Images courtesy Carl & Tanya R.,

Deciding to get a kitten from a breeder was a big step for us.  Being volunteers at an animal shelter, we have had countless kittens and cats through our lives over the past two years, all of which have needed special love and attention. So when we decided to get a permanent little kitten of our own, we fought many internal demons to get to the stage of contacting Linn.

We wanted a breeder that was reputable, had integrity and above all loved her cats. You know from the start, looking at Linn’s website and talking to her, that she does everything in her power to ensure that her cats are healthy and loving, and that they go to the right homes.

Then when you visit Linn and Robert’s home, you walk into Ragdoll heaven! Her cats live in absolute luxury and are all very friendly. We even got to pick up some of her most stubborn cases. Meeting the kittens, it is hard not to fall in love.  Tanya met and fell head over heels for a small little boy, who was so lazy, that he fell asleep in her arms.  

The wait for our little boy seemed excessive at first (10 weeks since we had first met him).  Linn has weekly visits for the kitten owners and this helps to establish a bond with the kitten and also to socialize them.  

Bringing Baloo home was nothing like what we expected. He was never scared during the car ride, and when he saw his new home, he was a bundle of excitement.  The wait was worthwhile because now we have such a happy, confident, healthy and energetic boy.  His amazing personality is testament to how well Linn’s process works. 

Baloo comes with me to work every Thursday, and becomes the life of the office. He has touched so many peoples’ lives, even those that insisted that they didn’t like cats. He loves to drive in the car, and even comes with when we go out for short trips.  He is more agile and faster than any cat we have ever seen and although I have very little hope for his toy tunnel, his jungle gyms, or our couch, he is the gentlest little soul with us.

Thank you for the fantastic job that you have done bringing our boy up and for the loving, safe environment in which he got to spend the most important three months of his life. 

We are his very willing slaves and he makes us laugh everyday.  I know that it must be tough for you to see him go but know that you have given Baloo the best possible start in life and that he will only ever know the same safe and fun life that you have made him accustomed to. 

Carl & Tanya R., Jhb (2008)

  
Raglin Ragdolls: The best in the country

I want to share my experience with you, the cat lover looking for a reputable breeder, as well as you the breeder as you could learn a lot from Raglin Ragdolls about how things should be done.

When I first started looking for a breeder I came across the website of Raglin Ragdolls and straightaway I had a good feeling about them. I contacted Raglin about the availability of a kitten. After completing a thorough questionnaire about my ability to look after a precious kitten, I got the opportunity to meet Linn, Robert, Harvey (their Golden Retriever puppy) and the adult Ragdolls. What a pleasant experience! You could actually call it a cat spa. The studs have their own separate living areas complete with a ‘flatlet’, courtyard and large private gardens. The queens walk around in total tranquility, and have a home filled with jungle gyms and toys. I could feel the love and care.

Then I met the kittens. They live with their mom in an enclosed nest until they are a bit bigger and then they move to the kitten room, or rather, kitten crèche. There they learn to play, socialize, use the litter box, groom etc. This is where I visited Calista every week until she was ready to ‘leave home’. Every wet meal is supervised and they get weighed every day to ensure healthy weight gain.

The next few weeks went by slowly, but it was worth the wait. I saw Calista grow into a well-socialized, loving and healthy creature that knew how to keep you busy with playing duties and attention. After each visit we had a cup of Linn’s specialty coffee, and had a chance to get to know the other kitten owners. Linn also made sure that we had a picture or two of our sweet-hearts to ease the longing.

When Calista was 13 weeks, she was ready to be adopted. She had all her vaccinations, was spayed, registered, chipped and well adjusted for independent life. When I went to collect her she did not even try to escape my hands, but rather felt comfortable and at ease with me, sitting in my lap all the time. When we got home, she took a few moments to look at the surroundings, but then got straight to playing duties (enjoying all the toys Linn gave her). Since then we had no problems with eating time, litter box use, confidence etc. My visitors can’t believe how well adjusted and behaved she is, and how healthy and beautiful she is. Calista is the centre of attraction wherever we go, even orchestra camp!

