definitiveguide2ragdolls.myfreeforum.org :: Introduce yourself here!

Donna · Raggie Cat

Hi folks

Hope you don't mind me starting this off, but on another forum that I'm on (not even remotely cat related) there is a dedicated thread for introductions and I thought it would be nice to have a place like that here. Folk could tell a little about themselves (including what I would call the 'hardcore-longtimers' who know each other!) It would be great for browsers/new members to have a sorta quick reference guide to who's who, who likes what or who breeds which colours/patterns as well as anything else that you are prepared to share... LOL

Yes I know we/they could go and look and your websites and most of them will! But not everybody has a website - honest they don't!

Maybe if this kicks off in the way I have in mind it could be stickied?

So I'll start us off:

Hi everyone,
Hi ya!

I'm Donna, this is the very first forum that I have used my name on (shock, horror) so I guess I'm already way to trusting!
I have just reached the ripe old age of 40 and there are no prizes for guessing what I choose as my BIG birthday present. My very first Ragdoll. She is called Nimlet and is a blue mitted. She is every thing I had hoped she would be - true raggy thru and thru! Thanks to Zoe - Galldora Ragdolls, for such a super duper little gem.
I have 5 kids, a GSD, 3 moggies and a part time job, oh and a husband! I hope to breed from her and have just started on the learning ladder. I would also like show and kinda have my ears and eyes open for a blue tabby colourpoint that would be suitable.

I have a suspicion that soon I will be holding the record for the most amount of stupid questions posted. lol
I don't know anyone on this forum only Zoe - Hi Zoe!!
So if I be brave then so can you. So lets hear you. q50

Helen · Top Raggie

Hi Donna

You will find this forum very friendly. q49

I have been breeding Ragdolls for 11 years, and couldnt imagine my life without a Ragdoll in my life

Helen

Chris · Princess Pushy

Hi again Donna

I think it's a brilliant idea and the rest of of should say a little bit about who we are, where we are and what we do!!

Here we go then..... you did ask!!

My name is Chris Powell, Allen and I are partners, met through the Ragdoll and TBRCC and have been together for 10 years now. We have been breeding Ragdolls for 16 years. Allen used to breed under the Dollamese prefix but when we got together we decided to use my prefix which was Cheham.

We sat on TBRCC Committee for 12 years and Allen was the Chairman and I, the Honorary Secretary in recent years until we stepped down from those positions in March of 2007. Allen was also the club's show manager and took the show from it's 'conception' in 1997 right through to Championship status in 2003 and I became his Assistant in 2001. We were elected Vice Presidents of the club at last years AGM and remained as BAC delegates and Show Managers . Unfortunately, there has been a major dispute with the club in recent months but, hopefully this matter will be resolved, one way or another at this years AGM.

We are deeply passionate about the breed and have worked hard over the years to promote and protect it within the Cat Fancy. We are committed to help in every way that we can to ensure that new breeders and pet owners alike are given the best information and advice so that helps them to enjoy the breed as much as we have over the years.

We also have a large family between us! I have 4 grown up daughters
and Allen also has 5 grown up sons and daughter!! With numerous grandchildren (11 in total) 2 GSD's a large garden and Socks and Cookie, the blue peter Cats, our lives are full!!

Chris

Nikky · Aristorag

Ok then here goes this a bit about me and how I met Helen and Chris

I have been breeding for 10 years I had my prefix Valleycat in Jan 00 this was my 1st choice

I went to my 1st seminar in October 99 where I sat next to Helen little did she know what affect I would have on her life lol.
I have 3 children 1 GSD and too many cats

I took one of my girls to stud for the 1st time to Chris and Allen’s and even though I had met Chris at the seminar and spoke on the phone I was not what she expected to turn up on her doorstep

her mothering instinct kicked in and I have fitted neatly under her wing ever since.

Nikky

Chris · Princess Pushy

You are too modest Nikky.

Nicola is brilliant at genetics, also sat on TBRCC Committee for 3 years and there is not much she doesn't know about the Ragdoll and breeding. She has her head screwed on when it comes to computers and web sites and although is not brilliant at texting and posting long items on the forum, there is nothing she does not know about how they work!!! She has a beautiful home in the Welsh Valleys and a lovely husband Martyn!

