Update - Van's Colorado Exploits!

We received a lovely email update from Karina in Colarado USA today.  Even betterit hadsome super pictures attached, which I thought I'd share.

......Anyway, Mr. Van is doing great and really seems to enjoy his time outside in the sun. I've attached a couple photos of him in his outdoor enclosure. You can kind of see my daughter (who's 5) is coming to the pen and Van is running up to the gate to meet her. He is such a sweetie and we just love him.

I do believe the breeding with Ella took as she is starting to fill out a bit and looks great. I can't wait to see what the kittens look like, fingers crossed for a big litter this time. Anyway, off to work for now. Van is awesome and we couldn't be happier with him. Thanks so much for allowing us the chance to have him as part of our breeding program.

Karina

Update - A Great Vantage Point from Here!

I took some movieclips of Van the Man yesterday morning.... we were having a bit of a game with a wagglestick... which he managed to completely destroy :oP.  Followed by lots of head rubbing and body scrunges which he adores.  You'll hear how much he likes those.  Van is a proven stud and is currently available to a breed program.

Van - Youtube Clip 1

Van - YouTube Clip 2

Van - YouTube Clip 3

Update - More Van The Man Photos

This past week Van has really filled out around the head and neck.  It is becoming increasingly difficult to tell him apart from his dad Ed.  I think he still has a bit of a baby face look at times....but then it is replaced with a full on adult male look.  I hope you like this latest photo shoot of this boy who is now 16m old, and he still has maturing to do.  Van has already sired 2 large litters this year (1 with Shanty the other with Alyssum).  We are still looking for a placement for Van, so please contact us if you'd be interested in Van as either a Stud or Pet.

Update - Eyes Open for HMS Alyssum Six!

We named this litter after Kent Coastal Towns.  All six of these Bobtail Balls of Fluff, have really strong muzzles... which is what I was expecting. Their Dam has a super one, and Sire Van is not bad in that department either.  They also have a decent eye shape for young kittens, which I am very pleased with. Again the parent have that covered, so it was pretty good guess that these babies would fair well there too, unless some odd throwback happened.  Finely, they also got some great rich rufus colour and pattern to their thick wooly coats.  Which means they have a super stand off shorthaired coat with desirable muted spotting.

They all grow up so quickly... It only seems like yesterday, I was sitting with Alyssum while she delivered these beauties.  However the key thing about this post is, all the kittens eyes are open, and they are scooting around already very active, and leading mum a merry dance now.

 

We will be keeping one of the females from this litter, as yet we are not 100% certain which one, but we've narrowed it to a possible 2.  We chose this option above keeping Heidi, so sorry guys and girls, only 5 of the 6 kittens will be available.  This still leaves us 2 boys and 3 girls looking for homes (after we've made our choice), plus mum HMS Alyssum of course.  Dad Van is moving to another breed program, to work his magic there..and in return we're getting ourselves a longhaired male with new lines... but I'll save that story for a later date.

OK, so the kittens eyes are open wheres the photos?  We've taken a few group shots.... but you'll be pleased to know, we've also taken the liberty to put a names to a face for you.  After this post, we'll be publishing each kitten with their own blog entry, so you can began to familiarise yourself with whos who. 

I have studied and seen subtle differences between coat pattern, shade and maybe a slight different eye or muzzle...but I have to confess, they are all quite similar at the moment.... so it may take a couple of weeks more before you can tell them all apart.  Anyway hope you enjoy this latest update.

Update - Like Father, Like Son!

These 2 batchelor boys live together, and yes they're active studs.  In fact, they are father and son (Ed and Van).  Can you tell the difference? 

Van has actually outgrown Ed upwards at least.  Ed undercoat is slightly redder in tone and he is still more solid and thicker round the middle and the neck and head.. but no doubt in one years time, I'm sure we'd have more trouble in telling the difference between these boys even more.  If it wasn't the slight difference in tail lengths, I'd have to do a double take every time myself, as it is I often find myself saying.... Ed, I mean Van (or vice versa).

Ed in the Foreground and Van in the Background.

I'll leave you guessing, and the tell tale tail is hidden too.

Can You Guess if this is Father or Son?

Update - Van The Man Photoshoot

Vans last photo shoot wasnt as successful as I'd like because of the lighting. I took it this time in my kitchen where the natural daylight pours through our bay window.   These I think came out much better.

Update - Photoshoot of Van The Man!

We haven't taken any pictures of Van The Man for an age.  He is much more leggy than mum and dad, and certain this comes from the older lines in his pedigree. I see this traits in Ollie (Ed's Brother) and also in Lil' Spud who is related to Alessi.  I definately see a young Ed in Van's face though!  Handale Vantage Point is the sire to the Newborn kittens we had on 1st August to Totallycoastal Sea Shanty.

Update - Vantage Point Photoshoot @ 7m

This photo shoot was well overdue... but here's the latest pictures of Vantage Point (AKA Van the Man). As you can see he is looking a spitting image of his dad (CH Ed Red Esq.) in the face. However,  Vans coat pattern is more like his mums, and the length seems to continue to grow too. Its already a tad longer than his dads, and his tail is taking on a fluffiness, and what appears to be the start of a skirt to upper hind legs. So I am wondering if he'll actually become a semi-longhair, as the texture of his coat also fits too.  It's a bit of an anomaly as he is lacking longer fur around the face, so who knows... this too may begin to grow in, or Van may become a shaggy short. It's quite exciting to watch though and Van definately carries for longhair.  Because of all these things, and because of Broadside's departure (giving us space), I am keeping Van here, under further evaluation for Our Program... but I have a sneaky feeling he'll stay. 

I think he has special look about him that remind me so much of Ed overall.  He has that weighty feel but no podginess about him, it's a good chunky frame and substance. Even from a very small kitten Vans best trait was his personality, he is a purr machine and so giving... basically a fantastic lovable boy.

So not only does Vans face fit, he also fits surprisingly well into my intended future program, if he stays ;oP.  I would love to pair him to any of the females we decide to keep from Quinn this year, and additionally Big Mac x Nebraska litter which due this spring.  I think these all hold much promise for the Pixiebob breed and Totallycoastal.

So I'll  cut to the chase, and stop talking as I know you're all keen to see the pictures of this boy.