From ON THE SPOT, 69, March 2005
EDITORIAL 
This time I am deliberately late – the Royal Easter  Show was of course at Easter – in late March this year. I really thought that by the time we reached June, this would be very old news – hence this late  newsletter, including the results!  There were four exhibitors of Australian Mist at the Royal, Tricia, Lynden and I, and we welcome back Mhaire Higgins, with her new young blue marbled neuter, Nintu Marmor Caradoc. Caradoc won a Reserve desexed kitten in one ring – his gleaming coat and delightful nature a credit to his owner. Elmridge Buffy finally made Champion – not bad at all since Lynden really only exhibits at the Royal, so takes a few year to reach any title for her cats! Tricia’s Joker wowed the public with his antics, though my Nintu Justinus Nestor definitely tried to outdo him in the sookiness stakes – but his dribbling all over me, and constant kneading of my shoulder meant that he wasn’t out to be patted as often as he liked! He won a Third Best Male Cat in one ring, and my young chocolate spotted boy, Thera Bellerophon, a Fourth Best Male kitten.

It was very pleasant to catch up with many owners of Australian Mist, old and new. Many of these people come every year to look at the cats, and to tell me how wonderful their pets are -–it is indeed very rewarding.

As is usual for me at Easter, a few of my ‘finished with’ breeding cats were again placed with Kim Kendall (Chatswood Veterinary Clinic) to have homes found for them. This year two young experimental cats, boy and girl, the last of my ‘Coonmist’ test mating kittens, and Odysseus, a somewhat older retired gold stud, who had been sold to WA. When the breeder decided to stop breeding I took him back, and had a couple of litters – but I already had his litter brother …. Apparently he found a home very quickly …. I am very grateful to Kim for this service which she performs for me – it has been a great help particularly as I have raced through the generations (hence the cats) of the new bloodline. Those of you on email may  have seen a survey which Kim is making as part of a research project – if you didn’t fill it in, or would now like to, please contact Kim Kendall at   catclinic@catclinic.com.au.  This survey is supported in part by a Feline Health Research Fund grant – and the Feline Health Research Fund is part of the Co-Ordinating Cat Council of Australia, supported by pedigree cat breeders throughout Australia. The blood samples of over 30 Australian Mist which were collected by my then vet, Karen Hedberg, largely from my cats, and sent to the USA as part of the Feline Genome Project were one of the first things sponsored by the Feline Health Research Fund. This fund is registered as a non profit Ancillary Gift Fund, hence donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. Inquiries concerning and donations to the FHRF should be made to Jenny West, Treasurer, FHRF, 12 Wambaya Cres WARAMANGA, ACT 2611 or visit www.fhrf.org.au

Things are also happening in Queensland. Camille Dumas continues to exhibit Thera Bathsheba to great acclaim – with 3 Reserve Kitten in Show already this year, and lots of Top 10 placings. Sheba is also looking to the future, she made a flying visit (thanks to Val Harney) for  a one night stopover to select herself a future swain. The lucky lad is Gd Ch Nintu Glittering Zahan, who accompanied her home the next evening, and with whom she now resides. He thinks its pretty good -–can'’ imagine he will ever want to come home, with Camille spending hours sitting with him, grooming and bathing him – and a lady all his own ….  Sue Lloyd has also had a yen for a second breed ( British being her first) and Jeldan Sultanetta has just winged her way north with a precious cargo to Nintu Jester Pete on board. This is a first litter for both of them – so of course we wish all the new parents well! Geoff has continued to exhibit  Laddie, and has come by Latona Lily Rose, one of Wendy’s girls that the new owner didn’t like … And Wendy – well no sooner did she move into her dream home, than she developed cataracts on both eyes – so we wish her a speedy recovery, and restored sight  after the inevitable ops. Son Geoff has at least recovered fully from the glandular fever with which he started his life in Queensland.

The kitten market has been reasonably consistent since the middle of 2004, with a brief dip near to Christmas – I felt sufficiently confident to breed 4 autumn litters – not banking on the 9 (8 survivors) produced by Latona Dawn Frazer … These are a delightful mob, ranging from the huge to the tiddly – but all very nicely conformed, solid, lively kittens, now approaching going home age. I have a plethora of marbled kittens – fortunately Nathalie has 7 spotted kittens and only one marbled about the same age as Dawn’s babies.  Some of this continuing inquiry is undoubtedly due to the Burke’s Backyard exposure last year – thankyou again, Rachel!

