Here’s an update on my Ragdoll, who was your “Kitten of The Month” on January 15, 2014.
WillowTreeRags Sylbr8 of Magnadolz @ 4 weeks old
She is now, my retired Queen, “RW SGC Willowtreerags Sylbr8 of Magnadolz”. My beautiful seal mitted Ragdoll, born 03/10/2013 at Mable Roberts’ Willowtreerags cattery, in Boston.
Coming to California with Mabel and Anette
Sylbr8 (Pronounced “Celebrate”) was flown into California, from Boston, by Mable and Anette Roberts, when she was 13 weeks old.
Syl has been to cat shows all over the 48 connecting states, awarded her SGC, (Supreme Grand Champion, the highest title in TICA), in Arcadia, CA, on 06/14/2014, by TICA Judge Marion Schiff Yates.
Her SGC award from Marion Yates Schiff
In 2013-2014 season, I bought a new 32′ RV and put over 44,000 miles on it, with her, Black Doll, Billie Jean and Maggie on board, the 5 of us traveling to cat shows! We all had such a good time! We met, and competed against, Ragdoll breeders and exhibitors from all over the world!
1st professional photo by Diana Starr of Starrlight Photography
At the end of the 2013-2014 season, Syl was:
7th Best Ragdoll SW Region TICA
22nd best Cat SW Region
57th best Ragdoll TICA International
Syl comes from a long line of “talkers”. Her Sire, “OS RW SGC Willowtreerags Apollo Amadeo” is a “talker”, as are most of his offspring. TICA judges aren’t used to Ragdolls “talking”, so I had to quietly advise every ring clerk that, she’s not angry, upset or in pain, but, unless she has a sparkling or feathered toy in her mouth, she’ll always have something to say.
1 year old, photo by Helmi Flick
It was an honor for us to meet Denny Dayton, the Godfather of Ragdoll, at a show on November 15, 2014. Syl purred happily when Denny held her (along with every other Ragdoll at that show, baptized her with his tears, as he told her she was his favorite. His last Ragdoll was a seal mitted.
Syl with Denny Dayton
At home, she enjoys Animal Planet, (but, not the violent episodes), movies, her favorite is “Stuart Little”, helping with laundry (and watching the washer/dryer spin-she thinks it’s cat TV), LOVES anything from “Relax My Cat” music and being a Mamma to the many kittens that she had. She loves trips to Petsmart, where people make a fuss over how pretty she is.
With one of her many awards
She’s has her teeth brushed and face washed twice a day, is combed every day, and bathed every month. She has a mani-pedi every 2 weeks.
When she showed, she was bathed/groomed before EVERY show. So, if the show was Friday, Saturday and Sunday, she was bathed, conditioned and blown dry on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Their show grooming was done in the RV and took THREE hours per cat!
Poster at a Ragdoll Congress, photo by Helmi Flick
When the pandemic is over and we return to our local shows, Sylbr8 will, once again, be in the show ring, this time as an alter. (Altered cats have been spayed/neutered).
I’ve been told that the judges enjoy seeing the mature Ragdoll. Since many of them remember her from Kitten Class (under 8 months old) and Championship Class (for cats who are intact and breeding), it will be interesting to see how she does again, this time as an 8-year-old. She loved to show when she was younger.
Syl with her babies. (She had litters of 6-8)
Syl is the love of my life! I can’t thank Mable Roberts Borak for trusting me with this precious Ragdoll!
Sharon Shulby
Magnadolz Ragdolls
Continue Reading Ragdoll Cat Stories:
Have an amazing Ragdoll? We would love to hear your story too. Please submit your story for Ragdoll of the Week here.
If you have a Ragdoll Kitten story you would love to share please, submit your Ragdoll kitten story here.
Thank you for reading! Submissions like these – the “Cat of the Week” and “Kitten of the Month”- are provided by their owners and reflect their individual experiences and practices. The information these submissions share does not necessarily reflect Floppycats’ recommendation or endorsement regarding cat nutrition or care. Always consult a qualified feline nutritionist or veterinarian for personalized advice on your cat’s dietary and health needs. If you want to learn more about species-appropriate nutrition, please visit our cat food page.
Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,