I am going to be taking kovu to his first show october 23.I was just wondering if anyone could fill me in on what goes on there and what I should expect.This is alos my first and I am a little nervous about it.What all did you do to get yours ready for their big day?

I'm getting my little boy ready for his first show this weekend (Oct 9 / 10) in Memphis, TN.

I have been taking him out in public for several weeks on a LEASH - but carrying him, most of the time.
He is welcome in the local library and the pet supply store, even the video rental store has welcomed him.
I carry anti-bacterial jel and paper towels with me, and if someone asks to pet him, I ask them to clean their hands first - and so far, no one has seemed offended, and been willing to disinfect their hands before handling him. (This also prepares them for the "smell" of the antibacterial agents most judges use between each cat, in the judging rings.)


The more people, sounds and differences in his normal environment, the better, I HOPE !!
I've been told by many breeders that being unafraid of strange places and people they don't know is half the battle.

Also, I've been practicing bringing him out of the cage and "stretching" him, the way the judges will do.
The judges usually bring them out of the ring cages, (bottom) first.

I'm sure I'll LEARN a lot this weekend. I'll fill you in, on Monday

Good luck!

Hi Fancidots

How did dagger do in his first show? got any pics?

Heidi

_________________
Heidi

Heidi - (and other friends innundated with photos of MY cats... LOL)

OH.. BOY... did you ever ask the WRONG question...

I had professional photos done, by Helmi Flick (very well noted cat photographer, here in the states) and am thrilled with the proofs... will include a few, here!

Dagger Dances for cat wrangler Ken Flick, while Helmi takes photos



Next, here's a nice little shot of his profile!


Dagger SANG through every RING... cute but at times distressing... had several judges telling him he had HIS turn, already !!




Here, he prances...



and....
Sister Emma HAD to get HER photos made, too... so I'm even including a couple of those

So, then sweet little sister EMMA prances, on a different color background...


Then Helmi and Ken thought she would be just TOO cute, in a box...(so kitten-y)

OOPS.... one more shot of Emma... she had to do like ALL CHILDREN, and make a FACE for the photographers....

"Look Mama - I can reach my nose!"



OH... and one of the judge who gave him 2nd in color and division both days



And, him with his "2nd place" placards in judging ring



By the way, Dagger was up against 12 OTHER brown spotted bengal kittens, in his first show. He only placed 2nd in color and 2nd in division in two, 3rd in color and division in 3 rings, 4th in color in 3 rings and 5th in color in 2 rings. So, overall, he placed in the top 5 of 13 cats in 10 of 12 rings... didn't get any rosettes... (because he didn't place 1st in any ring) but since he was BARELY 4 months old, and competeing against several cats 8 months old... I was pleased.

We have much practice to do. He SANG in EVERY ring... never ANGRY -- just "look at me" meows.

Thanks for asking

LaVon

Wow, awesome pics, bet you will have prints of them all over the place

I like the one with Dagger singing in the cage, that made me laugh

Thanks Gavin,

I was SO pleased with the professional photos... I purchased the "package" plus am also purchasing a CD of every shot she took of BOTH cats! A "little" expensive -- but certainly worth it to me, since it seems that I can never get the "lighting" right - to show off their coloring as well as these did. These were only the "proofs" --- I'll be getting the "final product" in a few weeks.

The SINGING photo makes EVERYONE laugh... I also have this "vocal" display on videotape. (I took still photos in one ring, video in the next -- off and on, all weekend. Didn't get EVERY ring... but did get some pretty "amusing" shots of Dagger, in his perpetual "look at ME" song, every time the judge would put him back in the cage, after "judging" (or as HE considered it - playing with)him... LOL

He was a sweetheart... didn't HISS one single time, even though many of the others were hissing and carrying on something awful. He was a TOTAL sweetie... just LOUD...

LaVon

Can't wait to see the final pics then, they should be even better! Don't forget to share them with us

Gavin,
Thanks again!

You KNOW I will

LaVon