From ON THE SPOT, 70, June 2005
EDITORIAL 
The litter has arrived in Queensland – Sue Lloyd is suffering the same degree of debate about exactly what colour all those pale buff ones are, as do all first time (and umpteenth –time!!) breeders. At least she had no doubt about the brown marbled female …Congratulations Sue and Sultanetta. You can see my favourite of the photos Sue has sent me in our Gallery Spot.

Camille Dumas, also in Queensland is streaking ahead in the End of Year stakes, with Bathsheba leading for Exhibit of the Year by a very long mile…. Even if Bathsheba now pauses for the rest of the year to have her first litter of kittens, I think any other exhibit will be very hard pressed to challenge her position!

Planning for the 2006 Anniversary Show is well advanced, a copy of the proposed schedule is overleaf for your interest. If you see any glaring omissions please let me know – the actual schedules won’t be going out to potential exhibitors till next year, so there is plenty of time for amendments. Letters will be going out to helpers shortly, to confirm the discussions which I have had with them in person, over the phone and by email. The collection of trophies (and the manufacture of a lovely raffle prize), are well in hand.

The book is finished (see Gallery Spot). I did not charge the cost of materials used in producing this volume to the AMCFA, but in view of the heavy use of the photocopier, the purchase price of every second copy will go into the association coffers, so make your cheques out to the AMCFA – combined  with your 2005-06 Membership Renewal.

Due to a very sad story circulating on the web, I have spent some time compiling a list of plants dangerous to cats – still a work in progress – please contribute any additional information to make a better list. 

From ON THE SPOT, 71, September 2005
EDITORIAL

Congratulations to Camille Dumas (and Sue Lloyd, the breeder) for two Best in Shows for Kafa Ima True Blue Digger, her blue spotted future stud. Likewise, congratulations on Nintu Marmor Ami Fourier’s Best in Show – he is ‘just visiting’ – and has also run up a new title (Double Grand Champion) while on RR&R leave! Digger is a somewhat well know kitten purrsonality. When I was attending one of the Whiskas Pat-a-Cat days at the Royal Melbourne show last week, one of their permanent publicity staff came up to me to tell me about what a draw card Digger had been at the Royal in Brisbane – she even remembered his name!! I do know that Camille attended 8 days in a row – I’m sure  that she deserves every possible sale she can get for such an effort!! Camille also has a new page on her website, devoted to Australian Mist, http://members.optusnet.com.au/maisondor, check it out.

The 20th Anniversary Show arrangements have been settled, with some amendments to the proposed schedule printed in the last Newsletter. The competition will be open to ALL cats and kittens over 10 weeks of age,  with an entry fee of $5/exhibit, with a maximum of $30 payable by any one exhibitor. The catalogue will be $5. The judges are Rod U’Ren, Val Harney, Truda Straede, Naomi Taylor and  Patricia Beech.

On the publicity front, I hope that everyone will keep an eye out for the 2006 Kittens and Cats Annual, our Vice President has written an absolutely superb article in praise of Australian Mist for inclusion … It should be out in late November. We have also had a write up by Talitha Dirkzwager in a Dutch Cat magazine, ‘Club 27’, Zomer 2005, Nr.2. I can’t of course, read it, but we did have 3 pages, with pictures!

One of our long time members, Monica Scheck, writes to tell me that she has found her dream job ‘ live-in’ cat carer for a bayside cat shelter, with her own home and long term feline  residents to care for. As she says, this job doesn’t actually need her  law degree ……. Good on you Monica, I hope that some of the pusses find homes of their own, but in the meantime, enjoy them.

Finally, I must remind many of you that this will be your last Newsletter if you don’t renew your subscription! A red dot appears on posted newsletters, e-mail subscribers will be separately notified!

From ON THE SPOT, 72, December 2005
EDITORIAL
It is hard to believe that yet another year has sped by. A year of losses, with the recent death of a beloved friend, Dr David Ashton, who was one of our members, and bred and owned Australian Mist, and of one of our senior pet owners, Alison Ellis, who died earlier in the year. And a year of gains, with new breeders Camille Dumas and Sue Lloyd in production, and another new recruit, Trevor Cox, also in Queensland, about to acquire his first ladies.  Jennifer Glenister & Judith Roget have started with a very naughty brown kitten (Nintu Jinnee Vina) to breed from and a young spay as her friend, to show.

