Crazy cat ladies, hoarders, and other preferably forgotten subcultures flocked to the Phoenix Convention Center this past weekend to take in the Phoenix Feline Fanciers Cat Show.
Dog shows, in which pups are paraded in front of ball-cupping judges,
are nothing new to the public. But few realize that this joyous life for
an animal does not only belong to dogs. Cats are also kenneled and
driven to convention halls to compete for prizes.
And while most
household cats would protest under such treatment, these breeds seemed
content to cuddle in their kennels until showtime. Often, one could spy a
furball (or non-furball depending on the breed) scooped up by their
owner and lovingly kissed...on the mouth.
Visitors to the show this
past weekend joined in collective amazement as trained cats
chased lures over ramps and through tunnels during the agility contests.
Onlookers
paused with awe as exotic breeds like the Sphynx and Japanese Bobtail
were tugged out of their kennels and inspected thoroughly by a judge's
prodding hands. Applause often broke out as the best of the breed was
awarded a ribbon.
Yes, this event had everything a cat-lover
would want out of their rare outing into the social world and they (oh,
who am I kidding?) we look forward to next December when the annual cat
show returns.
