Howie's a Champion!

I was so aggravated with myself for missing a ring call at the Birmingham shows in January because Howie needed wins in all six rings to complete his champion title. I could not enter him in championship class without that ribbon, so I took him to Knoxville, Tennessee, this past Saturday.Howie was his usual charming self and completed requirements for Ch.with no trouble at all. I decided to take Trouble along, just to have a kitten to show. At the last minute, I almost left Trouble at home because he will not allow Howie a moment's peace. I also did not know how Trouble would react to the show hall but he really surprised me. Not only did Trouble look especially angelic (I knew the truth!), but he was very well behaved as well. Trouble not only won BOB in each ring, but was named sixth best kitten by Judge Kim Everett-Hirsch. I am so proud of both my boys. They are the first to carry the Gaia prefix.
I owe a big Thank you to Judie Hudgens, who is my mentor and friend, for allowing me to own Ch, Pr Bluegenes Catie Curlic who blessed me with my first litter of Devon kittens. Thanks and hugs also go to Linda Petersen (Karmacatz) and Denis Downey (Northshore) who allowed Northshore Tradewinds of Karmacatz to live with me and sire three beautiful litters. Trader has moved in with Judie and his absence is definitely felt here at Gaia.

Pictures of the new kitten

It has taken me a while to get pictures of Howie's little brother. He moves so fast that I had to wait for my son, Joseph, to visit and take the pictures while I attempted to keep the little guy corralled.
Joseph took 17 pictures (most were merely a blur of white) and I am going to post several of those so you can meet the newest member of Gaia Devon Rex.

I would love to get some suggestions for a name for him. Any takers?

Howie enters the show world!

Finally, I have a kitten to show! I have waited so long and was fearful that something would keep me from showing Howie as a kitten. I have never had a young kitten to show and I have longed for the opportunity to grow up in the show halls with a kitten of my own. This past Saturday, I drove to Huntsville, Alabama, to a one day show. It was Howie's first CFA show and although he didn't final, I was/am very proud of his participation. The first couple of rings had Howie a bit confused as to what was going on, but as the day progressed he began to realize that all he had to do was be himself, which he did in flying colors. The constant pressure of being cute, did not daunt Howie in the least. He was a bit worn out after the long day and slept all the way home in his carrier. I made a few new friends while there and spoke to a member of the Birmingham Feline Fanciers about membership. All in all, I felt that it was a very productive day.
I also decided to have professional pictures taken of Howie. The photographer, St. Arnaud, is very good at getting my Devons to play in front of her camera, so I knew, I would not be disappointed with the proofs. There were several really adorable pics of Howie and some very grownup looking poses as well. I purchased a package of eight photos, a 5 x 7, and a page of all the proofs. I can't wait to get the finished product as I will definitely have some nice pictures of Howie that I can share.
Work is taking much of my time, but I am going to attempt to make entries more often. Birdette is pregnant and her litter is due any day now. I pray that the babies will be born healthy and Birdette will have no problems birthing. I love Birdette and long for a baby girl from her to carry on the bloodline. Time will tell, if I am going to get a little girl or not. I think I will. :)

Howie

Gaia Deal or No Deal is growing up quickly. He scampers up the tallest cat tree with little hesitation. The only problem is that he is fearless when he decides it is time to get down. I have caught him several times; perched on the edge of the top shelf, poised to jump to the floor at least six feet below.
I was concerned that he would not learn to play since he has no litter mates but Birdette has filled the void by playing with Howie until he tires of the game she has chosen. Birdette then chooses another way to entice him to play. Bird has been a wonderful mother. I am so proud of her and her ability to allow Howie to take risks but always being nearby to save him from Harm's way if he decided to go to far with his little game.
Howie and Trader met last month and they bonded immediately. Since Howie is a small replica of his dad, it looks so sweet to see them strolling through the house together. I know Trader must be giving "fatherly" advice to his little boy. I have found them curled up together; sound asleep. I never knew male cats took part in the rearing of their young but Trader is definitely
doing his part to help out with the rearing of this most precious little kitten.

Puppy Update

Birdette has proven to be a better mother than I ever hoped. She is so laid back but does not allow that little boy to mew more than twice before she rushes to him. When he is quiet, Birdette visits with the other cats and of course, spends time with me. She has all ready regained her girlish figure and has an air of confidence that I have not seen before. She seems to radiate self-confidence in the field of motherhood. Not anything like I felt when I became a mother for the first time. Indeed, I never experienced that amount of confidence when my second baby was born either!