Alison’s husband Stan let me know quite recently that ‘Sophie’ their Mist had become too much for him after his wife’s death. She had become very wilful seemingly definitely a ladies’ cat, so he advertised for and found her a new home – with another lady. Dave, of course, also had pets – and guess who has them now! Read  a bit about these cats in ‘Who is Benji-Man’. Dave so enjoyed the experience of rearing his first litter, that he wrote about it in ‘The story of Jezebel and her Brood’, which was sent to me by one of his friends who I met at his funeral. I have split it into three sections, and am printing it as a serial for all our readers. This story seems to me to tell a simple loving tale of one human being and his pets, something of which that I think breeders need constantly to be reminded.

Camille Dumas is to heartily congratulated for winning Exhibit of the Year with Thera Bathsheba, and for doing so well also with Kafa Ima True Blue Digger. He is certainly a lad to be watched, as he embarks on adulthood in 2006. I hope that we will see him here for the 20th Anniversary Show. Geoff emailed me to announce that Laddie appears to have won Best Australian Mist in QFA for the second year in a row. Camille was also presented  with an award for ‘Outstanding Advancement in a Breed’ for Digger. Nice to see the breed being recognised in open competition!

From myself, and all the renewed committee, all the best for 2006 – both for you and your felines.

From ON THE SPOT, 73, March  2006
EDITORIAL
 Well, I am beginning to get that slightly hunted feeling as the 13th of May draws nearer and nearer. The judges are all in place, air tickets purchased, beds bespoke at the Longwarry Pub, and their extra dining room booked for an after show dinner. The schedules have gone out and are also posted on my website … quite a lot of good wishes received from those unable to come – and thankyou to Ian and Jan Alcock who  have two of my kittens, are not able to attend, but who sent us a $25 donation towards the show … Also, another ‘wish I could come’ letter telling us all about 9 year old Simba and his recent brush with death ... included later for all to read.  So far no actual entries have been received, though I know of at least 15 promised ... some of them are already booked to fly here! However, I would remind you that the sooner your entries arrive here the sooner I can start to settle arrangements further!  There is even a ripple of excitement amongst the Victorian Judges about the event, particularly the opportunity to see such a large number of Australian Mist all together at one time.  And we have a gorgeous raffle prize, which I hope will open the purses of the guests and members.  I have had a little bit of publicity too, with one of the local newspapers checking out the Bunyip hall bookings, coming to interview and photograph me with the Australian Mist. Nearer to the event I will also advertise in the local Newsletter, so that we have some general public – though the event really is primarily for our own interest and pleasure.

The 2006 Show year is now well under way, with our Queensland contingent really ripping into the business of accumulating points – think that they might be aiming to carry off all the awards this year!  I have also been invited, through the good offices of Camille Dumas, our most successful exhibitor last year, to travel to Brisbane in July to Judge a specialist Abyssinian/Somali ring, AND a specialist Australian Mist ring.

I have become involved with the Bunyip Show Society, and am now “Assistant Secretary”. This because I have spent a lot of effort producing their schedules this year, including starting a website for them and putting the schedule on the web. It is a very small country show, and we need to cut the running costs – this home grown schedule certainly has helped – next year we hope to actually email schedules to a large number of this year’s competitors, cutting the costs a bit more.  The Australian Mist (and some Maine Coon) have also become a feature of the Bunyip Show in their own right – I now have a small shed of my own in which to set up an exhibition. I thought that I would also hand out notification of the 20th Anniversary Show… Our dining room is currently littered with huge picture boards about both breeds … and my lists for both this display, and our show, grow longer. Life certainly isn’t dull – lots of kittens, which have to be properly cared for, and the poor garden, which is barely being cared for – in fact, the tomatoes are falling off the vines for lack of time to pick and process them! 

Oh, and yes, I have finally finished my revised edition of ‘Breeding Cats…. a practical guide’ and am currently canvassing possible printers ….

Truda M Straede                              Editor

From ON THE SPOT, 74, June  2006
EDITORIAL

Well, the Twentieth Anniversary  event has been and gone, and can generally be rated as a great success.

It was delightful to have such a good turnout of local and interstate cats and exhibitors, local judges and local residents. Immediate thankyous again to all the generous donors of time, effort and money! Particular thanks to the ‘nuts and bolts’ team, Leigh Simari who dwelt in the isolation of the kitchen and produced food which rated very high praise amongst the recipients – specially the desserts (thankyou to John Straede for his superb baked cheesecake, and my Brandy sauce and homemade icecream was devoured with relish, despite the cold old day!) Then there was Susan Charlton, who wrought the superb quilt which was our raffle, and who looked after the door and helped with the trophies ( and ran home and tidied my cattery, and prepared cat food!). All the trophy donors, particularly Mhaire Higgins who created a magnificent range of embroidered cushions, draught excluders, door stoppers, hotty covers etc which I used as my Top 10 prizes.  And then of course, John, who not only made the cheesecakes, but also collated all the results, produced summed total sheets, and above all else put up with me during the months of preparation.

