Moro's story

15 oktober 2000 my 'masters' took me, for the first time in my life, to a catshow.

The night before, we all sensed that something was going to appen because the catflap was locked so we couldn't get out.
We where told that it would be for one night only and they would allow us to go out the next morning after breakfast.  The next morning I discovered that it was only partly true!
Our 'masters' got up much earlier then usual on a Sunday morning and, after breakfast, they put me in the travelcage. Without even bothering to ask me what I wanted!

At this point I was still in the assumption that we had to go to the vet or something........But it became obvious very soon that this wasn't the case.   

Me with my trophees

After a half  our drive we arrived, half past seven in the morning, at a big parkingplace and we entered a large building (gymnasium). Inside as a (very) long queue with people and, even more, cats.  After a long wait I was taken out of my cage and put on a table in front fo a gentleman (a vet) who examined me and declared me healthy. Back in the travelcage again. We arrived in a large noisy hall filled with cages. (there where not so many people yet)  After a short time we found the cage witn our number on it and while the 'masters' decorated the cage with curtains, rug, littertray, food and watertrays, I was realy glad to be in my own travelcage.    But not for long.  As soon as they finished decorating the cage I was put in.  I didn't know it then, but this was only the beginning of a very long day.

More people and cats arrived in the hall. I just ignored everyone, including my 'masters' and my cat-neighbours. After a few hours I was taken out of the cage, again, to be brought to the judge, but I didn't feel like going there at all!!  I felt safe (kind of) in that cage, and I surely wasn't going to make it easy for them to take me out. But after a struggle they managed anyhow. When we walked trough the crowd, the amount of people suddenly overwhelmed me and I tried to escape.(I didn't succeed by the way)

Because it wasn't my turn when we arrived there they put me in another cage AGAIN. To make it clear to everyone this was no way to treat me, I hissed to anyone that came near the cage. Finally it was my turn to be judged by the (rather nice),German, Mrs Waller. Who tried to judge me while I was doing my very best not to cooperate. She checked if: I was big enough and had everything in the right proportions, my head had the correct (triangular) shape and if my ears had the right shape and size, my eyes where on the right spot with the right shape, my tail was long enough and if my fur had the correct 'texture'. She told me (in English) that she thought I was very beautiful, she would give the points for my first CAP certificate and that I had to return for a best in show nomination.  I started to like her more and more.

I was very glad they brought me back to the cage with my own rug in it. In the course of the day I started to feel a bit more comfortable (in my cage that is), but I hoped it would be over soon. Visitors who tried to get my attention, I either ignored or looked at them in an angry way. Round about three o'clock  I was pulled out of my cage again,under protest. First I was groomed and after that through the crowd again to the judge.  Two other Norwegians and me had to be showed, so the judge could tell which one of us was  beautiful enough for the best in show competition.  Mrs Waller didn't even look at the other cats and told us Iwas the best looking Norwegian Forest-cat.  Is this why I had to come out of my cage? This was nothing new to me!

Again a few hours later, it was round about five o'clock, I was pulled out of my cage to be groomed and brought to the judge. This  was starting to anoy me!  This time I wasn't handled by my 'master' but a big gentleman with a very firm grip showed me for the judges. I tried to get away but it was no use. Four different judges examined me thoroughly. Though I did feel like striking out to them, I  behaved. If this had anything to do with it, I don't know, but not me, but a Maine Coon became best in show. Never the less my 'masters, en my breeder were very proud of me!

As soon as we arrived home that evening I hurried out for a pee, because I didn't do so the entire day!!

After this experience my 'masters' felt the necessity to go to a couple of more shows, to get points for a title. November 26 was the next time. There was a big catshow in Wervershoof.  The night before and the morning of the 26th it was the same ritual as before. excep for the lengt of the drive, because it took much longer to get there.  Again we had to wait in a queue ot get in and, once  inside, we had to look for the cage with our number on it. I still didn't enjoy the experience but since I now understood, a little, wat was expected of me, I wasn't as nervos as the last time.  I even didn't struggle as much as before when they showed me.

This time I was judged by a Dutch judge,mr.Koot, who by the way, I didnt like half as much as the previous one.  He said my tail was a bit to short and my ears should have been larger.  Nonsens! Could this man not see that I am perfect? He did give me enough points though for the certificate but he did not nominate me for best in show. This was a bit of a disappointment.

To get enough points for a title we had to go to one more show. The next show was january 21 in IJmuiden, near where we live. Which I was very happy about,  I am not very fond of long car-trips. This time I felt much more comfortable because I started to get used to the routine.
The judge, mrs van Berkum, thought I was very beautiful and I behaved very well. Even when she lifted me in the show-position I just relaxed and didn't struggle at all. I finally understood what was expected of me! This was the first show where I had to compete with Norwegian Forest-cats with the  same color as me. When there are three or more cats in the same color the judge can choose one of them as best in variety. She chose me! And I was nominated to run for best in show again..   This time I behaved like a gentleman trying to look my best when the four judges examined me. But earlier, when my 'masters' tried to groom me, I was not have been very cooperative and now one of the judges discovered that my hair was tangled between my front legs!    This was probably the reason I lost, three to one votes, from a Birman.

But I earned my title and now I may call myself
PREMIOR Casmira's Zippo!!!!!!!!!!!