News 2019
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14 December 2019 - Scottish Cat Club show
There were seven Dushenka Russian Blues competing at the Scottish show: Vanda, Vonnie, Zizi, Obi, Mac, Roger, and Bluebell. They all came home with rosettes, and Obi won Best of Breed Kitten, Mac won Best in Colour and his Grand Master certificate, and Roger won his third Premier certificate and is now Premier Dushenka Zelazny! Many, many thanks again to all our lovely kitten owners for showing their cats so beautifully x
7 December 2019 - National/Colourpoint shows
What a lovely day we had at the National Cat Club show - the oldest club in the UK. I took along three cats, Xander, Rafa and Viola, who all enjoyed their overnight trip on the sleeper again. It wasn't his day for the big wins today, but Xander saw both his descendents doing very well, with Viola winning the Imperial and reserve Imperial, and Rafa surpassing all my expectations in the National show by winning Best of Breed, Best Section 4 Adult and Best in Show Section 4 Exhibit! He went on to be reserve overall Best Exhibit too! Congratulations also to Andy and Kristi's Nebelung girl who won her qualifying Merit certificate. We all stayed with Andy and Kristi after the show and enjoyed some celebratory cocktails :)
16 November 2019 - Cheshire Area show
Just a 'day trip' this time, but rather a long one, leaving home at quarter to four in the morning! We had a lovely day as always at this show, and also enjoyed some great results too! My superstar today was my dear old boy Xander....
- Ch & IGrCh Dushenka Xander who had a marvellous day, placing a very respectable 4th in the Olympian, then winning Best of Breed, both his side classes, Best Section 4 Neuter and Best in Show Section 4 Exhibit! He made to the final three at overall best in show judging, and you guessed it... I cried buckets again!
His descendents also had great days:
- Gr Ch Dushenka Viola Heartsease had a 'red card' day, winning every class, including her first Imperial, Best of Breed over her own father (!) and both her side classes. And her daughter ...
- Dushenka Canterbury-Belle also had a 'red card' day, winning every class she was entered in, plus Best of Breed on her show debut, at one day under 4 months old.
Special congratulations also to Charlotte Davey, whose lovely Asian girl Boop, bred by Heather & Richard, won Best Section 5 Neuter!
26 October 2019 - The Supreme Show
Time for yet another overnight trip by sleeper, with two of my boys, and another enjoyable journey for all of us to the GCCF's own Supreme show, the 'feline Crufts'.
- UK & IGrCh Dushenka Rafael had a great day, winning his qualifying UK certificate, and making it to the final two at Best of Breed (which went to gorgeous Gertie, who ended up as Supreme Exhibit - no shame in losing to a cat of her quality!!)
- Dushenka Blue Oberon came 2nd in his breed class, and was also 3rd in his heat of the Special Kitten Class, judged on temperament - very happy with that result!
Special congratulations to Heather and Richard, whose wonderful black smoke Asian boy Brodie was Best of Variety Section 5 Neuter - a special boy, who is just so adorably soft and cuddly too!
The journey home was, to put it mildy, a nightmare, involving a grand total of two trains, two coaches, a mini-bus and a very long-distance taxi (flooding on the lines) .... but both boys were superstars throughout, and kept their cool, even when I came close to losing mine! Special thanks to Dave and Ewan, random strangers who agreed to share that expensive taxi home from Preston with me and my cats!
12 October 2019 - Edinburgh show
A local show today, just a 50 mile trip with three of my own cats, and another five Dushenkas in competition.
- IGrCh Dushenka Rafael had a good day winning Best of Breed, placing in the Olympian, winning another two 1st prizes and being nominated for best in show. His great-grandfather rocked it today!...
- Ch & IGr Pr Dushenka Xander won the reserve Olympian certificate, much to my delight and surprise, plus another two 1st prizes.
- Dushenka Blue Oberon made his show debut, winning Best of Breed kitten and another two 1st prizes.
