HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1972-05-11, Page 11•
WO
i wlllln rum
Cats have long been with us.
Just how far back their existence
goes no one knows for sure, nor
are they sure how long they have
been domesticated.
The Egyptian Book of the Dead,
with its roots in history long
before the Bible or any form of
recorded history, makes frequent
reference to cats, usually in the
form of Gods,
"Nut," the female principle of
the god "Nu"; is depicted with the
head of a snake surmounted by a
disk, or with the head of a cat.
"Tefnut," the third member of
the company of the gods of
"Annu," is depicted in the form of
a woman usually with the head of a
lioness or a cat. "Bast,"
according to legend the mother of
the god "Nefer-Tmu," was the
personification of the gentle and
fructifying heat of the sun. The cat
was sacred to Bast and the
goddess is usually depicted cat-
headed.
The most famous seat of her
worship was the city of Bubastis,
the modern Tell Basta, in the
Delta.
There would be few today who
claim god like powers are in the
possession of cats, although many
still maintain they have nine
lives, but the popularity has never
failed. For Sylvia and George
Louch of RR 2 Clinton (near
Holmesville) the raising and
breeding of cats has grown from a
hobby to near business
proportions.
At present the couple boasts a
cattery of 25 adult and 28 kitten
Himalayan's', a breed that has
only been in existence for 35
years. The crossing of Persian
and Siamese has produced a blue
eyed, longer haired, stocky, even
temperec) cat that is the pride of
many cat lovers.
Although "Sunny-Lo Cattery"
has only been in operation for less
than five years it has grown from
a, small hobby to a cattery
producing award winning cats
recognized all over North
America,
For the past four years the
couple have travelled, on the
average of about once each month,
to cat shows in Montreal,
Chicago, St. Catharines, Toledo,
Ottawa, London and other centres
all over North America, They
have a display of ribbons and
trophies that would prove the
effort has been worthwhile.
At first glance the importance
of winning honors at a cat show
seems a little vague since no cash
prizes are awarded. The reason
being however, as explained by
the Louch's, is that with top
honors comes increased
recognition that a cattery
produces good stock and from this
sales result.
"The number of Himalayans in
Canada doubled last year," Sylvia
explained. "We sell some in
Canada, I have one here' now that
has been purchased by a lady in St.
Thomas, but most go to the United
States."
Pet stock from Sunny-Lo is
valued from $100 for a three-
month-old kitten. "I would never
sell any of my breeding stock I
don't think," Sylvia explains,
"but I value them at from $'700 to
over $1,000."
Around the Louch's their cats
aren't Egyptian gods but they are
an important, and loved, part of
the family. "When we are away at
a show," Mrs. Louch explains,
"our daughters are in charge of
taking care of the cats and they
really enjoy it."
The couple moved to the
Holmesville area in 1969 and at
that time had only two Himalayans
and a Blue Persian hybrid. They
soon bought their first male and
went into cat breeding for real. In
the few short years since they
have grown to a place of respect in
the world of cat shows and cat
lovers and bigger and better
things are still on the way.
You've got to love cats to
live with 53 of them
arsda y, Ma y 11, 1 9 72
Clinton News-Record
'.U1118111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111101111181W
IF;
Photo story
F=1
by
Ron Shaw
• E.
g1111111111111111111111111011111finlifiiiIMMIllifinlilliniMiliiIIIIIIIIIIIiiiitill(11111101111111111111111111111111111111111111g
107 Year • 19
_Cli4104, 4941040
Se.e00 (1 Section