As a vet tech and "adoptive mom" to 3 traditional Himalayans (1 blue point; 1 lilac point-- freebred sisters, and 1 pedigreed black CPC-- adopted after being abandoned by a neighbor who moved. All are spayed.) I am well aware of the serious problems these poor "extremes" go through!

I have seen more than one Extreme face die or undergo respiratory distress while under anesthesia, and myself have had extreme difficulty trying to safely intubate some of those poor babies. Never mind the allergy and asthma problems... here in Texas, PEOPLE have allergies, and I can only imagine what these brachycephalic guys go through.

Thanks for your effort, and for the lovely website. I'll refer clients to you.

***Words of experience, from Robin in NY***

Hi, my name is Robin, boy am I impressed with your website! I have seen hundreds! Great job......!! very informative, lots of pictures. I just have to tell you, if only I knew before, what I know now! I bought one of those "cute extreme-faced himalayans" a flame pt. his eyes are pathetic, always running, staining, I can't get them clean! now I think that his tear ducts are blocked. and I have to bring him to the vet. I would like to bring him back! but, I guess I can't do that! I feel so.....bad for him! not all of them are like that though. I think this was so bad breeding altogether. I paid $300.00 for him. well I can chalk this up to experience, just thought I would let you know, I agree about the fact that they should'nt be bred that way!

Sincerely, Robin in NY



Hello, I just wanted to say what fab. work you do, I'm sure many people appreciate it ,not to mention the cats you care for, and successfully bring into this world. I've seen many peke and ultra type Persians, and I can't understand why people keep on breeding these cats with health problems.
I mean do people put beauty in the place of comfort? Whats more important, having a healty cat which doesn't need to be rushed to the vets, cleaned and cared for with unnecesary eye drops, nose drops (or whatever) ,or a show bench type cat that forfil's the needs and wants of the OWNER.
How have people become so selfish to put the needs and wants of themselves, before the comfort of their well beloved pets?
Some people WANT extreme faced cats,they WANT show champs, but it's all to the cost of their CATS comfort and quality of life, surely man cannot be so selfish - but we are.
It's people like you who work to correct the faults of mankind- our greed.
I only hope that animal abusers will be put in the place of the animals they have destroyed- and now i'm talking about ALL the animal abusers of the world, from lab-animal 'collectors' to the abusers of our humble lap cats.
Who are we to destroy Gods work?
Natalie



***Words of experience****

Here we have more words of experience from another extreme faced Persian owner.

I know this is a touchy subject among Persian breeders, but my vets have told me these are classic problems among Persians being bred for the Peke faces, and my research has borne that out (as well, alas, as my cat's experience).
Here's what the poor little dude (a breeder-quality cat I was told, although in my house he's a pet) is dealing with:
[1] Both abnormally narrow nasal openings (known as stenotic nares) and abnormally narrow nasal passages. When this cat sleeps, he snores audibly, sounding the way someone with a sinus infection snores. On his bad days, he sounds like that when he's awake, too. When he runs around and plays, he has trouble catching his breath and makes a snorting sounds, that sounds like a pig snorting (or a backed-up draining emptying). There is surgery that can help, but ONLY if only the openings are too narrow; it is of limited values if, as in his case, the passageways also are too narrow. The comment of the radiologist who evaluated his xrays as a possible candidate for the surgery: "This cat has no nose."
[2] Chronic corneal sequestrums: So far he has had two, and each has taken more than 1 year to heal. While these can be caused by other things, such as herpes, he has been tested and he does not have those problems. His board certified opthmologist says that this is something that Persians (and other animals with very prominent eyes) are prone to get, and he will need to have lubricating gel in his eyes every day, 2-3 times a day for the rest of his life, if there is to be any chance of preventing future corneal sequestrums and possible damage. He is almost 4 years old, and has had 2 of them, for a total of more than 2.5 years with an active sequestrum. These are very painful in the initial stages. Fortunately, he is really great about letting me clean his eyes & put gel in them.
[3] Chronic gingivitis: He has had this since his adult teeth came in. He has horrible gingivitis, with inflamed gums and teeth that have had to be pulled and frequent (twice a year) cleanings. The veterinary dentist says that some cats are more prone to this than others, but it is more likely in brachycephalic animals, where there is too little room in his mouth for his teeth. If left untreated, his teeth and gums would become infected, leading possibly to a systemic infection and kidney and/or heart problems, so it's not something you can just shrug off. And you couldn't anyway, because the gingivitis causes his mouth to smell so bad that it could drop a charging rhinoceros at 100 paces. Antibiotics have not helped, so now we are cleaning his gums with chlorhexidine gel several times a week. He does NOT like this one bit, and so he's not as compliant as he is with the eye medicine (if he were, I would be doing it every day, which is what was recommended). Again, the "daily" gel treatments and twice a year cleanings are expected to be necessary indefinitely.
[4] Luxating patellas: His kneecaps slip to the side as he walks, and you can literally hear the leg bones grinding against one another. As I said, I wouldn't trade him for the world, because he is such a sweet and funny cat with a great personality, but it breaks my heart to hear how hard it is for him to breathe and to have to come at him multiple times every day for the rest of his life to clean his eyes and put gel in them, and to swab his gums. Sometimes I feel that, when he sees me walking towards him, he thinks "Oh no! Here she comes again, to squirt gel in yet another orifice!" I would never buy another Peke-faced kitten -- I don't want my money to send a message that I demand this kind of horrible breeding practice. While I adore this cat, I would be even happier (and would have been willing to pay much more) if he could breathe like a regular cat, and not have him need treatment in perpetuity for things that could be avoided with rational breeding practices. I had one of the old-fashioned Persians as a girl (over 35 years ago) and a pet-quality Persian with a real nose almost 20 years ago, so I have seen the difference that breeding practices have wrought over time, and they are profoundly negative.
The earlier 2 cats were normal cats -- unfortunately, this Peke-faced guy is not. His regular vet summarizes his situation this way: "From the neck down, he's the perfect cat."
Thanks for hearing me out! And thanks for linking to my site, also. And please keep breeding those Persians with the real noses!
Nancy


