Caterwaul British Shorthair

Int. Ch. Cattractive Columbus

11 years old

In 2000 I crossed the Channel with young Cattractive Columbus who was going to live with a Dutch senior breeder. The cat and I shared a room and Columbus drank from my glass so you might say we had a one-night stand. Maybe that is the reason why I always kept in touch with him. He became a handsome stud and I saw several of his daughters when they came here to be mated. They were big and calm like their father.

When Columbus’ owner stopped breeding because of his age and health he thought it appropriate to offer Columbus to me. So we came full circle. He settled in quickly. He wasn’t used to living in a group so he won’t be able to be with the other cats in our home . But I’ve given him a nice room with lots of windows and a porch for him to sit on. He is a gentle giant and his behaviour reminds me of my beloved Dom Perignon.

Columbus was shown twice as a young stud. The first time he was Best blue adult, Best in Show and Best of Best Shorthair, the second time he was Best blue adult. Then his show career was over as his former owner couldn’t spend long days at shows anymore. But Columbus became more handsome through the years. Like most studs imported from England he has a gorgeous coat, very short and crispy and really blue from the roots to the tips – no silver ticking there! And his eye colour is still very deep – now I know again why I like my men and cats mature. Like wine, they become better with age.

So when Columbus and I had become fast friends I started toying with the idea of showing him one more time. He needed one more CAC only and then he would be a Dutch champion and in spite of his ripe age of almost 8 years I thought his chances were good. He is so “finished”, so complete. Judges often say that it is a pity that owners show their cats so frequently when they are still very young. Some of them are European Champions at the age of 18 months when they aren’t even in their prime. Now the show career of Columbus is the absolute opposite and I wouldn’t recommend anyone to wait until a cat is almost 8. The chances that he deteriorates are much greater then. But not so Columbus. He is still going strong so I entered him for the Neocat show in November 2007. I’m so proud of him; he behaved sweetly, albeit a little shy but then he hadn’t been at shows for over six years. The judge appreciated him and he got his third CAC and became Best blue adult! So now he is a Champion at last.

I’m also happy because this means that the dedicated Russian breeder who flew her female over from Moscow to be mated to Columbus in the Netherlands will now be rewarded with a pedigree that shows that the father of her litter is a Champion – and isn’t the fact that he, aged almost 8, can still compete with Young Gods, a recommendation?

Two months short of his 10th birthday Columbus was screened for HCM for the 6th time: negative once again.

According to our cardiologist a screening at this age is conclusive, especially so when the cat was screened several times before with the same result.

He is almost 11 years old now and in November 2009 I took him to the Neocat shorthair show once again as he is still so handsome and fit. The judge wrote a glowing report about muscled body, his fat cheeks, his crisp, short coat and his excellent condition. She said that he was very handsome for his age. He got the prize for best blue adult and he was also nominated for best in show but lost (gracefully) to a young and handsome silver tabby.He is an International Champion now.

Caterwaul

British Shorthair

Int. Ch. Cattractive Columbus

Columbus

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