May 1st is traditionally the beginning of the new show season in several cat registries.
As I was preparing for our first issue of the next show season, it occurred to me that the first day of a new cat show season is similar in spirit to New Year's Eve.
The old season is done.
What had been, has been.
Some people will have reached the goals they set a year ago.
Some people will have had a season beyond their wildest dreams.
Some people will have fallen short of their expectations.
But now, at the beginning of the new season, once again, all things are possible.
YOU could have the next national winner!
Or you may have your first DM.
Or this may be the month you breed the kitten you have been waiting for for years.
No matter how great or how humble your goals, this is an ideal time to sit down and think about what you hope to accomplish for the 2001-2002 show season.
And like New Year's Eve, this is a day to make resolutions as well as to set new goals.
So, taking an old-fashioned pencil and paper in hand, I curled up on the sofa, and with several cats crowding onto my lap, I may my resolutions for the upcoming season
-
I resolve to be a little kinder in the showhall.
-
I will introduce myself to anyone who I don't know in the showhall.
- I am going to step forward and congratulate all the winners.
- I resolve to try a little harder to educate myself in all aspects of breeding and showing and caring for my beloved cats.
- If I see something I think is unfair, I will speak up.
- I will go to one more show than I did last year to support the cat fancy.
- I will make an effort to be aware of legislation and fight against it.
- I will know that what is true for me as a fancier, may be different for other people and different in other breeds.
- I will understand that this is a hobby and not life or death, and I will behave accordingly.
- I accept that rosette or no rosette, the cat remains the same.
- I resolve to not gossip or speak unkindly of other exhibitors, no matter how tempting it may be.
- I resolve to mentor at least one new breeder this year.
- I resolve to stop and speak to the household exhibitor and let them tell me their cat's story.
