News 2016
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17 December 2016 - Maidstone Show
It was time for another little jaunt south to attend the Maidstone show, where the pre-Christmas spirit was alive and well with Santa-themed best of breed rosettes and grand Christmas cracker rosettes too. Congratulations to my winners
- Dushenka Theodorus won Best of Breed again
- Grand Champion Azreal Boucheron Beauzaris won his third Grand certificate, Best of Breed and his new title in the minimum possible number of shows
Special congratulations to Beau's daughter, the very lovely Alyona Jelisaveta who won her Challenge certificate at her first adult show, and a 1st in a fantastic class of 11 cats! Well done Lisa and her owner Dawn! Lisa was, of course, bred by my dear friend Maartje Schoenmaker of Alyona Russian Blues.
19 November 2016 - Cheshire Show
I had run a little bit mad and entered five cats for the Cheshire show when I was travelling by train. Thanks to the kindness of various strangers helping us all on and off trains we got to the show in good time in the morning and only a little bit hot and bothered! The long journey was more than worthwhile though, thanks to a lovely day chatting to friends and some rather excellent show results, including all three Best of Breed awards, two best of variety wins and a best in show:
- Dushenka Theodorus won Best of Breed on his show debut, and Dushenka Stardust-Lady came second in her class, both babies definitely enjoying their day
- IGr Ch Dushenka Orphiel won Best of Breed adult
- Ch & IGr Pr Dushenka Xander won Best of Breed neuter and Best of Variety Foreign Neuter - his third consecutive Best of Variety win.
- Ch Dushenka Rafael won his second Grand Challenge, Best of Variety Foreign Adult and Best in Show Foreign Exhibit! Rafa ended his wonderful day as the runner-up to the overall best in show exhibit - my little boy has really grown up now!
5 November 2016 - Edinburgh show
I wasn't entered in this show, but was delighted to see Dushenka Norma-Jean win her first Challenge certificate and Best of Breed, and her adorable baby son by my handsome boy Dukey, Makima Kyanite enjoy a wonderful show debut winning Best of Breed, Best Foreign Kitten and Best in Show Foreign Exhibit. Many congratulations to their owner, Margaret Mather of Makima Cats.
22 October 2016 - The GCCF Supreme Show
The GCCF Supreme Show - the 'feline Crufts' - it was the Supreme Show's Ruby Anniversary this year, and I cracked a bit and entered three of my boys! Delighted with their results....
- Imperial Grand Champion Dushenka Duke Ellington came back from a long break to win his Imperial and new title
- IGr Ch Dushenka Orphiel won his first UK certificate
- Ch Azreal Boucheron Beauzaris won his first two grands, his first time competing at that level and was a close contender for best of breed!
24 September 2016 - North West show
I had four cats with me this time, and we enjoyed some good results again!
- Ch & IGr Pr Dushenka Xander again won Best of Breed and Best of Variety Foreign Neuter! I really am incredibly proud of my dear old boy!
- Grand Champion Dushenka Jingle-Belle came back out in style winning her qualifying grand certificate and new title
- Ch Dushenka Rafael won his first grand certificate at his first attempt, plus Best of Breed
- Dushenka Stardust-Lady made her show debut, and greatly enjoyed her day
10 September 2016 - Somerset/West Country shows; Manchester show
Again, I just had two cats entered in the double shows, and again we enjoyed some great results!
- Ch & IGr Pr Dushenka Xander won Best of Breed in both shows and Best of Variety Foreign Neuter in the West Country show. It's been 8 years since his last best of variety win - so proud of my Kookie-Xander.
- IGr Ch Dushenka Orphiel surpassed all hopes and expectations by winning the Olympian certificate in both shows, Best of Breed in both shows, Best of Variety Foreign Adult in the West Country show, Best in Show Foreign exhibit and was in the final three for overall best in show! Way to go Batty-boy!
Making the day even more special, Dawn was there with her beautiful new kitten Alyona Jelisaveta. Bred by my dear friend Maartje Schoenmaker, Lisa is the daughter of Beau (bred by Leanne in South Africa, and the first of his kittens to be shown) and granddaughter of Ch Dushenka Hubert. Her results didn't disappoint: a total of five 1st prizes and Best of Breed in both shows - international co-operation at its best :-)
At the Manchester show special congratulations go to
- Imperial Grand Champion Dushenka Czar Koreshki - handsome Korei won his fifth, and qualifying Imperial certificate - very proud! Many congratulations to his owners Donna and Dave Johnson of Koreshka Russian Blues on their successful day.