Our interstate guests, judges and exhibitors alike all arrived in good time on Friday, and with this willing team, the Bunyip Hall (which has been recently  repainted for its Sesquicentenary) was rapidly converted into a ‘real’ cat show – albeit a small one, but it looked very professional. I must say that the standard of maintenance of the Bunyip hall is also to be commended – including the willing help provided by Clive, the caretaker, who stayed around to set up the trestles. We were in at 2pm, and all was complete, ready for the morning by 6pm.

Those staying locally then retired to Evergreen for dinner,  a bit of chat, last check on their cats (who were all sequestered somewhere round my cattery), then early to bed.

The next morning was rather like a military operation, with loads of cats being ferried to the hall, where the Victorian exhibitors soon joined us. Then the seminar judges arrived, including our Patron, Mrs Rhondda Watson ,who, ably assisted by Diane (sent by Ros Fleay from her Vet Surgery) quietly inspected the cats, settled them down, while I introduced the rest of us to the order of proceedings for the day. The seminar judges were given their booklets, including a ‘Secret assignment’, the judges their slips, and we were ready to go. At this stage I was able to confidently doff my Show Manager Hat, and become a judge. The results of our deliberations are detailed further on.

During the morning more seminar judges drifted in, also other owners of Australian Mists, and special guests, and in the afternoon we had some local members of the public. While initially there appeared to be a degree of reluctance on the part of the Seminar Judges, as the day wore on they began to really join in, and to enjoy themselves -–specially when there was real coffee  with fresh scones, home made jam and cream for morning tea; then that lovely lunch …

There was real interest in hearing what the pairs of judge and assistant had to say. As part of the training aspect of the event,  Naomi was assisted by Miss Cindy Grimes, an Australian Mist Breeder, and potential FCCV Group 3 Judges Course candidate, I was assisted by another potential Group 3 Judges Course candidate, Mrs Sandra Ford, who also kindly brought her superb Brown Burmese Neuter, Beautiful Andre, as an example of one of our foundation breeds. Funnily enough Andre is also (very distantly) descended from Kempala Leo, one of our founding Burmese, as somewhere back in the mists of time (ahem) Sandra and Denis bought one of his Burmese kittens to breed from…

Trish was ably and entertainingly assisted by Nick Tricarico, who is an All Breeds Judge with GCCFV, while Val Harney had one of our All Breeds Judges, Mrs Marie Orchard to assist her. They conversed most instructively. Rod U’Ren was assisted by our own Geoff Paton, and I think that Rod learnt a bit about how besotted some Australian Mist owners can become …
 
Since the event I have had many remarks made to me by judges who attended, emails of congratulations, phone calls, and the odd card or two of thanks. One of our senior judges, Di Reynolds, who was originally less than enthusiastic about attending, thanked me on the day for a very well run and enjoyable event, and then she won the raffle! Once she had taken a good look at the quilt, she rang me from home again and was full of praise. Can’t have done us any harm, I believe, and I hope has helped our breed.

One of the most commented on aspects was that we had 60 exhibits entered, almost no absentees, and one or two extras on exhibition. One of these was Momur Oliver Twist, a delightful blue marbled foundling kitten of Naomi’s who kept everyone entertained with his antics. Even better, there were no cats who blotted their copy books by seriously misbehaving, though many had never been shown before, and some had been shown too much for their taste!

One of the features of the show was that we called the cats by their ‘call’ names – rather than their full title, and this was on the prize cards attached to the trophies. As each winner was weighed down with prizes, the atmosphere became very friendly and festive indeed. Rod and Val presented  silver and bronze goblets, cups etc, and Naomi gave silver platters. Trish brought with her a wonderful assortment of cat toys, trays, rugs etc, and my ring, and the temperament ring had soft fittings, largely made by Mhaire. Geoff, owner of the Supreme Exhibit, Laddie, was a bit concerned about how he would carry everything home on the plane – as he and Val had escorted Camille’s exhibit, and were taking home one of Trevor’s as well – complete with their winnings….

After all the excitement, the show was completed on time, and in less than 2 hours the hall was emptied, tidied, and we were at home feeding cats. Then to dinner with the judges and a selection of exhibitors, with Geoff presiding over the table, wearing his Spot On medallion, and looking very pleased with the world.

