I'm taking you on a journey....

16.5 Subchapter upheaval - new beginning 2009

We had a week to move before the big snowfall came. Back then, I was suddenly transported back to my childhood. As a child, I knew it, snow in abundance. I knew getting up in the morning to see that the kitchen was dark because the kitchen window was dark and closed, and that because there was a metre-high blanket of snow outside that had buried the kitchen window underneath it. I knew that it was snowing, the flakes were so thick that I couldn't see two metres. I knew that we were cut off from the village, from life and couldn't leave our home. I knew what it was like to know the weather, to know how it was moving and what was coming. We lived simply and only had a natural road to our house. We couldn't rely on the weather forecasts on TV. We had to know when and how the wind was blowing, why it was like that. We could smell the winter, recognised the weather mood and knew when the time had come. Then the vehicles were brought into the village and the tools were kept ready for securing the road. We couldn't keep the path clear with a plough. The path into the village was too narrow for that. The dirt road down to the other side was too slippery. We had to shovel the paths clear and roll the snow into the ground with heavy objects.

Sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night because I could hear my parents talking in the living room. Even today, I can still recognise the weather. I've never had the exercise I had as a child, but I can still recognise when the wind is blowing, the signs are there and I know it's coming....

After a week of moving, it snowed on us here in Gommiswald at the beginning of February. We measured 90 cm of snow. How did I feel? A little closer to my roots.

A lot has changed here since then. 16 years is a long time. There has been construction, many newcomers and yet nature can still be felt here. But much more so back then than today. There were no buildings, no neighbourhoods. It was strange. Because I actually loved city life, the hustle and bustle, much more. Here I was in five steps, in the middle of the meadow, running up over hill and dale, through small sections of forest and streams. I knew it, that was my childhood. But I actually wanted to escape my childhood. Because isn't it much better, more exciting, to be where the pulse of life is? But where is this pulse? I still enjoy walking in nature today, but then again, I don't at all! Because then the shadows of childhood, the memories, catch up with me. The ghosts, the spirits chase me and make me realise. Do I want to? Hardly, because I try to avoid it. But then, when I need the strength, when I make decisions, when I have to *travel on* in my life, I dive deep into nature and nobody knows exactly where to find me. Then I soak it up like a sponge. Shadows, light, lightness, heaviness, listening, breathing, feeling, expanding and closing myself off at the same time...

*It's still winter here* the neighbour laughed at me. *We still live with shovelling here, you'll have to do that a lot. But you learn quickly....* She continued to laugh. If you only knew, I thought to myself, said a friendly hello back, smiled and carried on shovelling the snow away from our driveway. Somehow, we made ourselves as comfortable as possible. Because we had just had a winter of 90 cm of snow at the beginning of February. We didn't have a run for our cat family. Thirteen or fourteen animals lived in the house with us. It was a huge job to keep everything clean and tidy every day. But anyone who thinks that so many animals must leave a lot of dirt behind is mistaken. Cats are one of the cleanest animals in the world. If it is healthy, it keeps its living space clean and tidy. But here in the countryside, breeding cats was like housing an animal circus. Unusual and strange for the villagers. People were completely unsettled and curious at the same time. How was that supposed to work? I had to make sure that the children arrived at school clean and tidy. They had to be cleaner and tidier than everyone else. I had to make sure that the cats didn't make themselves heard too loudly. Especially in the coming springtime, when the mating season begins and the cats sometimes scream loudly and or call longingly. I had to make sure that this newcomer family made a good impression, while Andreas continued to go about his daily work like clockwork. He didn't have it easy back then either. His employer literally had him by the short hairs. A family man with three small children. Employees like that were easy to work with. Because they were and are dependent on their work, on a regular income. Like me, Andreas worked day and sometimes almost all night. He not only built our first house with his own labour, but also did the renovation work on this old farmhouse. He worked well past closing time because the work had to be done. Because the customer wanted the work done by date X. How often did he leave home shortly after six in the morning and return after six in the evening? At lunchtime, just under half an hour was enough for his break. But he never missed it, he came home every lunchtime whenever he could. Even if there wasn't time for coffee and a piece of cake when his children celebrated their birthdays, he came, he was there and that was my greatest support in my fears. He left the Siebnen Fire Brigade Association and never joined again. From then on he was here and step by step we created a little paradise. Andreas in the garden, by the pergola, me inside the house and sometimes we're still at it today. When we have another idea. Andreas planted an elderberry because I had it at home as a child and loved it. Because elderberries are practically sacred to us mountain children. He planted a cherry tree because I bore him a son. He built a bench around our plum tree. He planted two herb gardens for me, with countless herbs, up to 80 of them. Even though nobody needed or could use them. I bought roses, blueberries, gooseberries, chokeberries and other shrubs whenever I could find them, which he planted around the fence. It was as if he was talking to them. Because they grew luxuriantly and to a wonderful size. The majestic walnut tree that gave him an abundance of fruit for his own pressed nut oil. The little Gravensteiner, which moulted and gave us the sour, sweet apples for baking cakes. But his biggest dream was to have a natural pond like his father had. I knew I could fulfil his dream and so, in spring 2012, the excavator broke ground for his pond. Today, it is home to small and large fish and various aquatic plants, which also extend over a small stream. Andreas sometimes sits there for hours and it is as if he is talking to them, to the fish, newts, frogs and toads. He built a watermill, a windmill and a lounge where we sometimes relax late into the night, look at the stars and let the day fade away. We then show each other the planets and see the shooting stars. 