All I can say is thank you Linn and Robert for the wonderful work you are doing to ensure that our loving Ragdolls live on.

Dr Betsie F., Jhb (2008)

After much anticipation, constant emails, phone calls and visits to the Raglin website, our first Ragdoll arrived in January 2008, and it was love at first sight.  We decided to call him Digby, although he will remain Granny Linn’s Jack.

He is the sweetest boy and was so confident with his new surroundings and us. He was every-thing Linn had promised and more, and we could not believe how beautiful he was, and would sit for ages just staring at him.

He started bonding with one of our Persians but she was diagnosed with a tumour within two months of his arrival, and went over the Rainbow Bridge in March, and we were heart broken. 

Digby is a momma’s boy and I started feeling guilty about going to work and leaving him be-hind when the idea started brewing about getting him a playmate. The idea did not brew for long, I contacted Linn and she thought it was a great idea. The only down side would be that I might lose at least half of Digby’s attention once the baby arrived, but I wasn’t too concerned as this was for Digby and we would gain more love from another kitten.

We were very lucky in that within the month of us making the decision, Lickie got pregnant and so the wait began all over again.

Linn stayed in contact and once the kits were born, the emails and photo’s started again. We trusted Linn implicitly to make the all-important choice for us, and she chose us a lively little terror.  Somehow Linn manages to match her kits with their owners perfectly – so for those of you not based in Gauteng, trust her instincts.  We wanted an interactive, friendly kitten that would hold his own with big brother Digby and big sister Kiara (2 year old Rotweiller that thinks she is 6 months).

We were warned that this boy was quite the delinquent and we had to prepare ourselves.

Monty arrived on Saturday, 2 August and on walking up to the carrier he had much to say and boxed me on the nose when I picked him up. He was very chatty, purred away on the way home and was into everything in the back of the car.

Upon arriving home, he walked around his room twice and promptly attacked his toys. On Linn’s instruction, within the hour we introduced Digby and they both pleasantly surprised us.  There wasn’t a hiss, or a growl or any bad manners at all.  Monty arched his back when he initially saw Digby but they became mates almost immediately, much to our relief. 

We took the week off to ensure that Monty settled into his new home, but in essence there was no need as he was running around by Saturday evening as if he owned the place.

Since then he has met the dogs, the birds, and the fish and nothing, I mean nothing scares this boy, which is a huge concern for us. (LOL)

He is the most fun loving, sweetest, busiest and most demanding little guy you could meet and we absolutely adore his character, so shame on all of you that met him in his kitten room and called him a delinquent. (Either Linn swapped him or the Cape Town air is good for him). He has much of his mom in him and has become our lap cat, or shall I say shoulder cat.

Thank you Linn and Robert for this special boy, this breed continues to amaze me, and we look forward to our Seal Tortie one day in the future.

Tracy and Robert M., CT (2008)

I lost my precious 9-year-old Tiggerly, who was my ray of sunshine, the light of my life, she was a human dressed as a cat, my best friend. I was truly devastated.  About a month later I needed to fill this huge space and give my love to another precious kitten. I looked at all the cat breeds on the Internet and bought cat magazines.

When I looked for info on how to chose the correct breeder the Raglin Ragdoll page kept popping up.  I had sent my information to two Birman breeders.  One asked a few questions, not many.  The other one did not ask me a single question, did not want me to visit his home where he breeds the kittens, he never even asked for my address.  All he had was my cell no, email address and my name. He was eager for me to purchase me a kitten. He sent me a picture of the kitten on my cell phone of him holding the kitten in one hand and having had held the cell phone camera with the other hand.  I was truly angry.

After reading Linn’s web site I was totally amazed and fully educated on breeders.  I was in love with Ragdolls as they had every characteristic I wanted in a new kitten.  I called the Birman breeder, he never answered his phone so you always had to leave a message and he called you back.  I had to tell him three times I was no longer interested in purchasing one of his kittens but was interested in a professional breeder who loved cats and not about making money out of them.