Just for once in my life I seemed to have managed to organise everything so that it ran like clockwork, and I could relax and enjoy it too! And to add the icing to the cake, my baby, Thera Linaria won Runner Up to the Supreme Exhibit – but the huge pile of prizes hasn’t gone into my cupboards, but is packed away, along with the winnings of Nintu Jelly Wave, in a special box under my bed – TO GO TO ENGLAND eventually. Yes, these two lovely little girls, when they have grown to, I hope much bigger, still lovely girls (and pregnant!) are going to join Mary Stuart(!) who chose them on her visit to Australia early this year.

Mary and her husband Mitch came to me through the Maine Coon connection. My neighbour Vicki Tuik who also breeds Maine Coons, brought them to see my cats last year – and they fell in love with Australian Mist. After another look this year, they have decided to take the plunge and introduce the breed to the UK. This is a huge undertaking on their part, with lots of paper work, both in the breed recognition area, and the actual import, and oh boy, those girls will be gold plated by the time they get there – and as I said to Mary, they had better arrive loaded! There will be at least one more girl and a boy to follow, I’m planning matings now that will complement Jelly & Linny, and supply the balance of lines, colours and patterns to get the breed up and running.

Following Spot’ o’ Mail, and our end of year running totals (NB the specialist show results are NOT being included in these), there is a more detailed breakdown of the results, a pictorial record of the event, and the ‘Significant Cats’ article suggested and arranged by Jeanette and Valerie which was included in our catalogue.
 
From ON THE SPOT, 75, September  2006
EDITORIAL
                   
The exciting news is that an Australian Mist is about to join the cast of  ‘Neighbours’ – in the guise of a stray kitten … and that flowing from this appearance, the ABC has filmed a segment  for ‘Creature Features’, its Monday afternoon Children’s programme incorporating Christine Powell (the animal handler for Neighbours) picking up her new ‘star’ with the help of lots of other Aussie Mist kittens.  ‘Willow’ will, we hope, become a long term member of the cast of Neighbours, and hopefully will do our breed nothing but good. The new series of ‘Creature Features’, including our segment will be aired in January 2007, 4.30pm Mondays. Unfortunately we are unlikely to be told more, so we’ll all have to set our recorders at this time till we catch it!
Another very exciting event took place in Brisbane on Sunday 30 July. The first ever Australian Mist Specialist Ring held outside the state of my residence, was staged by  Club 23, ably organised by Camille Dumas, along with a specialist Abyssinian ring, as well as the 3 ring Championship Show. I was invited to Judge both these Specialist Rings, and also a very healthy line up of Companion Cats, including a very beautiful ‘Te Kooti’ –like brown spotted tabby ….

This was an extremely enjoyable event, Camille had gone to a great deal of trouble to decorate the Australian Mist bay with wattle and Aussie flags, and to drum up as many cats as possible. Due to the fact that a number of cats had been sold by me to their new owners within the prior 6 months, I was unable to actually judge them, but as I had been asked to give a seminar as well as judge the ring , I carried out the ‘Grouped Point Assessment’ which we used at the 20th Anniversary Show, on all the Exhibits (including my own).  I discuss the results of the two methods later on, as well as giving the results, and a picture of the winner.

I would like to take this opportunity to officially thank Camille Dumas, Sue Lloyd, Carol Higgins, Trevor Cox, the Club 23 executive and my fellow Victorian judge and travelling companion, Nick Tricarico (yes, you are right, he stewarded for our 20th Anniversary show) for making this an occasion to remember. I would also like to make a special mention of my steward for the Abyssinian Specialist ring, Julie Koppe, who was a great help – and I believe the Owner and Breeder of my top Aby exhibits.

The next item of interest is the publication of a double page spread feature article on Australian Mist in the Singaporian ‘Cat’s Life’, in which the only words I can even read  are the title, a few breed and trade names – all the rest is in Chinese ideograms ….The pictures used were off my website, and I was quite impressed with what a good display they made – but I would really have liked to be able to read what was said. Camille received acknowledgment, as it was she who suggested that the editor contact me – I know, because I can read her web address!

The End of Year awards totals are adding up, for me at least there are very few shows left, and it is quite obvious that some particularly nice QUEENSLAND cats are again going to do extremely well! I have been exhibiting the two girls for the UK at every show that I have attended, and Jelly is now doing better than Linny. Both are growing into beautiful girls, with Jelly absolutely tops for type, and Linny with a coat of such delicacy of colouration that everyone stops to admire its beauty.

From ON THE SPOT, 76, December 2006
EDITORIAL
Congratulations to our winners – honours again go to the Queensland mob, with Sue Lloyd winning Exhibit of the Year with a cat bred by Camille Dumas, and Camille winning runner-up with a cat bred by Sue ….