Dear Sue,
Just a quick note to you to say thanks... Since I first came to your site about a month ago you have always been very helpful to me!! Whenever I asked questions you ALWAYS answered them, with such care! I Know that you are so busy with all your babies and their babies it means a lot to me.
I've talked to a few other breeders in the last week that I've met in different groups, because I think in one of my posts I mentioned how I have to convince my husband to let me spend $800 for a cat. The breeders told me it was an outrageous price to pay for a "pet" and if the kitten wasn't an "extreme faced" show quality cat it wasn't worth the price.
They told me how they raise their cats under foot not caged and breed for health first.
Well I'm not all that knowledgeable when it comes to the breeding of Himalayans or Persians. At first I thought $800 was steep but every time I go to your site ( a couple times a day) I see these adorable faces then I see the cattery, the nursery, the birthing room, the play room.
You have given a lot of your self to these cats AND IT SHOWS, and trust me I know what it is like to get a Himalayan from a "Kitty Mill" they are hard to get back to that trusting place that they once were at as kittens. You obviously love your cats and I know that proper care (food, vet bills, shots, toys) aren't cheap!
I also want to know why all these breeders can "say" they breed "quality" cats with Health as a priority, when all I hear is all the health problems these poor babies have. Personally I think the doll faced cat is much more appealing than the flat face. They either look mean or in pain. To me a "quality" cat is not one that HAS to go to the VET all the time due to health problems. And I couldn't care less what any of the Judges think about MY "Pet"!!
Plus they brag about the cats not being caged then I click on links of these precious Silver Persians nursing their babies in a dirty cardboard box put together with duct tape and lying on FLITHY blankets. I'm sure the cats would MUCH rather be in their nice, warm, CLEAN homes ("cages") that you have rather than that old box.
I just want you to know that I appreciate all you are doing to find these kittens safe and happy homes, and no matter what all the "other" breeders out there say, even if I was never able to get a Cozy Kitten, I wouldn't recommend ANYONE else who wanted to get a Himalayan or a Persian.

>^..^< Steph

A message from a concerned viewer!!!! I have read your warning about THOSE people! I commend you on trying to stop them. There is another person you need to be aware of. A kitten mill breeder is attempting to purchase a kitten. Her name is Tammey Eden, she also goes by Zoe. She lives in Penticton B.C. I have seen her so-called cattery. Flea infested kittens, overflowing litter box full with feces.And kitten mortality. Please be AWARE of this person. Thank you, Renee Haas

"You get what you pay for, or at least you do when you get a COZY KITTEN." Andrea Mason, NC "After knowing Sue for 4 1/2 years and owning two of her beautiful kittens, I know she earns every penny she makes. My cats are proof of that!" Tammy Knowls, CA "Thank you Sue for answering my prayers." Lindsay Lewis, KS "If it's true you get what you give, Sue must own the world." Jeff & Michelle Duffey, Boston Ma "Sue your pride, dedication and devotion to your cattery shines brightly in the eyes of every cat you bring into this world. God bless you!" TerryAnn Mason, AZ Hi There Sue Just had to tell you how much I enjoyed your website. It is obvious how much time, energy, love and money you put into your breeding practices. You are a true credit to breeders every where. I have 3 Maine Coons.....so adorable :) I'm waiting for my husband to come home so I can show him your site...I would LOVE to have one of your kittens! Thanks for the wonderful site and your love of animals :) Diane Hi, I've just been browsing your site. Absolutely tremendous in every way. I hope you can continue to do everything you do. Your type of people are needed. The comments of people in your emails pretty much says it all. We live in a ME FIRST society. It makes me feel really good when I come across someone like you. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU We need many more people like you in this world. Arlene

