cat Fanciers hosted their 18th and 19th annual Pirates of The ClawRibbean theme CCA Cat Show at the Ancaster Fairgrounds. The event was a complete success. We have never seen so many cat lovers under one roof before. The March break had something to do with the unprecedented attendance. Many kids and parents took time to drop in and stroll through the magnificent selection of purebred pedigree cats exhibited at the show.

We presented Paula, Bazyia, and the two newest members of our family, Downunda Bloke and Downunda Babe, both new arrivals from Kaloofa Cattery of Australia.

Bloke and Babe being respectively 6 and 5 months old competed in the kitten category, which included many superb kittens of all breed. The judges selections was one of the toughest ever. We saw many kittens new to the show circuit including a Japanese Bobtail. Bloke managed to final four times and received a second, fifth, sixth and a ninth Best Kitten Award, while Babe final once with a sixth Best Kitten Award on her very first show.

Paula and Bazyia on their first introduction to the show circuit entered in the open category, both received their CCA Champion Titles and as if this wasn't enough Paula received a seventh, eighth, and a tenth Best Cat Awards. Our beautiful Bazyia, at the tender age of nine months amazed many with her great looks and beautiful dark copper eyes, received a fifth, sixth, and a tenth Best Cat Awards. She proved to be a natural for shows; we expect her to be a delightful show Queen and a devoted mother to many beautiful kittens.

We would like to thank all who conveyed us condolences for the loss of our beloved Mourka, who passed away on February 20, soon after giving birth. The little orphan we named Hope is now almost four weeks old and appears to be the sweetest kitten we ever had. We thank God for letting us keep her, may she live long happy and be as great as her mom was.

The 2007 Kingston Cat Show was a first for us. The event was held at the Kingston's Days Inn Hotel and Convention Center on February 3rd and 4th.Kingston Ontario is an area notoriously famous for treacherous weather conditions during the winter months; the driving conditions were not totally unexpected. We woke up safe and sound Saturday morning thrilled that she event was held on site at the Hotel's Banquet Hall, a convenient touch as the outdoors were becoming more and more menacing.

The show began and soon we proceeded to take Cherie and Bloke, our new 5 month old kitten, to the judges for the competition. Once again we were reminded that you cannot predict the judges rulings.

We expected to introduce Bloke to the show atmosphere, so he can learn to relax in the show hall environment and perhaps collect a few ribbons along the way.

Regarding Cherie, we wanted her to receive her CCA Champion Title and keep Bloke company during the show. What we got instead is Cherie not only easily qualifying for her CCA Champion Title, but also finalized in 3 rings taking home two Fifth Best Cat awards in the Shorthair Category, an Eight Best Cat in the All Breed Category plus a 2nd Best Champion ribbon.

Cherie consistently demonstrated to judges and public alike, what a beautiful Queen she is as well as how calm and confident the British Shorthair cat is even under stressful show conditions.

Bloke on the other hand took on to the show atmosphere instantly and would follow anyone home at the wink of an eye. He is such a sweet purry loving kitten, he did managed to receive a ninth best kitten in the All Breed Kitten Category.

The attendance during the show was surprisingly good considering the harsh weather conditions. We thank all the great people that braved the elements and attended this once a year show and subsequently discovered this wonderful breed, the British Short Hair is.

Boreal Cattery is thrilled to announce that Celestina's first affair with Samuel has produced four beautiful babies. The manner, in which she delivered the two males and two females is what will make this delivery a memorable one for years to come.

December 5, Celestina's due date was well on it's way and she still wasn't showing any signs of impending delivery. Perplexed, we decided to wait for the morning to see what a new day will bring.

As the following day progressed it became obvious that she might require some assistance. Our vet administered a drug at 6 PM to induce delivery and recommended taking her to emergency if within one hour nothing happens. "Thanks, Dr. Somer!"

