back to work

Arrived home Monday late afternoon - tired but happy having had a wonderful time in Norway.
Visited all the Boarders, Bengals, and Savannahs - just to say hello!
Vicky had done a fabulous job looking after them all with the help of Katey, Fran, Anca, and Amelia - many thanks to them all for all their hard work. Having had a cup of coffee and taken Vicky's update on Bengals, Savannahs, and boarders it was time to catch up on the many emails that were sitting unanswered - not a quick job by any means - please be patient with me and i will answer all emails in the next couple of days - if i don't' get back to you by Wednesday, please resend.
jacky
www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk
www.pureblissbengals.co.uk

norway visit

Per and Tove Ingrid of ArcticSavannahs / ArcticBengals invited Tim and myself to join them - the second TICA show in Norway. We went a few days early and Per and Tove Ingrid were amazing hosts - showing us their beautiful country Norway - such stunning views! we met some of the friendliest people its ever been our pleasure to meet.

TICA cat show on Saturday 21 November '09
we had a wonderful day meeting show exhibitors from Norway and their stunning cats and kittens. Purebliss wish them all future success and hope that their TICA shows continue to grow in popularity.
Jacky
www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk
www.pureblissbengals.co.uk

CatWorld November

What a relief to see that CatWorld shows their respect for the truth and has given a good 4 page spread of what a savannah is like.
November issue of Catworld shows our own Illusion (6th generation savannah at Purebliss Savannahs), Serval Jim who loves to spend time with his serval girlfriend Betty (helping Poespoes and Purebliss further the Savannahs), Penelope (6th generation savannah) with QGC Purebliss Valour (bengal stud) stating some of the differences between a bengal and savannah, and a photo of Tim Bliss holding Loopy Loo - a 6th generation savannah when she was a kitten, with Bolivia - a 6th generation savannah when she was a kitten, sat on his shoulder.
Jackie Bliss ...........more to follow:.....................

supercats

A film crew was at purebliss for the BBC - the one show. Lovely boys and girls, they were very pleasant and it was a pleasure to have them here. The 3 and half minutes that was talked of was reduced to about a minute and it was mentioned - too much information and too much detail, too complicated. What went out on TV wasn't quite what was expected - they put their own spin on it to say the least - as media often do.
They were good enough to point out that there has never been an incident with a Savannah. They also showed my interview stating my trust in my cats and kittens with my grandchild and children. Lets face it, we allow our kittens to go to families with children, and if we can't trust our cats and kittens with our own family we have no right letting them go to other families.
I thought I would remember to be more basic for the next interview.

An interview took place at Purebliss for the Daily Mail. Victoria is a lovely girl and a pleasure to have here. All the cats and kittens were frightened of the photographer, so that didn't help us at all. Although the article in the Daily Mail started well, it went down hill with the girls description of Ecstasy when he struggled to get out of her arms when the cameraman came close - anyone that knows Ecstasy knows what a lovely nature this boys has and he doesn't have any larger jaws than any other male cat.
I thought I would remember for the next interview that was arranged how these people love to put their own spin on everything.
Having had such good interviews with Fred for animal planet, i wrongly expect to see the good in the media.  Must make a note that reading the Daily Mail again would be a waste of time unless we want a high percentage of fiction.

30 September '09 - Next came Emma for Hull Look North. A lovely girl who was also a pleasure to have at Purebliss. Emma said she wanted to show the cats as they really are, both Savannahs and Bengals. Emma suggested right at the start to keep it as simple as possible for their viewers that don't know anything about the terms used or breeding programmes. Although i could have been better myself, I'm told this was the best representation for the Savannah, although i didn't get to see it myself, i'm told by some that i know, Look North tried not to be misleading and were honest in their approach, although their cutting did make it come over a little strange mix of bengals and savannahs.

Many thanks to all of you that supported me in this difficult task. and to you who came down against me - well at least we now have some of the public seeing the Savannah size instead of this inflated picture of them being like an F1 (serval to domestic first cross). 
Jacky

dropout update

Dropout had been doing so well, then last night he stopped feeding. we have been dropping small amount of milk into his mouth through the night in the hope he would start fighting again. He stopped holding onto our fingers and just curled up into a little ball in our hands wanting to cuddle. Then this afternoon he lost his battle, he slipped away quietly in our hands, all curled up in a little ball, just as if he was still asleep - only this time it was a much longer sleep.
We feel very sad at his loss.
Its a strange day today, as its my birthday tomorrow and it doesn't feel right celebrating, so we think we will put it off for a day or two.
Jacky