Dear Sue, I have been trying to explain to my boyfriend about how terribly they breed the Persians and then they are born w/ such problems w/ the tear ducts and sinus. He listens, but you know men, just how interested is he really?! BUT then a show came on discovery or the history channel, I forget which and it was about cats. They mentioned Persians and showed a doll face compared to a "Mongolian" look. They explained how they inbreed and how bad it is for the cats. He just looked at me and seemed pretty impressed. My response was,see Sue knows her stuff:) ha ha, I thought you'd like that!! Take care and Happy New Year! Lisa Zappala

***One of my favorite e-mails ever!!***

Dear Sue, I need very much to tell you something and don't know where to start..... Frist of all Sammy is fine and I love him alot :) I remember the day when Sammy came to me in his little pet taxi with all the love you sent with him, from food and water too his stuffed animal, a blanket, favorite toy and under the little rug was 2 little zip lock bags with Sammy's info of his shots, parents names ect........ All my attention focused so much on Sammy and getting to know him, I put the papers away......... Recently I bought Sammy to the vet for a check up and brought his papers with me so they could write down all his information of his shots ect...... So I leave the papers with the girl at the desk and went into the exam room... Where I waited for Dr. Hutta who was also Snickers doctor ......In a matter of seconds the girl from the desk came in and said that was not the info she needed, I looked up at her in surprise and quickly opened the zip lock baggie and instead I saw a very special cat poem, a sympathy card, a special cat prayer and some very special words from you... I couldn't believe it! 6 months had past and I never opened this or knew it was there.....I didn't have time to read it while I was there Dr. Hutta came in, she loved Sammy! Dr. Hutta and being there made me want to cry deep inside, there were memories there of Snickers from this time last year. Anyway when Sammy and I returned home, I sat down and read all the special things you sent me.... I cried even tho it will be a year Feb. 3rd.... Your thoughtfulness and compassion means everything to me... Sue Johnson you are one very special human being, there are not enough people in this world with the compassion and kindness you have..... I came to you with all the love I had left over from Snickers and you brought Sammy in to my life, we had a business deal but you thought even more of my feelings over my loss of Snickers. My only regret is I wish I had someone like you near me. I apoligize for not opening all the papers the day Sammy arrived... You must think I'm a terrible person ......All I can say is the Cats Prayer, Sympathy Card, The Rainbow Bridge Poem. Your Kind Words and of course Sammy :) mean everything to me I will treasure them and keep them close to my heart forever.... It has touched me so deeply I can not express it in words..... This is my best Christmas Gift....if that makes sence...... I hope and pray I will never lose contact with you, and maybe someday I will find my way to Missouri to thank you. Have the Heathy and Happy Christmas! With Love, Sharon and ((( Sammy))) All I can say to this is...Your VERY, VERY, Welcome Sharon! I am just glad to hear that these small gestures touched your heart so very much. And to all of you breeders out here reading this message, please stop and take the time to realize that so many of these people out here on the internet are searching for a "Best friend" with a broken heart. It doesn't take long or much effort to stop and take the time to "Care". Sue

Dear Sue, This is a great Web Site, Your cats are beautiful and I am really impressed by the amount of informative information and the pictures that are shown on each one. However, I am most impressed by the procedure you use to screen prospective homes for your cats and kitten, it shows me that your cats are as special to you as mine are to me, and that you are not just in the "making money" business. I have been looking for healthy persian kitten for some time now and your web site has shown that you take great effort to give each of your kittens the best possible start in life.
I am really excited about going on your waiting list for an adorable persian kitten. Thank you for such a great web site, it is a pleasure to visit it.

(Notes from Sue:)
Hi there Nancy, Thank you so much for all your kind words about my site, kittens and the procedure in which we go to screen all kitten applicants. I have been on the net long enough to know that there are some real weirdo's out there and e-mails are simply a mask for them to hide behind.
I prefer interviewing each of the people interested in our kittens to ensure we never place any of our kitten's in harms way. These kittens are my heart!
I have found picking up the phone and placing a verbal request for a Cozy Kitten does weed out the weirdo's. I very much appreciate your kind words and sweet compliments.
I on the flip side also feel that I owe you (The general public) the same respect of getting to know me, so I offer letters of reference I have gathered since being on the Internet.
That way you too can get to know who I am, as a person, friend and breeder of your kitten.
Kind regards, Sue Johnson - Owner/Breeder of Cozy Kitten Cattery

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