Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
How many cats could a cat judge have, if a cat judge could have cats?
Cat judge Daniel Jones, Merrillville, has 21 cats ... and a ferret at home.
Presiding over the 4-H cat classes Sunday, Jones was pleased with exhibits brought before him in the Activity Tent during the Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair.
He especially liked a tortoise named Voyager, naming her Grand Champion. Voyager, an altered female, was presented by Dylan Ettinger.
While he thought she was a little overweight, the long-haired female's coat was perfect.
His second favorite, Larry, a 4-month-old blue handled by Kiira Leeper, received the Reserve Grand Champion award.
The kids waited in line between each presentation while Jones deodorized and disinfected his hands and the table.
Cradled in the kids' arms, some of the cats lounged on their backs and studied the ceiling. Others switched their tails in consternation at the crowd.
Addressing each cat, Jones checked for ear mites and flea dirt. He drew them up on their hind feet and felt their bellies, saying quite a few could stand to go on a diet.
A feather offered with an enticing wave was completely ignored by each cat.
He wanted them to play with the feathers. The tent's temperature proved too warm for any extra movement.
Jones was happy with the well-mannered felines he saw.
"I don't count off for a bad attitude," he said. "Most of these cats have never seen me before and maybe have never been out of the house except to go to the veterinarian."
The 4-H'ers and their supporters received a lecture from Jones prior to the whole male class.
"I understand there is one entry," he said. "Next year let's shoot for none."
When four whole females were brought for inspection he expanded on the spaying and neutering theme.
"If you don't have purebred cats or a breeding program, it's better to get them spayed," he said. "We don't need any more kittens."
Jones' own menagerie came from unplanned litters. He and his wife kept every kitten. The kittens, of course, grew into cats, which have been spayed or neutered.
When he first began judging, about a decade ago, very few cats were altered.
"We used to raise and show Siamese," Jones said. "Now we show household cats and practice what we preach."
Can a cat judge have too many cats?