- Pr Dushenka Veronica Speedwell won her first Grand certificate at her first try
- MC Mac won his first Grand certificate too, plus Best in Colour
- Dushenka Zelazny won his second Premier Certificate
Zizi, NJ and Vanda all came home with prizes too.
Many thanks again to all their owners: Laura & Jamie; Heather; Anne; Margaret (Makima cats); and Caryl xxx
14 September 2019 - Somerset/West Country shows
Another overnight trip by sleeper, with two of my boys, and another enjoyable journey for all of us!
- IGrCh Dushenka Rafael had yet another great day - Best of Breed in both shows, Reserve Olympian in both shows, 1st in all his side classes, and Best Section 4 Adult in the Somerset show! Also his great-grandfather...
- Ch & IGr Pr Dushenka Xander who won Best of Breed in both shows and a Judge's Choice award too, shameless flirt that he is!
13 July 2019 - Scotia show
I wasn't entered in this show, but there were still seven Dushenka cats there, with some great results too:
- Premier Dushenka Veronica Speedwell won her third Premier certificate, making her the 50th titled Dushenka cat!
- Gr Pr Dushenka Vanda Blue-Orchid won the reserve Imperial Certificate
- Pr Dushenka Xoriana Agata won the Grand Premier Certificate
- Ch Dushenka Norma Jean won the Grand Challenge Certificate
- Dushenka Zelazny won his first Premier Certificate
MC Mac and Zelenka also picked up a few prizes too!
Many thanks to all their owners: Laura & Jamie; Heather; Anne; Margaret (Makima cats); and Caryl xxx
6 July 2019 - Wessex/Wiltshire shows
Yet another overnight by sleeper, just two cats this time, who as ever enjoyed the chill-time on the train as well as the shows!
- IGrCh Dushenka Rafael had another great day - Best of Breed in both shows, 4th and Reserve in the Olympians, and Best Section 4 Adult, Best in Show Section 4 Exhibit .... and Overall Best in Show in the Wiltshire show! Yes, there were were tears! I am so incredibly proud of my handsome boy, and also his granddaughter....
- Champion Dushenka Annabella who won the Challenge Certificate in both shows and her new title too. What a day!
15 June 2019 - Herts & Middlesex/Kensington shows
This was another one of my crazy overnight trips, again with three cats, who all enjoyed the journey as well as the shows!
- IGrCh Dushenka Rafael won Best of Breed in both shows, creditable placings in both Olympians, and Best Section 4 Adult, and Best in Show Section 4 Exhibit in the Herts & Middlesex show!
- Ch & Premier Dushenka Wilhemina-Pinkletink, just entered in one show, she won her third Premier certificate and new title!
- Dushenka Annabella won her first Challenge Certificate too, at her first adult show
25 May 2019 - Durham/Northern Counties shows
I took along three girls to this show, who enjoyed some good results:
- Champion Dushenka Zinevra won her Challenge certificate in both shows, making her a Champion at just 10 months old
- Ch Dushenka Wilhemina-Pinkletink made her debut as a neuter and won the Premier certificate in both shows
- Dushenka Annabella won Best of Breed in one show, her last kitten show
Special congratulations to Heather and Richard, whose wonderful black smoke Asian boy Brodie was Overall Best in Show in one show - such a special boy!
18 May 2019 - Suffolk & Norfolk show
I wasn't entered in this show, but am delighted to congratulate Vi's litter brother who won the Challenge certificate and is now Champion Dushenka Vasili Sweet-Basil!
Thanks again to Andy and Kristi, Basil's devoted owners.
11 May 2019 - Nor'East of Scotland show
This was quite an eventful and emotional show today, with events including a fire alarm and evacuation. Fortunately all was well. Emotional because it was the first Dundee show in a very long time without Dr Bruce Bennett, a gentleman in every sense of the word and he will be so very much missed. I promised Bruce I would enter five cats, and I did. There were also five more Dushenka cats there.
So to our results...
- IGr Ch Dushenka Rafael won the reserve Olympian
- Gr Ch Alyona Eremey Tsar won the reserve Imperial
- Grand Champion Dushenka Viola Heartsease won her third Grand certificate and title - and was nominated for Best in Show too!
