Even though I grew up with dogs in the house, my father's dogs, when I became an 'adult' (of sorts) I always fancied cats. They suited my lifestyle better. For over 30 years in mainstream media broadcasting, I was always traveling. Even when I was in town, 12 hour days were not uncommon. A cat can abide by those hours, after all they sleep nearly 20 hours a day! So I'd have someone peek in on them while I was working to check on food water and kitty litter, and off I went to work.

(CAPTION: Patty chats with Rita Rose, who writes a blog for Indystar.com and is a big fan of PetPalsTV)

Of course, now I have my big Berner Louie...because I am home most of the time..and HAVE the time to be with him. I got Louie as a 7 week old puppy, raised him with cats crawling all over him sharing his food...so he loves his 4 kitties in our household as much as I do. ( I sometimes catch him sleeping on his bed with Gracie...oh my, they are so cute together.)

I tell you this to set up you for The Cat Show and to give you some background as to my deep love for kitties!

I was alerted to the Cat Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds this weekend, by our Pet Pals friend, IndyStar writer, Rita Rose. I read her blog last week in the paper and thought " I want to go"...and so, I did! How do I put this succinctly? Hmm, ah, I got it........ I HAD A BALL...A FURBALL-FANTASTIC TIME!!!

These cats...expensive cats...show cats...were gorgeous. These are not cats who just 'happen' to make baby kitties. These are well planned, thought out, orchestrated, WANTED cats and kittens. I have no problem with fancy high-falleuten cats because I know they should end up in caring homes.

So the people who participate in these cat shows are a special breed themselves.Colorful is a good word for it! they are passionate about their hobby/pets. Most travel with their cats from show to show around the country. They always know every historic detail about their breed. And are MORE than willing to bend you ear about
it!!

The judges are unique folks, too. Remember, they also travel, often around the world, judging cat shows. To be a judge, you must have been a pretty successful breeder and have put in your time in the trenches! Also, a good judge should be flexible enough to judge any and all breeds, even though they may have an affinity
for one or another. ( Some owners who have lost in the show ring will disagree that tthey are unbaised! haha)

(CAPTION: Patty talks to Cat Fanciers Association judge Wain Harding of Eukiah, Calif.)

And back to the cats. They took my breath away. Birman, Siamese, Devon Rex, Persian, Manx and the enchanting Ocicat! The Ocicat looks WILD, but it's a mixture of Siamese and Abyssenian to get that spotted look, like an Ocelot. The Ocicat is renown for his dog-like nature of fetchng toys and even being leash trained, so it's becoming very popular for folks who want a cat who will generate double
takes...and be super-friendly to the family.

I asked Dee, one of the owners, what it might cost to own a kitten from her Siamese stud show winner. She told me 18 hundred dollars! Kitty litter and cat nip, not included!! But again, anyone who wants one of these cats is sure to take care of their investment! You won't find one of these kitties abandoned in a dumpster or
tossed out in the street...so that makes me very happy!

(CAPTION: Patty has some fun with Dee Johnson, of San-Toi Cattery in Roseville, Calif., and Grand Champion Hiway Souvenir of San-Toi, a seal point Siamese.)

I had a wonderful time, with interesting, passionate Cat People this weekend, and learned more about various breeds. It was a feline-fantasy adventure!

The only downside to the excursion, was coming home to my doggie Louie. I couldn't take him with me, of course. So when I walked in the door, after 3 hours of touching and petting these exotic kitties, he knew.
He knew I'd been seeing other cats. He could smell them on me. I felt naughty and cheap...I told him they meant nothing to me, but he moped around all day, with 'that disapproving look'.

I went from being in a cat-house, to being in the doghouse...oh my! (He's since forgiven me!)

**** for more excellent pictures and stories on the Midwest Region Cat Show, watch Pet Pals TV, April 11th, 11am *******and check out Rita Rose's blog at www.indystar.com