Grand Premier Abyglen Astarlet
(Ailsa)

Ailsa is a full litter sister of Aisling and came to me almost by accident. The elderly cat, for which Aisling was intended as a companion, sadly died before she was old enough to come home with me. Fortunately Mrs Harley still had this blue girl left because she was particularly anxious for her to go to a show home. I had no experience of showing at that time but, in gratitude to her for allowing me to have two such lovely kittens, decided to give it a try and have been more or less hooked ever since.

Ailsa had less show experience than her sister, only because Aisling has always been the constant show-goer. Since I can only manage two cats plus show paraphernalia, the second place has varied depending on who seemed most likely to succeed.

Once her sister began her well-earned retirement in 2008, Ailsa came back on to the bench and had an exceptional season, gaining her Grand title in four shows as well as winning Best in Show Neuter at the ACC Show and RACCS Cat of the Year 2008.

However, in 2009, it quickly became clear that her age and pale undercoat were against her proceeding any further and, in any event, she had decided that she didn't really enjoy the show travelling any more; so she, too, has now begun her retirement and contents herself by bossing about those younger than herself - which, when you think about it, is just about everybody!