- Dushenka Zinevra won her first Challenge certificate at her first adult show
- Dushenka Annabella was Best of Breed kitten again, and Best of Variety Section 4 Kitten too!
- Dushenka Veronica Speedwell won her second Premier certificate, with her baby sister Dushenka Zelenka coming 2nd to her
- MasterCat Mac (PPS) won the MasterCat certificate in both the Nor'East show and the Scottish Siamese show, and his new title
- Gr Pr Dushenka Vanda Blue-Orchid won the reserve Imperial, her first time in the class
- Pr Dushenka Xoriana-Agata won her first Grand certificate, her first time in the class
Congratulations also to Dukey and NJ's daughter Gr Ch Makima Angelite, who won the reserve Imperial and was also nominated for best in show.
Thanks again to all my lovely kitten owners for showing their cats so well!
27 April 2019 - Bedford show
Another trip on the sleeper train with my three girls, so we all arrived at the show nicely rested. My sweet Viola won her second Grand certificiate, Anna was Best of Breed kitten, beating Ginny, but Ginny won both her side classes, so a good day all round!
13 April 2019 - Shorthair Cat Club of Scotland show
I wasn't entered in this show, but delighted to see a few of my kittens doing well: both Wolfgang-Amadeus and Vanda Blue-Orchid won their Grand certificates, so Vanda is now Grand Premier Dushenka Vanda Blue-Orchid; Aggie/Bluebelle won her Premier certificate and is now Premier Dushenka Xoriana-Agata, Zelenka was best of breed kitten, and her brother Zelazny won his breed class too. Many thanks to their dedicated owners Karen & Darren; Heather P; Anne; and Caryl for presenting them so well - love you all!
A special mention goes to Fiona's beautiful girl Poppy, bred by Jennifer Fleming: a fitting tribute to her breeder that she won the Olympian certificate today.
April 2019 - sad farewells
April was a sad month, with the loss of two important people, Jennifer Fleming of Shoelina Russian Blues, and Dr Bruce Bennett, mentor and support. There is so much I could write about both of them, but suffice to say that both are huge losses to the cat fancy.
23 March 2019 - Preston & Blackpool show
Another day-trip with the babies Ginny and Anna, plus Viola as well this time: Anna took home two 1st prizes and two seconds plus a Show Manager's Special rosette, but this time Ginny won Best of Breed, and 1st in all her classes. My sweet girl Viola, Ginny's big sister and Anna's mum, also had a good day, winning her first Grand Challenge certificate and a 1st and two 2nds in good side classes.
All three girls greatly enjoyed their trip, especially the journey home. On the train home we were sitting by a group of young dancers who were thrilled to discover I had cats with me: Ginny was in their midsts in a shot, playing to the audience, Anna sat on the back of the seat and accepted strokes and tummy tickles from everyone with a happy purr, whilst Viola sat on my knee and surveyed the scene with amusement!
9 March 2019 - Lancashire show
This time it was just a long day-trip with the babies Ginny and Anna: Ginny took home two 1st prizes and two seconds, but yet again Anna was my star, winning Best of Breed and Best Section 4 Kitten!
9 February 2019 - Croydon/Southern Counties shows
We treated ourselves again to a trip on the overnight sleeper, as the cats really do enjoy travelling this way! This time I took Rafa, his daughter Ginny and his granddaughter Anna: Rafa was Best of Breed in both shows, and placed 4th in one Olympian class too, Ginny flirted her way to Best of Breed in the Southern Counties show out of four lovely Russian blue kittens (including Anna) plus 1st in two good side classes. But Anna was my star again, winning Best of Breed in the Croydon show and Best Section 4 (Foreign) Kitten.
