Those who know me know I volunteer with several organizations, one of which is Rikki's Refuge. I serve on the Board of Directors with them and do my best to try to help with fundraising, publicity, writing articles, and just in general being a big fan of all the work they do to help rescue animals who wouldn't be placed otherwise, ones considered "throw-aways" by someone they had come to rely on.
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| Yes, there's a kitty under all that tulle & hair! She was SO patient |
One of the more fun experiences I get to sometimes share in working with Rikki's is attending the annual National Capitol Cat Show up in Manassas, VA. Now the traffic is horrible coming and going in NOVA (I remember a really bad summer spent up in Seven Corners when it was faster to walk to the mall than drive...) but this show is a unique event. Breeders from all over the country come to show their purebred kitties and competitions are even held for kitties who are housecats or otherwise not your "normal" show kitty.
Here I am with one of the show cats who was modeling for us her extensive wardrobe. She really was a VERY patient and loving little girl
There is line after line of adorable scenes set where owners present their kitties show-girl style in faux treehouses or Parisian themed bedrooms...you name it!
While there I got the opportunity to not only help with raising over $1,000 in sales and donations but got the chance to share the story of Opie, our current spokeskitty, with many children who stopped to come and pet him. Opie was born without back feet. He's differently abled...but he doesn't know it!
I wish I had taken some more photos but as I worked the event the entire time, I only got to sneak away once to meet one of the breeders who runs a blog about her Cornish Rex, who is pictured above. You can visit
http://furrydancecats.blogspot.com/ to learn more about her amazing cats. While some people complain about breeders, there really ARE very responsible groups out there and they enthusiastically support the shelters as well because one does not take away from the other if the breeders are responsible. It is just as important to preserve the wonderful different bloodlines of Maine Coons, Tonkanese, Egyptian Maus and many others as it is to save our feral and stray friends.
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| Here I got to speak with a little girl about what makes Opie special... |
There are also rescues which specialize in what's called "breed rescue," so if you really have your heart set on a blue eyed Siamese or a Forest cat, there are groups who will go to great lengths to match up these kitties rescued from shelters with a breed enthusiast. Also, breeders contribute a LOT of money to Winn Feline Foundation and other organizations which are working to develop vaccinations and cures against FIP, feline leukemia, thyroid and kidney disease, which are the top killers of our feline friends. Without their support a lot of research would dry up. While it was more of a casual event for me (the floors are a little sketch...hence, the sneakers and jeans!), I was honored to be able to help Rikki's make a lot of sales and donations and excited to speak with the children who came up to me to ask me about my crown. MY numbers however paled in comparison with Opie's...HE was the real star of the show! But that's ok...I can't compete with that little ball of cuteness :) All in all it was a great weekend for our group, and I'm looking forward to next year
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| Here's where Teri was so kind as to mention me in her blog. Hey Coco, I see you eyeing my crown...LOL! |