dropout

last night was hard going.
Approx 10pm - checking on Popsicle as she has been showing signs of early labour for a few days - she is in confinement - a little like bed rest for humans.
Out popped the tiniest kitten with only a little fur on his back and head - all wrinkly and pink, but with good lungs, screaming to his hearts content.
Tim took him and snuggled him into him whilst he set up a hot water bottle and a snugly blanket.
Popsicle needed looking after as she was still having contractions. she was very upset and didn't know what was happening to her. out popped another premature kitten, but this time it wasn't developed quite enough internally and died within seconds. how sad when something with such beauty has no chance at life.
Dropout is what we call him as that's what he did. he is such a fighter! We feed him every hour with small amounts of watery milk replacement.
9am and he is still fighting and doing well. he clings onto my fingers whilst he feeds and falls asleep with the syringe still in his mouth.
11am - we've decided Dropout can go on to 2 hourly feeds as he is doing so well.
1pm/2pm - Dropout is doing well on his 2 hourly feeds so that's how we will keep it for now.
His marbling is stunning, you can see all his markings quite clearly on his pink skin, even the third colour travelling down the centre of his tramlines down his back - stunning boy.
Jacky

Savannah Babies

Ambition is starting to get fed up of her babies today, therefore moving Savannah babies to the kitten house where Winnie's kittens are. Winnie's Bengal babies were raised by Dolly in the kitten house when Winnie couldn't manage it. we will see if she wants visiting times or not - all queens are different with different needs for their happiness.

We put a new climbing frame in with Bolivia and her kittens yesterday. they have well and truly got the hang of it overnight. Mum doesn't get a look in - he he! they are weaning well apart from one of the little girls who we are helping out with.

Energy is loving having her kittens. She has now allowed them to move out of the cocoon she made in the quilts, so that they can see what is going on in their small world. There is a large cushion I've left near their bed for me to sit on, and a little boy keeps walking up it, but in no time at all Energy has him back in with his brothers and sisters. I don't think it will be long before he's out and about.
Jacky
http://www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk/
http://www.pureblissbengals.co.uk/

wednesday 16 Sept '09

Wednesday 16th
Joseph has his third operation this morning so it was an early start for Katey, malc and Joseph. He came through with flying colours and we hope he will be home Thursday.

Purebliss Bungalow Bill went in for neutering today. Apparently he only stopped talking to them when under anesthetic - he he!

Debbie called in with cream cakes and so we all had ham sandwiches followed by cream cakes for lunch - yummy!
It was lovely to see Debbie again, not to mention saska (seal spotted lynx) again, a stunning snow boy we let go as a much loved pet with Debbie.
Jacky

winnie

Winnie had 4 gorgeous rosetted brown spotted Bengal kittens - one I'm tempted to keep - oh dear, that means i have to make a decision of if i retire a queen to keep another kitten!
Friday 10 July - had everything ready to go to the TICA cat show Saturday and Sunday.
Evening - Winnie starts to have contractions again and starts rejecting her kittens. With Winnie all night helping her with her kittens.
Saturday 9am - Ring Vet and take Winnie for an examination. She is free of anything left inside her but she seems to still have contractions, so we bring her home to keep a close eye on her. Meanwhile Dolly has taken her kittens to look after, Winnie finds it hard to take care of her kittens herself. We keep an eye on Dolly looking after Winnies kittens but all seems well there.
That means no show for me on the Saturday.
Hopefully Sunday i will make it to the show.
Jacky
www.pureblissbengals.co.uk
www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk

Baby Bliss-Brown

Wednesday 01 July '09
Welcome to the world Joseph Luke Bliss-Brown. Katey gave birth to a wonderful healthy baby boy. It was a natural birth and mum and baby are doing just fine.
Jacky

katey's pregnancy update

Wednesday 1st July '09
6.30am - phone call from Vicky letting us know that Katey is dilated to 3 cms. we find it nerve wracking waiting for phone calls that never arrive. its a time for husband and wife to be together with the birth of their first baby, but my goodness its hard being a mum sometimes and trying to keep out of things.
mid-day. Finding it impossible to wait any longer for news, we contact the hospital for news - Katey is dilated to 5 cms.
5pm -ish. we take a call from Malcolm informing us that she is dilated to 7cms and he will ring us once their baby is born. Everything is now finally going well and they are now anticipating a normal birth.
Still more waiting!

we seem to have been working on automatic today. Everything seems to have been done, the cats and kittens are all well. The fans are really appreciated by them all, some cats and kittens sitting on shelves waiting for the fan to swivel round to them.
Only Cash doesn't like the fans - she is hiding under our table in the entrance conservatory keeping her eye on some snow kittens we have running around between the kitchen and conservatory. They don't seem to understand where the breeze keeps coming from when they go near the fans. Cash makes sure they don't go outside which means we can keep the doors open - i wonder how long that will last until they learn they can escape to the world outside.

