Decisions, Decisions, Decisions: Part 3

by Robin Creed

Your cat is bathed (and possibly a little less than completely happy) and his nails are clipped, the cage curtains are ready to hang, and you're waiting to check in. You let the show people know you're there, pick up your catalog, and then frantically search the benching chart. While you are busy with the mundane tasks of checking in, your cat is probably busy considering the best ways to get out. It is not uncommon to hear the cats sharing their best escape secrets throughout the show hall. There are also a number of feline invitations being issued to the general public as well. The best of the studliest are checking out their competition and letting the ladies know what they think of each other while at the same time trying to score points with the ladies. In the midst of this serenade, people are weaving in out with baggage trains trailing behind and luggage carts being pushed ahead. It is not uncommon to see small caravans as well. I have often thought that I carry more stuff to a two day cat show than I do on a two week vacation.

Let's take a look at what the average show person is hauling around besides one or more cats. First and foremost is the cage curtain set or the travel cage. I use a travel cage for places that I drive to and save the cage curtains for flying shows. Then there is the table covering. No matter which method you use, you cover the table with something that provides a skirt in front for hiding stuff behind. If you’re creative and have the time, cage decorations are also popular. These range from seasonal and show theme based to breed specific while others just drape material over the top of their travel cages to add a little flash and dazzle. Another important item in the show kit is the litter box. These range from handy fold-up cardboard that pack flat to fancy plastic ones with built-in sifting trays. I've even seen plastic and nylon fold up litter boxes in use as well as those nifty plastic food storage boxes. After setting the stage, it’s time to release the “prisoner”. While your cat is busy investigating his temporary quarters, you will be busy investigating your cat luggage. It quickly becomes apparent that show people provide all of the luxuries of home and then some. Food and water dishes come in a variety of sizes and types. There are ceramic, glass, stainless steal, and plastic bowls, saucers, and plates. There are metal bowls that hang from the side of the cage. I’ve even seen fancy cut glass bowls used in the benching areas. Of course, there’s also a fair amount of Tupperware and paper products on hand as well. And while we’re on the subject of food dishes, I can’t fail to mention the small baby spoons tipped in rubber that so many of us use with the many jars of baby food we supply throughout the weekend in addition to a variety of soft, canned food and dry kibble. And last, but not least, are the cat toys and teasers. No show kit is complete without multiple teasers and a few catnip toys to bat around the cage. Seeing some of the sparkling mylar teasers and the feathered wands might make spectators wonder who’s really interested in the teasers – the cats or the people. But we know the truth: cats need a variety of attention getting devices to make their stay complete and happy. With such vital necessities out of the way, it’s time to drag out the spare grooming aides and sprays necessary to survive in the show ring. Any show cat will tell you that it is very competitive out there and they must be prepared for any eventuality. Or maybe, it’s the show cat’s owners that will tell you that. Either way, it’s imperative to have all of the grooming essentials with you in case of emergencies and for those small touch-ups between rounds.

The cat is in the cage, everything is set up, and you’re ready for action. You locate your cat in the catalog and memorize his show number before checking out the competition. You always need to know who’s going to be in the ring with you. Now it’s all in the waiting. You sit back and listen to the sounds of a show as it is getting under way. People are visiting with friends they never get to see except at a show, they’re making deals and trades for cats and kittens and stud service, their checking out their competitors, and generally making a lot of noise and participating in fun that can be had in the show hall. Clerks are getting ready in the rings while judges are preparing for the rounds to begin. The excitement is starting to build and everybody is starting to perk up. The show is about to begin.

As soon as your number is called, you snatch up your cat, throw your catalog under your arm (or I a back pocket), start waving a teaser in your cat’s face, and snag a pen on the way to the ring. You find the cat’s number and carefully throw him in the correct cage, giving him that last swipe of the coat and wave of the teaser before shutting the cage door and walking away. Not to worry about how forlorn your poor baby may look at first, as he or she becomes a seasoned campaigner, that look will quickly change to boredom. I will admit, there are some cats that never really adjust to being in the spotlight or having to “wait in the wings” and for them the most you can hope for is tolerance of humans. For others, the show table is a stage and they’re just waiting to break out in song and dance. Of course, for the judges, song and dance is not necessarily what they are looking for. After your darling has been judged and released, it’s back to the benching area for a treat (now you know what all of that babyfood is for), a word of praise, and another wait.

While you wait you will often find yourself strolling through the vendor’s booths looking for some new teasers, special shampoos and cat hygiene products, small toys, catnip pillows, and human gift items. After all, you have to do something while you wait, right? Vendors come with just about everything you can possibly want or need at a cat show. They are especially good at bringing all of the things you forgot, not to mention all of the great knick knacks and stuff that won’t actually fit in your suitcase for the trip home. My passion is teasers and cat trees. I’ve had to learn to stick to teasers because they pack a whole lot easier in a jeep than a 6’, 3-tier (with swing), cat tree. That doesn’t mean, however, that I can’t dream and drool. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I probably have at least one (more like two or three in all honesty) of every kind of cat teaser I’ve ever seen in a show hall. Lately I’ve been switching to catnip bags, mice, pillows . . .

Waiting is the toughest job at the cat show. You wait for your number to be called in a ring. You wait for all of the cats in your round to be judged. You wait to see if you make a final. You wait to see how well you do in the final. You spend a large chunk of time waiting. Is it worth it? You bet. For every final I’ve waited for and made, it’s been worth it. For every best of color, division, or breed I’ve waited for, it’s been worth it. For every friend I’ve made while I waited, it’s been worth it. For every friend who made a final, it’s been worth it. When you love to show your cat and enjoy the special comradery found in the show hall, the wait is always worth it. Can I wait for my next show? Just barely, but that’s part of the fun too. I’m looking forward to seeing you in the show hall in the future.