Breeders Profile

Gossamyst Australian Mists

Name:

Photos courtesy of Bob Fox, except the one of Tricia (with Yanna, Hebe and Miah).

Tell us a bit about you:
I live in a small town in Devon with lots of Australian Mists, two elderly Ragdolls, two Otterhounds, a Greyhound, four hens, and hundreds of fish.  I work part-time as an agency nurse, although I should have retired ...  I have always had animals and until 2000 I had a farm where I raised cows, sheep, pigs, horses, many different breeds of birds, and my favourites, goats! I sold the farm as I was finding it all bit much to cope with on my own and decided to buy a house on the edge of the town (more a village, really, but we do have a Guildhall!) .

Why did you choose your breed(s)?
I was actually looking for a Burmese kitten when I came across Mary Stuart's Maine Coon website, although I could not tell you how I landed on it!  Just lucky, I guess.  She had just imported the first Australian Mists and after reading about them and looking at Dr Truda Straede's website (she is the founder of the breed in Australia), I rang Mary, had a long chat with her and arranged to go and meet her and the cats. I fell in love at first sight and, as thy say, the rest is history!!

Why/how did you start breeding?
I have bred dogs for most of my adult life and since the early 1980s have always had Otterhounds. I bred and showed them up until I had a very serious car accident in 2000. This left me with a mobility problem which prevented me from running round the show ring with the hounds, and although I could have got a handler, I decided to give up showing. I found I really missed it!! I missed the friendship of the other exhibitors, and the anticipation and thrill of winning ...  When I discovered the Mists, it seemed sensible to have a little queen kitten to show and have a couple of litters.

Why did you choose your prefix?
My favourite bitch (yes, I know you shouldn't have favourites!) was a blue mottled Otterhound.  I named her Gossamer as she was the runt of two litters (they were born within a few days to a breeder friend of mine) and my friend was concerned that she would die as she was being pushed off the food by her bigger siblings.  I had already bought her sister and my friend asked if I would take the little one as well to 'bring her on' and she would then be going to Wales to join the hunt hounds. Gossamer stayed!! She grew into what one eminent judge called 'the best Otterhound I have ever seen'. And she won many Challenge Certificates, culminating in a win at Crufts. She was the most delightful, characterful hound I have ever owned and my prefx, Gossamyst, is a tribute to her.

When were your most memorable occasions as a breeder?
I shall always remember the day that my new imported Champion stud, Thera Marmor Zoroaster (above left), won Best in Show New Breed at Market Harborough (March 2009) just 13 days after arriving in the UK from a long flight from Australia. He loved the attention and behaved impeccably, proving what wonderful temperaments these cats have, even with people they don't know very well.

Who were/are the most memorable cats you've had?
I shall always have a very soft spot for the first two girls I had from Mary Stuart, Rumtumtugger Yanna and her sister Hebe (right). They have given me so much pleasure and have made me laugh so often as well as having some wonderful kittens. Miah Hanya (below left) is another one who will remain in my memory as she was determined to die when she was born and I almost gave up on her, but eventually she began to breathe and has become a real favourite with everyone who has met her.

What are your hopes for the future of your breed/your breeding programme?
We are so fortunate in having Truda Straede as our mentor in the breed. She has been such a help and guide to all of us and has allowed us to have some stunning cats as our foundation stock in UK. Not so sure I could have been so unselfish as to let my cats travel so many thousands of miles, probably never to see them again. She has ensured that we have the great majority of her genetic stock in the cats we have already imported - both as adults and in utero. My hope is that we can continue to promote the breed she so carefully crafted over 30 years ago and has been working to improve ever since.

As a group, we UK breeders are working towards recognition with all the registries and want to introduce these lovely cats to more people. Perhaps in the future some of the group may import some more, but at the moment I am intent on breeding the best I can with what we have and to allow as many people as possible to meet them.

Is there anything else you'd like to mention?
Just a big 'Thank You' to Mary Stuart for allowing me to have my first two kittens and being there to help and advise me with both the breeding and showing of my cats. Without her, I doubt I would ever have found a breed about which I could be so enthusiastic!!

Tricia Bristow
www.gossamyst.co.uk

July 2009