GC,GP, NW KOZY IT IS WHAT IT IS! OF CALCAT

“Winning” is a popular term in today’s pop culture; however, it has almost developed a negative connotation.   Not so for this group of exhibitors!  “Winning” is the end result of an amazing journey and achievement. The journey truly was the best part of this campaign. We are so appreciative to all of our fellow exhibitors and judges for making this possible. The feeling of support from everyone was humbling and filled with joy. This story would be more exciting if I could tell you how hard we struggled or how many obstacles we had to cross to make this happen; however, none of this was the case.

We were very fortunate to obtain a gorgeous Persian bred by Bill and Mary Hutchinson. Don’t get me wrong, because lots of hard work went into this cat. A Persian like Lizzie doesn’t just get a bath Friday night and be ready for the show in the morning.  ”All your hard work is paying off,”  I whispered to Cyndi often after each wonderful achievement occurred and there were many.  Did we start out with “Cat of the Year” in mind? No, I can honestly say that our initial goal was to be Best in our beloved Southern Region and to obtain a National title. Early in the season many friends and judges were telling us to “go for it”.

So, we decided to go to some big shows and see how it went.   We found that Lizzie had universal appeal and was becoming the “it girl “and fan favorite.  By the end of the third month, Lizzie was in the number one position and remained there until the end of the season. Incredibly this was accomplished in only 23 shows, with 170 rings.   Of these 170 rings, Lizzie was Best Cat in 135 of them!  She only missed 3 finals all season, went Best across the board in 6 shows, and was highest scoring in 19 of the 23. These statistics are staggering, and to enjoy them as they happened for us was a real once in a lifetime experience. A wise man said to us at the beginning of our campaign.......“the cat will lead the way”.

 Of course, no campaign is with out its anecdotes.  One of the best and worst memories happened on the flight to San Diego. Cyndi and I were in route and excited about the up coming Food & Water Bowl.  Due to video equipment under the seat, Lizzie’s sturdy bag barley fit. So after take off, we slid her under our feet and opened all the flaps to keep her cool. Beverage service had just begun when there was a slight turbulence. In the blink of an eye, Cyndi’s cranberry juice fell over on to the carrier! It was like slow motion watching it puddle up and then seep into the open mesh on top! Cyndi leaped over the seat and rushed Lizzie in to the tiny bathroom, only to find the carrier and Lizzie floating in pink juice!  She dried her off as best she could, changed her bedding and pads, and the flight continued.  When she stepped out of the carrier in San Diego she was a tri-color Persian.... black, white, and PINK!  On top of that, her coat felt like sticky cotton candy!  Lizzie was unphased, but I can’t say the same for Cyndi!!  We all know that Persian people travel with every grooming tool. Consequently, we got started with another full bath--no easy task with this coat!   Hours later, all of us collapsed...but Lizzie looked amazing!  What was in that cranberry juice?

On another weekend, Lizzie and Cyndi--with good friend Joanne (Lizzie’s Official Scorekeeper - Thanks Joanne!)--were snowed in at a tiny hotel in Tennessee for two days trying to get back to Atlanta after a St Louis show. Ice in Atlanta made it impossible to go the last 2 and half hours!  Lizzie took this all in stride.....it was just another hotel room.

Cyndi, Connie, and I were lucky that the three of us were all able to be together for many of the shows.  When Connie was with us, the atmosphere was always a celebration and party.  Due to my work schedule, I often took different flights than the girls. Lizzie and Cyndi were always in the best of hands with Connie as their experienced travel expert.

Beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder.  Lizzie appealed to everyone-- not only because of her physical attributes-- but because of her incredibly sweet soul.  She is an amazing creature with a kind and gentle demeanor....always happy and compliant. This, for us, made her the ultimate show cat.

What’s next for this number one cat? Well, her next appearance is an important one at Cyndi’s nephew’s school for a “show and tell presentation for his third grade class. She has also been requested to make an appearance at the Cotton States show in November. I am sure she will be a hit at both!  I guess Cyndi will be taking care of that phenomenal coat and cat a bit longer.... 

                                                                                                                          by Kerry Ury

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