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Kings |
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“The Creator… has shown plainly enough that he considered cats the highest form of life, by placing them above all material cares. This enables cats to live in contemplative leisure, leading what one of the greatest human philosophers, Aristotle, holds up as the ‘good life’.
But although Aristotle expounded the good life, even the noblest born among his countrymen did not lead such a good life as a cat!”
—Artaxerxes, the cat of writer T.O. Beachcroft |
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And Cats as well as Kings like flattery.
(One day, when Mark Twain was about to enter a room, two kittens came running up. Twain opened the door, bowed to the cats and said, “ Walk in, gentlemen, I always give precedence to royalty.”) —Robert Southey |
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Heir to the Throne |
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7 months old The International Cat Association 2009 Annual Show, Orlando, FL (Photos by Helmi Flick) |
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“Up and Coming Prince” |
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Outstanding Sire, Regional Winner, Supreme Grand Champion Tanstaafl “Beauregard”
Owner/Breeder: Beth Hicks
Sire: Outstanding Sire, Regional Winner, Supreme Grand Champion Calicoon “Sherman”
Dam: Regional Winner, Quad Grand Champion Hoosiercoon “Kari” of Tanstaafl
Red Classic Tabby
DNA Tested Negative For HCM
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“Your back is my throne!” 7 months old |
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“ I refuse to be ignored!” 4 months old |
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“What do you mean, you can’t breathe?!” 6 months old |
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“Smoozhing the guest” 6 months old |
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“I am a-okay with air travel, where’s the nuts?” 7 months old |
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“ I couldn’t fit under the tree!” 11 months |
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CascadeMtn “Love Shack” of RoyalLions
Owners: Allen & Janie Harris Breeders: Susan & Blair Milburn
Sire: International Winner, Supreme Grand Champion CascadeMtn “McKenzie”
Dam: Champion WhataTrill “Sierra” of CascadeMtn
Red Mackerel Tabby - Born January 6th, 2010 DNA negative for HCM by Parentage |
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On January 19, 2009, on MLK Day, six baby Maine Coon kittens were born to CinderPaw and Beauregard. As they arrived we named the 6 boys: Martin, Luther, King, Junior, Brach, and Oreo in honor of the day. It was purely coincidental after their post birth weigh-in Junior was the runt and King led the litter by almost a whole ounce, this is a big lead for a newborn kitten. As the babies grew King dominated the pack, pushing his way through the crowd to get to the food first, hogging the trough by laying in it, sitting on the highest perch of the cat tree, rough housing with his siblings despite their disinterest, and not cooperating during photo sessions. He was a “king” not to be ignored. As he matured none of the other kittens caught up with him in weight, it was clear he had good boning and structure. His muzzle stood out nice and square, he had beautiful lynx tips, and even had the start of a tiny black beard. We knew when he started body slamming the kitten room door to get out we had a baby Napoleon on our hands. He was difficult to disregard as he became very vocalized trilling his dissatisfaction with closed doors and seeing carbon copies of himself in mirrors. Though very independent in spirit, King was also very sensitive and loving; head butting us the minute we picked him up, following us around the house like a puppy, begging for treats on his hind legs, and crying when we left his sight. His worst habit became the inspiration for his formal show name. King loved to snuggle at night but often in his quest for intimacy he would nibble our necks, also known as play biting. This obsession with generously sharing his affection, notably around midnight, gave him his show name “Count Blackula”. Count loves the show hall and winning ribbons, but his demanding performance mainly consists of showing the judges the fine art of sleeping. As they attempt to fully display him in front of the spectators, Count being the King he is, ignores the effort a judge must make to stretch a solid 20 pound lethargic cat above their shoulders. A non-compliant 20 pound cat feels like a 40 pound cat. It is his thought that their privilege to admire him is their own burden. Several times he has almost fallen off the show stand due to rolling over in relaxation while his lead bottom drags his body off the table. Usually at this point the judges kindly remark on his gentle laid back disposition! Count’s favorite pastimes include watching TV on the kitchen counter; his favorite channels being Food Network and The Weather Channel, waiting for a handout from the refrigerator, patting the window with just a tad of effort where he watches giant squirrels steal the food from our birdfeeders (he’d never make it in the wild), and traveling to shows. When he does choose to exercise he finds it most satisfying to jump on our backs while we are squatting down, burying his face into our necks (of course), and laying spread eagle as if we are his throne! In November 2009, Count Blackula earned his Supreme Grand Champion title at only 10 months old, this is very difficult to do in the Championship (Adult) class where there are older Maine Coons that usually outsize the kittens who just enter the class at 8 months old. This proves his superb breed conformation, disposition, and showmanship! |