Most exciting for me, was the success of our first UK export girls –Linny & Jelly were placed 3 & 4, and I am pleased to say that they were adults for our last two shows of the year, and are both now Champions. These  girls are, as I write, being entertained by their swains, and with everything going to plan, will be off to the UK, in kitten, early in February.

The Australian Mist Specialist ring  held in Brisbane in July 06 continues to reverberate – the current Cats & Kittens annual features the picture of Sue & I and the winning exhibit, over a short article on our 20th Anniversary, all more excellent publicity. I have also been interviewed by the Pakenham gazette for their ‘My Obsession’ feature,  where there is a good write up of the Australian Mist, and a picture of me covered with cats – including Pan, a Maine Coon, and several Aussie Mists.

On the subject of Australian Mist Events to come, at the 2006 AGM, Camille announced that she was President and Founder of the Australian Mist Cat Club of Queensland, and that Trevor was one of the Vice Presidents. She also announced a Specialist Ring for Australian Mist to be held on 18th Feb 2007 in conjunction with a 3 ring show being held by this new club. She extended a cordial invitation to any of our members to attend. Please free to email either Camille or Trevor, if you are interested in attending.

And arising from the AGM, congratulations to Trevor Cox on joining our committee.  Trevor has also been blessed with a very prolific crop of queens, with lots of kittens from my old fellow, Family Idol, who is staying with him for a few months.

Congratulations also to Geoff, and his Laddie: Geoff sent me an email “Just received some nice mail.  Laddie has achieved Reserve Shorthair Desexed and Best of Breed Australian Mist in our (ACF)  Cat of the Year awards.  However, whilst I am obviously pleased, he does not seem the slightest bit impressed!!”

There is also sadness though, during the year my dear old Faramir finally faded away, and Valerie has had a very rough time, losing cats, and her beloved old Labrador, finally topped by her message “ Seurat died on Christmas Eve.  He was just eight years old - I am devastated and his brother is crying  and crying.

When I advised the committee (at the AGM) that Seurat had diabetes  Geoff I think,  told me a Mist of his  had died from Diabetes - so did Lynden re her daugher’s Mist also dying from  diabetes.
Further I then found a 10 year old from my breeding now has diabetes - and  a Christmas card from another owner told me their Mist aged 11 years has diabetes.
Much more than coincidental in such a small survey.

Seurat was the youngest of these and is from the marble line - and  Kintari, Jeanette's boy from the same breeding also had diabetes plus  other problems and died recently. This is not a reflection on the development of the breed - it emphasises the  research that has been carried out on the propensity in Burmese for  Diabetes.

Be aware of the early signs and the expense of maintaining the loved cat  for as long as possible - and the emotional stress –”
Thankyou Valerie, a timely reminder.

Mhaire has also had a disturbing time, losing 3 Mists in very quick succession. The vets are absolutely mystified, and Mhaire and Cathy are devastated.

On a somewhat lighter note, and to finally close the tale of Dave Ashton’s Cats, I found an absolutely fabulous home for the two of them, with the parents of a girlfriend. Tamara wrote: “A wonderful Christmas present, Mum and Dad fell in love instantly. The joy in their eyes was beautiful. They were so happy. Benji was all over them straight away (as usual) and Bybie is already giving them cuddles (see pic). She must know she's in her permanent home.
I think we have found them a loving home.”
Although it took more than a year I now feel that I have fulfilled Dave’s wishes, the cats will have some freedom, but live indoors with a family, all of their own…(and we won’t lose any more chooks!)

From ON THE SPOT, 77, March 2007
EDITORIAL
The major events of the last three months were the arrival of Linny & Jelly in the UK, the birth of their  kittens, and the  Specialist Australian Mist ring run by The Australian Mist Cat Club of Queensland and the FCCQ.

LINNY & JELLY
With just  a few weeks to go, hoping that Linny and Jelly would call at the right time to both fly to the UK with confirmed pregnancies, I had a real fright --- Jelly came into season, and I found a small patch of fur missing from her neck … OH NO, that young lad, Onyx, destined to go to the UK in July this year … surely not …He was only a baby, but he found himself outside sharing with a couple of other lads very quick smart, while I waited to see whether Jelly was already pregnant … what was I going to say to Mary and Jane….’Twas a somewhat anxious Christmas, watching and waiting. Linny called again, then Jelly too, sighs of relief all round, girls both introduced to their chosen husbands, and email to Mary and Jane – they’re mating now, so make your plans!

