At iCandy RagaMuffin cats, there is almost always a waitlist for a kitten or retired adult. One of the most frequent questions I get is “if I fill out an application, where will I be on the waitlist?” or “how long will it be until I get a kitten?” Honestly, I don’t have a way
Closing on my practice was delayed for a week. So, I have seven extra days to think about what I am going to do that first week. First, I am still responsible for up to ninety days for the hospital. It doesn’t mean I have to be there, it just means I have to be
I am generally pretty good about scheduling things: dentist, hairdresser, oil change, etc. Pet care has been second nature as well. Heartworm prevention, flea and tick control, wellness exams are all done on time and routinely. Doggie nail trims, kitten nail trims and equine hoof trims (and dentistry) are all performed on a fixed
I knew it would happen. I was just waiting for it. Wednesday before Thanksgiving I started checking the online sites for great deals on cat food, treats and litter. I planned on stocking up. After all, I have a lot of mouths to feed. Years ago, I would have been looking for other items,
One topic that comes up when I get inquiries about kittens is the fact I spay and neuter all my RagaMuffin kittens before they go to their homes. Many modern breeders are doing the same. Occasionally, I have a potential kitten adopter concerned about surgery on such a young kitten. It’s a fair question. The
Occasionally I am asked about the origin of one of my RagaMuffin’s names. It’s simple…..they are all named after something sweet. I think it is appropriate, as nothing is sweeter than a RagaMuffin. It all started with my very first RagaMuffin, Bon Bon. He was a sable boy that quickly became the apple of
When I go to cat shows (pre-COVID), I can’t help but peruse the cat teasers at the vendors. There are so many different types. Feathers, noise makers, fur pieces, ribbons, beads, tiny fake bugs and more. Every cat responds differently to teasers. Many have a favorite. RagaMuffins being cats, may love one style this
I sometimes get inquiries from people who have never shown a cat, but are interested in exploring the idea. I encourage the activity, whether with a non-pedigreed cat (yes, there is a division for that) or a pedigreed kitty. It’s a fun way to spend a day or a weekend. Showing is about the cats,
Remember the old song lyrics? Well, I have come to the realization they can apply to cats. You see, I recently had an epiphany. iCandy Smidgen is beautiful: wonderful eyes, fabulous coat and great whisker pads. And she is sweet: a great RagaMuffin mommy who loves a petting. But, she may not be the brightest
At the time of this writing, Grand Champion Gentlepurrs Solo Purrsuit of iCandy is four days overdue to have her kittens. I know this is OK. I’m trying to convince myself that what I know is correct. I can’t help but have seeds of doubt and worry. RagaMuffin Solo seems fine. She is
As a long time breeder of Labrador Retrievers, I have been utilizing health clearances for breeding animals for many years. It is an important part of breeding. To be a conscientious breeder, one must be aware of possible health issues in any breed and work to avoid issues. The DNA tests available today are
iCandy GC BWR RW iCandy Fudge Ripple My heart ached last weekend. GC BWR RW iCandy Fudge Ripple, aka Fudgie, went to his retirement home. He has been with me from birth. He is my first home grown Grand Champion, Regional Winner and National Breed Winner RagaMuffin. I thought he would be with
During this time of self isolation, I am doing on line shopping like a lot of other people. Unlike many people, I am buying litter boxes. For some reason, there are good deals with free shipping available. I am focusing on litter boxes with high sides. I am tired of sweeping up what seems
As a breeder, I have a great responsibility, no matter what life I am producing. I have bred Quarter Horses, Labrador Retrievers and RagaMuffin cats. I believe my skills have improved over the years. It’s a learning curve for sure. The most important attribute a breeder can have is a clear goal.
photo by Carolyn Jimenez ICandy Fanny Farmer turned eight months old on February 4. This means she graduated to championship class in CFA cat shows. She was so much fun as a kitten to show, bringing the party with her every time. I was really looking forward to the next step
My first homegrown breeding male, Fudgie You have your precious queen and now you are ready for that special breeding. Whether you are looking to bring a foundation stud in to your cattery, adding new blood lines with an additional male in the cattery, or planning on taking your queen to an
The excitement grows as the queen’s belly expands. Normal pregnancy in cats averages 65 days. Larger litters tend to have a bit shorter gestations, while extremes can be from 54 to 74 days. As the kittens grow in the uterus, fetal cortisol increases to a threshold which triggers a cascade of events including
Recently, I took Grand Champion Felisophic Sugar Daddy for a trip in his carrier. This time, it was not to a cat show. This time it was for an echocardiogram. You see, an echocardiogram is the definitive way to ensure a cat does not have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). While RagaMuffin Sugar Daddy
iCandy Fanny Farmer at 4 months RagaMuffin kitten iCandy Fanny Farmer is six months old now. As a small kitten she had “the look”. As she grew, I became more convinced that she would have what it takes to be a show cat. At her first show, she was relaxed in the
I was sitting around chatting at a cat show with friends recently when one mentioned having a canned food heater that she used to make the food more attractive for her cats. I had never heard of such a thing! A quick Google search revealed that, yes, there existed an Animal’s Instinct Pet Food