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“”Are we there yet?” |
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Previous King |
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Poor Table Posture |
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2010 INTERNATIONAL WINNER Supreme Grand Champion RoyalLions “Count Blackula”
Owners/Breeders: Allen & Janie Harris
Sire: Outstanding Sire, Regional Winner, Supreme Grand Champion Tanstaafl “Beauregard”
Dam: Grand Champion Broadsway “CinderPaw” of RoyalLions
Born January 19th, 2009 (MLK Day) Kitten Name: “King”
Screened for HCM via Echocardiogram at UF Veterinarian Medical Center—heart “normal” DNA Negative for HCM / Hips Radiographed, Good / Free of HD |
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It was our great fortune that this little red mackeral boy found his way to RoyalLions thanks to our very special Northwestern friends Blair and Susan Milburn of CascadeMtn, but it wasn’t an easy journey. At just under 14 weeks old Love Shack bravely traveled all the way from Washington state to a cat show in Calgary, Canada. He endured the long weekend in a show shelter and unfamiliar hotels, then was handed off to a cat show judge who flew with him clear South to Florida where we met him at the Tampa International Airport. The judge commented on Shack’s social nature and his voluntary change of seats to the back of the plane so he could talk. Still, he had a 5 hour trip north in our vehicle before he reached his final destination, his new home. His transition was instant, he made himself comfortable on our laps the very first time we picked him up and told us all about his adventure. Since his arrival he has been nothing but a big love not to mention a chatter box! The name “Love Shack” came quite naturally as he was constantly licking us like a puppy. He has a sweet gentle nature and enjoys being petted, cuddled, loved on, and listened to. Every night he climbs in bed with us and sleeps between our heads after he has given us a “Shack Attack”; he meows very loudly as if to kindly warn us and then proceeds to cover our faces in kisses. He will be an outstanding outcross to our breeding program and a very useful tattle-tail among his peers. Although perfect in his typing, Shack only has one silly habit, he sucks on his foot like a pacifier and he won’t trade it for anything! We thank Susan and Blair for willingly placing this beautiful red boy with us and entrusting us with his love and care! |
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RoyalLions is tremendously grateful to Beth Hicks (Tanstaafl) and Lynne Sherer (Calicoon) for allowing us the great honor of using their beautiful big boy Beauregard. Locating an exemplary Maine Coon outcross is very difficult and we tremendously thank our indispensable mentors Jennifer Sable & Jean Thompson of Broadsway for facilitating this opportunity and new friendship with Lynne & Beth. Without our mentors we’d still be searching! We also appreciate Ginger McFaddin (BrerCoon) for executing our first two breedings with Beauregard and being a co-mentor in many ways with her constant encouragement and support. Beauregard is a shining example of the Maine Coon breed, not just in type but disposition. We were so thrilled with the absolutely loving temperaments of his kittens from our first two litters we decided to repeat the breeding with Broadsway BlueElla of RoyalLions. Much like a puppy dog, Beauregard knows no stranger! Having been entrusted to temporarily house Beauregard, we were privileged to witness his loving personality and sociable nature despite being new faces. After a few hours of his arrival he was in our laps upside down wanting a belly rub and head butting us during his grooming! Beauregard loves people and prefers to be in close proximity at all times, he favors sleeping with a human, and doesn’t mind playing house. He allowed our 3 daughters to dress him up, stroll him around in doll carriages, and rock him like a baby! It was easy to fall in love with this amazing boy and we have received nothing but wonderful feedback from parents who now own his babies. Beauregard has truly earned his special distinction in TICA as “Outstanding Sire” by producing many successful offspring in the show world but also for his loving nature and ability to steal hearts! |
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Photos by Helmi Flick |
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Beauregard’s Fan Club |
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A Giant Baby Doll |
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“I’m catching up!” |
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Beach Buddy |
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Playing Dress– Up |
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Best of Show (AllBreed) NorthEast Regionals - Fitchburg, Massachusetts (6 months) |