Just as though they had read all the right textbooks, they mated without hesitation, three weeks later both checked out pregnant – at least 3 kittens each. Another email – and in return a note to tell me when Mary & Jane would be here in Australia, and in Melbourne – right before the Bunyip Show – so I quickly booked the only possible date for the lunch here, and introduction to their two new family members, Onyx and Prunella.

The booking dates were confirmed, each girl in a separate basket, as the next size up was too big, and Wayne was concerned that two little pregnant girls would be hurled around if the plane hit rough weather …. When they were just a day into the possible export period, they were collected for their 48 hour stay with Wayne at All Creatures Air Road, where the final worming, flea control application, and quarantine inspection were to take place prior to their flight. While there,  they won the hearts of the staff, including Wayne Brown, the owner of the business, who subsequently  followed their  progress and received pictures of their babies from Mary. I think he was as excited as I that the Australian Mist were finally going to the UK as part of a breeding colony! Wayne donates the prizes for the FCCV Guineas, and Mists have won a few of the prizes over the years, Wayne always meets the contestants when he makes the annual presentation, and I think he already rather liked them!

Then the long wait (both for me and Mary & Jane). The night that I knew they were going to land in the UK I was very restless, and couldn’t sleep. In  the middle of the  night I logged onto the email – and there was a message from an unknown person : Linny and Jelly arrived …Mary and Jane had forgotten to take my contact to Heathrow, so rang a friend who emailed me ….
Now over to Jane:

MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS

My name is Jane,  chief cook and bottlewasher of the Jamcusa cattery in the UK and I'm in partnership with Mary at the Rumtumtugger Cattery here in the UK. Mary was the instigator in this brave new venture of ours and had the upper hand over me initially as she had already "met" the Mists in the Fur so to speak. That part of the build up is history as we collected our Mists on February 9th 2007 from the Animal Reception Centre of Heathrow Airport.

It was a miserable day, cold and typically English with copious amounts of rain. Thankfully the snow that I had endured 70 miles north of Mary hadn't touched Somerset on it's way through. We were both too excited to worry about a drop of rain anyway. The day had finally arrived and I was up before my alarm and Mary for that matter!  A quick drink and slice of toast and we were on our way. For me it seemed to take forever to get to Heathrow and I swear Mary was physically hurrying the little car to get there as quicker. When we did arrive we found that Ch Thera Linaria had all the staff at the centre twisted around her paw already. Ch Nintu Jellywave, on the other hand, was a little more suspicious and preferred to hide away in the back of her carrier. She did so all the way back to Mary's in Somerset. Mary and I quietly introduced them to their quarters and Jelly immediately disappeared under the bed. Linny was full of it, sniffing and investigating the litter tray, the food on the menu etc etc. Whilst Mary made a much needed cup of tea  and a sandwich I lay quietly on the floor talking to Jelly who was still hiding under the bed. After a few moments I just lay there not saying anything and I became aware of "someone" sniffing my hair. Curiosity had got the better of Jelly and she had ventured out to give me the once over. I quietly introduced myself as she sat there wondering what this woman thought she was doing lying there on the floor. She must have thought I was totally mad. By the time Mary came back with lunch Jelly and I were having a lovely cuddle whilst Linny was now up the cat centre surveying the British wildlife out of the bedroom window. We discovered that Jelly liked cheese and that Linny was far too busy to be bothered by something
as trivial as food. She had too much to explore and new scenery to take in.

Jelly will stay with Linny at Mary's until Mary and I return from Australia in April. Then  I shall take my "Mist and her babies"  home with me.  (I can't wait).

First impressions of the Australian Mist for me....absolutely stunning!!
Jane

THE BABIES ARRIVE & THE VISIT
But first of all, I must mention the phone call… On the evening before our kitten show I had gone to bed at the usual time, and straight to sleep – and Mary rang to tell me about the arrival of the girls, very late as it turned out, as she had forgotten about daylight saving – John took the call, and much though I would have liked to speak to her, I’m glad that he didn’t wake me!
Monday 5th March
Hi Truda,
Great news!!!! Linny was actually the first to start at 4.30 ish this morning. By 7.45 am she had produced 5 beatiful kittens. 3 boys, 2 girls, colours to be announced but for the moment we are saying '1 dark & 4 light ones' haha!
Jelly after messing around for the last 24 hours and an early morning visit from my vet to administer oxytocin currently has 2 light ones but is having a little rest at the moment so Jane and I are taking the opportunity to have a cuppa and send you this.
Love from 2 very exhausted, slightly mad, English women!

