Apologies

Well, I've been very lazy in posting - so wanted to apologise - and promise I'll post something up over the next couple of days.

Its been a bit crazy as Kirov has had some issues with cystitis and his bladder - and so its been very stressful - but our Vets have been wonderful - and have treated him with their usual expertise. Poor boy has had a lot to deal with - being hospitalised and then catheterised and anaesthetised and on constant medication. He's been a very brave boy - and accepted everything with his usual placid nature.

We hope that we have him on an 'even keel' for now - but are monitoring him closely of course - Vets are happy with him - Kirov isn't happy with the Urinary Diet - but has decided that the 'Dry' version is edible in small portions.

For anyone who has cats and especially neutered male cats - please, please take care and be vigilant - Cystitis is horrible and causes a lot of pain. It can be tricky to spot - if your cat goes outside - then it can be very hard to see. Just be aware - and if you see any sign of your neuter not going to the littertray properly - then have him checked by the Vet. Cystitis - if left untreated - can cause huge problems - and if the bladder fills full - can lead to kidney problems - and can be fatal.

Its something that we generally don't think about - and I've been paranoid over the past few weeks.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us - and for the huge number of best wishes we've received.

Kirov appreciates them!

Interview with the Vampire

Just had to post this photo of Kirov - he's still looking for work after his retiral - and whilst its winter and practice sessions have been a little curtailed at Knockhill - he thought he might try an audtion for a film career. So - the title of the film was 'Interview with the Vampire' and here is his attempt to secure the leading role.

As an aside - he had been lined up to ride for KawaCATi - however, he's been approached - after several very fast practice sessions by DuCATi - so he's still in negotiations with them both - to find the most suitable team -

I reckon Brad Pitt will be 'miffed' at Kirov for his audtion photo - I mean - he does look so much more appealing than little Brad!!!

The Big Thaw!

So the snow is finally thawing. It looks strange, as we've had a great blanket of snow in the garden and on the trees etc., and now its all disappearing. The boys have loved watching the snow, being in it - albeit Altai was rolling in it - and so for these Scottish Siberians - they've had a taste of what it might be like in their natural habitat! Timosha found walking in it odd - as having such long 'tufts' on his feet - they were getting all snowy and he took a step, shook a paw, took a step, shook a paw! It may well be a long time before we see such a significant snow fall again - but we can count ourselves fortunate - as there are areas of the UK which have been much more badly affected - and hopefully the thaw will make its way to each and every one of them -

So - we all look forward to things ahead - and 2010 is a new year, and we are looking forward to it with anticipation. Chantaris Cats - the Siberian Alters - will continue to rule the roost - but with Spring will come new challenges - and we look forward to that -

Take care in this weather - and keep warm!!

Happy New Year

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. We hope that you have a Happy, Healthy and Successful 2010.

For us here at Chantaris - 2010 will be an exciting year - and we hope that you will all keep following us and checking back here often. Your visits make us very happy - and we thank each and every one of you.

All the very Best!

The Snow Boys!!

Merry Christmas

All of us at Chantaris - hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas - and would like to wish you all a very Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year.

Altai

So Altai was shown as an 'entire' and achieved TICA Quadruple Grand Champion. We neutered him later than planned but after a slight faux pas with him spraying against the washing machine! We decided it was time for him to be neutered.

We brought him out as an alter in August - and reverted all points with TICA to zero. He did so very well, and his first show was August 1st at Ponteland, went to Bracknell 2 weeks later and then to Brigg 2 weeks after that. He made TICA Supreme Grand Champion Alter at the Brigg Show - way to go Altai! We are of course in Isolated status - as we live in Scotland - but even given that - and the fact we require less points - his points total was enough to have Supremed in a non-isolated area.

We are extremely proud of him - and he is continuing his winning ways at shows - and has a really nice 'fan club'!!

We'd like to thank everyone for their kindness and friendship - it means a great deal to us.

TICA Quadruple Grand Champion Musrafy Altai -
TICA Supreme Grand Champion Alter Musrafy Altai - the only Siberian in UK with a 'double' title - with ALL titles through to, and including Quad as Entire, and ALL titles through to, and including Supreme as Alter.

Altai was also awarded TICA EN Regional Best Black/Silver Spotted Siberian - Colour Award 2008/2009 and TICA International Best Black/Silver Spotted Siberian - Colour Award 2008/2009.

Entire Cats are awarded Colour awards - but unfortunately - Alters are not.