27 August 2016 - Cumberland/Teesside shows
I just had two cats entered in these shows, who both had a great day!
- Champion Dushenka Rafael won the Challenge certificate in both shows, making him a Champion in the minimum number of shows and placing in all his side classes
- Imperial Grand Champion Dushenka Orphiel won the Imperial certificate in both shows and his new title, Best of Breed in both shows against some tough competition and in his six classes won a total of five 1sts and one 2nd.
9 July 2016 - Eastern Counties/Kensington shows
I didn't enter Xander in these shows, but very happy with Dushenka Rafael who first time out as an adult won the Challenge certificate in both shows, and won straight 1sts in one show as well. Clever boy Rafa!
We had a lovely weekend staying with Andy Elliott and Kristi Stewart of Truevine Nebelungs, who also had a great day at the show with both their girls, Genta and Wen, becoming Merit Qualifiers for the breed.
18 June 2016 - Lakeland show
I just had the two cats with me at the Lakeland show, and had a great day!
- Ch & IGr Pr Dushenka Xander won the Olympian certificate in an amazing class of 11 cats, plus another two 1st prizes in very strong side classes - happy tears were shed!
- Dushenka Rafael won a total of three 1st prizes and one 2nd in his four classes at his last kitten show.
A wee mention also goes to our 'grandchild' Grand Champion Koreshka Tasiya Koreleva, owned and bred by Donna & Dave Johnson who was made up to Grand on the day - Tasi is of course the daughter of GrCh Dushenka Czar Koreshki.
Many thanks to Ian Thomson of Saladin Abyssinians for taking us to and from the show, and many congratulations to your handsome boy Sam on his wins on the day too.
4 June 2016 - Bristol/Cambria shows
It was the first time we had ever been to these shows, and we were only there because a judge had kindly asked me to steward for her there. I am happy to say that the results meant the trip was doubly worthwhile!
- Ch & IGr Pr Dushenka Xander won Best of Breed in the Bristol show in a very good class of neuters, and a further three 1st prizes
- Dushenka Rafael won Best of Breed in both shows and a total of five 1st prizes
- Champion Azreal Boucheron Beauzaris had a great day, winning the Challenge certificate in both shows and thus being made up to Champion in the minimum possible number of shows, plus Best of Breed in both shows and a total of four x 1st prizes, one x 2nd and one x 3rd in his six classes.
I am just burstingly proud of all my handsome boys.
My thanks to all their judges, and to Claire Lewis for her support and guidance to me.
14 May 2016 - Nor'East of Scotland show
Another good day for my cats - very proud!
- Ch & IGr Pr Dushenka Xander won the Imperial certificate in a strong class, plus the 'pedigree fireside' class for best temperament, for the second year running
- Dushenka Rafael won two 1sts, and two 2nds in his four classes and Best of Breed
- Gr Ch Dushenka Orphiel won two 1sts and also Best of Breed
- Azreal Boucheron Beauzaris enjoyed a successful UK debut, winning his first Challenge certificate
- IGMC Fen had a good day too, winning the reserve Olympian in the Nor'East show, and the Olympian in the Scottish Siamese show, running alongside the Nor'East show
23 April 2016 - Beds/CamCats shows
Very proud of my three boys today:
- Ch & Imperial Grand Premier Dushenka Xander won the reserve Imperial certificate in one show and his fifth Imperial certificate and title in the other - so very proud of my darling boy, now over 8 years old
- Dushenka Rafael won three 1sts, a 2nd and two 3rd prizes in his six classes, including 1st in both his breed classes and Best of Breed in the Bedford show
- Gr Ch Dushenka Orphiel won the reserve Imperial and Best of Breed in the Bedford show
16 April 2016 - Shorthair Cat Club of Scotland show
I wasn't entered in this show, but the Dushenka flag was flown by a handsome pedigree pet:
- MasterCat Kush, who won his third MasterCat certificate and title in three straight shows
12 March 2016 - Lancashire show
Just a quick update:
- Ch & Gr Pr Dushenka Xander won the reserve Imperial certificate
- Dushenka Rafael won Best of Breed again!