Tuesday 6th March
The Final Tally
Dear Truda,
Well you certainly did us proud! Linny's five have now been joined by Jelly's four! Linny has 3 boys and 2 girls and Jelly has 3 girls and 1 boy. Of course we didn't have the faintest idea what colour they are but Jane has gone back to Gloucester now and I have been sitting with the girls and reading what literature I have on the subject and I would take a stab at Linny's darker coloured one being blue and the other 3 being lilac?

Jelly's brood are all very pale (I'd say cream silver if they were coons) but they are not and again looking and reading what you have given and sent us I think perhaps gold or peach. They are slightly paler than Linny's palest kitten and two are lighter than their sibling! I am attaching a few pictures with this, maybe you can help us out?

Both girls are well settled with their kittens now, I have had to put Jelly in a kittening pen as she kept carrying her kittens over to Linny's box and appeared to be trying to suckle from Linny herself. They have both had a drink and a little snack of cold chicken but I am going to cook them up some coley for their supper.
Well I should get this sent and go and give my poor neglected Maine Coons some attention. I will be in touch again really soon.
Thanks again for these super girls.
Love Mary.

So there we are. Eleven Australian Mist in the UK!

Once the kittens were a few days old and Mums were properly settled, Mary & Jane left for Australia, ending up here in Victoria, staying with our mutual Maine Coon breeder friend, Kyra. From there the three of them came to lunch on 29th March, where we were a merry crew of 8, for lunch, and cat and kitten admiration. They did have a bit of sad news though, Linny’s  tiniest girl had faded fast and died, though all the rest looked fit and healthy.

Rod U’Ren joined us for lunch, as did Jennifer Glenister, and Linda Mumby. Jennifer has now bred 2 litters of Australian Mist, and is joining me in a little experimental breeding. My Malia  produced a litter of 4 tabbies, including 2 cinnamon tabbies, when I had hoped for at least one Mist! As my cat numbers are already high, I didn’t really want to mark time at generation 2, as I would need to with a tabby girl – but Jennifer bred the cinnamon gene (in Orientals) for several years when she lived inthe US, so suggested that she could carry on --- so we applied to the FCCV for a joint experimental licence, and the two little girls went off to live with her, once the program was approved …. We will have a new prefix specially for this line. I am very pleased with this outcome, as I didn’t want to see the kittens ‘wasted’. The Mum is already five, and I would like to try some other studs with her, and the sire is already 10, and somewhat erratic in his siring …

Linda owns a show neuter, lilac spotted Australian Mist (and a Maine Coon neuter). She loves showing the boys, but the Mist has become tired of shows, so will be staying at home in future. (And he really is VERY fond of his food, which isn’t compatible with a successful show career). Linda has lived in Australia for 6 years,  but feels that she should return to the US to be with her aging parents, so is intending to return in 2009 … and she would like to take a small breeding group of Australian Mists with her.  We are planning to have her lease a girl and breed at least one of her own brood queens to be, and for her to come and see what goes on in a breeding cattery. Already she has paid a visit to talk – and to learn how to bath a Maine Coon …. (she helped me to hold my HUGE boy, Edouard, while we bathed and dried him), and we anticipate plenty more visits while she ‘serves her apprenticeship’, here where we can help her through birthing and rearing a couple of litters.

As Feline Governing Bodies extend across North America and Europe, and Australian Mist are not yet recognised by any of them, it seemed an excellent opportunity for the two sets of breeders to meet, so that they can co-operate in obtaining recognition for the breed.

Mary and Jane absolutely loved their new boy, Onyx – and even Rod approved of him. Prunella was all over Jane (to whom she will belong), and they both played with kittens of all ages  and tried to guess their colours (practising for their own litters!). I’m afraid that we couldn’t decide on some of the kittens – I keep changing my own mind! As Maine Coon breeders all three of them, Mary, Jane and Kyra couldn’t leave one of my Maine Coon litters alone … and it was my ‘wild card’  litter – really came up trumps!

Then there was the huge box of ribbons, cards, certificates and trophies – Jane was complaining that her case wouldn’t be up to full weight on her return – but I think she changed her mind on seeing this huge collection! There are more than enough for each of them to make a great display board of winnings for their girls (and plenty for Onyx too!)

It was altogether a most satisfactory visit, and so exciting to meet the ‘other half’ of the importing team. We chatted well into the late afternoon, long after the other guests had departed, and our mighty feeding time was witnessed in some astonishment.  Of course, I do wish that they didn’t live sooo  far away!