I was asked to write a story about my cats and cattery for a cat magazine
that is distributed in NZ.
So with Bev's help my story is below.

                        ZEOTROPE  BURMESE

My love affair with the Burmese breed started 18 years ago when I
purchased Cassie, my first pet kitten.   I was quickly hooked by the
delightful nature of my new "baby". She was inquisitive, sociable,
loving and lovable.

The idea of having more like her about the house was appealing, so I
applied for, and was granted, the Zeotrope prefix.    Sadly, my beloved
Cassie was not suited to breeding and I had her spayed and rehomed.

I brought in two female kittens, one from Perth, WA.  - Pyret Lilac
Kaleen 27C and the Thanh Mai Angelique 27G from the South Island.  These
girls were my foundation Queens.

Getting started in the breeding business was a real learning curve.  I
was viewed with suspicion by some of the "older" breeders and found it
difficult to find a mate
for my girls.  One breeder offered me the use of her boy - the catch
was, I had to bring him to my place!  I didn't have a
cattery in those days, but thought, "well, how hard can it be." How
na?ve I was!!

I introduced the two cats in my large garage and left the connecting
door open into the house -  after a weekend of mating in the garage,
bathroom, lounge and bedroom it was time to take him  home - four
kittens was the result, my very first babies. I was on my way as a
breeder with still
plenty to learn.

It was decided that it would be more practical to buy in a boy and build
a cattery.

I have had many breeding girls over the years, some for many years and
some for a short time, I am a sucker for a sad story. I have given away
a breeding Queen (for the
price of the spaying) to a distraught pet owner who has just lost
his/her pet, usually to the road. I "feel" their pain and
end up offering a replacement.

I am lucky to have the services of some very good Veterinarians, people
who I respect and trust.

There have been many ups and downs over the years,  - the loss of my
much loved young stud Pere, when I accidentally poisoned him by using
Eucalyptus spray in his sleeping quarters, the
kitten I took in to be desexed before going to her new home - she never
made it back home, - these, among other things, are the downside.

Happily the upside far outweighs the downside, the birth of each litter
is always a miracle, the happy healthy kittens scooting about the house
with their Mother in hot
pursuit.  I have also made many friends, - other breeders, new pet
owners. Some pet owners send me cards, photo's, and emails
from their cats/kittens.  One cat, Alannah, never fails to send me a
mother's day card and present.  Other owners tell me hilarious stories -
like the two kittens, Bonnie and Clyde, who stole the owner's false
teeth and hid them! Then there were the three Burmese, who very
carefully nipped off all the
flower heads overnight and left just the stalks standing in the vase!

There have been many highlights - two spring to mind. The first happened
not long after I started breeding   My sister entered her young cat in
the National cat show, held in Lower
Hutt, the cat, PR Zeotrope Cream Krishna 27D, went BIS.  To say we were
over the moon would be an understatement.  He went on to become a
DBLGRPR.

Then there was Anya (another prefix I had) Holly 27E owned by M&C Frew,
She became a DBLGRCH before she was 12 months old.

I have been awarded many BAM's. The show scene is always exciting.

I am also part owner of the Boloni prefix, which I share with my cousin
Bob and Nicki MacKenzie.  We work closely together for the betterment of
our chosen breed.

I was widowed and managed my family of cats alone for a time. I
recently re-married and my husband Ken joins me on the Zeotrope prefix.
Like me he is captivated by the charm and intelligence of these
beautiful felines.

Today as I sit and watch my newest babies snuggled up to their Mum, I
look in wonder as the cycle of work, fun and meeting new pet owners
starts over again. I feel deeply satisfied with my life as a Burmese cat
breeder.

Lois Smith

Zeotrope Burmese