ZSAMI

ZSAMI'S PAGE

Introducing a new arrival to the household … the fabulous Typhast Zsami from Barrie and Rosie Alger-Street of the distinguished Typhast cattery on the banks of the Thames. Zsami (pronounced Sami), seen above at the age of just 19 weeks, comes from a most illustrious pedigree on both his Sire and Dam's side, and it certainly shows - what a little stunner! Super type with the most gorgeous clear donut rosette markings and covered in sparkling gold and pearl glitter. On top of all that he is a very affectionate purry kitten who I think might even take over the title of ‘Ultimate Lap-cat’ from Misti! He follows me everywhere and seems pretty bomb proof as he loved trailing after me when I'm hoovering. He has settled into his new home wonderfully. Ziggi of course, treats him as though he has lived here all his life. Misti is her usual aloof self with a new one around, though I've caught her playing tag with him a few times so she has accepted him quite well considering what a little Diva she is. Keeto hated him for the first few days and he also hated me for bringing him into his domain. But, a week later, Zsami turned it around and now Keeto loves playing with him and he has forgiven me completely! It’s great that both Keeto and Zsami have a playmate nearer their own age. He has also taken to both of the dogs as they take all the cats in their stride like big uncles.

I had been very impressed with the Typhast cats and kittens I’d seen at various shows over the past few years. Cats with fabulous looks, richly coloured coats and lovely laid back temperaments. As a result I decided to see if they might have a suitable little one for me and I spent a very pleasant afternoon at their house with a tour of the cattery being introduced to all their happy, contented cats. The centrepiece of this lovely enclosed haven is a beautiful oval raised pond containing an array of coloured Koi Carp that came to the surface to greet me. Not forgetting Freddie and Florence the Geese and the chicken in one corner of the lawn, and also Albert the Tortoise whom I spent fifteen minutes searching for in the garden and lawns so that I could bring him in to Rosie to be wormed. If I had been given a list of things to guess which one I would be doing that day, helping to worn a tortoise would not have been one of them!

It was on this first visit that I first viewed Grand Champion Typhast Greatballsofire (nicknamed GB) and Typhast Kalandergirl's litter of five kittens, then only four weeks old. I had no hesitation in my choice of the striking little one that clung to my jumper as he crawled up to nestle under my chin, and I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to have this little fellow as he was most certainly the pick of the litter.

Zsami at 4 weeks old

Coincidentally, (although Barrie won't remember!) the very first Bengal I ever saw was from Typhast way back in 1999 when Barrie invited me to stroke the wonderfully silken coat of one of his kittens at a show in Torquay! Barrie and Rosie Alger-Street were amongst the first Bengal breeders in the UK way back in the early 1990’s, and have been active members of the Bengal Cat Club since it’s conception.

My second visit to Typhast was spent playing with Zsami, his mother and siblings, and their stunning big brother Bear in the conservatory. Zsami was ten weeks old by this time, already a live wire and a really solid chap who purred and played as the sunshine streamed through the windows.

Zsami at 10 weeks old ... at 13 weeks old

... and at 14 weeks old

I collected Zsami when he was 13 weeks old and although a few protestations for the first couple of miles in my car, he settled down to be a very relaxed kitty for the whole four and a half hour journey to his new home in Devon. He’s been in the car once since then and again, relaxed and undaunted by the experienced.

His laid back and bold character was also very evident at his very first show four weeks after he came here. He was perfect in every way and I really feel as though I have the perfect successor to Ziggi. Unfortunately, little terror that he is, Zsami is also picking up some of Ziggi's clever little tricks! Amazingly, within a couple of weeks of being here, he began copying Ziggi's opening of doors. Ziggi does this all the time but luckily Zsami isn't bit enough to reach the handles yet, though he jumps up as high as he can in a very determined attempt. Such a smart little thing - and at such a young age! It took him quite a while to figure out what was beyond the cat flap and when he did venture through he tried to get through it all the time. Using the locking mechanism was the obvious thing for me to do but like Ziggi, with careful manipulation, he managed to unlock it, so now it's blocked with a block of wood for all the cats and they now all have to ask to come in and out.

I am so pleased that I took the trouble to go so far to visit Typhast. The whole experience from my first visit to the collection has been a real pleasure and I’m sure that Zsami will do them credit on the show bench. Thank you Rosie and Barrie – I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect kitten!

Zsami - already a fire hog at just 14 weeks old!

Website design by Anne Wedge - Coak