MILLIE'S STORY: Part One - 'Waiting for Millie'
I became the proud owner of my foundation queen, ‘Millie’ - a cream Burmese kitten on 7th June 2003....
I had waited a very long time for this little girl! My very first first Burmese (purchased in 1975) was called Tantabin Amazing Grace ("Eccles"). Her breeder, Bettina Stapleton, introduced me to showing and I registered my prefix, ‘Vintarn’ in 1977. I had two beautiful litters of kittens from her and she was then neutered after her second litter in 1979. Eccles lived till she was 16 and over the years I shared my home with some wonderful Burmese: Jenny, Cherry, Captain, Kylie, Simba and Rosie.
The "Waiting Years"
During those years, I married, had my daughter and worked as a full time veterinary nurse and I gave up all thoughts of breeding more kittens. However, I often said to my husband that when my daughter went to university, I’d like another kitten to breed from! In 1997, I bought two Burmese kittens (on the non-active register), Simba and Rosie, but had no thoughts of showing them. At that time I also had Kylie, a rescue Burmese and Dixon, a tabby and white DSH. However, when Simba and Rosie were 12mths old, a friend suggested I show them at the North West Cat Club Show. Simba went on to win his first Premier Certificate…and of course, I was once again hooked on showing! Bought simply as pets and not intended for showing, those two went on to become Grand Premiers! Rosie was even Best in Show Burmese at the Manchester & District Cat Club show in 2002. However, I would often look at the kittens at a cat show and dream of one day owning one and be able to breed once more.
2002 was a year of change for me as I left veterinary nursing after 30 years and I went work at OUR CATS in Manchester to pursue my life long love of writing. Only one year on and my daughter is now at university. I miss her very much but I had a contingency plan in place…you have guessed it! Yes! That kitten I’d promised myself, all those years ago! Of course a kitten is no substitute for my daughter but it would put my maternal instincts to good use!
Meeting Jan
A friend introduced me to breeder, Jan Bowen (see right), and I went to meet Jan and her cats at her home in Worcestershire. First of all, I met her stud cat, Janzanco Jumping Jack, who was entertaining a lady friend! Next I met, one of her queens, Inquizicatz Cream Cherie (Rupi). Both cats were very affectionate and I was immediately taken with them. I especially liked their temperaments and their very good looks! At this time, Rupi was expecting her first litter and I was delighted after my meeting with Jan, that she considered me to be a suitable owner of one of her kittens. Choosing a kitten is very much a two way process as the breeder needs to ‘vet’ potential buyers and of course the buyer should be confident about the breeder! Many friends had spoken highly of Jan and her cats and I was very impressed at the way in which her cats are housed and cared for. Jan said she was happy for me to have one of her kittens to show and breed. Now all I had to do was wait!
I had waited a very long time for this little girl! My very first first Burmese (purchased in 1975) was called Tantabin Amazing Grace ("Eccles"). Her breeder, Bettina Stapleton, introduced me to showing and I registered my prefix, ‘Vintarn’ in 1977. I had two beautiful litters of kittens from her and she was then neutered after her second litter in 1979. Eccles lived till she was 16 and over the years I shared my home with some wonderful Burmese: Jenny, Cherry, Captain, Kylie, Simba and Rosie.
The "Waiting Years"
During those years, I married, had my daughter and worked as a full time veterinary nurse and I gave up all thoughts of breeding more kittens. However, I often said to my husband that when my daughter went to university, I’d like another kitten to breed from! In 1997, I bought two Burmese kittens (on the non-active register), Simba and Rosie, but had no thoughts of showing them. At that time I also had Kylie, a rescue Burmese and Dixon, a tabby and white DSH. However, when Simba and Rosie were 12mths old, a friend suggested I show them at the North West Cat Club Show. Simba went on to win his first Premier Certificate…and of course, I was once again hooked on showing! Bought simply as pets and not intended for showing, those two went on to become Grand Premiers! Rosie was even Best in Show Burmese at the Manchester & District Cat Club show in 2002. However, I would often look at the kittens at a cat show and dream of one day owning one and be able to breed once more.
