Queens

One of my first queens was sealpoint Hildale Kizima Kai (above), and her bluepoint daughter, Shenji Mara Jade, has consistently produced showquality kittens in her albeit small litters. Chosen largely for her vivid blue eye colour at a time when that improvement was highly desired in my lines, Mara has become the 'Queen of queens' in Shenji Cattery. Even this year we have been reluctant to retire her but she has now had her very last litter. Lack of show title is purely because she was timid as a kitten, and although the years have made her a little more confident, it has been her kittens who have won most of the show prizes. Mara's own highlight was winning 3rd Best Kitten at the CCCofA National Show in Adelaide, at which time someone offered $1,000 for her on the spot, which was a lot of money then, but I am now glad I turned it down!

Sadly, Mara, aged almost 10, made her trip to the Rainbow Bridge earlier this year. Vale Mara.

Gd Ch Shenji Marlena is Mara's sealpoint daughter and constant companion. They have their kittens together and share the mothering duties. Both cats have produced their best kittens to Zabeal, having lovely strong chins, good eye colour, great markings and traditional Birman expression.

Mara's bluepoint daughter, Shenji Mariana, has been kept to continue Mara's lines, although not quite as well showmarked as her mother and not shown since a kitten, but with her mother's large blue eyes and pale coat.

Another 'old lady' is Jarrah Mika, bought as an undesexed sealpoint pet from a lady who no longer wished to breed and, by serendipity, Mika was found to have perfect markings, lovely eye colour and a good Roman nose. Always very affectionate to the point of demanding attention, she has been a personal favourite. We have reluctantly contemplated putting Mika up for sale to a loving pet home and now could well have left it too late with her advancing years. Mika's early litters sometimes had birthing complications, but she became a very good mother and fond companion to Ali. It is hoped she may yet have another litter or two, or else we will find a really special home for her as a desexed and affectionate older cat. .

Mika's progeny have included the very successful DGC Shenji Michaela, owned by BK Heather of Sharada, and she is now grandmother to other show beauties. Mika was genetically homozygous for black, which means she only produced sealpoints. We have run on a female kitten from her last litter, Shenji Magda, who is embarking on her show and breeding career.

Double Grand Champion Shenji Amidala is also nearing the end of her breeding career, having enjoyed a successful show career to the age of almost two years. The only queen remaining from Eldorato Anakin Solo's lines, she has large eyes and strong boning, and it is hoped that these qualities will be continued in her son, Santorini.

Destined never to become a mother, my truly special favourite is Double Grand Champion Mitkyina Blue Mist (or 'Misty', as she has always been known). She was to be a trial attempt in breeding tabby points. Misty has the most gorgeous blue eyes ever seen in a cat, together with an adorably demanding temperament, but it wasn't to be and instead she and Zabeal have enjoyed a two-year love affair. It breaks Zabeal's heart to take Misty away from him, so she remains his constant companion, with no progeny to show for it. Misty always tolerates Zabeal's other visiting ladyfriends, so he is often courting two girls at a time!

Grand Champion Nicsha Zannia, Shenji Birmans' first lilacpoint, was purchased a couple of years ago to start a 'colour program'. Nina, as she has always been called, has produced a lovely sealpoint, Double Grand Champion Shenji Zuleika, who has enjoyed an exceptionally good show career, often being judged Best Birman and even Best Group 1 Adult. Together with her year-older bluepoint sister Shenji Zabrina, also to Zabeal, these two queens hopefully represent the start of a promising 'colour program'.