At left is Shadow, the first dilute Somali of my breeding and grandson to Reba, my foundation queen. The Somali is recognized in four colors - ruddy, red, blue and fawn. The "dilute" colors are blue and fawn. Shadow was my first dilute Grand Champion and my first Regional Winner. He was also CFA's first Regional Winning dilute Somali, as well as CFA's Best Blue Somali for 2 years running, both the 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 show seasons.
Shadow was a great cat to show - always hamming it up for the judges. He loved to perform for spectators. When I had him out of his cage, he would stand on the table on his hind legs, both paws on my chest, and beg for treats. Shadow is a sweet boy, and has passed his loving personality on to all his offspring.
GRC, RW Pirouette's Shadow Dancer
At right is Indy, Shadow's son from his first litter. Indy followed along in his dad's "pawsteps", becoming CFA's second blue Somali Regional Winner.
He was known among my fellow exhibitors as "Houdini" for his ability to break out of the judging cages. Indy never tried to run away - he just strolled calmly in front of the other cages as if to say "see what I can do!" One judge turned around just in time to catch Indy in midair! Indy's littermate, GRC Pirouette's Poetry in Motion, lives in Michigan with my dear friend Nancy Bailey of Foxbrush Somalis. To see photos of this handsome fellow, please click here: Poet's Page
GRP, RW Pirouette's Mood Indigo
Shadow's second litter produced two more show quality blue males. In line with the dancing theme I use when naming all my Somalis, I named one of them "Pirouette's Blue Gene Kelly", (pictured below right) after the famous dancer Gene Kelly, and the other one "Pirouette's An American In Paris" (pictured left) after one of Mr Kelly's best known movies .
Paris became a Grand Champion during the 1998-1999 show season - I showed him while I was showing his older brother, Indy. Paris never tried to break out of the cages, but he just adores people. He would give "head butts" to any judge who would get their face close enough, and at the benching area he would greet spectators the same way. Now that Paris' show career is over, he's been neutered and is living in happy retirement with his brother Indy.
GRC Pirouette's An American In Paris
Paris' littermate Kelly doesn't have any funny show querks - but he does have a voice like I've never heard on a Somali. Somalis are usually pretty quiet, but when Kelly was showing in championship he discovered girls (of the feline persuasion, of course) and spent his show time trying to get their attention. He would call to them in a voice almost like a barking dog. He never had any success with the girls (he's neutered now) but he sure got everyone else's attention!
Kelly lives with my friend Lee Dowding, who spoils him rotten (which is a requirement for anyone wishing to own one of my Somalis). Kelly's so full of himself he has his own web page.
CH, GPR Pirouette's Blue Gene Kelly
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Pirouette
cats and the beautiful Somalis of
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