2002 was a year of change for me as I left veterinary nursing after 30 years and I went work at OUR CATS in Manchester to pursue my life long love of writing. Only one year on and my daughter is now at university. I miss her very much but I had a contingency plan in place…you have guessed it! Yes! That kitten I’d promised myself, all those years ago! Of course a kitten is no substitute for my daughter but it would put my maternal instincts to good use!
Meeting Jan
A friend introduced me to breeder, Jan Bowen (see right), and I went to meet Jan and her cats at her home in Worcestershire. First of all, I met her stud cat, Janzanco Jumping Jack, who was entertaining a lady friend! Next I met, one of her queens, Inquizicatz Cream Cherie (Rupi). Both cats were very affectionate and I was immediately taken with them. I especially liked their temperaments and their very good looks! At this time, Rupi was expecting her first litter and I was delighted after my meeting with Jan, that she considered me to be a suitable owner of one of her kittens. Choosing a kitten is very much a two way process as the breeder needs to ‘vet’ potential buyers and of course the buyer should be confident about the breeder! Many friends had spoken highly of Jan and her cats and I was very impressed at the way in which her cats are housed and cared for. Jan said she was happy for me to have one of her kittens to show and breed. Now all I had to do was wait!
The birth and development
The kittens were born on 3rd March 2003. There were four girls and one boy. Jan promised to keep in constant touch and to send me photographs by email.When the kittens were 23 days old, Jan sent me the following message “The kittens are walking round now, they have moved today from their baby box to a double sized box so that they can stretch their little legs, but they re still safe within the confines of the box. By the weekend they will want to come out and explore, so by the time you come in a week’s time I expect they will be fully ‘mobile’. I shall put a tiny litter tray into the nest, also water and some Royal Canin Babycat 34 too. I expect that Rupi will show them what to do on all counts. She is an excellent little mother, she keeps her babies spotlessly clean and she won’t leave them for very long.”
At this point, I asked Jan if I could choose Millie’s pedigree name. I decided on Janzanco Howsweet Thesound as it follows on from my very first Burmese’s name (Tantabin Amazing Grace).
Just before the kittens were five weeks old, we went to visit them. It was wonderful to sit and play with the kittens and I provisionally ‘chose’ my kitten (see left, with my daughter, Anne-Marie). I visited again when the kittens were eight weeks old and I finally brought Millie home on 7th June 2003,
The kittens were born on 3rd March 2003. There were four girls and one boy. Jan promised to keep in constant touch and to send me photographs by email.When the kittens were 23 days old, Jan sent me the following message “The kittens are walking round now, they have moved today from their baby box to a double sized box so that they can stretch their little legs, but they re still safe within the confines of the box. By the weekend they will want to come out and explore, so by the time you come in a week’s time I expect they will be fully ‘mobile’. I shall put a tiny litter tray into the nest, also water and some Royal Canin Babycat 34 too. I expect that Rupi will show them what to do on all counts. She is an excellent little mother, she keeps her babies spotlessly clean and she won’t leave them for very long.”
At this point, I asked Jan if I could choose Millie’s pedigree name. I decided on Janzanco Howsweet Thesound as it follows on from my very first Burmese’s name (Tantabin Amazing Grace).
Just before the kittens were five weeks old, we went to visit them. It was wonderful to sit and play with the kittens and I provisionally ‘chose’ my kitten (see left, with my daughter, Anne-Marie). I visited again when the kittens were eight weeks old and I finally brought Millie home on 7th June 2003,
MILLIE'S STORY: Part Two - Showing and Breeding
Show Success
Millie was shown as a kitten and she did really well, five first awards in her Open classes, two Best of Breed awards and she was twice nominated for Best in Show. She made her adult debut at the Short Haired Cat Society Show and gained her very first Champion Certificate (CC) and she was awarded Best of Breed. Her second CC was awarded at the Shropshire Cat Club Show and the all-important third CC (giving her the title of Champion) was awarded at the Cambridgeshire Cat Club show.
For many exhibitors and breeders, these 'land marks' may be unremarkable, but for me, each and every one was a tremendous thrill... as Millie was FIRST EVER Champion! When I began showing in the 1970,s, the classes were very big and I was pleased if I came away from a show with a rosette or 'Very Highly Commended Card'! I do not even recall seeing the coveted gold 'CC' cards! Both Simba and Rosie, my neutered cats had become Grand Premiers and 'Rosie' was Best in Show Burmese Neuter twice yet the day Millie became my first Champion Burmese is one I will never forget.