Linn has a questionnaire that you need to reply to.  I was nervous as to if I was going to make the grade. I emailed Linn with my information a short story on my precious Tiggerly. I received and completed the questionnaire the same evening.  The questions were extremely well thought out and very comprehensive. I felt safe knowing I finally found a breeder who was passionate about cats. Within the hour of emailing Linn my completed questionnaire, I received a phone call from her, asking us to introduce ourselves. I was so excited!  I met Linn & Robert at their home one Saturday morning, along with a few other new kitten owners.

Linn made us her usual Saturday morning coffee, the best coffee in town. I met all the Raglin Ragdolls and to Linn’s surprise, two of her shy cats who almost never go to strangers allowed me to play with and stroke them.  Linn was fascinated and advised me I was allowed to adopt one of her Ragdoll kittens. I was taken on a tour of the entire Raglin Ragdolls home.  Linn as-ked us to wash our hands and take off our shoes before going to the kitten room.  Linn’s love and protection over her kittens was so encouraging, her cattery is extremely organized, spotless, and the entire house was entirely cat proofed. The cats rule the house and they are totally apart of the family.

After my tour I realized Linn and Robert were passionate about their cats more than themselves and they were breeding for the love of Ragdolls and not for the love of money. I remember I got into trouble when I had arrived because I had worn perfume, which is too strong of a scent for the kittens, and cats –never did that again! Linn and Robert only want the best care, homes and love for their kittens.

All the kittens born already had homes so I had to wait all the way from April to July. It seem-ed like a lifetime. When Sally was pregnant Linn kept me constantly informed of Sally’s condition right up to the day three precious kittens were born.  Linn knew exactly what colour and pattern these three kittens were going to be. I was amazed at her knowledge.

Over the next few weeks every Saturday Linn and Robert welcomed me all into their home so I could bond with her precious kittens.  Once the kittens started to walk, over the next few weeks, every week the same little girl would walk up to me and climb her way onto my lap.  I just knew this little girl was mine.  The kittens are only allowed go to their new homes at 14 weeks; so every week I visited I could see the amazing changes, in their colour and personalities.

The owners of Jasmine’s bother and sister live out town so I was blessed with visiting all three kittens every week. I was torn after a few weeks - Zoey & Sam crept into my heart too.  Sam having the most amazing character and personality, he was the most perfect male kitten I have ever met and even Linn knew this is a very special little boy. I was in love with Zoey too.  Robert would call her black-eyed pea, the most energetic kitten on her own kitten mission. The day came when Zoey & then Sam had to leave, what a sad day, Sam was the life of the house.

I enjoyed weekly visits, e-mails from Linn with information on how to secure your home for your kitten, including lists of plants poisonous to cats. I was sent professionally taken photographs of our kittens.  Every week I looked forward to a new set of pictures. I looked forward to each visit, which allowed me to bond with Jasmine from the moment she was born.

As the weeks passed I cat proofed our entire garden.  I never cut down trees but for Jasmine I got rid off any potential poisonous plants.  I cut down all branches where if she climbed a tree it would not allow her to escape into the neighbour’s garden.  I installed electric fencing, making sure no other cat could get in our property or Jasmine could get out.  I loved shopping for Jas-mine buying litter trays, toys and a scratch-post that Linn and Robert graciously found for me.

Finally, after holidaying in Egypt while Linn and Robert lovingly kept Jasmine for me till she was 16 weeks old, I brought Jasmine home.  She fitted into the family environment almost immediately and took to our two very large dogs within 24 hours.  When I took Jasmine to my vet for the contractual health check-up, my vet (Neil Bouwer) was amazed at the condition and health of Jasmine and took a ton of pictures to put up in his practice of my beautiful princess.

Jasmine loves to cuddle up in your arms or on your lap, she is obsessed with her litter box and till today she refuses to use the garden - only her litter box will do.  She loves her food and is very fussy as to what she will eat.  Linn recommended the best food on the market and Jasmine agrees that only the best will do.  I am very content with this, as I know Jasmine is growing up into a strong healthy, loving cat.

