The Pillars
They came from far away, sometimes from the other side of the world, enriching the cattery's genetic heritage. Each gave us the very best of themselves: beauty, temperament, sound health and wonderful descendants.
Today, most of them are enjoying a well-deserved retirement, often alongside one of their kittens or a beloved companion. It was never through lack of affection that we found them loving homes; quite the opposite. There, they reign as cherished kings and queens, surrounded by people devoted entirely to their happiness. As for those who have left us, they remain forever engraved in our hearts.
January 2004 – The Very First Ones
Ragnarok's Urbain and Ubaye
How could I ever forget the muddy construction works at Roissy Airport, the rain, the noise, and then suddenly two little rays of Californian sunshine purring so loudly that the Air France Cargo staff came over to see what was going on? Nenou and Shaya had finally arrived. I still remember my sense of wonder.
Known as Benenou, or simply Nenou, our gentle giant, gruff teddy bear and occasional grumbler. He passed on his magnificent blue eyes and impressive coat to many of his offspring, several of whom can be seen throughout our galleries. His descendants have since spread to Greece, the United Kingdom and numerous catteries across France.
Shaya was the shy one. She would only eat when hand-fed, hid beneath furniture, yet purred so loudly whenever we searched for her that finding her was impossible to resist. Sweet Shaya left us far too soon, her kidneys failing while she was still so young. We still miss her terribly. She is Gilda's grandmother.
Precious Vinca Afrodite of Diane's Pride
In May 2004, a touch'n-go in Lisbon to meet Diane. One look into Vinca's eyes and the decision was made. Two years later, Vinca slowly began to fade away, and despite every effort, no one could determine the cause. Fifteen months later came the diagnosis: a stealthy lymphoma stole her from me and carried away a piece of my heart with her. A breeder's heart quickly becomes an old thing, patched together with memories.
Venus Tiger of the Living Dolls
I travelled to Brussels to collect Venus in July 2004. It was 35°C on the tarmac at Marignane when I left, but only 16°C in Brussels, blissfully cool, with a light drizzle thrown in for good measure. Did you know? You don't find french fries on every street corner in Brussels; instead, you find waffles and exquisite lace.
Venus Tiger had huge skyblue eyes and the strength of nature itself. Seeing me speechless, Kristel misunderstood and kindly said, "You know, if you don't want her, if she doesn't appeal to you, you can tell us!"
Venus cheerfully raised her own six kittens while still helping to care for other litters, including orphaned little tinytonks. During Nenou's brief stay at the veterinary clinic before retirement, she discreetly slipped into his room. The gentleman returned home still rather groggy, and a little later we discovered the mischievous lady keeping him quite occupied... and sixty-three days later, six kittens arrived.
Unfortunately, the birth did not go smoothly. Venus and her six kittens were saved by the narrowest of margins, and she immediately claimed her retirement rights. She spent many happy years in Poitiers with Chantal and Chopin, the little tinytonk who had become her baby by choice.
2005 – Gathering Momentum
Precious Romeo of Dianespride
Romeo the Magnificent. In Portugal, Vinca's half-brother was waiting for us, and what a revelation he was. Such beauty, such temperament... cats like Romeo are a gift, the result of nature's grace and Diane's years of passionate dedication as a breeder. He went on to earn the title of Supreme Champion. My heartfelt thanks go to Monique Biausse, who helped crown his show career, and to Geneviève, who patiently accompanied him to countless exhibitions. He later enjoyed a peaceful retirement with Wagner and Vanille at Gaétan and Patricia's home.
Oceanblue Chiarodiluna and Celestiale
At the end of 2005, we were back to Rome to collect our beautiful Italian girls, Celestiale and Chiarodiluna, from Marcella and Guido. We experienced quite an adventure with Marjolaine and Axel: a whirlwind visit to Rome, a return journey through Tuscany, Florence at a brisk pace, the Leaning Tower of Pisa at midnight in freezing temperatures, and then the Autostrada dei Fiori — a tunnel, a bridge, a tunnel, a bridge, ...
Luna, sweetness incarnate, shared part of Romeo's lineage through her mother Ibicenca. She quickly became our unofficial welcoming committee. Visitors were greeted by Luna almost as soon as they stepped through the door, and very few escaped her charm.
Her sister Celestiale immediately formed an extraordinary bond with Romeo. She followed him everywhere, carried her kittens into his room whenever she had the chance, and became visibly unhappy whenever they were separated. From Celestiale we kept Flocon d'Argent, who would later become Janvier's mother.
Lenitas Daria
On 28 December 2005, barely home from Rome, I set off once again, this time for Köln in Germany, to collect Daria from Katja. Amid the winter gloom appeared a little ray of sunshine: a talkative, affectionate young cat. I quickly nicknamed her "Strudel" — a raisin, an apple, a meow, a purr, and there was Daria.
Daria took her time growing into her role as a breeding queen. Her first season arrived at fourteen months, her first litter at eighteen months, and she eventually finished her breeding career in style with a magnificent litter of seven kittens.
New colours, new horizons
The Tonkinese
Tino, Violette and Patty opened another chapter: small, short-haired, intensely affectionate cats, full of tenderness, mink and sepia colours, aquamarine and green eyes.
Quitteri the Singapura
. Tiny in size, enormous in personality. This extraordinary little cat introduced me to yet another fascinating breed and left memories every bit as precious as those of the Ragdolls and Tonkinese who shared our lives.
And since then, the story continues...
Over the years, many cats have been part of our lives, each leaving their own imprint on the history of the cattery. They may not all appear on these pages, but each has contributed, in their own way, to the beautiful journey we have shared.