Angel and BJ
I was devastated when my two beloved Burmese died a month apart at the ripe age of 17. I knew I needed another Burmese, and I contacted Bijouxcats cattery in Maryland. I ended up with a Burmese, certainly - and I also came home with a Bombay kitten. The Bombay, named 'Bijouxcats Black Jack', was speedily known as 'BJ', or 'His Obsidian Beejousness'. He grew up to be the biggest, strongest cat in the house. He was also very sweet, but with a strong streak of Hamlet in his makeup.
BJ is very athletic, and like a lot of very athletic cats, when he wipes out he doesn't mess around, and he is utterly mortified for the rest of the day. ("I can't BELIEVE I did that!!!") The Burmese, however, has all the self-assurance of a clumsy, alpha cat.
BJ is very athletic, and like a lot of very athletic cats, when he wipes out he doesn't mess around, and he is utterly mortified for the rest of the day. ("I can't BELIEVE I did that!!!") The Burmese, however, has all the self-assurance of a clumsy, alpha cat.
Angel
BJ
BJ learned to walk on a leash with me, and while he was timid outside, he trusted me and really loved our outings, sniffing bushes, chewing on grass, watching birds and falling leaves...
Like most Bombays, he is passionately interested in whatever concerns his family (food is an especial concern). He's extremely smart, and I think the lack of opposable thumbs has lost the world a very skilled safe-cracker.
Things went smoothly for six years until May of 2002, when I went to a cat show and saw BJ's breeder again. He had a young Bombay (age 1 year and a week or so) and just 'knew' that I would provide the perfect home.
Like most Bombays, he is passionately interested in whatever concerns his family (food is an especial concern). He's extremely smart, and I think the lack of opposable thumbs has lost the world a very skilled safe-cracker.
Things went smoothly for six years until May of 2002, when I went to a cat show and saw BJ's breeder again. He had a young Bombay (age 1 year and a week or so) and just 'knew' that I would provide the perfect home.
I argued with him - I had two cats already! I had a Labrador Retriever! He kept saying what a sweet, timid thing the cat - I was told his name was 'Face' - was. I knuckled under, and the poor, timid, sweet 'Face' came home with me. Ten minutes after I got home I learned a couple important things about 'Face'. First, he was not timid. He dove under the bed and emerged a minute later to showboat, purr, squeak and roll around. (He also, after being segregated and gradually introduced into the household, made it clear that he was not afraid of dogs and was willing to roll up his sleeves and whomp the stuffing out of my Lab, if he so chose). I also learned that he had what has been described as the Bombay's 'strong appetite' in full measure.
I arranged to change his registration to my name, and learned that his full name was 'Bijouxcats Face the Front'. This was because of his tendency, at shows, to sit and stare into the corner. His owner started growling, "#$@! - will you FACE the FRONT?!?" I didn't care for 'Face' - it made him sound like a gangster (more apt than I knew at that time), and started calling him 'Angel-Face', which morphed into 'Angel'. (I still call him 'Angel-FACE THE FRONT!!' when he's been naughty.)
I arranged to change his registration to my name, and learned that his full name was 'Bijouxcats Face the Front'. This was because of his tendency, at shows, to sit and stare into the corner. His owner started growling, "#$@! - will you FACE the FRONT?!?" I didn't care for 'Face' - it made him sound like a gangster (more apt than I knew at that time), and started calling him 'Angel-Face', which morphed into 'Angel'. (I still call him 'Angel-FACE THE FRONT!!' when he's been naughty.)
Angel fit in nicely with the rest of the crowd, with the Burmese as the alpha cat. Angel isn't exactly in the pecking order. He doesn't take any nonsense from anyone, but he doesn't lead the pride. Like everyone else, he gets along beautifully with the dog.
Around September of 2004, at loose ends, I contacted Angel's breeder and asked about taking him to a show. We met at a local show, I put Angel - who hadn't been near a show hall in 2 1/2 years - in the show and he made a final. While I had no idea what all the ribbons meant, the fact that he had won a real, live rosette thrilled me, and I was hooked.
