UBCF Newsletter In This Issue Volume II, Issue 1 -- JANUARY 2009 UBCF President’s Message by Willa Rogers-Hawke ....................................... 2 Burmese Rescue ....................................................................................................................2 Editorial - Burmese Resolutions by Nancy L. Reeves ................................. 3 Aventures of a New Burmese Breeder by Lauri Henry ............................... 6 Early Neurological Stimulation by Carmen L. Battaglia ......................10 Pet Contracts by Nina Pearlmutter ...................................................................18 The Birthing Kit by Suzanne Berrin ...................................................................23 Breeding Philosophies by Donna Stewart .......................................................26 FIP Research Announcement - Leslie Lyons and Niels Pedersen .......28 The Russian Burmese Story by Olesya Kolosova ........................................ 30 Judging in Moscow, Russia by Bob Gleason ....................................................33 Eight Pound Burmese Provides Love during Cancer ...............................35 2007-2008 burmese Show Success .............................................................................36 Tips on Raising Kittens from UBCF Members .................................................38 Plans for the Next UBCF Newsletter .................................................................40 UBCF Membership and Officers and How to Join UBCF .........................40 United Burmese Cat Fanciers Cat Burmese United President’s Message by Willa Rogers-Hawke Dear UBCF Members, A New Year has descended upon us. A new US President has entered the Oval Office. New UBCF members from around the world and new colors now welcomed into our once sable only family -- what better theme for this issue than kittens and the new hope that each litter brings with it? I hope this year has gotten off to a good start for you, though it may be fraught with financial challenges for all of us. But like our new kittens hope springs eternal. Is this the litter that has the kitten that I have dreamed of breeding? Will my new babies be healthy and sound? Good questions that we all ask ourselves as the cycle of life continues with each new generation of Burmese. Renewed efforts are being made on top of the hard work that has already been done to find answers and solutions to breeding problems that have plagued our beloved cats for so many years. Always the eternal optimist I look for an answer, just as I know you do, and for the day when we can see an increase in the numbers of breeders working within our breed. We may never reach the glory days of old when our funny brown cats were one of the largest numbers entered at any given show; but we can certainly hope to see many more of them in the years to come. I believe this because I must believe this. These funny little clowns have been an integral part of my own life for so many years that I can’t imagine life without them. And we will not let that happen. And so my fellow Burmese lovers let us look carefully at our new babies and those that are yet to be born with an eye and belief that each generation refreshes our love and feelings for our breed, because indeed the glass is half full and is filling up with each new litter. I hope you enjoy this month’s theme as much as Nancy, Art, and the rest have enjoyed preparing it for you. As I said above we may never again reach the glory days of old in terms of numbers of Burmese at our shows - but then again we just might! WillaRogers-Hawke, President United Burmese Cat Fanciers, Inc. Burmese Rescue Through a variety of circumstances, some of our adult and senior Burmese find themselves without a home or in danger of losing their home. UBCF considers it an important responsibility for Burmese breeders and fanciers to help spread the word about these at risk cats, or to provide direct help in obtaining new homes for them. Following are only a few of the cats that currently need homes. This information comes from the Burmese Rescue Site at the National Alliance of Burmese Breeders (www.burmesecat.org), and we applaud their ongoing work and success in finding homes for Burmese that need rescue. We are using this forum to help in that effort. For additional information about these cats or others that need our help, please contact the rescue coordinator: [email protected] Austin, TX (12/19/08) - Tufa is a 10 month old sable kitten who is neutered. Very loving and needs a home where he can run around and be active. Current owner is entering a Masters Program and will be away from the home for long periods of time. Tufa requires a special diet with special prescription food. Contact Michelle Foster [email protected] Newark, DE (12/4/08) - Geneva is a 12 y/o healthy female. She has become the “victim” cat in a house that has 3 other cats. For the past year, fear has kept her confined to a bedroom. Geneva is very loving, sweet and healthy. Owner wants her to have a good home with no other cats. Please contact Diana Cebrick 302-981-5973 or email her at [email protected] Montclair, NJ (11/25/08) - Jake is a very handsome and healthy 7 year old sable male. He lives with his family in Mt. Clair New Jersey and he very much needs a good home. He is very affectionate and gets along with children, dog and cats. He has been living with Simba, who is a striped orange tabby. They get along so well that keeping them together seems like the right thing to do. Simba is also very sweet. If interested contact Christine Lane at [email protected]. Page 2 UBCF January 2009 Burmese Resolutions resolutions, and since that time we have made progress on those resolutions. Our membership has grown nationally res o lu tion [rez-uh-loo-shuhn] and internationally, we have been getting to know each other and we have been sharing information about our 1. a formal expression of opinion or cats and their care. We have also increased awareness of the Burmese breed through our UBCF website, through intention made, usually after voting, shows we've attended as exhibitors, and through copies of by a formal organization, a legislature, our newsletters sent to judges and to others interested in a club, or other group. Burmese cats. 2. a resolve or determination: to make a But there are many challenges ahead, which brings us firm resolution to do something. us to definition # 2. 3. the act of resolving or determining . a resolve or determination: to make a firm upon an action or course of action, resolution to do something. method, procedure, etc. 4. the mental state or quality of being We are making progress and that is wonderful. Yet resolved or resolute; firmness of we face an abundance of challenges, and meeting those challenges will require determination from all of us. The purpose. number of Burmese breeders and kittens born each year continues to decline. Lethal diseases and genetic defects These are just a handful of the dozen definitions of still plague our breed. The global economic recession "resolution" found at dictionary.com. I picked these four puts less money in our pockets for cat food and supplies, because they seem most appropriate not only to this time veterinary care and showing, and the costs are rising for of year, but also to this time in the history of the Burmese our hobby, which as we all know is rarely if ever profitable. breed and the United Burmese Cat Fanciers. Like many small businesses that are closing doors, will As each old year ends and a new one begins, most of more breeders quit simply because they cannot afford it us review the year that has passed with all its events and anymore? Animal rights legislation looms on the horizon accomplishments, good and bad, and think about what we for many states, and that threatens our ability to maintain would like to achieve in the new year. I think we all agree our catteries in those areas. Prospective clients are also that 2008 was a remarkable year with extreme highs and feeling the pressure to cut back on spending -- will we have lows from the historic presidential election to the onset of fewer clients in the future, or will loyalty to the Burmese cat the global recession. And so we begin 2009 with a fragile remain? What do we need to succeed against these odds? mixture of hope and fear. If ever there were a good time for us to be resolved to work together for a better future for us and for our Burmese cats, it is now. Let’s think about some resolutions for the year - starting with definition # 1. a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group. The "new" UBCF is celebrating an anniversary! It was just over a year ago when our first election was held and our first UBCF newsletter published, and only a few months prior to that when breeders and fanciers from around the world joined together to revive UBCF, to preserve and promote healthy Burmese cats. As part of that revival GC Gray Mark’s Agate of Burma Pearl (aka “Aggie”) we affirmed and strengthened our UBCF mission and Photo courtesy of National Geographic UBCF January 2009 Page 3 burmese resolutions, continued . the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc. There is good news amidst of of this: there are courses of action that are available to us right now that will help further our mission to preserve and promote our Burmese breed. To assure success, ALL OF US need to get involved. Here are some of the more important opportunities we have available to us: Art Graafmans will shortly be circulating a critical health survey that will help give researchers a snapshot of our breed and the health problems that exist and need Rosie the most attention.