The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-09-06
KENNELS FOR CATS.
Mrs. Vests Farm on the Shores of
Geauga Lake.

Mrs. Vests Farm on the Shores of
Geauga Lake.
That any one should deliberately add
to the sum Of living cats requires ex-
PLANTATION. This explanation Mrs. Per-
cy West. the owner of the Geauga Lake
kennels, IS prepared to give, and an in
teresting story it is. Being obliged to
undertake some form of livelihood, and
having always been lover of cats. she
decided to start a cat farm-nOt for
their fur, as some more heartless peo-
pie have been known to do, but for the
production of thoroughbreds for cat
ers.
On the borders of the Ohio lake she
has built a number of neat we'll kept
Queen Anne houses, in which cat fam
lilies are born, reared and allowed to
grow up into stately and beautiful an
imals. At this place the owner spends
most of her time at certain seasons of
the year. giving her personal super
vision to the work.
Mrs. West says: My venture was the
result Of a bequest of two fine Angoras
from a friend going abroad. AS I be-
came greatly attached to them, and as
1 found the kittens of this species We're
often in demand, [ resolved to go into
the business. When my husband was
living he was greatly interested in
dogs, and as | only had to add my cat
kennels the labor was a light one, and
profitable as a means of subsistence for
my family.
But with all my knowledge of ami
mails 1 soon learned that although cats
are not troublesome creatures, yet in
the rearing of Angoras for the first
eight months great care should be taken
not to expose them to wet or chill. They
cannot live without fresh air or exer-
else. Each mother is provided with a
clean, cosy kennel, and can be let
out only on days that are sunny and
warm.
Now, to all cat lovers there are
symptoms of illness constantly occur
ring, so that kitten must be carried
through her kittenhood with extreme
care, and if watched, a coming illness
can be prevented, so that the losses
Will be few. Food with these beauti-
full creatures is an important item, for
as kittens grow into cats diet of milk
can be added. Angoras, as rule, have
PCNuAAdi Ids lGS III eating. 1uty are very
fond of lettuce; spinach they delight
in. In fact, all greer. vegetables can be
sparingly given, with meat scraped
very fine once every day. But the main
point is clear weather, exercise and
plenty of liberty until they row to be
fine large cats. Cats of high degree
such as these, are not expected to have
the nine lives allotted to the ordinary
feline, and therefore must be guarded
They are clean, dainty, and loving, and
when once their affections are given
it is hard to part with them at any
price. As for good common sense. they
have a wonderful amount, with SEEM
ingly no variety. In appearance they
are really beautiful: their tails are soft,
with long hair, curly. Simply fluffy
balls that roll themselves up in cor
ners or on cushions, making pictures
everywhere"
Mrs. West declares that cat raising is
a healthful occupation, and for delicate
women who are dependent upon them
selves. if a method is persisted in, it will
surely prove a success.
A pretty story has just reached us
about the owner on her arrival from a
W cSitIu IONu- To-day L came from
Cleveland, and the moment my voice
was heard at home out came the cats
and dogs from their kennels You would
have laughed. There was Bebe. with
one bound, on my shoulder and purr-
ing and loving me, with the big white
tail over my head. We liken it to the
| white plume in the helmet of Navarro
Jim Ii fiddle de I, another Angora,
with a blue and yellow eye, came from
under the table and talked to me. while
Royal Paintik. a great white and NAL
tese male, came hurriedly from around
the house and got into my lap. Helen
l.. an imported German cat, came in
with her four kittens tagging behind,
and dogs of all sizes and ages wei
coined me. If you could see the cats,
kittens. puppies and carrier pigeons
| eating out of the same dish together.
you would be amused.
a pretty cat, called Bebe. sleeps on
my bed every night, and when she
thinks I ought to retire she commences
to talk and go toward the stairs. to and
fro until 1 am ready. Another Angora
has learnt the habit of pulling all the
pins out of my dressing case cushion.
1lAE AdHES AAACA4l Outs OlAE dN "a llIllS. anu
then from her mouth drops them on the
floor"
1t is also remarkably strange that
Angoras have their favorites among
people. Two pretty Maltese kittens
would for Mrs. Vests mother turn
somersaults. but for no one else.
When bathing in the Geauga Lake the
owner of the kennels will take in Royal
Paintik. He will go in her arms, enjoy
it greatly, and when taken out beg to
go in again. There are plenty of charm
ing anecdotes about these cats. who
seem to understand all that is said to
them. When Mrs. West turns her steps
eastward she is pretty sure to bring
with her from two to six Angoras or
Maltese 10 replace those which are sold
when vacancies occur. She affirms that,