Celestina's well deserved rest on Day 5

Doctor Slawosz Debski, DVM and the staff on duty at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Sheppard Avenue East took initiative and had X-rays done immediately. The results revealed that one of the kittens had positioned itself at the entrance of the birth canal, derriere first, "pardon my French", effectively blocking the way for every one else to be born.

A Cesarean Section had to be performed immediately and soon four healthy vigorous kittens emerged alive and kicking.

Celestina woke up groggy but intact and not quite sure where these little hungry fur balls clinging to her came from. On the way home many growls could be heard over the sweet meows of the hungry kittens. Celestina has since stepped up her role as Mom and her maternal skills are improving daily. She will learn from experience as all moms do.

She has been fiercely guarding her litter against enquiring eyes of a famous local kitten snatcher named Cherie, who surely will not miss an opportunity to take away one or more of these miracle kittens and relocate them for some kitten cuddling of her own.

All is well that ends well I guess, but one thought kept coming back to me.

That night, as we laid down to bed
We knew, as sleep was getting near,
Miracle kittens playing in our heads
Will soon bring joy to someone dear...
Deep and mysterious is our love of cats.
One asks, why do we do it? The answer is clear.
For the love of cats.

It is with deep sorrow that we have to inform all our friends and clients that Mourka is no longer with us. She passed away at 10 AM Tuesday February 20. We are devastated by the loss of our sweetest Queen. An extremely long and difficult delivery followed by a Cesarean section proved to be too much for our delicate Mourka. She left with us a helpless little female kitten we call Hope. Her precious life is now in the Lord's hands.

We also regret to inform the families expecting kittens from Mourka's litter of the bad news and the fact that they will have a longer wait. We will contact the expecting families individually to explain the situation.

Mourka was the first kitten we introduced in our cattery, we immediately fell in love with her and cherished every moment we shared together. Guy was the one she chose as her best friend. The trust she displayed as Guy took her in his arms and walked with her around the house was amazing. She soon became his favorite and has left an impression that will never go away.

Mourka's short career in the show circuit started at the Canadian National Exhibition when she received a second Best of the Best kitten award. She went on as an adult to receive numerous awards and consistently demonstrated to judges and public alike, how well behaved a British Shorthair cat can be even under stressful show environment.

Mourka was the proud mother of many delightful little babies that have gone on to enrich the lives of their new families. We remember warmly: Cyrka, Korol'Eva, Harley, Maximus, DJ, Mody, Coco, and God willing, Hope will prevail and remain with us in Mourka's memory.

Mourka developed birthing difficulties Sunday morning around 11 AM, not totally unexpected, we had a Veterinarian to come over and attend the delivery. Poor little Mourka kept having difficulties giving birth. The kittens were, as we found out, quite big.

The day went on and on and finally around 5 PM, the Vet determined that there was nothing more she could do under the circumstances and recommended we go to the emergency clinic immediately. Mourka has a history of giving birth outside of regular business hours.

The staff at the Veterinarian Emergency Clinic went to work immediately to retrieve the remaining kitten, it proved to be unsuccessful. The only other option was to perform a Cesarean section. Hours later, thinking we were out of the woods Mourka and Guy returned home to care for the babies. During the night we noticed a strange sound associated with her breathing. The following day we consulted the Vet who attended the delivery. The prognostic was not good. She suspected a fluid build up in the lungs from a reaction to the anesthetics.

We returned home with all the medications we needed to improve on her condition. Tuesday morning we anxiously got up to check on Mourka. We were pleased to see that she was now sitting properly and looking attentive. Our expectations were crushed as soon as we took her in our arms and noticed that gurgling sound again, this time accompanied by fits of coughing. The situation had deteriorated over night and left us with very little choice.

The remainder of that day was a true nightmare. Many things went through our minds. What if he did things differently? What else could we have done? We even had a veterinarian attend the delivery. The saddest part of it all is that, perhaps she was never destined to be a Mom.

Mourka will remain in our hearts for ever, Good Bye Mourky. We love you so much!

      

British Shorthair Cats
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