Grand Champion Dushenka Mirabella
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Pet name: |
Bella aka Baby Belle, BelBel, Little Fat Cat, Squirrelina |
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Major awards: |
● 7 Challenge Certificates, 3 Grand Challenge Certificates & 3 reserve Grands ● Best in Show Foreign Exhibit, Scotia Cat Fanciers 1999 ● Top Russian Blue female adult of 2005 |
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Place of birth: |
Strathbungo, Glasgow |
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Notable offspring: |
● Grand Premier Dushenka Oliver, 1 Imperial Grand ● Champion Dushenka Sophia Bella, 2 Grand Challenge certificates & 2 Res Grs ● Premier Dushenka Rurik, 1 Grand Premier certificate & 1 reserve Grand ● Premier Dushenka Penelope, 1 Grand Premier Certificate |
Bella's story
Bella had a difficult birth, being born after Stella endured a nail-bitingly long gestation, and then a long and painful labour, with all her kittens being full breech presentations. It wasn't a difficult decision to keep Bella after that. While her brothers would be happy playing rough-and-tumble together, every time she heard my voice she toddled over to the front of the kitten box with the most wistful expression on her face - she learned the power of the Silent Miaow very young did my sweet Baby Belle.
Bella had a successful early show career, but then spent a few years being a stay-at-home mum. She gets my vote for Supermum as she has now had a title-winner in each of her four litters of kittens: indeed all four have won at least one grand certificate each as well. But much more important than that, all of them are as gentle and sweet-natured as their mother.
I started showing Bella again as a mature lady and she delighted me by winning her Grand title in the space of 5 months as a 7-year-old veteran.
Belle still has the most heart-breaking expression, but she really is a happy fat lap cat. She is also ear-washer in chief, keeping all the other cats in trim. As for why she is sometimes known as Squirrelina? Well, she has what I describe as a 'squirrel tail', holding her tail straight and tight up along her back so the tip tickles the back of her head - very cute! ö