Show Success
Millie was shown as a kitten and she did really well, five first awards in her Open classes, two Best of Breed awards and she was twice nominated for Best in Show. She made her adult debut at the Short Haired Cat Society Show and gained her very first Champion Certificate (CC) and she was awarded Best of Breed. Her second CC was awarded at the Shropshire Cat Club Show and the all-important third CC (giving her the title of Champion) was awarded at the Cambridgeshire Cat Club show.
For many exhibitors and breeders, these 'land marks' may be unremarkable, but for me, each and every one was a tremendous thrill... as Millie was FIRST EVER Champion! When I began showing in the 1970,s, the classes were very big and I was pleased if I came away from a show with a rosette or 'Very Highly Commended Card'! I do not even recall seeing the coveted gold 'CC' cards! Both Simba and Rosie, my neutered cats had become Grand Premiers and 'Rosie' was Best in Show Burmese Neuter twice yet the day Millie became my first Champion Burmese is one I will never forget.
Breeding Plans
As soon as I began showing Millie, I looked for a stud cat to use for her, in the future. When Millie was still just 'a baby' - at six months of age - I visited Mrs Doreen Somerfield and her beautiful cat, (Polo), Grand Champion Karlac Leopold Katzkade (bred by my good friend, Paula Clarke). Doreen saw Millie's pedigree and we both agreed that Millie would eventually come to see Polo in the future. After Millie gained her title in the March of 2004, I waited for her to start 'calling' (come into heat), so I could finally put my plans into action and take her to stud. I had Millie blood tested (for Felv and FIV), before taking her to Polo. Then, I took her to meet her 'intended', at last! Polo was an experienced stud cat and when he met Millie for the first time, he took absolutely no notice of Millie's very rude language! Despite her initial reticence, Millie was soon won over!
I think I made as many (if not more) preparations for Millie's 'confinement', that I'd made prior to my daughter's birth, twenty years ago! I prepared our small spare bedroom as a 'nursery' and bought a super disposable kittening box, in advance of the 'big event'.I then visited my veterinary surgery and stocked up with everything I thought I might need. This 'kitten kit' included sterilising fluid, bottles, teats, replacement milk, nutri-drops, cotton wool, paper towels, cotton sheeting and fleecy blankets.
I began increasing Millie's food (I had switched her onto proprietary kitten food in addition to fresh fish and chicken) as the weeks went by. As she grew around the middle, so did her appetite!
The Birth
At precisely 65 days (almost to the hour of her first mating) - Millie began the first stages of labour at about six pm. My husband and I decided to take a flask of coffee with us and joined Millie in her nursery-bedroom. I put 'Classical fm' on the radio and we settled down to wait. We did not have long to wait as the first kitten was born at 7.45 pm! Millie was not at all interested in the 'messy-side' of things and was more than happy for me to help with the delivery by removing the kittens from their birth-sacs, drying them and finally cutting their umbilical cords from the afterbirth. Millie declined to eat the afterbirth, although many queen, naturally do this. By midnight, all was over and we had a family of six kittens, two males and four females!Every stage of the kittens' development was a complete joy! Millie has been (and continues to be, as we have kept a kitten) a wonderful Mum! There was just one very sad event... one of the male kittens died, at 12 days old. I likened it to a 'cot death' as he simply failed to thrive and faded away.
As it had been twenty-five years since my last litter, I revelled in the marvel of nature...the little, blind 'sausages' - turning into beautifully 'finished' kittens. I think events like their eyes opening; their ear canals developing and their fur growing were all magical! Then comes their first little, staggering steps, clambering into the litter tray, playing and falling over and culminating into 'whirling tornados' zooming around the living room and flying up the curtains - at twelve weeks!
Socialisation & leaving home
I made sure that the kittens were well socialised by ensuring that they were handled frequently, and had plenty of visitors of varying ages. I played the Blue Cross's socialisation tape 'Sounds Familiar' regularly from two weeks of age and when the kittens had had their first vaccines, they came downstairs to encounter the normal experiences of family life. Every new experience for a kitten will help him/her to settle in his/her new home and ensure that they grow up to be confident, well adjusted little cats.
