UNION SPRINGS - Breeding and showing Persian cats had been a lifelong dream for Mary-Jo Gavitt, a dream that with the encouragement of her husband, Ben, she turned into a reality in 1989.
Photo provided
Noblessa Aura of Kuorii holds her pose under the watchful eye of All Breeds Judge Rachel Anger
Noblessa Aura of Kuorii holds her pose under the watchful eye of All Breeds Judge Rachel Anger
“We were talking one night,” Ben said. “And she was saying that this was something she always wanted to do when she retired, and I told her that she shouldn't wait. If this was really and truly her dream, then it was something that she should do now and not put off 'till later. That got us started.”
That year, the couple established Noblessa (a combination of the words noble and blessed, two words Ben said carry a lot of meaning for the Gavitt family) Persians, and soon the Gavitts found themselves traveling extensively to take part in various cat shows all over the country.
“Shows are a very important part of breeding,” Ben said. “It is time consuming and expensive, but shows are very necessary; they help promote the breed. We feel that it is something that helps make things better, to promote the breed and get the name out there and let people know who we are.”
In addition to promoting their breed, these trips came with added perks, such as making friends with people from all over the world.
“It is a very social experience, and we have created so many great friendships. It is funny to think that when we go to shows and say Noblessa, people know who we are; they know the breed name. We are just these people from Union Springs, but it is like we are famous - people know who we are, and they know the cats we breed.”
In a recent Cat Fanciers Association show in San Francisco, one of the Gavitts' cats, a 6-month-old, copper eyed, white Persian named Noblessa Aura of Kuorii, left that competition with the first place ribbon for best long hair kitten.
The world of feline show competitions can be grueling. Ben said that on any given weekend there are eight or more shows going on all over the country, and usually the Gavitts are at least one of them. So to win was a very rewarding experience.
“We might be in Miami one weekend, and then in Portland the next,” Ben said. “There were more than 1,500 cats at this show from all over. It felt really good for one of our cats to get the best across the board against all those other cats from all over the world. It was great, a really great experience.”
According to Ben, Persians are a unique breed of cat, unlike most other cats, Persians don't do much running or jumping, making them a rather ideal breed for showing.
“Their job is really to sit and look pretty,” Ben said. “They don't really jump around or run around a lot. But they take a lot of work to take care of; they have to have a bath and a blow dry because of their long hair. And they have to be combed and groomed regularly. It takes a lot of work.”
Generally at shows Ben said he finds that he is the one tending to the needs of the cats, but the San Francisco show was a whole new experience.
“She had her own stylist from France,” Ben said. “He would spend three or four hours grooming her, dressing her and getting her ready for the show. He was dedicated just to her.”
Since winning the show, Noblessa Aura of Kuorii, has been traveling extensively, visiting France and then on to Rome, where she currently resides with her co-owner Paolo Carnevaletti.
“He and my wife met at a show in Portland, and he wanted to get a kitten from us,” Ben said. “And at the time, we didn't have any, so he actually gave us a kitten. So we wanted to give him something back in return and wanted to give our best.”
And the couple's cats are not only known around the world, but also reside all around the globe. Most recently one was sent to Latvia.
“It is really amazing that this thing that is a hobby for us has turned into such a well-known business,” Ben said.
That year, the couple established Noblessa (a combination of the words noble and blessed, two words Ben said carry a lot of meaning for the Gavitt family) Persians, and soon the Gavitts found themselves traveling extensively to take part in various cat shows all over the country.
“Shows are a very important part of breeding,” Ben said. “It is time consuming and expensive, but shows are very necessary; they help promote the breed. We feel that it is something that helps make things better, to promote the breed and get the name out there and let people know who we are.”
In addition to promoting their breed, these trips came with added perks, such as making friends with people from all over the world.
“It is a very social experience, and we have created so many great friendships. It is funny to think that when we go to shows and say Noblessa, people know who we are; they know the breed name. We are just these people from Union Springs, but it is like we are famous - people know who we are, and they know the cats we breed.”
In a recent Cat Fanciers Association show in San Francisco, one of the Gavitts' cats, a 6-month-old, copper eyed, white Persian named Noblessa Aura of Kuorii, left that competition with the first place ribbon for best long hair kitten.
The world of feline show competitions can be grueling. Ben said that on any given weekend there are eight or more shows going on all over the country, and usually the Gavitts are at least one of them. So to win was a very rewarding experience.
“We might be in Miami one weekend, and then in Portland the next,” Ben said. “There were more than 1,500 cats at this show from all over. It felt really good for one of our cats to get the best across the board against all those other cats from all over the world. It was great, a really great experience.”
According to Ben, Persians are a unique breed of cat, unlike most other cats, Persians don't do much running or jumping, making them a rather ideal breed for showing.
“Their job is really to sit and look pretty,” Ben said. “They don't really jump around or run around a lot. But they take a lot of work to take care of; they have to have a bath and a blow dry because of their long hair. And they have to be combed and groomed regularly. It takes a lot of work.”
Generally at shows Ben said he finds that he is the one tending to the needs of the cats, but the San Francisco show was a whole new experience.
“She had her own stylist from France,” Ben said. “He would spend three or four hours grooming her, dressing her and getting her ready for the show. He was dedicated just to her.”
Since winning the show, Noblessa Aura of Kuorii, has been traveling extensively, visiting France and then on to Rome, where she currently resides with her co-owner Paolo Carnevaletti.
“He and my wife met at a show in Portland, and he wanted to get a kitten from us,” Ben said. “And at the time, we didn't have any, so he actually gave us a kitten. So we wanted to give him something back in return and wanted to give our best.”
And the couple's cats are not only known around the world, but also reside all around the globe. Most recently one was sent to Latvia.
“It is really amazing that this thing that is a hobby for us has turned into such a well-known business,” Ben said.
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