Visited an Oriental breeder this weekend! (Update with *PICTURES*)

[wolflady]

I don't know what it is...perhaps I'm going through a mid-life crisis with everything traumatic that is happening in my life. I have really never been a person to interact with breeders, but for some reason, I've been having a major pull ever since the International Cat Show. I've been drawn to the Orientals and Russian Blues for years, but the Orientals are having a major pull on me lately.
One of the women at the cat show gave me a couple of business cards for for breeders in California. I had also been in touch via email with a breeder who is also very active with various cat clubs and communities with the CFA who recommended the woman I am going to visit next Sunday.

It doesn't hurt to look, right? I have never considered a purebred cat before, and have always been a huge supporter of rescue. I never see any Orientals in rescue, so it would be interesting to see a house full of them, and what it's like to be around them.

Am I crazy or insane? I swear, I'm just going to look...

[Lizzie]

This past weekend I met a purebreed Bengal cat at a shelter. Absolutely gorgeous and must have cost someone a fortune. They left him behind in their apartment after they had financial difficulties.

Have you tried the Northern California Siamese Rescue:

http://cn.siameserescue.org/

San Francisco Himalayan & Persian Rescue:

http://www.persiancats.org/

National rescue for Russian Blues:

http://purebredcatbreedrescue.org/russian_blue.htm

You'll still get a purebred cat and continue to support rescue. My Siamese came from a local shelter.

[shais_mom]

just adding my 2 cents in Karen - go with your heart.
I'm here if you need. You have done a LOT for shelters, rescues, vets etc.
this is YOUR life and your heart. if you want a purebred and it is hard to find in rescue then this is the way to go.
LOVE YOU hun!

[Russian Blue]

It doesn't hurt to look, right? ......
Am I crazy or insane? I swear, I'm just going to look...

Famous last words! Can I come with you?

I grew up with a Siamese cat and I would love another oriental if I had the chance! Life is short Karen. If you want another cat go wherever you need to, to find that one. I just checked out the Pacific Siamese rescue pages. Check out Ella or Buster (scroll down to the bottom of the page for Buster....he's so darn cute!): Ella & Buster!

Of course, I'm not going to stop you if you want a Russian Blue. Rescue or not, Nakita was the best thing that ever happened in our life. She is our soul cat and it was meant to be (fate, maybe?). I've been to cat shows but no other cat matches Nakita's beauty, personality and CHARM! Nakita has been the most unique cat ever to grace my life. Can you tell I'm smitten?!

If you do get an oriental cat, then you just have to come here to visit Nakita. You're welcome in my home anytime chikk! We just need to somehow bridge the distance between us.

[kimlovescats]

You don't need anyone's approval! Beware of "just looking" though!

[critter crazy]

Definitely your life, and can do as you want!! Dont feel that by going to a breeder, you are doing something wrong! You have definitely done your share! All i know is that when you come home from "just looking" make sure you post pics of what you brought home!!

[catmandu]

ORIENTAL CATS ARE SO MUCH FUN, AND ARE NOT ONLY FUN CATS, BUT VERY INTELLIGENT AND DROP DEAD GORGEOUS TO BOOT.
YOU WILL NEVER REGRET HAVING ONE OF THESE AMAZING CATS AS A COMPANION.

I KNOW THAT I DONT.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Karen, this sounds wonderful and I know how much you love this breed. Is this the same woman that I met when we were at the International Cat Show. If so remember they specialize in white Oriental Short Hairs and I know how much you love white kitties.

Here's a closeup of Karen holding an Oriental Shorthair. I took this picture at the cat show.



Isn't he adorable?

[wolflady]

Thanks everyone!
KAK, the woman I'm going to see actually co-bred the kitten (Max) that I'm holding and lives just south of Modesto. The woman we talked to had given me her card, and you're right, I believe they do specialize in the white orientals.

catmandu - thank you. I agree, they are definitely beautiful...as are your babies

critter and kim, thanks! I know...just going to look really could have some repurcussions, couldn't it?

Russian Blue - I would LOVE to have you come with me!
I also have to agree...your Nakita is the most gorgeous Russian Blue I've ever seen. In fact, KAK and I even commented about that when we were looking at the Russian Blues at this past cat show. LOL How come these don't look as stunning as Nakita??? They are all gorgeous, but Nakita has the most beautiful face and eyes I've ever seen in a cat. I have seen Orientals come in that beautiful grey/blue color. Hmmm...best of both worlds? I would love to meet you and Nakita in purrson. Stay tuned on the Oriental escapades!

Stace, thanks sweetie! I love you lots! We (you, me, zip and Kelly) should have a conference call again sometime! That was fun.

Lizzie, thanks for the links. I'm definitely keeping my eye in the rescue world, because you never know when the right cat (purebred or not) will pull at your heartstrings. I may have to swing by the Pacific Siamese Rescue as a lot of the kitties on that site were totally adorable....OMG...Buster, Max and Milo, Bocelli, and all of the adorable fluffy kittens. *sigh*

Bocelli looks like a very helpful kitty!

So cute!

Uh oh...this could be trouble...

**hugs**

[Vermontcat]

Have you gone to visit the breeder yet?
If you did, I hope you took lots of photos to show us.

Russian Blue, thanks for posting that link to Siamese Rescue, I love looking at the kitties there.
Cinder and especially Ella are just beautiful, someday I hope to adopt a Snowshoe kitty from Siamese Rescue.

[catcrazylady]

What makes us good people is that we feel guilty for not rescueing BUT it is ok to do something for ourselves too. Its still a kitty that needs a good home right? Just because they happen to be incredibly gorgeous doesn't count!
I hope when you "just go to look" you bring one home so we can see lots of pics! Treat yourself to a gorgeous Christmas Kitty and share it with PT.

[shais_mom]

What makes us good people is that we feel guilty for not rescueing BUT it is ok to do something for ourselves too. Its still a kitty that needs a good home right? Just because they happen to be incredibly gorgeous doesn't count!
I hope when you "just go to look" you bring one home so we can see lots of pics! Treat yourself to a gorgeous Christmas Kitty and share it with PT.

Lisa -
That was BEAUTIFULLY put!

[kimlovescats]

Another kitty named Bocelli!!! I have never seen another named that other than my Bocelli (BoBo) ... how cool!!!

Anyway, you do what your heart tells you to do. NO ONE here or anywhere should judge you! I agree 100% with what Lisa said! I feel guilty about my two Maine Coon purebreds, but they were "second hand" at least, a military man going through a divorce! It's funny how we have to punish ourselves for having desires some times!

[Zippy]

They are beautiful cats.Don't feel guilty you should get a oriental if you want.Someday in the future I want to have a Sphynx.

[wolflady]

Aww, thanks everyone! I'm getting excited about my upcoming visit. I will be going on Sunday the 10th, and told Linda that I would probably get to her house around 2 in the afternoon. She lives in a little town called Delhi, apparently it's not too far from Modesto, so I'm expecting about a 2 hour drive.

**hugs**