News - 2008
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3 December 2008 - New kittens!
Welcome to Sophie's latest kittens - three beautiful babies. More details can be seen on her Kittens page.
22 November 2008 - The Supreme Show
It was an especially long journey today, all the way to the NEC in Birmingham, but worth it to compete in the feline equivalent of Crufts. Special congratulations to Dushenka Xander on winning his second Challenge Certificate at this special show. Xaria came 2nd again, to another very beautiful female
but I was delighted to see both my Snoogles handle so well in the Supreme's 'ring judging' format.
Congratulations also to my travelling companions, the Pontellos, on their notable wins with their Sorrel Abyssinian One Shot, who won the UK Grand, and their fawn girl Honey, who became a Grand Champion on the day - a breed first!
8 November 2008 - Cheshire Area Cat Club
Congratulations to Dushenka Xander on winning his first Challenge Certificate and a total of 3 x 1st prize and 1 x 2nd prize in his four classes. It wasn't Xaria's day today, as she came 2nd to a very beautiful female who went to to win best in show, but like her brother she still enjoyed her day out.
31 October 2008 - We're moving home!
Well, I finally made the decision to move, and am now in the process of the great relocation, with a little bit of help from my feline friends - that's Xander in the photo 'helping' to pack up the dining room!
We are moving all the way from the north-west of Glasgow to the south-east of Glasgow, but with a feline family to consider it is still quite a feat to achieve without any upset. In my case it involved multiple friends ferrying them all over to the new house whilst the removal men got to work here. They will have more space, and fenced-in chunks of garden to play in, so I am sure they will be happier once it is all sorted. In the meantime, there may be delays in my replying to emails (it could be a week or so before I am back on broadband), so please bear with me.
11 October 2008 - Cumberland Cat Club show
Today was Tasha's last show before going off on her 'holidays', and Xander and Xaria's first adult show at just over 9 months old. It was a pretty good day all round, with all three of them coming home with three 1st prizes each. In total, they won:
● Champion Dushenka Tashabella - won her first Grand Challenge certificate and two 1st prizes in side classes, including a class of 10 beautiful cats.
● Dushenka Xariabella - won 1st open female adult and her first Challenge Certificate, together with a further two x 1st prizes and one x 2nd prize in the female breeders class, a stonking class of 11 cats.
● Dushenka Xander - won three x 1st prizes in his three side classes, including the the male breeders class and 2nd open male adult.
Thanks again to Heather and Lorraine for giving us a lift to and from the show, and congratulations to Jasper on winning his fourth Imperial certificate.
27 September 2008 - North West Cat Club show
Another good day for my wonderful trio of Tasha and her two kittens, Xander and Xaria at their last show as kittens. Next stop is the adult classes! All three were on top form today, full of happy purrs and showing off to anyone who was interested in what wonderful temperaments Russian Blues have. I am very proud of them all.
● Champion Dushenka Tashabella - won 1st open female adult, her sixth challenge certificate and Best of Breed Russian Blue adult.
● Dushenka Xander - won 1st open male kitten, Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten and a further two x 1st prizes in large classes.
● Dushenka Xariabella - won 1st open female kitten and a further two x 2nd prizes
Thanks again to Heather Kelsall and Lorraine Pontello on giving us a lift to and from the show, and congratulations to their beautiful Abyssinians on their wins as well.
20 September 2008 - Scotia Cat Fanciers show
After a break of nearly 18 months Tasha's litter brother Techs was back out at a show today - thanks to his owners, my brother and his wife on letting me borrow him for the day. Congratulations to my beautiful boy on winning the following:
● Premier Dushenka Technetium Star - won 1st open male neuter, his fourth Premier Certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter, 1st prize in a class of TEN super cats, and 2nd prize in another large class.
Thanks again to Lorraine and Maureen Pontello on giving us a lift to and from the show, and congratulations to all the successful Pontaby Abyssinians on their wins as well.
13 September 2008 - Northern Counties Cat Club show
Congratulations again to my clever Snoogles on another excellent day! Their wins today included:
● Dushenka Xander - won 1st open male kitten, Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, a further three 1st prizes (including the breeders class) and the Kolokol trophy for best Russian Blue kitten
● Dushenka Xariabella - 1st open female kitten, plus another 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize. I am particularly proud of Xaria (aka Sweetness) for winning the Arthur & Enid Burrows Memorial Class, which is judged on condition and temperament
Congratulations again to my travelling companions on their successful day, with the Pontellos' Blue Abyssinian kitten Calli (aka Piglet!) and Heather Kelsall's Blue Abyssinian neuter Ailsa enjoying 'red card' days. Congratulations also to Jennifer Fleming's Russian Blue neuter Lensky on adding the Imperial title to his impressive set of wins.
