Hi Soka !!!

Welcome to the wonderful world of Bengal Addiction

It was a VERY difficult decision for me to alter my show boy, Dagger - but now I'm very glad he is one of my PAMPERED PETS... He showed well (got his Champion Alter in his first adult show) but really got nervous in the show halls, and usually lost weight the week after the show. Some call it 'going off their feed' So, I quit showing him. I LOVE him so, wanted him to LIVE INDOORS WITH ME and simply wanted HIM to be HAPPY, more than I wanted the "ribbons".

I'm sure some of the breeders here will explain to you that breeding is a very expensive and labor intensive "hobby". It is hard to buy the really outstanding breeder cats, and EVER actually make money, unless you can devote ALL your time to them.

I have discovered there probably isn't ANYONE who loves Bengals any more than I do... and they DO give me endless entertainment and JOY. But the "market" is very flooded with the breed, which sometimes drives the prices down, in the primary kitten season.

I will pass along the SAME advice someone gave me.
Get yourself one (or even better, two) really NICE pet Bengal kittens. LIVE with your Bengals for a while. Learn everything you can about them. And PRAY that you don't become as addicted as your "sage old" advisor "fancidots" has.

Having a LOT of cats is also a LOT of work and expense. Cleaning, feeding, proper veterinary care, and giving them the ATTENTION they thrive on - can demand more time than you might think.

There are a lot of OUTSTANDING Breeders out there. Many of them work in some veterinary capacity. They have studied genetics and devoted themselves, their HOMES -- and their LIVES to their breeding programs. They have built special housing for their spraying (breeding) males. It is a HUGE responsibility to find GOOD homes for the kittens, and to properly care for the "parents".

NOT to discourage you from YOUR dreams, at ALL... but during the years I've been "studying Bengals" then LIVING with them. I've seen quite a few people drive themselves to financial ruin, to keep their programs going -- only to have to give them up, and keep a few of their most beloved retirees, as pets.

I hope no one takes offense, to me expressing these thoughts - I LOVE and RESPECT the individuality of each of my cats... Bengals AND rescues. And, I ADMIRE the people who CAN devote their time, money, energy, emotion -- and endure the occasional heartbreak that comes with breeding.

LaVon

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Heidi