Finding the right homes for the kittens was essential. I had many enquiries over the weeks. However, the 'right people' came along and I was delighted that all of them were experienced Burmese owners - so they knew what they were taking on by having one of my little Vintarns - 'vivacious vagabonds wrapped in velvet velour'! When they collected their kittens, each owner was given a 'kitty bag' containing their pedigrees, vaccination certificates, some toys, a fleece and samples of kitten food. The kittens' new owners are all keep in touch and it is wonderful to receive photographs and news, very regularly by email.
As soon as I began showing Millie, I looked for a stud cat to use for her, in the future. When Millie was still just 'a baby' - at six months of age - I visited Mrs Doreen Somerfield and her beautiful cat, (Polo), Grand Champion Karlac Leopold Katzkade (bred by my good friend, Paula Clarke). Doreen saw Millie's pedigree and we both agreed that Millie would eventually come to see Polo in the future. After Millie gained her title in the March of 2004, I waited for her to start 'calling' (come into heat), so I could finally put my plans into action and take her to stud. I had Millie blood tested (for Felv and FIV), before taking her to Polo. Then, I took her to meet her 'intended', at last! Polo was an experienced stud cat and when he met Millie for the first time, he took absolutely no notice of Millie's very rude language! Despite her initial reticence, Millie was soon won over!
I think I made as many (if not more) preparations for Millie's 'confinement', that I'd made prior to my daughter's birth, twenty years ago! I prepared our small spare bedroom as a 'nursery' and bought a super disposable kittening box, in advance of the 'big event'.I then visited my veterinary surgery and stocked up with everything I thought I might need. This 'kitten kit' included sterilising fluid, bottles, teats, replacement milk, nutri-drops, cotton wool, paper towels, cotton sheeting and fleecy blankets.
I began increasing Millie's food (I had switched her onto proprietary kitten food in addition to fresh fish and chicken) as the weeks went by. As she grew around the middle, so did her appetite!
The Birth
At precisely 65 days (almost to the hour of her first mating) - Millie began the first stages of labour at about six pm. My husband and I decided to take a flask of coffee with us and joined Millie in her nursery-bedroom. I put 'Classical fm' on the radio and we settled down to wait. We did not have long to wait as the first kitten was born at 7.45 pm! Millie was not at all interested in the 'messy-side' of things and was more than happy for me to help with the delivery by removing the kittens from their birth-sacs, drying them and finally cutting their umbilical cords from the afterbirth. Millie declined to eat the afterbirth, although many queen, naturally do this. By midnight, all was over and we had a family of six kittens, two males and four females!Every stage of the kittens' development was a complete joy! Millie has been (and continues to be, as we have kept a kitten) a wonderful Mum! There was just one very sad event... one of the male kittens died, at 12 days old. I likened it to a 'cot death' as he simply failed to thrive and faded away.
As it had been twenty-five years since my last litter, I revelled in the marvel of nature...the little, blind 'sausages' - turning into beautifully 'finished' kittens. I think events like their eyes opening; their ear canals developing and their fur growing were all magical! Then comes their first little, staggering steps, clambering into the litter tray, playing and falling over and culminating into 'whirling tornados' zooming around the living room and flying up the curtains - at twelve weeks!
Socialisation & leaving home
I made sure that the kittens were well socialised by ensuring that they were handled frequently, and had plenty of visitors of varying ages. I played the Blue Cross's socialisation tape 'Sounds Familiar' regularly from two weeks of age and when the kittens had had their first vaccines, they came downstairs to encounter the normal experiences of family life. Every new experience for a kitten will help him/her to settle in his/her new home and ensure that they grow up to be confident, well adjusted little cats.
Finding the right homes for the kittens was essential. I had many enquiries over the weeks. However, the 'right people' came along and I was delighted that all of them were experienced Burmese owners - so they knew what they were taking on by having one of my little Vintarns - 'vivacious vagabonds wrapped in velvet velour'! When they collected their kittens, each owner was given a 'kitty bag' containing their pedigrees, vaccination certificates, some toys, a fleece and samples of kitten food. The kittens' new owners are all keep in touch and it is wonderful to receive photographs and news, very regularly by email.
The photographs below are some of my favourites, featuring some of the 'landmarks' in their lives...
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