SECRETARY’S MUSING

Allene Keating

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Hello Everyone in the Midwest Region 6!  

I believe many of you know who I am!  However, you may not know some things about me.  For those who have not met me, I want to introduce myself and hope to get to meet you and get to better know you at the shows. 

Please let me know anything that you think may be of importance to share with the Midwest Region 6 Breeders and Exhibitors.

Bio:  I was reared on a farm in Kansas.  My mother could always find me in the barn with the cats and kittens.  I told her I was training them to like people.  I continue to socialize my kittens getting them ready to go to their new homes.  Although the training is different, it is still my love of cats and kittens that keeps me doing what I do. 

The first cat show I went to was in the late 1970’s.  I didn’t think about being a breeder nor showing.  I just enjoyed looking at all the pretty kitties and purchased my first traditional Burmese.   After the loss of my first Burmese, I was hooked on Burmese and got my second Burmese.  This kitten was 9 months old but looked to be only 3 months of age and which I know was the herpes virus.

Life took me to the Netherlands with my husband and his work.   I lost my small cat at 8 years of age in the Netherlands.  This was when I decided I wanted to become a breeder of the Burmese.  I got my first Burmese (European Burmese) from Australia.  As my mentors picked up their kitten at Amsterdam’s Airport, I introduced myself to them and let them know I wanted to become a breeder but knew nothing!  I asked if they would help me.  They said yes.

I started showing European Burmese cats with my mentors in the Netherlands 27 years ago.  Although it was not in CFA and not my cats, they were teaching me about breeding cats, how to research pedigrees, setting up a cattery, protecting our breed etc., etc. 

They also taught me the importance of showing and competition.  Our breed’s Standards depend on us to breed towards body structure, health, temperament and beauty.  I have been showing the European Burmese since 2001 in the USA.  I have had a successful breeding program and I am proud of my cats.