19 January 2019 - Short Haired Cat Society show
We treated ourselves to a trip on the overnight sleeper to get to this show (I'm a life member of the club and felt I should make the effort!),so I fell asleep comfortably with purring in my ear as usual x I just took Viola, her baby sister Ginny and her daughter Anna: Viola picked up a 1st and 2nd, plus an Exhibitor's Choice rosette, Ginny was beaten by Anna, but still managed to win both her side classes, little flirt, as well as also catching the eye of another exhibitor for an Exhibitor's Choice rosette. But darling Anna really was my star today:
- Dushenka Annabella - Best of Breed, Best Section 4 (Foreign) Kitten and Best in Show Section 4 Exhibit! Just to make a great day perfect, Anna was also awarded a Judge's Choice rosette by senior breeder/judge Val Anderson-Drew - thank you Val!
5 January 2019 - Scottish Cat Club and West of Scotland Cat Club shows
Our first show of the year, and what a lovely day it was, with loads of family there and an amazing line-up of 21 Russian Blues in competition! My darling boy Ch & IGr Pr Dushenka Xander was celebrating his 11th birthday, and achieved a very creditable 5th placing in one Olympian class, in-between smooching and making up to his adoring audience quite shamelessly! There were so many of his descendents there, with special thanks to all our wonderful kitten owners who brought their babies along to support the show. Congratulations to all our family!
- Premier Dushenka Wolfgang-Amadeus - won both Premier certificates and his new title
- Pr Dushenka Vanda Blue Orchid - won both Grand certificates at her first try in the class
- Dushenka Xoriana Agata - her first adult shows and her owner's first-ever cat show - won both Premier certificates!
- Ch Dushenka Norma Jean - won a Grand and a reserve Grand
- Dushenka Walter - won a 1st and a 2nd on his show debut
- Dushenka Veronica Speedwell - won 2nd in both shows
- Dushenka Zelenka - on her show debut was 2nd in both breed classes to her niece, and enjoyed some great side class results, including winning a class of 8 kittens :)
- Dushenka Annabella - Best of Breed in both shows
- IGrCh Dushenka Rafael - Best of Breed in one show
Squidge, Lucy and Ginny were also there to support the show, and congratulations also to our family connections on their various wins: Margaret's Tuppence won the Grand and reserve Grand and her Grand Champion title; and Tuppence's litter brother, Tracey's Mikey, won 4th in a strong Olympian class.
January 2019
Happy New Year to everybody!
Looking back over 2018…
It was another good show year for my cats who over the course of 2018 won 7 new titles; 40 certificates; and 14 best in show/best of variety wins, including one Overall Best in Show. Special congratulations again to my new title holders:
- IGrCh & Imperial Grand Premier Dushenka Belucia
- Imperial Grand Champion Dushenka Theodorus
- Grand Premier Dushenka Feliks
- Grand Premier Dushenka Stardust-Lady
- Champion Dushenka Viola Heartsease
- Champion Dushenka Wilhemina Pinkletink
- Premier Dushenka Vanda Blue Orchid
My other winners included IGrPr Dushenka Rafael, who won three Olympians, three reserve Olympians and his first UK certificate during the year; his mother IGrCh & IGrPr Dushenka Belucia won her first Olympian and two reserve Olympians; Ch & IGrPr Dushenka Xander won another Olympian certificate; Ch Dushenka Norma-Jean won a reserve Grand, Dushenka Wolfgang-Amadeus won two Premier Certificates at his first two adult shows; Dushenka Xena Tanzanite won two Challenge certificates at her two adult shows; and Dushenka Macarius and Dushenka Veronica Speedwell both won their first Premier Certificates. We had kitten wins with Xoriana-Agata, Xena Tanzanite, Zinevra, Zelazny and Annabella too.
Special thanks also to Heather & Richard of Cagaran Cats, Andy and Kristi of Truevine Nebelungs and Ian of Saladin Abyssinians, who all helped us get to and from shows at various points throughout the year. Thanks also to all my lovely kitten owners for showing their cats: Karen and Darren; Laura and James, Heather P as well as Dawn, and Margaret of Makima Cats.
It was also a very sad year for me, as I said goodbye to my two beloved old ladies, Sophie and her daughter Tasha. Their oh-so precious descendents grieve with me for our loss. Treasure your cats while you have them: they are never with you as long as you would like.