Jasmine loves playing with soft foam balls, she loves to chase them around the house for hours. She waits for me every day at the front door to great me when I come home from work. If I bring work home, or work on the laptop, or read a book she needs to supervise, investigate all we do in the house when we are at home. Every night before I settle down to sleep, Jasmine first visits granny & grandpa’s room, for her nightly playtime with granny and her special pink ribbon.

Then she is off to the bath to lap up any drops of water that are dripping form the tap, has another nibble at her food and settles down with me.  Just in case her toys go missing during the night she climbs into her toy basket, because it had the most comfy warm blanket, lays on top of all her toys Granny Linn gave her as a kitten and falls to sleep. At 5am, every morning, it is kiss time.  Jasmine sits on the pillow and kisses any part of my body not covered by the blanket.  Hands, fingers, ears, nose, forehead - there’s no escaping kiss time. In the morning she needs her routine hide and seek game under the duvet as I make the bed. Then it is time to lie on her back on my legs and have her whole tummy rubbed.  Only after kiss time can I get dressed.

I am truly blessed to have Jasmine Jolee as our family, a Ragdoll who loves to be around her family including her dog brother and sister.  She brings warmth, love and laughter especially when she sleeps laying on her back, all stretched out, tummy exposed and feet in the air – this is her favourite sleeping position. She is truly loved.

Thanks to Linn & Robert for being the best and most dedicated breeders in the Ragdoll world.

Tracey O., Jhb (2008)

I found out about Raglin Ragdolls about four years ago when my mom and I were researching different breeds before buying my dad a kitty for Father's day. Unfortunately Linn didn't have any babies available at the time and we ended up getting him a Chinchilla. My fascination with these blue-eyed wonders didn't stop there for one second though. I constantly checked the web-site for updates and new kittens.

After about two years of constantly nagging my boyfriend for a kitten of our own, he finally decided to surprise me. Linn didn't want to play along though and told him that no kitten leaves her house unless she's met the person who will be taking care of her little angel. So with the surprise out the door, Drikus emailed me a picture of one of the kittens and asked me if I'd like to have one. I almost fell off my chair, and immediately knew it was a Raglin Ragdoll. He told me that he'd made an appointment with Linn to go and visit the then 7-week-old babies that Saturday. I thought he was joking with me and when I asked him why he'd suddenly changed his mind about getting a kitten, he said: "I don't want us to have just ANY cat, it has to be a special one".

When I got home that evening, Drikus gave me a Raglin Ragdoll questionnaire to fill out. I was amazed at how much trouble Linn went to to make sure her kittens end up in good homes. The questionnaire covered everything from our work schedules, to how much time we'd be spending with the kitten each day and even asked if our Wills would make provision for the kitten's continued safety in the event of our deaths. That evening Drikus also told me not to get my hopes up, because all the kittens were already spoken for and that this was just going to be a visit so that Linn could check us out and decide whether she liked us enough to consider letting us adopt a kitten from the next litter. My heart sank, but at least it was a step in the right direction!

We were a bit nervous on our way to the first visit, scared that Linn would not like us for some reason and tell us that we wouldn't have the honour of taking one of her kittens home. When we got there, a friendly Robert welcomed us and showed us into the kitchen where Linn was busy making coffee. The first thing I noticed was that the cats were walking around freely and that there were food and water bowls everywhere. The cats even had their own water fountain in the kitchen! For a second there I thought I had died and gone to kitty heaven.

Linn asked us to wash our hands and take off our shoes before going to the kitten room to play with them. A beautiful ball of fur called Amie came and rubbed up against me. I was in LOVE, but kept telling myself not to get my hopes up. A little while into the visit Linn told me that Amie is a very special girl, handpicked to become a future Raglin Queen. What came next was never expected.  She decided that Drikus and I could have Amie if we were interested. Cloud number nine does not even come close to the cloud I was floating on!  