But back then, when we had just moved in, Onyx had to live in our garage for two months. We didn't have the space to keep a potent cat in the best possible conditions. Andreas had set up an emergency shelter and I'm sure that if the animal welfare organisation had known, we would have lost Onyx. But where to put a potent tomcat? In the house? Hardly. It was an insane balancing act that we both had to master. Because we had to create a cat facility from scratch within a very short space of time. A facility where boys could live with all the comforts and our girls, like the neuters, could also go outside. In our last home, the newly built house in Siebnen, we had a great outdoor enclosure. We basically had three enclosures. A roof terrace and an outdoor enclosure, connected by a cat lock into the living room. The third room was in the basement, where the laundry room and pantry were next door, there was a cat room instead of a bicycle room. It was the only room with a window.

Roof terrace and outdoor enclosure Siebnen

But here in Gommiswald, there was a large section of swampy ground behind our house. How were we going to manage that?

On 23 March 2009, the gardening company Gartenprofi started work on our cat enclosure. The cost was SFr. 11,000. We had to manage this and we did it, both Andreas and I through our work and the proceeds from our cat breeding made it possible for us to work with a finished outdoor enclosure in May 2009. Whilst Onyx lived in the garage for two months and then repeatedly outside in a temporary arrangement, we had finally made it and were able to take possession of an outdoor facility with three cat enclosures and an open cat garden for our cattery in May 2009. The first milestone for the A-Riverway cattery had been reached and more were to follow.

With our move, with the new start here in Gommiswald, I also joined an independent club as a breeder. The Cat Club de Geneve Switzerland, or CCG for short. The more I heard warning voices and was exposed to harsh criticism, the more I wanted to experience it with my own eyes and mind. It was astonishing that the breeding regulations were the same as those of FFH Switzerland, or Fife worldwide. And what also amazed me was that the pedigree applications of the kittens were scrutinised in detail. In the FFH, I could not recognise any examination of the pedigrees in all those years, nor was any examination documented. But here at the CCG, incorrect colour determinations were clearly pointed out and explained. I even received support and help when I needed advice. We also had premature females that came into heat at 6 months. But the breeding regulations did not allow them to be mated before 11 months of age. So what to do? Not pay attention? This would result in permanent oestrus, which is an unbelievable stress factor for a kitten and can also lead to health problems. So what to do? I received advice and tips on many things and questions. I have always had someone to talk to. Something I lacked at FFH over the years. Nobody helped us! And not only Andreas can confirm that. Sometimes the godparents of our children supported and accompanied us when we were at exhibitions. They were also the ones who sometimes helped us with judging at shows and presenting our cats. But otherwise, it may sound like a lie, but we never had any help at the FFH! Even more so here at the Cat Club de Geneve. At first I was almost a little disgruntled, what do they think, I don't know anything about breeding? Until I realised how it should actually be. Namely like this! 😊

