Introducing Berneray, Faray, Danna and Rona

I think I definately suffered from Keep More Kittens syndrome with this litter, as I fully intended to only keep 2 does from the litter. But Berneray was almost too good to let go, so after discussion with the person who he was going to go to, we agreed for him to stay here. Having only kept one doe from the previous litter who I intended to breed, and got lucky that she turned out so nice, I wasn't prepared to take the same risk again, so with Halcyon Yvaine as well, I now have 4 possible breeding does.

Up first, Caledonian Berneray - Black Eyed Siamese 

and the girls, Caledonian Faray, Ruby Eyed Siamese

Caledonian Danna, Black

and lastly Caledonian Rona, Russian Blue

NFRS Romsey Show

Yesterday was Romsey Show, last time I went was 2 years ago when the show ground was pretty much a mud bath and I had a broken ankle (not that I knew it at that point in time). Any, this year I was determined to look round if only for a short while as I was also show secretary. After the 2 hour queue to get last time, I left exceedingly early, 6.45am and by 7.05 I was parked up outside the show tent. The nice thing about getting there before 8am is that you can drive onto the show ground, so no need to carry everything long distances.

This year, Jayne (show manager) and I decided against having exhibition / shoulder rats, so the public did have to make do with just seeing them in their show tanks, but that's the same for all the other fancies, in some respects we are different by often allowing the public to "stroke a rat". Though of course there's always the odd person who decides that sticking their fingers into a show tank is a good idea, and occasionally they are met with a rat that decides to teach them a lesson !


After a early morning rain shower, the weather brightened up and it turned out to be a lovely sunny day, if not a little bit hot and humid in the show tent, which did turn a few of the rats a little grumpy, especially those judged later in the day.

Entries weren't at all bad, on the day there were 51 entries in varieties and 24 in pet class, which for a southern show a week after a major cup show is great, though need more entries next year *hint hint*

The kittens from Bracken's litter were old enough to be entered into the show, they were 1 day too young for London Championships last week, so along with the adults I had a grand total of 14 rats in variety and pet classes. I am really pleased with the kittens results, out of 22 kittens, I had 1st, 2nd and 4th kitten, and 2 of which placed in the Supreme Challenge. The silver black kitten buck, who has still to go to his new home, got Best Opposite Age, and as I breed both him and his mother, it counts towards my stud name. Hakuna Matata Mr Vandemar got Reserve Best In Show and Best Stud Buck.

Firstly the kitten results

Siamese doe kitten
3rd Siamese Kitten
3rd Shaded Kitten

Russian Blue doe kitten
1st Russian Blue Kitten
1st Russian Kitten Challenge
2nd Russian Challenge
2nd Kitten Challenge
4th Supreme Challenge
2nd Novice

Black doe kitten
1st Black Kitten *
Best Black
1st Self Kitten Challenge
2nd Self Challenge
4th Kitten Challenge
4th Novice

Siamese buck kitten
1st Siamese Kitten *
1st Shaded Kitten
2nd Shaded Challenge

Silver black buck kitten who is going to be homed next week
1st Silver Kitten *
Best Silver
1st AOV Kitten
2nd AOV Challenge
1st Kitten Challenge
3rd Supreme Challenge
Best Opposite Age *
Best Novice

The adults

Halycon Yvaine
2nd Guide Standard

Caledonian Bracken
1st Siamese Adult *
Best Siamese
1st Shaded Adult
1st Shaded Challenge
3rd Adult Challenge
3rd Novice

Caledonian Dornie
3rd Siamese Adult
3rd Shaded Adult

Caledonian Orrin
2nd Siamese Adult
2nd Shaded Adult
4th Shaded Challenge

Caledonian Connor
1st Guide Standard *
Best Guide Standard
2nd Stud Buck

Hakuna Matata Mr Vandemar
1st Russian Blue Adult *
1st Russian Adult Challenge
1st Russian Challenge
2nd Adult Challenge
Reserve Best In Show *
Stud Buck *

Pet results

Caledonian Iona
2nd Adult Owned Pet Doe
4th Adult Owned Pet
Special Award - Stolen

NFRS London Championships

Saturday was the last London Championships show in Reading as next year it moves to Peterborough. I do quite like London Champs, it's normally quite busy with a lot of exhibitioners who I don't get to see much the rest of the year. This year there were 150 rats entered in varieties classes.

I'm still in shock over the results, Caledonian Orrin who got best Siamese at Lowestoft show back in July, got 1st in Siamese Adult, 1st in Shaded Challenge, 2nd in Adult Challenge, Best Novice and Reserve Best In Show. So he now has 6 stars (only 2 more and he's a champion) and I have another cup for Best Siamese on the mantlepiece.

Orrin really is lovely, he is everything that I love about bucks, he's confident and in your face but at the same time laid back and squishy. Hopefully soon one of the does will be old enough to mate him to and he can go on to sire some babies as lovely as he is.

and with his stash of rosettes

This is probably my favourite picture of him.... "it's mine.... I tell you....mine!"

Caledonain Bracken and her brother Caledonian Dornie didn't do too badly either, they came 2nd and 3rd in the Siamese class out of 8. Bracken also got 2nd in Shaded Challenge. It'll be interesting to see how all 3 of them do under some different judges.

My blue point siamese's Caledonian Connor and Halycon Yvaine did well in their class as well. Hakuna Matata Mr Vandemar had good critique, but I should have put him in Russian Blue and not Silver class, I guess it's a learning curve, atleast I know for next time.

Some of the other rats that I've breed did well too, Celeste came 2nd in Russian Blue Agouti, and Flo got 1st in Self Dumbo, Best Dumbo, 3rd in Adult Challenge and 3rd in Supreme Challenge and earnt her owner Best Juvenile, so well done Hannah.

All in all it was a good show, shame that next year it'll be so much further to travel.

Bracken's babies all grown up and flown the nest

Bracken's babies have now all grown up, the girls that I'm not keeping have all left for their new homes along with one of the boys. The other two boys are here for another week, which means I get to show them at Romsey show on saturday. In total I'm keeping 3 girls and 1 of the boys.

I always try and do a photoshot for each litter between 4 and 6 weeks old. As it's summer (or atleast it should be), Bracken's kittens went to the "seaside" for their photoshot.

These are a few of my favourites

I've heard back from all of the kittens new owners and they are all settling in really well which is great to hear. I do like it when new owners keep in touch, rather than just when asked for updates.