lovable cats for
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Show Anecdotes, page 2
What Cat Couples Talk About
A Wild, Wild Cat Show
Romantic view:
Can a cat show exhibitor wish for more than a "cat cafe" just across the show hotel? (everything is decorated with cat motifs and as appetizer fish shaped crackers are served...) |
Belgian cat show held during an animal fair a couple of years ago, is certainly one of the highlights of all shows I have ever attended, either as exhibitor or spectator.
ormally, absolutely no other animals are allowed to enter a cat show. But this time nobody seemed disturbed by all those show visitors with their dogs strolling along the cat pens (maybe with the exception of a hissing white Persian who just had found herself staring into the face of a gigantic Great Dane with pricked ears and eager look...). Some spectators had a pet ferret or a rat sitting on their shoulders. However, most unusual of all was a domestic shorthair cat sitting in an open plexiglas box her owner had buckled on like a rucksack, and looking down quite bored at her blue-blooded relatives.
beauty contest for goats took place just a few yards across the cat show arena. After watching for a while, we cat people were quite amused. Apparently, there is no big difference between a cat show and a goat show: well trained show judges with solemn faces carefully examined the various breeds of goats. In the end, huge and shiny trophies were presented to the proud owners of the lucky winning goats. Next to the goat railing - and thus also just across the cat pens - a booth offered goat cheese which was having many sales.
longside the hall, a couple of ducks were swimming in a small pool. Another booth informed about the many ostrich-products available (leather, meat, creams, etc.), flanked by a fence with 3 or 4 real ostriches, obviously "living illustrative material" for the offered goods.
here was pony riding for children, and those who didn't find this adventurous enough had the chance to ride camels instead. Several enthusiastically barking dogs in an agility ring demonstrated how much they enjoy this special dog sport variety. Every hour, loudly screeching parrots performed amazing tricks. Amidst this bustle we discovered a black panther snoozing on a wooden podium, seemingly lonely and forgotten and only secured by an iron chain.
ther small animals such as rabbits, guinea-pigs, poultry, birds and parakeets competed in special shows for the title "Best of the Best". I just wish my camera had not stopped working early that morning. I would have loved to photograph more of these colorful events, especially when the ponies from the pony riding ring were led past the cat pens at the end of the day in order to leave the hall through a large sliding gate. Some of the pony leaders stopped by to take a last peek at the feline beauties. It was such a delightful view to watch the patiently waiting ponies - it really looked as if they also were admiring the shown cats. Which average cat can normally claim to have ponies among her fans :-)
on't hesitate should you ever get the chance to visit a Belgian animal fair - a funny and interesting day is guaranteed!
Show Anecdotes, page 3
