My Bengal cats

[Wildcat]

Several years ago, I wanted to get into breeding Bengal cats.  I did a ton of research about the breed, scoured the US for breeders with top quality cats, and came up with my stud...Romeow.  Rome was an awesome cat, both in looks and in personality.  (Or would it be "purrsonality?" )  He lived in the house, loose with everyone else, and you never would have known he was intact, until you looked.  He never sprayed, never fought with anyone, and was even an attentive sire, which I found amazing.  And he was gorgeous.  Simply gorgeous.  His eyes were the deepest sapphire blue and when he looked at you, it was like he was looking into your soul.  Sadly, the female I bought to be his mate, Angel, had a problem with low fertility and only ever had one kitten.  The breeder I bought Rome from wanted his kitten, but she didn't make it long enough to make the trip to AZ.  I lost her at the age of 12 weeks, from reasons the vet couldn't find.  The heartbreak I felt from her loss was enough to have me get Rome neutered and Angel spayed.  It took Angel over a year to produce one kitten...I figured they were better as pets. 

Rome and Angel have long since passed.  I lost Angel with a Mastiff I rescued killed her.  Rome died a few years later from an illness.  By the time I knew he was sick, it was too late.  (Of course, that didn't stop me from taking him to an emergency vet, and my regular vet to try and save him.)  I miss the Bengals.  I've had lots of cats over the years and I can honestly say there is nothing like one.  One day, when I'm not housing 10 cats, I plan to buy another and I hope he turns out to be a fraction of the cat Rome was.

That said, I do have a son of Rome here.  Some of you may have seen pictures of a big orange kitty with my son, Donovan.  Giz (as in Gizmo, AKA Gizzard) is Rome's son.  Rome definitely threw his temperament...though Giz's mom is a really cool cat too.  I'll try to get some pictures of him to post, when he isn't trying to convince Donovan that petting him would be better than playing with his toys.

I only have a couple of pictures, but here they are.

Rome, snow marble Bengal




Angel, snow spotted...still very young and her spots were still developing

[Tobys_Mom]

Hey Wildcat,

You had some pretty kitties.  I'm so sorry you had the problems you did.  Breeding is not easy, is it?

Did you know I bred bengals?  Or rather did?  My last 2 kittens just left for Michigan this weekend & I have my boy Aramis neutered already.  Its been 8 years since I started. 


This is Aramis, my baby boy.

http://www.braveheartbengals.com/ 

Ever think of fostering for the bengal rescue?  The one that covers Kentucky is the Great Lakes Bengal Rescue.  I have a bengal mix here right now as a foster. 

[Wildcat]

Aramis is gorgeous!  I love his pattern!  Who's the blue eyed snow on your home page?

No, breeding is not easy and I learned that the hard way.  I don't regret it, because if I had not made the decision to breed, I never would have found Rome.  As much as I enjoyed the kittens (including Giz in that), I won't be doing it again.  My next Bengal will be spayed/neutered and simply be a spoiled rotten pet, like the rest of my cats.  It's been almost 5 years since I lost Rome and I still miss him terribly.  There was something really special about that cat and I doubt I'll find anything like him again...I'm just happy I had the time with him that I did.  Does TICA have a way of finding offspring?

ETA:  Forgot about the rescue question.  If I didn't have 10 cats in the house now, I would.  As it is, it's a lot of work.  I took in two kittens someone dumped on it last Fall and the bunch has just now gotten their places established.  Oh the upheaval we went through!

[Tobys_Mom]

Thanks.  Aramis traces back to my very first stud. 

The blue-eyed snow (seal lynx point - a dark one though!) is Lilly.  Her registered name is Copperpenny's White Oleander.  My mom fell in love with her so when she was retired she went to live with her.  I get to see her on holidays and family visits.  Now she was a complete character in of herself.  LOL.

I don't know if TICA has any specific way of finding offspring.  There is nothing on their site, but you might want to call and ask.  They can be helpful sometimes.  You may also want to check out http://www.bengalpedigrees.com/ - breeders put in their cats and help others fill in holes.  Unfortunately I know I have completely lapsed in updating my cats in the pedigree.  Maybe I should do that for those that have my bloodlines.   

Also, if you have any specific cats & cattery name, I may have some info.  I've been with the breed for 8 years now, showed for many of those, and run a marbled bengal list - so I know quite a few breeders & cats out there.

[Tobys_Mom]

Few more pics to share from over the years...

Chardonnay:


Snickers:


Twist O Fate:


Kryptonite:


One of Lilly's sons:


Lady Rajah (F2):

[ImaybeRM]

What stunningly beautiful cats, I don't think I've ever come across them before, what color do you call Kryptonite, he is just WOW??

[Tobys_Mom]

Kryptonite was a brown marble who had an extremely clear coat and vivid outlining.  He was probably one of the best I produced. 

[Wildcat]

Angel colored out to look almost exactly like the son of Lilly you posted.

They are some phenomenal cats!  The breed as a whole doesn't compare to any other breed, as far as I'm concerned.