Moved the 2 Illusions kittens that are waiting to be collected out of the lounge, and moved in Treasures kittens - they love it, although they don't seem as interested in the TV - or maybe its the news that doesn't interest them - he he!

Had to move one of the blue kittens out of the kitten room today as its being bullied by the rest of her brothers and sisters.

Devils snow litter vaccinated today - one of the boys seems to have a temperature this evening - need to keep an eye on him. syringe some cold water down him and make it into a game to encourage him to drink lots at the same time. Once it cools down tonight i will give them all some chicken juices to drink to encourage them to drink more.

Allie has gone in with Timmy - we'll just have to wait to see what happens as they are not interested in anything but laying down.
hopefully tomorrow i will be writing about our new grandchild.
Jacky
http://www.pureblissbengals.co.uk/
http://www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk/

katey's pregnancy

Tuesday 31st June '09
12.36am - A phone call from Katey - she is having contractions every 5 mins which goes to 4 Mins whilst on the phone to me. i tell her to keep me informed and tell her to try to rest as she can't go into hospital until they are every 3 mins.
7.15am - i give Vicky a call to see if she has heard anything about Katey. Vicky is on her way to Katey's to pick up her cats and bring them to us for their holiday whilst Katey is in hospital. Once Vicky arrives at Katey's she gives us a call to let us know that there are only cats there so they must be in hospital.
mid-am - we get a call from Katey to say her labour has slowed down, so its a waiting game. She is going to try to get some rest and will let us know when the pains heat up again.
Meanwhile everything continues in the cattery.......... kittens need to be fed and cared for ........... as do the Queens and Studs. All the fans are going on full to keep the air moving in the quarantine, the boarding cattery, and Purebliss Cattery.
we have a visit from 2 lady's wanting information on hybrids and harnesses so we send them to talk with Kelly and Sara of Kelsar Bengals who make great harnesses.
Lunchtime - Vicky is making lunch and we can all have some iced drinks to cool down.
pm - we will keep our fingers crossed that things speed up for Katey. when Katey was born i went into labour on the Friday and she was born on the Monday, i wonder if she is going through a similar thing.
jacky
www.pureblissbengals.co.uk
www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk

meat day

Tuesday 16th June
Fed weaning kittens and very young kittens with warm cooked chicken in juices - they love it!
Older kittens given fresh raw, along with some of the adults who love it. we are also hand raising a savannah litter who's mum had decided it was time they stood alone - they can't quite manage it yet, so we are syringe feeding them every few hours to encourage them into early weaning.

Vicky collected Katey on the way to work this morning so that she could spend time with us - Katey is too close to her due date to drive.

Mid-morning and the vet makes his daily visit to Purebliss Quarantine - checks the cats and signs the book. Tim and Vicky had just finished cleaning out Betty. She is becoming cleaner in her sleeping area now she is nearing her due date - her pregnancy is so very different to the Bengal and Savannahs, and much longer.
Syringe feed the Savannah litter that needs help weaning.

Then the rest of the morning is taken up with mincing lamb hearts and chicken breasts. Then its onto the whole chickens - all to be ground twice so that no bones are left - full of goodness!

Lunchtime - Vicky and Katey are making the sandwiches whilst i hand feed the savannahs for early weaning.
Katey is very close to her due date now, so the warm weather is getting too much for her at times. After lunch she has her daily nap before Malcolm picks her up to take her home. Lunchtime feeds for all the kittens.

pm - cash and carry visit to buy some tinned and dry cat food, sundries etc. picked up some new toys for all the kittens. Put some straight into a couple of kitten litters - I'm really pleased with them (the kittens love them too) will buy some more later in the week.

no sooner back then Tim comes looking for me to answer the phone. Kittens need to take priority, especially these that need hand feeding. people don't understand sometimes that the kittens need feeding on time or they don't improve. we don't always answer every phone call as we are working with kittens or cats that need our attention.
Managed to get the early weaning kittens fed.

pm - time to take photos - took some photos of a couple of savannah kittens that i haven't had time to take before.
Hand feed the early weaners.
Nightly feed for all the cats and kittens - check all waters are full, and remove any poo from kitten litters.
take the savannah kittens from the webcam into the lounge. Leave Tim to clean out the kitten conservatory ready for a Bengal litter to go in. its lovey to see the kittens running and playing on camera.