Bird has really surprised me. She was so spoiled that I feared she would not be an attentive mother but she proved me wrong. The same way she proved me wrong about being in shows. Even though Birdette was nearly a year old before I entered her in her first shows, she gave the impression that she was an old hand at it. I sincerely hope that she passes her attitudeand confidence along to all her offspring. What a joy it would be to not worry about an entry's first shows and how it will respond to the new environment.

The kitten is sleek and fat...very contented in its little world. I was surprised to see that its little eyes were open on yesterday and it was only 3 days old! At that rate, it will be grown in a few months but I want it to remain a playful little kitten for a while anyway. I have also decided that I will not call him Puppy since I intend to show him. He needs a more fitting name so I am searching for just the right name for the first kitten to carry the Gaia name.

Its a Boy!!!!

Birdette went into labor at 3:00 a.m. today. She delivered two kittens, both males but the first was stillborn. I was so upset...I have never lost a kitten (or puppy when breeding and exhibiting toy poodles and Afghan hounds) so this was a very painful experience for me. I tried everything I knew including CPR for an hour but to no avail. There was not even a tiny spark of life in its little body. He was laid to rest in a corner of the garden underneath a large Black Walnut tree. My heart is heavy but also joyful as the other male was born full of life. I affectionately refer to him as Puppy. I have often told Birdette that she is "Better than a puppy." because she is so loyal to me and so playful plus totally house trained! I really do love that girl...she is one in a million in my book.

Puppy is nursing and Birdette seems very content...not anxious like her mother, Catie, was when she had her one and only litter. Birdette seems content to remain in the laundry basket where she gave birth. She enjoys my company when I check on the dynamic duo and rolls over so I can rub her tummy. I am praying that all goes well and Birdette and Puppy will soon become an active part of the feline family here at Gaia.

Catie's daughter Birdette

When Catie had to be spayed , I had only her daughter, Ch. Bluegenes Sugar and Spice, to carry on the gene pool. Birdette (the nick name I gave to Sugar and Spice) was not only an integral part of my breeding but my personal pet as well. There are always those few pets who just step into your heart and leave footprints...Birdette was/is that 'special' furry someone for me.

From the time Birdette was born she made her presence known.Birdette, a beautiful odd-eyed white, loved the show atmosphere. She was a year old before I entered her in a show so I was concerned that she would be nervous and shy. Birdette thought the shows were being held in her honor. She loved the attention from the spectators and and showed to perfection in the rings. She won the six blue ribbons necessary for her championship at the Birmingham Feline Fanciers' cat shows in one week-end. I entered her in two more shows before it was decided that I should breed her.

Over the next two years, Birdette was introduced to several males but no kittens were produced. Judie moved from Tennessee to Michigan and made arrangements with Denis Downey of Northshore Devon rex for me to lease a beautiful cream bi-colored male named Northshore Tradewinds (aka Trader). After several attempts at breeding, I was beginning to think that I would never again hear the patter of little Devon feet. Last week, Birdette surprised me with all the signs of being
pregnant. After consulting my calendar and counting from the last day Birdette and Trader mated, I have determined that kittens are due around the 20th of April. I pray that all goes well and that in a few short months I will be using my new pink security cage showing a Devon rex kitten. Stay tuned because I intend to show off the little fellas asap!

Ch. Bluegenes Catie Curlic

My lovely Catie developed closed pyometra and had to be spayed. I was devastated at the loss of future breedings but thankful for Dr. Milledge's expert care, which saved Catie's life. Since Catie will no longer be having beautiful little Devon babies, Judie encouraged me to enter her in Premiere class at the Birmingham shows the last week-end in January '07.

When younger, Catie had tolerated the show scene but never really showed her true potential. I was doubtful that she would do herself justice after a three year absence from shows. Motherhood
gave her more confidence than I had realized. Catie easily earned her 6 blue ribbons to add the title of Premiere to her name. She is truly more beautiful than ever and I intend to enter her in Huntsville, Atlanta, and Knoxville. In the meantime, I am hoping Catie's daughter( out of her only litter), Ch Bluegenes Sugar and Spice of Gaia (known as Birdette or The Princess around here!), will bless me with a litter and a future star.