Registration number: 1382-988375
Date of birth: 11-21-94
Sire: CH Ciderhouse Caruso
Dam: CH Rumpuss Red Sunset of Ciderhouse
Breeder: Polly & Ron Lauser
Pedigree
Sebastian, and his brother Mulligan, were our first two Somalis,
purchased as pets from Ciderhouse Somalis. They became the first two
grands from that cattery, causing some regret for their young neutering!
Sebastian discovered that much attention would come his way in the show
hall, if he just nuzzled up to those judges a little.... He was CFA's
best Somali in Premiership during the 1996-97 and 1997-98 show years,
the best Somali in Premiership at the 1996 and 1997 CFA International Shows, and
the Northwest Region's 4th best cat in Premiership during those same 2 years.
Sebastian was born on November 21, 1994... he was in a litter of four
kittens, the third litter in four week increments, at Ciderhouse Somalis.
Sebastian's litter was the "oops" litter - Polly had decided not to breed
his mother, as she was very petite - but thankfully, Phoebe had other
ideas, and let herself in with Polly's stud male one day, while Polly was
at work. I'll forever be grateful to Phoebe for that.
Sebastian was the first red Somali born at Polly's house (Charlene had
trained her that they only come in ruddy). He was the first kitten at her
house, to steal my heart. His brother Mulligan (a ruddy), worked on my
husband Rob, and both boys came home with us in February of 1995, just to
be our beloved pets. Polly talked us into showing them, "just for fun"...
Sebastian was the first grand with the Ciderhouse cattery prefix. He was
the first regional winner with the Ciderhouse cattery prefix. He was
"first" for many things, including bringing home a best cat from the
prestigious National Capital show. He was my first show cat, and the one
who endured me learning how to give show baths, and properly present a
Somali. He taught me absolutely everything I ever needed to know about
Somalis, especially about red ones. He appeared on CNN with CFA president
Craig Rothermel, when the international show was last held in Atlanta - he
had such a marvelous time, and Craig was so enjoying showing him off, that
he almost forgot there were two other cats to bring on camera! Sebastian
always loved to watch the tape of himself, but as soon as one of the other
cats came on the film, he'd walk away.
Sebastian loved being shown, and I showed him for three seasons -
"learning the ropes" that first season, and then showing him to regional
wins both of the following seasons. He would occasionally make an
appearance at local shows, but he could never go "just for count", as he
was quite liable to defeat whatever cats might be running for points that
year. He was delighted when the first veteran's class was offered here in
the northwest region, and went back to the show hall to visit an old
friend that was judging the class, who proclaimed to me - "I think he
remembers me!" Truly, he adored showing off on the judging table, and was
sure that every person in the show hall was there to see him, and no other
cat. He honestly saw no reason why those other cats even CAME to the
show.
Sebastian was always our official "meet and greet" cat, at the front
door. Never did anyone enter our house, that they didn't have to stop and
admire him, and give him some attention - only then were they allowed to
proceed on into the house. Nobody ever left here with a kitten, without
his approval.
Sebastian left us on February 9, 2007. There will never be another cat in my life, like Sebastian. I will miss him every day, for the rest of my life. I know that he's joined his
brother now, and they're talking over all that's happened in the last
three years, since Mulligan left us. And Aunt Cider is greeting him, too.
And he's left behind some very sad humans...
The above drawings were done by artist Nancy Bailey, who also raises Somalis,
under the cattery name "Foxbrush".
Visit her webpage, for some more examples of her beautiful work.
The drawings of Sebastian were a birthday gift for Tammy, from her friends
Jon & Kathy Durdick, at Ristokat Himalayans.
