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KEETO'S PAGE

QUADRUPLE GRAND CHAMPION ALTER

FORESTGEMS KEETO

NEWS...Keeto stands at No.4 Best Bengal Alter in Northern Europe and the UK! for Tica's 08/9 show season!!...NEWS

NEWS...Keeto gains FOUR more titles at his second Tica show!!!...NEWS

Introducing Keeto!! And what a lovely little chap he is - so gentle and so affectionate, but a real terror with it! He is from Paddy and Polly of Forestgems Bengals in Somerset. I loved the look of their cats from their website, so eventually I phoned them to meet their cats at their home. I had already seen the fabulous Forestgems Premier Krug, (who has since achieved the distinguished title of 'Supreme Grand Champion'); at a show when he was just a five month old kitten. I was very impressed by him so was most interested to see his Sire, Champion Dazzledots Banner Headline who was imported from the prestigious Dazzledots cattery in Canada. Banner is just so impressive with his stunning markings, colour, head shape and huge stud ‘jowls’ - and such a friendly boy with it.

They invited me to see Banner’s new litter, born just five days previously. We went upstairs and the birthing box lid was opened to reveal Adcinsh Tegantwo, AKA Teegan, with her kittens. Teegan came out of the box and purred and pranced around. She was so affectionate and so adorable and loved all the attention. We stayed about twenty minutes and apparently it was the longest she had been out of her box since the birth, so I felt very honoured that she should be so trusting with a stranger. I noticed a lovely little boy amongst the kittens so I asked if they would kindly keep me informed as to the progress of this particular litter.

Photos were sent and I eventually visited Forestgems again when the kittens were eight weeks old. The girls woke and got out of their bed and the little boy stayed there dozing in the warmth of the conservatory. I touched his chest and he lifted his little front leg for me to stroke his chin and tummy. That did it .... I was smitten!!! That was my first proper meeting with little Keeto and I can’t thank Paddy and Polly enough for entrusting him into my care, as I know how particular they are in placing their kittens.

Keeto at 13 weeks old

Keeto's first night in his new home

Keeto established a routine right from the start. He sleeps in my bedroom at night, mostly under my duvet by my feet but sometimes next to my head and he doesn’t stir for the whole of the night until I wake up to make my tea. He has his ablutions and some food and then Keeto and I get back into bed for half hour while I have my morning tea. We then get up properly – and the fun and games begin! Constant playing, rushing and jumping around whilst 'helping' me with whatever I'm doing until he eventually wears himself out and settles down for his mid morning doze.

Keeto at 14 weeks old

He is a delight to have around and I spend a lot of time just staring in awe at him. He has a beautiful golden coat with the most amazing coloured rosetted pattern on a pale background showing wonderful contrast and super sparkly glitter. At the age of two now he has grown up to be a large, substantial cat with a long lithe body, a lovely head and gorgeous golden rosetted markings on a pale background.

He settled into the household in no time, firstly winning over Bruno the Springer Spaniel, who has a very laid back and soft nature. Pussycat Ziggi was the second on his list of conquests and by the end of the week Ziggi had become his surrogate father, tolerating being jumped on as well as constantly having to put up with Keeto playing with his tail. Callie the mad Lab, who thinks everything is a game and everyone wants to play, was a bit overpowering for Keeto at first but Keeto soon found the ideal way to have some fun with him - dive-bombing him from above, very funny to see!

Keeto and Bruno say good morning Keeto and Callie in the bedroom

Misti on the other hand, was a tougher cookie to crack. She has always been the baby of the family and at first she saw her position threatened by this little kitten that is constantly by my side. She came round gradually, as day-by-day her acceptance became more apparent. Now two months on, Misti accepts Keeto as part of the household, though still insists on showing Keeto who's boss.

Keeto was shown for the first year and did very well on the show bench and gained the title of Quadruple Grand Champion Alter, but he then decided that the show life wasn't for him so is now retired and adores his life here at home. Keeto’s pedigree is very impressive with International and Regional Winners as well as Supreme, Quadruple, Triple and Double Grand Champions. With such an illustrious pedigree little Keeto certainly has a lot to live up to I must say!

KEETO'S OWN LITTLE GALLERY

Keeto basking in the sun