How to Embrace the Uncertainty of Life: A Lesson from "Forrest Gump"

"You never know what you get" could almost sum up life as a Breeder. I've got a lot to unload, but with a defeated spirit... we will see where this takes us.

Sweet Dublin has passed. She started off being one of the biggest pints I've ever had and very slowly became the smallest (for her age). The rest of the pints are doing okay, but we are not out of the woods. Today was the first time they all stuffed themselves with homemade chicken and kibble which I am happy about and are now on a bed right now looking like big bellied drunks.

Captain Morgan's first two litters have been ones I've really struggled with... Hiccups such as the cleft lips (some in each litter that never came out alive), not thriving, deformed kittens happen.... but when you change the equation up a bit by using a different female spirit or stud ....things should improve. When they don't, you must evaluate the line to see if there's a common equation (in this case ...the stud). It's a hard task for a breeder because when you get to the point you can USE your breeding cat, you've invested so much ($$$$$) ...and passing heart, hips, DNA, and proving to have a hardy immune system that first year of life is no easy task. TRUST ME. So to say it's an easy decision to decide to stop using a male who just started his time on tap.... would be a huge lie. HUGE. The boy had hair Rapunzel couldn't beat, the chin I've been working for, and the personality of Snow White in a male's body (no idea why I'm using Disney princesses as examples).

Anyhow... but my commitment to having healthy lines always remains to me my first goal. I've gone through so many "potentials" the past few years that I'm almost to the point I want to give up.

What's crazy is even though I try to do all the right things, and I can say without blinking that we have never had heart issues, hips problems, or even a cat with a weak immune system... this does not make me immune to it. I will have a cat with hip dysplasia. I will have one with HCM (hypertropic cardiomyopathy), stomatitis, etc one day ...because even when we use healthy cats, there's always a hidden piece that comes up in the bloodline or just a weak seed.

Still... I must continue to do my part so I can say I did my best to produce and provide TOP SHELF pints. Cuba Libre and Yuengling will be our main studs for the next season. Dos Equis has retired. No one is in need of a designated driver. We will be adding 1-2 more to our bar from my most favorite European breeders... and praying for... Well, we will be praying for everything.

Breeding isn't a level 1 puzzle. It's more like the kind you take out of a box and even if you collect all the border pieces... is still beyond overwhelming. We sit at the table for hours trying to piece different hopeful pieces together, but sometimes time at the table is hardly noticed at first. It's an ongoing puzzle that definitely shows it's beauty when whole parts get paired correctly. So bear with us, as we try to change up "What's on Tap" the rest of this year.