Helen, was also too brief!! She is a lovely gentle person, has 5 children and a very understanding hubby!! She has a diploma in Cat Health and Welfare and also sat on TBRCC Committee for 3 years. She is brilliant at health problems and one we always ring if we need advice!! Calm and quiet but with a habit of kicking Allen around the foyer of the NEC!!!!!!!

Chris

Raggiestars · Aristorag

Hi Donna,

think this a wonderful idea and I'm definately enjoying getting to know abit more about folks on here too.

Okay what to say about me...

Well I started off getting a raggie as I wanted a cat I could show so I wanted what I call a pretty looking cat, but I live with my two sons, hubbie and we had one older rescue moggie who is a typical older boy and quite grumpy so we spent just over a year looking at all different breeds of cats before we were found by this gorgeous breed. To say we were hooked is an understatement.

Last year we began breeding raggies and got our prefix of Raggiestars, not our first choice but we still like it. I'm now a slave to 11 raggies, one moggie, two and 1/2 kids (I'm just over six months pregnant), and one hubbie (who despite some very laughable rumors that seem to be going around at the moment) hasnt left me!! and who is equally as in love with this gorgeous breed as I am. My eldest son (9) has Aspergers syndrome which is an austistic sprectrum disorder which makes life a challenge at times but he adores the raggies and they have been a great source of comfort for him. They have converted his consultant at the hospital who is now a firm believer in the power of the bond between children and animals. Our current youngest son (3) has earned the nick name of cat boy, he is a true cat lover from birth and we can already see the next generation of the cat fancy world in him. He can be quite shy around people but show him a cat and all the shyness fades away.

I am a great lover of the red series of raggies and the mitted pattern in particular hence my red stud boy and a high mitted bi-colour stud boy. Yes I love tortie girls, I know I'm in a minority but to me there is nothing more stunning than a seal or blue tortie mitted girl. And we love the cuddley red boys. My goal is to a) get to the Supreme!!!!!!!!!!! (this is my third year of trying - please god let this be the year!!!!!!!) and b) on a long term mission to try and get as many mitted raggies shown to be able to get the GCCF to split the Open Class so that mitts are against mitts and colourpoints against colourpoints.

Oh yes I am mad as well but then I think we all are arent we? Please say yes?? I'm looking forward to great big reunion in a nice padded cell

Liz H · Raggie Cat

Hi I'm Liz and my prefix is ragsnkisses which was my first choice,

this will be my 3rd year of breeding and I'm still trying to breed a raggie that I'm happy to show. I managed it in my first litter and sold him tongue3

I started off with 2 neutered raggies closely followed by my first breeding girl a seal tortie point, she gained 2 CC's in her first two shows but I have had to retire her from the bench because she gets so stressed and just wont be handled, I dont mind though as her happiness is more important than the last CC. My favourite colour and patttern is the blue bicolour, but i'm also partial to the tabby mitteds, it is my dream to breed either one of these and for them to be successfull on the bench 8-)

Chris · Princess Pushy

Just want to say hello to Liz. Welcome on board Liz, nice to have you here.

Chris

Helen · Top Raggie

Just like to add- Nikky is my significant other Im Ant and shes Dec lol and Chris and allen are our surrogate parents not that they dont have enough on their plate lol

Welcome Liz

Helen x

holliedale · Raggie Cat

Hi all

Im kerrie, I live in kent and have been involved with Bordercollies for many years, showing and breeding, also kept show guinea pigs most of my life up until a few years ago. It has been a dream of mine for the past ten years to breed these wonderful cats and now I am living my dream and am a loving slave to 4 lovely ragdolls, I also have a nearly 5 year old daughter who is as mad about the cats as me and a lovely partner who puts up with me

and I have to say Nikky especially has been my guardian angel within the ragdolls, always on hand to answer my millions of questions. Chris, Helen and sarah are also very very helpful, kind and caring people and I would like to thank you all for your guidance and support, I so gratefull to have found such good friends within the raggies.