Over the next few weeks Linn and Robert welcomed us into their home every Saturday so we could bond with Amie. The kittens are only allowed go to their new homes at 14 weeks. Yet another small detail that illustrates Linn's deep dedication to her cats. Nothing is too much trouble when it comes to these lovable kitties. Knowing that Amie was our first kitten, Linn let me borrow one of her favourite books on cats, called "Twisted Whiskers". The information in that book, as well as Linn's expert guidance has been invaluable and taught us a lot of things we never knew about caring for a kitten.

We were finally able to collect our little munchkin on Thursday, 27 March 2008. Although we were very excited about bringing Amie home at last, we were feeling a bit sad that there would be no more weekly visits and no more chit-chat over coffee and snacks in the garden with Linn and Robert. They kind of work their way into your heart the same way their furry four legged children do! With the contract signed and Robert having explained to Drikus the finer art of building a monster scratch post for Amie, it was time to take our baby home! She cried a bit on the way there and we kind of expected this to last a bit longer than just the car trip home. Much to our surprise, she settled right in and only kept us awake the first evening because she was scared of the sound the air-conditioner was making. The very next day she was running around the room like a hooligan, jumping onto the bed and playing "fetch" like an expert! The second evening she claimed her sleeping spot above dad's head and much to my surprise, he now sleeps with his feet hanging off the bed so that his "little girl" can be comfortable. She's got him completely wrapped around all four her little paws!

Amie has stolen more hearts than I can count! None of my friends can believe how laid back she is when it comes to new faces. Instead of hiding from new visitors, she goes right up to them. I can only attribute this personality trait to the fact that Linn and Robert give all their cats all the attention they deserve. During Amie's first days home, Linn called regularly and asked for SMS updates to make sure Amie was settling in OK. She told me that if I wanted to ask her any-thing, I could call anytime - day or night. How is that for dedication?

We will forever be grateful to Linn for entrusting one of her babies to us. Amie has brought so much joy into our home and not a day goes by that our little fluff-ball doesn't make us laugh. Having a Ragdoll in our lives is a very special privilege, one that we cherish along with Linn and Robert's guidance and friendship. I can definitely understand why some people go on to adopt a second or even a third kitten from the Curries. It’s as much about missing these two special people as it is about having a new kitten.

I would highly recommend Raglin Ragdolls to anyone who wants to add healthy, happy and well-adjusted kitten to their family.

Natalie & Drikus, Jhb (2008)

Meeting Raglin's Nymphadora Tonks was an encounter that changed my life and my outlook on cats. I was introduced to her, two other cats and a Rottweiler soon after meeting my darling Sue. For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted a cat of my own and after meeting Tonks, decided that Ragdolls were the most amazing breed I’d ever come across.  Sue introduced me to Linn’s website where my education began.  It just so happened that at the time a brand new litter had just been born a few days previously.  Amidst much excitement we contacted Linn.  Although Sue is already a proud owner of one of Linn's babies, we had to still fill out a questionnaire together.  Both of us were extremely nervous, knowing that Linn only chooses the best homes for her babies.  All was well and we soon got a call from Linn to say she was happy for us to adopt a baby from the new litter. 

We decided on a little boy as there was already three girls in the house and Linn had always said to Sue that owning a boy was completely different to a girl.  It was so amazing watching them grow up.  At first nothing more than bundles of fluff but soon the most beautiful kits you could ever imagine!  Linn got to know their little personalities and helped with choosing our baby boy.  He soon became known as Charlie Brown, inspired by his perfect little “Charlie Chaplin” moustache and his characteristic waddling walk. 

Being in Durban and also being set back with knee surgery, we were unfortunately not able to visit Linn’s nursery. However Linn kept us completely up to date with a wealth of information including the cutest photographs of the little munchkins every week.  During this time we couldn’t help but notice one of Charlie’s little sisters. She had the most beautiful face I have ever seen, half blue and half cream in perfect proportions.  Sue and I discussed adopting two little ones and we decided that we desperately wanted her to be part of the family as well.  Sue called Linn again even more nervously this time as we really did not think that she would still be available.  Too our amazement she was, it was almost too good to be true.  Annie and Charlie had become part of our lives.