I decided to see if I could 'grand' him. He had 17 points already and needed 58 more points. I decided to go for it. There were a couple problems - I was as green as St. Patrick's Day, and this was the season after GC, BW, NW Caricature's Colin Powell had won Best Cat. Angel was up against Colin's close kin, and the points came slowly.
Thanks to coaching from Caricature's breeders, I learned how to present Angel, and he earned his Grand Premier title April 2 of 2005.
Around September of 2004, at loose ends, I contacted Angel's breeder and asked about taking him to a show. We met at a local show, I put Angel - who hadn't been near a show hall in 2 1/2 years - in the show and he made a final. While I had no idea what all the ribbons meant, the fact that he had won a real, live rosette thrilled me, and I was hooked.
I decided to see if I could 'grand' him. He had 17 points already and needed 58 more points. I decided to go for it. There were a couple problems - I was as green as St. Patrick's Day, and this was the season after GC, BW, NW Caricature's Colin Powell had won Best Cat. Angel was up against Colin's close kin, and the points came slowly.
Thanks to coaching from Caricature's breeders, I learned how to present Angel, and he earned his Grand Premier title April 2 of 2005.
Grand Premier Bijouxcats' Face The Front
BJ was not impressed. In fact, he looked down his nose at Angel (though he thought the rosettes were interesting) and spent his time scowling at birds and curling up with the rest. Until one day I took him to a show in order to have his portrait taken by Larry Johnson, and I entered him in a pet class as a lark.
I wouldn't say that the sitting was a resounding success. BJ spent fifteen minutes imitating Yoda (not the desired Bombay ear-set!) and making it clear that he knew that Larry, one of the kindest, most reassuring gentlemen I've ever known, was planning to kill him with his flash attachment with as much commotion as possible.
In vain I tried to reassure him, I asked him when the last time was that I'd tried to murder him, I appealed to his sense of pride and dignity, and he maintained his white-whiskered dignity while glaring at Larry. After fifteen minutes, Larry and I agreed that he was frightened and I would take him back to his cage and give him some yummies to reassure him.
The 'Strong Appetite of the Bombay' kicked in and BJ was fine in his classes.
I wouldn't say that the sitting was a resounding success. BJ spent fifteen minutes imitating Yoda (not the desired Bombay ear-set!) and making it clear that he knew that Larry, one of the kindest, most reassuring gentlemen I've ever known, was planning to kill him with his flash attachment with as much commotion as possible.
In vain I tried to reassure him, I asked him when the last time was that I'd tried to murder him, I appealed to his sense of pride and dignity, and he maintained his white-whiskered dignity while glaring at Larry. After fifteen minutes, Larry and I agreed that he was frightened and I would take him back to his cage and give him some yummies to reassure him.
The 'Strong Appetite of the Bombay' kicked in and BJ was fine in his classes.
As a matter of fact, BJ left that show with nearly as many rosettes as Angel won in his entire show career. Something about the dignified, glossy old guy charmed most of the judges who handled him. Because he had spent his whole life without being abused (not counting the dreadful Photography Session!), BJ was calm and cooperative on the judging table.
It was a good hail and farewell for my old boy's one show experience.
It was a good hail and farewell for my old boy's one show experience.
BJ is twelve years old now, and he will never set foot in another show hall, even as a companion. He watches the birds from the window, plays the part of everyone's buddy - they all love to curl up with him - tries to break into bags of food that I haven't put away quickly enough, and still begs for walks on his leash. He has a face full of white whiskers now, and he's slowing down a little, but he still will go tearing through the house after the younger cats.
BJ (top left) and Angel (far right) with the rest of the gang.
BJ snoozing while we try to move a couch
Angel watching the snow
At seven years old, Angel is considered middle-aged. He's happily retired, though he enjoyed showing. At seven, he's eligible for entry in a 'Veteran' class, and I might take him. He was fun to show, and he gave me a fun thing to do at a time when I desperately needed it.
I'm glad I was talked into getting my two Bombays. They have been a joy from the first.
I'm glad I was talked into getting my two Bombays. They have been a joy from the first.
(c) 2008 by Bombay Enthusiasts of America.
All photographs are copyrighted by the individual photographers.
All photographs are copyrighted by the individual photographers.
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