23 August 2008 - Teesside Cat Club show
Today was Xaria's day for being the star turn, equalling Xander's success at the Edinburgh show by winning Best in Show Foreign kitten. After a nine year gap, I've had two best in show winners in the space of five weeks from one litter of kittens! Xander and their mum Tasha also did really well, and all three had great fun showing off to their audience. In all, they won:
● Dushenka Xariabella - 1st open, Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, a further two x 1st prizes and one x 2nd prize in her other classes and Best in Show Foreign kitten.
● Dushenka Xander - won 1st open male kitten, and a further 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize in his other three classes, even though he is looking a bit like a gawky teenager!
● Champion Dushenka Tashabella - won 1st open, her fifth challenge certificate and the reserve Grand Challenge in strong classes. I am so proud of my darling Tasha, who has also passed on her endearing temperament and good looks to her kittens.
Congratulations also to my travelling companions on their successes on the day, with Lorraine's Blue Abyssinian Nyla becoming a Champion, Heather's Blue Aby girl Ailsa (a special favourite of mine) becoming a Grand Premier, and her Sorrel Aby, cheeky Jasper, winning another Imperial certificate.
9 August 2008 - Chester & North Wales Cat Club show
Another good day for my sweet little Snoogles who, as ever, greatly enjoyed showing off to everyone who stopped to say hello to them, especially if it involved their favourite combination of food and cuddles!
I was particularly pleased with their side class results, as these were big classes, with very strong competition. Special congratulations to Xander on winning the Ann Rickson Memorial Class of 10 beautiful foreign adults, kittens and neuters, including the imperial certificate and best in section winner!
In total Xander and Xaria won the following:
● Dushenka Xander - won 1st open and Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, and a further two 1st prizes and one 2nd in his other three classes
● Dushenka Xariabella - 1st open female kitten plus 2nd in a class of nine
Congratulations to my travelling companion Heather on the success of her usual Abyssinian kitten Mina (who was bred by Lorraine and Maureen Pontello - just keeping it 'in the family'). If Xander had to be beaten I'm glad it was by her!
19 July 2008 - Edinburgh & East of Scotland Cat Club show
My babies have been doing very well at shows, but today Xander really excelled himself, winning Best in Show Foreign kitten. The last Dushenka to win a Best in Show was his great-grandmother Bella, nine years ago! Xaria also did well, and they brought home eight 1st prizes between them. As ever, Xander and his pretty sister were very much admired, and greatly enjoyed all the attention. In all, they won:
● Dushenka Xander - 1st open, Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, 1st in all his other classes (another 'red card day') and Best in Show Foreign kitten
● Dushenka Xariabella - 1st open female Russian Blue kitten, plus 1st in two other classes
It was a great day all round for my friends and fellow-exhibitors, with Frannie Sykes' magnificent Russian Blue neuter boy IGr Pr Shoelina Rostropovich going on to take Best Foreign and overall Best in Show. I was delighted to see the Pontello's lovely Sorrel Abyssinian win her fourth Imperial (and thanks again for the lift to the show), Louise and David's Bella win her qualifying Grand, Rosie's little usual Aby kitten on her very successful debut... too many to mention everyone here, so have a look at www.raccs.co.uk for full details of results from the show.
Thanks also to Auntie Ellen for the lift home and feeding little lord Xander cake for his special treat - he loved it! Xaria preferred to stick to tuna, bless her.
21 June 2008 -
Lakeland & District Cat Club show
We had a great day at the Lakeland show, despite the torrential rain! Congratulations to my three winners, who were all of them clearly enjoying their day out, indulging in their usual combination of cuddles, purrs and head-butting kisses in-between sleeping and, of course, eating.
● Champion Dushenka Tashabella - won 1st open, her fourth challenge certificate and Best of Breed Russian Blue adult, and the reserve Grand Challenge on her first appearance in the grand class
● Dushenka Xander - won 1st open and Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, and a further three 1st prizes in his other three classes - a 'red card day'
● Dushenka Xariabella - 1st open female kitten plus two more 1st prizes and one 3rd prize in her other three classes
31 May 2008 - Durham County Cat Club show
It was another good day for Xander and Xaria - aka the Snoogles - after their 4.30am start in the morning. Yet again, they spent the day eating, sleeping and cuddling people, as well as enjoying some good results - and they are still only 20 weeks old!
● Dushenka Xander - won 1st open and Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, and a further two 1st prizes and one 2nd prize (<== sitting)
● Dushenka Xariabella - 2nd open kitten (to Xander), plus two 1st prizes, two 2nd prizes and a Section Manager's Special (<== standing)
Many congratulations to my travelling companions Heather, celebrating winning the Imperial and Grand certificates with her lovely Abyssinians Jasper and Ailsa. Congratulations also to the Pontello's lovely sorrel girl Berry, who won another Imperial certificate.