The weeks seemed to go on forever. But eventually the day of their arrival came and we collected our bundles of joy from the airport.  They were absolutely perfect.  I was happier and prouder than I ever could have expected.  Linn’s experience in dealing with Ragdolls and her passion for them meant that she had given them the perfect grounding for settling into a new home. The kitten "package" arrived weighing over 10kg's and contained everything we could possibly need to provide for our babies for the first weeks:  all their food, toys galore and plenty of blankets for the trip.  Our babies have given us so much joy!  Not to mention everyone who comes to visit!  They have become quite famous throughout the family.  People hardly seem to want to see us anymore, just the babies. 

During our entire experience from start to finish, Linn has always been most helpful.  She has been available to answer any questions we had, to provide advice and for general chit chat.  She was completely open and honest in all her dealings with us. Linn did warn us that we didn’t know what we were letting ourselves in for and were getting two mischievous little rascals!  We were too much in love and didn’t heed her warnings much at all.  Our babies now have a very special place in our home and our hearts.  They are well worth the wait and every cent

Adopting our two Ragdoll kittens was an experience my husband, Julius, and I will not forget and a series of never ending surprises!

We had lost both our precious Turkish Van cats to illness during 2007 and for a while we did not think about getting any other cats but gradually realised that it was “better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all.” 

We had occasionally visited Linn’s very informative website and admired the pictures of her cats and kittens but it was only after a work colleague had mentioned that she would shortly be adopting two Ragdoll kittens that I thought seriously about contacting Linn.  I remembered, however, that alongside the pictures of all Linn’s kittens was a note stating the following “All of these kittens have been adopted” and thought that I might as well request a questionnaire in the interim as it would probably be a long, long time before a kitten would become available.

I typed up an e-mail and sent it off to Linn telling her of what had happened to our cats and re-quested a questionnaire but did not expect to hear from her soon.  This was the first of the surprises.  Just ten minutes later I received a sympathetic note from Linn concerning the loss of our cats as well as the questionnaire! 

I completed the questionnaire that same evening.   Linn wanted to know everything!  Our life-style, the security (concerning pets) of our property, the amount of time that would be devoted to the kitten, holiday arrangements and even what would happen to the kitten in the event of our deaths.  For the first time ever, I felt that someone truly understood how Julius and I felt about cats and the treatment they deserved.  I sent off the questionnaire and again within minutes (the second surprise) received a phone call from Linn inviting us to visit her home. 

We had absolutely no idea of what to expect on our first visit.  I recall getting into trouble on arrival because either Julius or I had worn cologne.  (We did not do that ever again!)  We were ordered to wash our hands, remove our shoes and proceed to one of the kitten rooms were we could view the recently born Schmittie litter.  This was when I first became aware of the incredibly high standards set by Linn concerning the care of her cats.  I admit now to feeling slightly terrified but by the end of the visit was in awe of Linn and Robert and their total dedication to their cats.            

We were blown away by what we saw on our first visit.  Linn has the most beautiful cats in the world!  I fell in love with Bibi and Julius with Lori, the Seal Bicolour female.  Then the next surprise … Lori was expecting kittens!

We spent a long time with Linn and Robert that morning and got to know that Linn makes better coffee than the Mug & Bean!  The cattery was very well organised and everything was spot-less.  Ample bowls of food, clean litter trays and toys were placed everywhere.  Julius and I were impressed by the fact that all the cats have safe access to the outdoors and were not confined.  We understood that Linn’s kitties are her number one priority!    

On Monday evening, the 1^st of October, Linn phoned to say that Lori’s kittens were being born.  Julius and I were very excited and even more so (the next surprise) when we learnt that there were five kittens and that we would be able to adopt two of them.  Linn invited us back to her home the following Saturday and we felt honoured to be able to hold our kittens when they were just six days old! 