8pm - time passes too quickly - we need to eat.
Hand feed the early weaning kittens, and check kittens all have dry to eat during the night.

we need to take some more photos but instead we have a cup of tea (for Tim) coffee (for me) and view a DVD.
the rest of the photos will have to wait until another day - there are only so many hours in a day and the health and welfare of our cats and kittens have to come first.
Jacky
www.pureblissbengals.co.uk
www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk

bank holiday

Things are still very busy at Purebliss.
Hand feeding, then weaning kittens. LouLou giving birth early during the early hours of Sunday morning, she started about 2.30am, meaning we didn't get much sleep before going to show on the Sunday.

Picked up Mum from Leeds on Monday - we are very proud to say she is 92 years old this year and fit and well. We had a day shopping on Tuesday and dinned out in the evening. We gave Mum a birthday party on the Wednesday evening which we are pleased to say she really enjoyed. Mum had flowers and chocolates, and gifts from Vicky, Katey, Paul and Malcolm. Tim and I bought her a gorgeous suede jacket which i would have loved myself.

Vicky and Katey (daughters) took Mum back on Thursday whilst we got ready for our visitors. We were very happy to see Per and Tove Ingrid again, and enjoyed their company for dinner in the evening. They stayed with us overnight and helped us the following day with the cats and kittens. Per and Tove Ingrid took Leila and Hero back to Norway with them on the Friday by an overnight crossing. Leila and Hero did very well and took the long journey in their stride. We miss these cats that have been with us in quarantine for so many months, we've grown to know and love them.

Saturday was a Seminar - I love to go to these as there are so many things we can learn about cats in general, and different breeds. Maggie was with us for 6.30am and we set off in order to arrive about 8.30am. We had a good day and happily met up with friends from the show world.

Much of Sunday was trying to catch up on work. Tim did a great job keeping everything ticking over nicely on his own as Vicky decided to have the weekend and bank holiday on the Broads - I'm pleased to say it sounds like she and Paul are having a wonderful time - a much earned rest so she can start all over again on Tuesday.

Monday is Vicky's birthday. lots of work trying to get everything done so that we can have a birthday party in the afternoon. Vicky, Paul, Katey, Malcolm, Tim and myself celebrating the birth our daughter Vicky, she will always be our baby girl. Same with Katey, always our baby girl. You mothers out there know what i mean!
Well - I'd better go and get ready for everyone coming now.
Jacky
www.pureblissbengals.co.uk

friday 15 May

Ambition has lost too much weight and condition so we've decided to take her kittens away and hand raise them. they aren't too happy about us feeding them powdered milk instead of their mothers milk, but they will get used to it.
Even though they are weeks old, we feed them every 3 hours until they take to the milk.
Night feeds are tiring but a necessity until they start to take the milk more happily. we need to make sure they don't dehydrate.
Friday pm - bath Renegade and give Timmy a good brushing. both have dropped some weight due to their need for girls. they will have to learn to wait until the girls are ready.
Jacky
http://www.pureblissbengals.co.uk/
http://www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk/

sunday 3 may

Life has been manic lately - so very busy with birthing, kittens and changes in the cattery. White House Boarding Cattery is now open and almost full at times already. Maintenance is almost finished and Vicky has been doing a great job with the painting of the pens once maintenance on each pen has been completed.

I made time to visit Carol of Eriador Bengals on Sunday to see her gorgeous Bengal kittens - carol has produced some stunning Bengal babies and I just had to make time for a visit.
We had a great time catching up on things and then she placed both of Summers kittens in my hands. Knowing how much these 2 girls mean to Carol, I was honoured to be asked to choose which i would like as part of my breeding programme. How could i possibly choose, No, Carol must make the choice. My thanks go to Carol for entrusting me with such a treasure!

Then to my delight Carol handed me a very striking rosetted Mink female Bengal kitten - Esmerelda - my Mink girl - Wow! I love her so much already - I'm thrilled!
Many thanks to Carol - I'm so very pleased and happy for these wonderful girls to be part of my breeding programme.
Jacky
www.pureblissbengals.co.uk
www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk