Gosh I read what I just wrote.. I am SO bad.
Judge Ricky Burthay was wonderful with Sakura. He took no notice of her vocalism when he picked her up, he took her to the table and he said.. now everyone, don't take it personally if she hisses at you, she is just grumpy, you can see that by the position of her ears, she is not being aggressive. Oh Halleluia Ricky I love you! He soothed her and then gently put her back. And I really did not think we would final. At this point Sakura was grumbling at me. She was growling and making some pretty strong Jaguar noises that had people staring at her in wonder. You have to understand if something displeases Sakura she does this all the time, it is part of her vocal communication with me that says.. Mommy I am pissed off.
I took her back only to be told by one of our benching mates we were needed in Ring One for the last class of the day and to hurry. This ring was judged by lady Judge Lonnie Allitz. When she removed the cat in the cage next to Sakura she hissed, the Judge looked at her and said.. now you be good or I will get Mom to come and get you. She shut up. Again the Judges handling of her was awesome, gentle and soft. We took her back to rest (I would cover her cage with the skirt) and went back to watch.
James thought he saw Saki's number pulled for the final in that ring and we realised another final was happening before ours and we went back to Saki to find everyone returning from Ricky's ring because they had put the wrong numbers up. Then one of the guys came at a run and put a thumbs up and punched the air and said.. it is great news for YOU.. you are up! Saki had finalled with Ricky Burthay.
She got 10th place again, Ricky said.. 'this is an absolutely classical red tabby' oh my. 'She is absolutely beautiful, spectacular markings. So she is my 10th. Here is her award.
I took my grumbling little girl back and James got her rosette signed and he asked the Judge what would have got her placed higher.. guess.. go on.. yep.. a bath.. OFGS!! Then he tells us we need another kind of shampoo.
Then we were called to Ring One, sure enough Lonnie had finalled us too. Once again Sakura placed 10th. Lonnie said.. this is an absolutely classical beauty, she is a really gorgeous little female, she is a novice and a little scared but she is absolutely beautiful.
This time the Judge had us all get our own cats out one by one and tell the audience about them. I am not putting up the photo of the speech, I don't like either of them! But here is what I said.. in a shaky voice.
This is Sakura. She was 3 years old last week. She came from Great Lakes Bengal Rescue, I foster for them and I was her foster Mommy, we are her 3rd home in her life and I am so very proud of her, she is my heart. Lonnie said softly, she is a lucky girl, she is very well loved and cared for.
This time I handed her to James while I got the rosette signed and I asked Lonnie for tips. She told me to just get her out there, not just to shows but as many places as I could. She said one thing might be that she is afraid she is being taken somewhere and losing her home again.. oh god I feel choked.. and to get her used to going out and about and always coming home.
To my great shock James really enjoyed himself and kept talking about next time, next time, and said he will train Apollo so he can also go up.. oh good luck with that one buddy!
Three 10th out of 23 really isn't that bad for a grumpy little Bengal.
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