After a few days, Linn was able to determine the colours and patterns of the kittens.  It emerged that a Bicolour female (subsequently named Katie-Rose) had been born and that as advised previously, Linn would be keeping this kitten.  Very soon friendly banter began to ensue between Julius (who longed to have a Bicolour kitten) and Linn as to the future ownership of this kitten.  The banter continues to this day and has resulted in Linn appointing Julius as Katie-Rose’s Godfather.  (Julius will proudly inform you that he also has visitation rights!) 

We selected the other female in the litter, a Seal Mitted Tabby, and a Blue Mitted male and named them Chloe and Jesse.

What followed were weekly visits, e-mails, long phone calls and professionally taken photo-graphs of our kittens.  We looked forward to each visit which allowed us to bond with our kittens as well as witness their growth and development.  Fourteen weeks passed in a blur and the day to collect our kittens came very soon.  We rushed around installing pet fencing, buying a new cat carrier, litter trays and a scratch-post, which Julius modified. 

Julius had initially decided to build the scratch-post himself and advised Linn of this but changed his mind when we came across something in a pet shop that we both liked.  (I particularly liked the fact that I would not have to witness the frustration of someone who was not a handyman build something for the first time in his life!)  Julius, however, decided to play a trick on Linn and took a photograph of the scratch-post and passed it off as his own.  Linn’s keen eye spotted that this scratch-post was not the work of a novice but kept up the charade and complimented Julius on his wonderful handiwork.  Julius felt dreadful and immediately confessed that the scratch-post had been bought!                     

The day scheduled to collect our kittens was the 5^th of January 2008 but on the 30^th of December 2007, Linn phoned to say that we could collect the kittens on New Year’s Day.  A final surprise!  We drove through to Pretoria for our last official kitten visit and as it was New Year’s Day, celebrated with a champagne breakfast.  I felt sad when the kittens were placed in their carrier, removing them from their happy home and also when I had to say goodbye to Linn.  Linn and Robert had become part of our lives and I trust will remain lifelong friends to both Julius and myself.         

This should be the end of the story, but wait, yet another final, final surprise was yet to come …  Despite the weekly visits and with all that Julius and I had read and learnt from Linn about Ragdolls, nothing had prepared me for what was to happen next.  

Chloe cried loudly all the way home, despite Jesse fiercely licking her face and ears, trying to reassure her!  Both looked at me with those intense blue eyes and I realised then that Julius and I were privileged to have been selected to become their new owners.  I also understood with-in hours of having them home why Ragdolls are so special and why Linn Currie says that there is only one breed for her.  I suddenly got it!  I can tell you that Ragdolls are beautiful, gentle, inquisitive, intelligent, friendly, affectionate, responsive and interactive and blah, blah, blah but unless you actually own one, you will never truly understand what makes this remarkable breed so special.  We fell head over heels in love with our beautiful babies on New Year’s Day!

Now, ten days on since collecting our kittens, the surprises continue.  They bowl us over with their antics and learn something new each day.  Already Jesse can play a slightly less than perfect version of ‘fetch’ and Chloe has us in fits of laughter each time she ‘talks’ to us.  

Thank you Linn and Robert from the bottom of our hearts for entrusting these very, very special kittens to us and for making us feel whole again!  What a wonderful way to start 2008! 

Another litter has subsequently been born and I was astounded to witness yet again Linn’s in-satiable passion for her Ragdoll cats.  She appreciates the uniqueness of each little kitten care-fully noting their individual colours, patterns and emerging personalities.  Anyone deemed worthy by Linn to own one of these special kittens should feel truly honoured!       

Sharon & Julius J., Jhb (2008)

PS from Julius:  It does not matter in the slightest that Chloe is a Seal Mitted Tabby and Jesse a Blue Mitted male and that neither is the Bicolour kitten I wanted initially.  They are true Ragdolls with all the amazing qualities of the breed and that is all that matters!