18 May 2008 - Russian and Abyssinian Cat Club of
Scotland (RACCS)
Photo competition (Full details are on the RACCS website)
Just back from the first-ever RACCS AGM, and despite having a formal role to fulfil, I still had great fun. We had a good turn-out of members, including show managers, breeders, exhibitors and cat lovers, with a definite party atmosphere prevailing. We ran a photo competition, and I am delighted to say that a photo of Sophie and two of her babies won the 'Mother and kittens' category, although I wasn't too convinced by someone's alternative name for the photo - 'crazy Ninja kitten'!
10 May 2008 - Nor'East of Scotland Cat Club show
Today saw Tasha's return from maternity leave, as well as the second outing for her babies Xander and Xaria. All their results were so good that my mood is as sunny as the weather was in Dundee!
Special congratulations to:
● CHAMPION DUSHENKA TASHABELLA on winning her Champion title in style, not only winning her third certificate, but also Best of Breed Russian Blue adult against really strong competition and the trophy for best Russian Blue exhibit. Well done to my crazy baby!
Congratulations to her babies as well, who enjoyed cuddles from everyone they got their paws on and also did very well in competition:
● Dushenka Xariabella - 1st open female kitten, Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, and nominated for Best in Show, plus 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize in her other three classes.
● Dushenka Xander - 1st open male kitten (letting his sister take best of breed on this occasion), plus another 1st (the judge wanted to nominate him for Best in Show as well!) and two 2nd prizes in his three other classes. ==>
Thanks again to Lorraine who, rather than travelling in comfort to the show with her own family and cats, gave me and my three cats a lift instead. Congratulations to her lovely Abyssinian girls Berry and Viva who won the Imperial and Grand certificates respectively.
19 April 2008 - Shorthair Cat Club of Scotland show
I took a troika of Tasha's kittens to the show today, aged exactly 15 weeks old on the day. Well, what can I say? They were total stars, revelling in all the attention, alternating between demanding that every passer-by stop to talk to them, eating their favourite chicken, and having lots of little naps! They were much admired, and really did me proud, winning 11 x 1st prizes and one x 2nd prize between them.
● Dushenka Xander - Special congratulations to Xander who won 1st open male kitten, Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, 1st prize in all of his other classes, plus trophies for Best Russian Blue Exhibit and Best Foreign Kitten!
● Dushenka Xarek
- 2nd open male kitten (only beaten by Xander), plus 1st prize in his other classes● Dushenka Xariabella - 1st open female kitten, plus another three 1st prizes
Photos from left to right: Xander, Xarek, Xaria, sleeping babies after the show
9 February 2008 - Scottish Cat Club show
As usual, this was our first show of the year. Although we didn't have anyone in competition today we were well-represented by darling Boo, Grand Premier Dushenka Oliver, who was well looked-after all day by his Auntie Ellen - thanks again Ellen!
5 January 2008
Great news - Tasha's kittens have arrived! See the Kittens page for details.
1 January 2008
A Happy New Year to everyone!
2007 was another good year for the Dushenka Russian Blue cats….
...with a beautiful litter of four kittens, another points winner and a new titled cat!
On the show front, 2007 started with my brother's boy Techs winning his third consecutive premier certificate to become Premier Dushenka Technetium Star. The year was also book-ended by my darling Oliver-Boo, Grand Premier Dushenka Oliver, who won the Best Decorated Pen competition at the Scottish Cat Club's Golden Jubilee show in February (think black velvet with lots of gold stars) and the West of Scotland Cat Club's 21st Anniversary show in December (where he was all wrapped up as an early Christmas present). On his only outing in competition darling Boo exceeded all expectations by winning four 1st prizes, his sixth Premier certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter, and his first Imperial Grand certificate, making him the first ever Scottish-bred Russian Blue to win an Imperial certificate. I still laugh when I think about that day!!
In between, three kittens from Sophie's litter (born in January) made their debut at the Nor-East of Scotland show at the 'grand old age' of 15 weeks, taking home 15 prizes from their 15 classes, including Best of Breed and a nomination for Best in Show - many congratulations to Valentine, Viktor and Vivabella. Vivabella went on to win a total of 16 x 1st prizes over the course of the year.
My crazy baby Tasha-the-Crasher - more formally known as Dushenka Tashabella - picked up her second Challenge Certificate on one of her rare appearances this year, before going on (fingers crossed) maternity leave. Tasha was also confirmed as the top-scoring Russian Blue adolescent of 2006 (inheriting the title from her mum) and top-scoring Russian Blue female kitten of 2006. Her mother, my precious Champion Dushenka Sophia Bella also won two reserve Grand Challenge certificates, bless her perfect, pretty paws.
Many thanks again to Lorraine and Lenny Pontello of Pontaby Abyssinians and my cats' Auntie Ellen for helping us to get to and from shows.