I'm taking you on a journey....
23 Chapter: Sunyboy

When we moved in 2009 and were stranded here, we experienced winter as I knew it as a child. And it was on just such a winter's day that my Sunyboy was born - Svan. It was on a Friday, 4 December 2009.

I remember this litter. We had a bright boy with us for the first time. So bright, as if the sun was shining through him. At that time and actually, if I remember correctly, I always acted against Andreas' wishes. While Andy was happy with one breeding boy, I always wanted two boys. And then you were there. I hadn't expected you and, God knows, I hadn't planned it either. But I only noticed Svan when he was a little wild boy running around the flat. He really didn't stand out. He was right in the middle of the pack. Somehow hidden and yet a bright felt, like the rays of the sun. But then, one day, I saw you very consciously in this pack and there was no way round you. Which almost drove Andreas out of his mind. But I, I was back in my element. You and no one else. Of course, Andreas thought that Teddy and Co. were out of the race and all the others, such as Onyx. But I never revealed my thoughts, my wishes, my actions. Not here, not in my breeding programme. But Andreas knew inwardly that his wife was going her own way. That is still the case today. But today, today this wife listens more to her husband and reconsiders his opinion. Thank God for that. Otherwise we would probably be chasing lines far across the pond...

When the little ones are born, how exciting and oblivious this woman is, silently examining the little ones and knowing in her heart that I will keep you, only to realise a few moments later:* Uli we are not getting any younger. What if we are no longer here? The toddler stays alone? Where will they go? To an animal shelter? To our children? Are you going to give them all our animals? *. He's probably right and so an old eye silently enjoys little balls of wool and the one little *kitten* who eagerly competes, plays and fishes with the other kittens and this old eye remembers....
When Andreas had had enough of the breeding work and the showpiz, I moved on. I didn't give up this one job. Not even when the storm raged and demanded the last of my reserves. And then you came along. You were born and grew up here with us, into a fluffy, light-coloured cat. They all came and saw you, but you were taken. *Andreas asked and breathed a sigh of relief. *Yes! I replied succinctly. I hadn't lied, but if this one man had asked this one woman, for whom? This one woman would probably have admitted that this small, light-coloured cat man would stay. And so it was.
Svan developed into a huge, big tomcat. He didn't have paws, he had paws. His weight as a potent tomcat came close to 8 kilos. But everyone who knew him knew that as big, powerful and strong as he was, he was velvety soft, cuddly and loved to be cradled in my arms like a small child.
Andreas built a third cat enclosure and we set off. Off to the exhibitions in the Inn and abroad. Back then when we travelled to Innsbruck - Mils. We also showed you in Kloten Zurich and the quality that Svan showed at a young age showed that it was enough for much more than just the International Champion. But after two or three shows it was over. It was enough, I had had enough. Not us, but me, me all alone. We cancelled and you Svan were left with your International Champion. We were only one point short of the Grand International Champion. But the changes to the FFH (Fédération, Feline Helvetique) and the World Show here in St. Gallen itself made us all realise what a game the shows were and still are today....

I haven't visited a single show since then. Until this year, in April 2025, when we visited the Dürnten Switzerland cat show as guests and this visit brought back many memories.
The show period was associated with many adversities, but it was also an incredibly wonderful time. Back when people still talked, laughed and sometimes sang together. Walking through the streets together. Moving into the hotel and restaurant together for dinner. Yes, there were friendships. Even those that lasted and have lasted. And when we meet up today, God knows these meetings have become a rarity, but when we meet up or write to each other, perhaps hear each other, then we remember each other again, and we all do 😊

Svan lived with us and was 14.5 years old. When we travelled to the Netherlands last spring to take Balthazar home with us, my Sunyboy told me - don't go! I smiled: *Svan, I'll be back and you'll be there too.* Patiently and longingly, he let me go. We had one week, just one week left. You were the first to pick up the little black one, examine it and approve it. You looked at me and let go. Pneumonia took you away. Within a week. I was too dazed to understand. Realising was difficult. The wheel of time continued to turn and today I know that a big circle had come full circle, starting with Tristan and ending with you, Svan. You passed away on Friday 5 July 2024 and on Sunday 7 July Juna gave birth to your grandchildren. A new chapter began with them.
A long time ago, our children agreed. If this one cat goes home, it won't be the same here as it was. If our mum goes, this one cat goes with her and that's how it was. You left and everything changed. It's a good thing. What Svan meant to me is hard to put into words and even today, a year later, there is still a bitter, sweet pain in my heart when I think of you. In an animal communication, Svan once told me that he had found the love of his life. A little woman from the mountains with long, dark hair. And he only wanted one thing: he wanted to be where she was. Regardless of whether it was in the big action or in the silence of nature. And that's how it was. Svan was happy when we were together. No matter where, no matter how. You were my big, big baby. You could cuddle like no other. Purring like a deep, big motor. But time goes on and, like all of us, animals get older too. Nobody stays forever. Not you either, my big one, and that's okay....

Today, here and now, the wheel of A-Riverway breeding continues to turn. We are expecting and hoping for little kittens, while some are already stranded. There is a lot to do every day. Sometimes we can hardly believe our luck. We smile and laugh at all the little things that only we breeders get to experience. Little creatures that prance around, roll around and sweep through the house. Adult cats who abuse us for cuddles and deep, intimate cuddles. Sometimes we grieve because we have lost the battle for a life. One more little star appears in the firmament. Or an old life says goodbye and moves home. And sometimes, yes sometimes, when a storm rages, for whatever reason, and we defy it with all the energy we have. But in the end, the wheel of time, of breeding, keeps turning and we turn with it. Because breeding is so much more than just seeing kittens being born. Breeding means being willing to subordinate your life, your daily routine to the animals in every respect. To nurture and care for the animals and to maintain and develop the breed standard, the typical characteristics of the breed. But actually, breeding means living with and among them. The cat from the far north. The Norsk Skogkatten

This is my story. A story that I was allowed to relive in my mind. I have relived every cat. Every single cat and I have relived every being. Because they are the ones who have made this cattery what it is today and have enriched my life in every way. Every creature that has been here has enriched us. All of us. Not only in breeding, but above all in our private and personal lives, in every respect. I wouldn't want to miss anything or anyone, because everything that happened was a good thing.
I am sharing this story with you and it is both a great honour and a pleasure for me to be able to relive this journey with you. 25 years of breeding with many ups and downs and emotional moments. Thank you, thank you for all the good wishes while I was writing. Thank you for every post, all the comments that reached me and the sympathy. It was nice to have you with me. 😊
And with a heartfelt greeting to you. We will definitely meet one day. Thank you Katja, somehow you were my motivation. 😊
Yours sincerely

A-Riverway