By Jay Lehman
Jay: What made you decide to get your first cat and what kind was it?
Annette: I had several cats over the years as a child and teenager--mostly unaltered males who were outdoor cats that lived the usual short but adventuresome life until they didn't come home one day. As a 12 year old, I visited a veterinary hospital with a youth group and learned about the importance of neutering/spaying and also decided I wanted to become a vet. The next pet we got, a shorthaired brown tabby, we had spayed and she lived a long, mostly indoor, life with us.
Jay: When did you get your first pedigreed (show quality) cat and what breed was it?
Annette: I didn't go to vet school, but immediately after college I decided I wanted a purebred cat (had visited the ACFA show in Madison, WI with relatives several years before). I contacted a breeder of Russian Blues (Ed Rindfleisch of Parma Ohio) and one of Burmese (someone in Michigan). A Russian was available first, so that's what I bought. I got him solely to be a pet, but Ed encouraged me to take him to a show. I did--to the CCA show in Toronto at the Canadian National Exhibition--and he made two finals! I was hooked.....That was in 1972.
Jay: When did you become involved in breeding and why?
Annette: I showed my neuter, Rindy's Haven Sergei, for several years; then decided I might want to try breeding. I went back to Ed for a female. Unfortunately, she did not conceive. So, it wasn't until 1976 that I had my first litter. Basically, I wanted to show more, so thought it natural that I register a cattery and breed a few litters. I had gotten married in 1974 and my husband and I had moved from the Chicago area to Omaha, Nebraska and were preparing to move again to Waseca, Minnesota (his job kept us on the move for several years). Showing cats was a good way to make new friends in new places.
Jay: What breeds have you/do you breed, and why?
Annette: Besides Russian Blues (which I still breed), I have bred two litters of Persians--to satisfy the CFA Judging Program requirements for the Longhair Specialty. I've shown several breeds for this same reason: Abyssinian, Colorpoint SH, Cornish Rex, Siamese, Maine Coon, Persian, Birman
Jay: When did you become involved in CFA and why?
Annette: I registered my cattery name in 1973--Wynterwynd. When I first began showing, I was doing so on a very limited budget (first job out of college, first apartment, etc.). I showed in any show that I could drive to without a Friday night stay in a motel! CFA, ACFA, NCFA, CCA. When the paperwork got too complicated (and I got a raise), I decided to show and register my cats exclusively with CFA. I liked the professionalism of the judging, the quality of the cats (believe me, I rarely made a final, but those winners ribbons were like gold), the fact that the shows were managed well (started and ended on time, etc.).
Jay: What makes CFA stand out?
Annette: CFA has always been a very professionally run and well-organized association. While not every decision it makes turns out to be correct in the long run, I believe those associated with CFA (the clubs, the board of directors) gives a lot of time and thought to those decisions. CFA has a history of considering the preservation of the breed as primary--as a breeder, that's very important to me.
Jay: When and why did you decide to become a judge?
Annette: I became an apprentice SH judge in 1987. I had not really given much thought to judging until several long-time breeders and exhibitors suggested that I might have "an eye" and should consider going into the judging program. My initial thoughts were: I won't have time to show my cats! and I won't be able to have enjoy the shows with my friends! Those same friends
were very encouraging, however, and I've not regreted the decision. They're still my friends and since I still exhibit when I can--we still have fun!
Jay: What is your fondest memory in CFA?
Annette: It's hard to pick out just one. Probably getting a National Award on my kitten, Wynterwynd Finders, Keepers at the Philadelphia Annual. I also have fond memories of every Saturday night dinner with all of the Russian Blue breeders exhibiting at any particular show! Sharing a meal and a nice bottle of wine is often the highlight of a show weekend (followed by having your Russian entry sitting on your very full tummy the rest of the night).
Jay: What advise would you give to Russian Blue exhibitors about showing this breed?
Annette: Show early and often (4 months old and every 2-3 weeks); when the cat decides he/she doesn't like showing any more, don't push it! Try again with the next one; don't make excuses (as to why your cat is acting up) and be a good sport (winning as well as losing). Be kind and helpful to novice exhibitors and include them in your socializing.
Jay: What advise would you give Russian Blue breeders while developing this breed?
Annette: Select for temperament and health as well as beauty. Take your time. Prepare for heartbreak as well as success. Share your knowledge with others. Realize that you don't have your own "bloodline" until you have a 5 generation pedigree with only cats of your breeding on it! You have a combination of bloodlines from everyone who came before you! Join together with other Russian Blue breeders to keep our breed healthy, beautiful--and blue! Find a common ground to get along with your fellow RB breeders--infighting has torn other breeds apart--we can keep that from happening to our breed!
copyright © 1999 Jay Lehman