27 February 2016 - Cov & Leics/Herts & Middlesex shows
Another good day for my boys:
- Gr Ch Dushenka Orphiel won his fourth Imperial certificate and Best of Breed in the Cov&Leics show
- Dushenka Rafael won Best of Breed in the Cov&Leics show as well!
6 February 2016 - Gwynedd/Shropshire shows
Very proud of my cats again today:
- Dushenka Rafael won Best of Breed and Best of Variety Foreign kitten in the Gwynedd show
- Champion Dushenka Queenie-Belle won the Challenge certificate in both shows, making her a Champion in the minimum number of shows
- Gr Ch Alyona Eremey Tsar won his first Imperial certificate and Best of Breed in the Gwynedd show
- Ch & Gr Pr Dushenka Xander won the Imperial certificate in the Gwynedd show and the reserve Imperial and Best of Breed in the Shropshire show
23 January 2016 - Preston & Blackpool show
Our first show of the year, and some good results for my cats:
- Gr Ch & Premier Dushenka Gabriel won his third Premier certificate and new title, in the minimum number of shows
- Dushenka Queenie-Belle won her first Challenge certificate at her first adult show
- Gr Pr Dushenka Optimus Prime won the reserve Imperial certificate
- Dushenka Rafael made his show debut, and had a whale of a time, placing in all his classes.
1 January 2016
Happy New Year to everybody!
Looking back over 2015…
It was another great show year for my cats who over the course of 2015 won 11 new titles; 74 certificates; and 16 best in show/best of variety wins, including one Overall Best in Show wins! Special congratulations again to my new title holders:
- UK & Olympian Gold IGrPr Dushenka Zerachiel, another major 'breed first' for the amazing Zach
- GrCh & Imperial Grand Premier Dushenka Tashabella
- Imperial Grand Champion Dushenka Belucia
- Imperial Grand Champion Dushenka Zivabella
- Grand Champion Dushenka Orphiel
- Grand Champion Alyona Eremey Tsar
- Grand Premier Dushenka Optimus Prime
- Champion Dushenka Klarabella
- Premier Dushenka Frederik
My other winners included my young kitten Dushenka Queenie-Belle, who developed a bit of a reputation for being sweetly silly at shows; Dushenka Norma-Jean; handsome neuter boy Pr Dushenka Feliks who won two Grand Premier certificates; Bluebell, who started the year by winning Best Pedigree Pet Kitten, and ended it by winning the MasterCat certificate at her first two adult shows; and super-sexy stud boy GrCh Dushenka Czar Koreshki who won his fourth Imperial certificate.
Many thanks to the owners of all the winning Dushenka cats for all the loving care you have given your cats – love you all: Karen Nugent; Donna & Dave Johnson of Koreshka Russian Blues; Miranda McIntosh & Fraser Duff; Pamela White; Lorraine and Sarah-Ruth Lee; Heather & William Stewart; Dawn Peck; Tracey Hamilton; and Margaret Mather of Makima Abyssinians. Special thanks also to Heather & Richard of Cagaran Cats for taking me and my mob to so many shows during the year, plus Karen, Pamela, Andy Elliott and Kristi Stewart of Truevine Nebelungs and Ian Thomson of Saladin Abyssinians, who also helped us out.
On the kitten front we just had two beautiful kittens, naughty little Queenie, and Rafa, still to make his show debut.
Normally , I just celebrate the successes of the previous year as the new year dawns, but as my friends know as well as the successes listed above, 2015 was a year of sadness and loss.
Even though it hurts every day, I have the comfort of knowing that my dear, sweet, special Baby Belle lived a good and long life and chose when to leave. If there can be said to be such a thing, hers was a 'good death'. I wish the same could be said for the others. To Stan, Xaria, Daria and Klara - all of you so special, all of you lost unfairly soon.
There is much joy in breeding cats, but also much pain. Reconciling yourself to the inevitable - and not-so inevitable - losses is hard.
From 'Death, the King of Terrors', Henry Scott-Holland, May 1910:
