Tairy Tales
Terri Jorgensen -- Astralkat Cattery
M
y husband and I were "Cat Fanciers From Afar" for many many years. We only entered the "cat breeder"
world of the Devon Rex in early 1996. These few years have brought us joy unspeakable. ...I often
think, what did we do pre-Devon. They fill our lives with wonder and purpose and our hearts and
souls with warmth. I am a clone of my mother, who was an author, poet and Professor of British
Literature. As a result, I often think best with a pen in my hand. I thought that I would share
some of my ramblings with all of you. I have been in love with Devons for years, the pixie faces,
the silly antics, the giant ears, the curls, the worlds loudest motor, how could you not love them?
I decided that I was going to own Devons and spent a couple of years reading, researching, studying,
talking to "Devon People", looking at different catteries, driving and flying to different shows,
etc. I must admit, I am obsessive compulsive and... proud of it!
The other day I was talking to a friend of mine at the Hospital where I work and she said,
"Terri, I just don't get it. How can you spend so much money on a CAT? (I never knew that
cat was a curse word until that moment!) There are so many things that people really need!
Have you thought about this? Do you really need these cats?" After giving her questions
serious thought, I was reminded of a story that my mom used to tell us when I was young and
I wanted to share that story with you:
There was a highly successful, yet compassionate, businessman who was walking down a
bustling street in a large metropolitan downtown district one day when he came across a
tattered beggar with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes, lying on the sidewalk. The compassionate
businessman stopped, looked at the man and fearing the ragged stranger was dead, leaned over
and asked, "Sir, are you alright?" The man on the sidewalk opened his eyes, smiled a faint
smile and simply nodded his head slightly. The business man then reached into his pocket,
pulled out a $10 dollar bill, placed it in the beggars hand and said, "Here friend, get
yourself a good hot meal". The next day the businessman again passed the tattered starving
man lying on the sidewalk. But today, he also noticed that there was, beside the man, an
absolutely beautiful pot of purple hyacinths. The fragrance from the flowers was strong and
heady and wafted up to the nostrils of the businessman. Hiking up the pant legs of his Armani
suit, he smiled at the man and leaned down to talk to him. "Good afternoon friend, your flowers
are beautiful. Where did you get them?" Then the beggar also smiled, gazed over at the potted
flowers for a moment and then stated, "I bought these this morning, they are lovely aren't they?".
The businessman was taken back. "Did you spend the money that I gave you yesterday to buy
flowers", he asked? "Yes", replied the tattered man with the sunken eyes and gracious smile. "
I gave you that money so that you would not be hungry. I wanted to make a difference in
your life!", said the distraught do-gooder. The beggar smiled a half smile and raised his
eyes to meet the eyes of the gentleman and said, " Oh but you have made a difference.
You see, tomorrow I would have been hungry again but the Hyacinths feed my soul."
My sweet babies have been quite a financial outlay, when you consider the actual purchase prices
of breeding animals, books on breeding, housing, genetics, grooming, monthly publications, annual
publications, referral list fees, medications and homeopathic remedies, food, litter, vitamins,
cattery registration fees, advertising fees, show entry fees, miscellaneous fees, kitty isolation
quarters (built by John, the oh so patient, oh so tolerant, oh so skilled woodworking kitty Dad),
airfares, hotel rooms, new beds, new litter boxes, trips to the vet, toys, toys and more toys it
really adds up! My car is used. I could use a new business suit. I would love to pay off that
credit card, but........when I look at the big picture, those things don't matter that much.
I can live with a payment plan. But......
My precious Devon's feed my soul.
Terri Jorgensen
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