But when I joined the free cat club, I was unceremoniously cut off from the FFH. They didn't want me to do two tracks. Which I understood and understand. But I also wanted to take things slowly. I had enough to do with the move, the renovation and the new construction of the plant. Overcoming my fears. I had to proceed slowly, step by step, and my aim was to have completed the changeover with all our animals by the end of 2009. But I didn't reckon with FFH Switzerland. The president, Mr Wittich, made it very clear to me that this was not an option and that I had to make a decision now! Even though the offer sounded good, I couldn't, I didn't want to. I felt that where I was going now would let me be freer, work more freely, work with animals, let me breathe and realise my ideas. As far as I know, we were dismissed from the FFH without further ado. I had no choice but to immediately place the entire breeding programme under the control of the free association. Andreas, however, no longer wanted to join. That was enough for him! He had experienced and seen so much as a student judge. He knew enough and his joy of breeding and showing had actually been taken away from him. So in spring 2009 I took over the A-Riverway kennel in my own name. But no matter what I do, no matter what I plan to do. Whatever ideas, whatever deeds I want to realise, Andreas is still there. We may not always agree, but he is there and I am grateful for that. 

As a breeder, you sometimes have advantages with feed suppliers or shopping centres for pet supplies. This was also the case for us. We had one or two feed suppliers here with us who wanted to offer their feed at special conditions. For example Anifit. We were allowed to try out their sample pack for velvet paws, or rather our cats were allowed to test it.

Perhaps a small remark to food suppliers: If a breeder needs a free sample for his breeding programme to find out whether his paws like it and whether it is good for them, do you really think 14 animals are covered with one or two 50g bags of dry food? Just think big, please! For a breeder to basically know whether a food is suitable, he must be able to test a food for at least 6 months, if not over a year, and we are talking about large bags of food here. If I order food for one or two months' rations, I need about 30kg of dry food. For a breeder, not only the acceptance of the feed by the animals should be important, but also the rearing, i.e. the milk flow of the mother animals. It is precisely then that a feed must deliver what it promises. The same applies to older animals. It is also important to see how the faeces change and how the kibble is absorbed and crushed by the respective animals. Too small can cause endless dental and gum problems. Too large is also out of place. It is also important to consider whether fresh meat can be fed together with the dry food, etc. So dear feed suppliers, don't think small when it comes to breeders. That doesn't help much!

I was and still am always looking for the perfect food and you can't find it through all the industrial brands. At that time, the then area manager of Anifit visited us. He left the entire food package for our animals, explained the conditions for breeders and advertised the Anifit feed brand very promisingly. He later told us that Anifit would not be supplying us. I remember this one conversation between the area manager and myself very clearly. He didn't understand. He was incredulous, stunned and ashamed, struggling for words. Anifit had decided to only supply breeders who were registered with FFH Switzerland as solid and reputable breeders. I, on the other hand, with an independent association behind me, was cancelled without a word. This area manager was able to inspect our breeding programme with his own eyes. At the time, he offered me the opportunity to place my orders through him and him alone. He would then place the order with Anifit in his name and bring it to me on his tour to other customers, presentations, etc. It was a good solution, but I didn't have the time. A good solution, but I was too proud for that. My pride forbade it and I refused.

But the food issue wasn't the only thing that presented us with a challenge. At the time, we had two special clubs here in Switzerland that were only for the Norwegian Forest Cat breed. Swiss Skogkatten and IGNS - Interest Group of the Norwegian Forest Cat. Both associations only with breeders of the Norwegian Forest Cat. Swiss Skogaktten was founded by Nelly and quickly developed into a good and large organisation, which Nelly later handed over. Where we wanted to join was quickly decided at the time and we were involved for years. But back then, when I dared to join, we were informed at a general meeting at Swiss Skogkatten that we would be leaving immediately and that as breeders we would not receive any feed supplies from the Anifit brand, which the area manager confirmed to us. Andreas showed the board the articles of association, which stated that the association wanted to cultivate breeder relations for the Norwegian Forest Cat beyond the national border. At that time, Germany practically only had breeders from independent clubs, which also applied to Austria. And although Andreas informed the board of this regulation and realisation, the statutes were changed within days without further ado. I had no chance, I was out! We were out. The A-Riverway was cancelled!

There I was. Without a food supplier and without an advertising platform for the Norwegian Forest Cat. I did have our website. But would it be enough? For many breeders here in Switzerland it was clear that the A-Riverway was gone and would never exist again!

My fears began to change and I remember how they changed.
An irrepressible rage began to pulsate. It sometimes took my breath away, but it also gave me an incredible drive. It made me burst out violently. Within a short time I had created the website, the platform *Norwegian Forest Cats Switzerland*. A platform that was made available to all Swiss breeders free of charge on the Internet. For their breeding and their kittens and so I could also put my cattery on an advertising platform, which became visible throughout Switzerland, even beyond the country's borders. In the beginning, the website was very popular, but soon breeders were removed from the website. Why? That was my question to a breeder who also asked me to delete her breeding from the platform. *Someday Mrs Gort, I will tell you, but now please, I have to do it, it is required of me....*. I felt it, the fear, your fear.
The website Norwegian Forest Cats Switzerland still exists today and the name is protected by copyright. I owe this to Andreas, who not only gave the website its name, but also had it protected.

It drove me onwards. Because now I was free! Free from any prejudices, restrictions, free to breed. To work with animals. To interact with them, to experience them, to learn from them and to nurture, care for and preserve the Norwegian Forest Cat breed with them. Because that is breeding. Breeding is so much more than just having kittens. It is the responsibility towards a breed. The responsibility towards animal welfare, towards character. It is the work of bringing out the best, keeping it, caring for it and nurturing it so that the breed thrives and becomes better in every way than it was at its origin.

My endeavours continued. I created a one-day workshop, an introductory day to the subject of breeding and what breeding is. I was the only breeder in Switzerland to offer a course to new breeders or anyone interested in the subject of breeding, covering all the topics such as joining a club, breeding names, breeding animals, mating, rearing, etc. It turned out to be the right thing to do. It turned out to be the right thing to do. The enquiries I received, including requests for traineeships, showed me that I was on the right track. I also developed my own health programme with hygiene regulations, which is not only used when the kittens are visiting. Of course, I benefited from my apprenticeship with the vets Prof Dr Georg Weiss and Dr René Unternährer. And I finally realised what a breach of trust it was to re-home an adult animal. Although Tonks and Warrior were still rehomed, they were both the last to be rehomed and remain so to this day.

I learnt about a weekend workshop for animal communication and came a little closer to my childhood. Back then as a child, when I spoke to them, the animals. They understood me and sometimes only them! This little, lively girl with all the tousled curls. She was usually to be found outside. In the meadow, by the stream, in the forest. She knew every corner, every bush. She saw the fox, recognised the deer, the roe deer and also the lynx, which was quietly waiting next to her in the bushes, while curious dark eyes looked into such watchful, bright ones. The little girl often spoke. But mostly when she was alone outside somewhere in mother's nature. Did she talk to flowers? Or little creatures? Were they animals? Or fantasy figures?
*Look, Daddy, how big this cat is. The little girl marvelled in disbelief. *Stay still, don't move* echoed the short, curt command from her father, a great hunter. How could I! The lynx started to jump and fled over the girl's head. But before it disappeared completely, the lynx stopped. He turned round and looked once more into the girl's eyes before nature swallowed him up. *Where did he go?* her father asked out of breath as he ran to his little daughter. *I don't know*. I replied.

Today, when I remember my childhood, many things seem unreal and sometimes like a dream. Maybe I experienced it and maybe I only dreamed it?