Rex-N-Fx Chiffon Debutante


A true Princess!

Luck, Fate however you want to look at it, was definitley on my side, the day Chiffon came into our lives. As I write this she is curled up on my lap, purring with her pretty little head resting on my arm as her pillow. I never intended to get a show cat, that was just all an added bonus. Nor did I know that I would end up with such a great friend, her breeder Carole Goodwin of Rex-N-Fx.

At the time that Chiffon was 5 months old Carole also had a couple of other females she was planning to keep in her breeding program. I was on a waiting list to get a second Devon, so Velvet would have a companion. Carole called me up and asked if I would like to have Chiffon there was no hesitation on my part, but I told her I would need to run it by the men first, and I knew they would say yes. It would be great for Velvet too, as they had been raised together. It was a unanimous yes! The decision was made the wait was over and she was coming home with us. When I saw her as a kitten I said to Carole "so who is getting that one" because I would love to have her. The reply was she was staying with Carole. Every time we visited Velvet, we also saw Chiffon, and each time I thought boy is she special, and I felt a connection with her.

When I got her Carole said "you might want to try showing her" My reply was okay we can see about that. I had never been to a cat show, and had no idea how it all worked, but it sounded interesting. Thus began the adventure of a lifetime.

We started out showing her in TICA, with my flair for costume's and set designs I discovered pretty much that was how benching areas were at cat shows. So it was definitely a creative outlet for me. Chiffon was a quick rising star. She was so well received by the judges and spectators. Of course I knew all along just what a treasure she was. She became a Regional Winner Supreme Grand Alter in just a few shows. We travelled all over in California, she was a great car companion. She had such fun adventures in the hotels. She quickly learned that she was a "True Princess" and her audience adored her.

After her quick rise to fame in TICA, Carole suggested we show her in CFA. I was very excited about this, but Carole reminded me it is really tough to do something with a cat in CFA unless they are really spectacular. In my eye Chiffon was just that. We went to her first CFA show, in Hayward she was used in several finals including top 10 spots. I really did not have a clue at that point how the scoring or any of it worked as it was so different than TICA. But let the roller coaster begin. Her next show there were judges commenting you are the Devon I heard about. She made several more finals at this show, and only needed a few more points to Grand. Her next show would be in Pleasanton. She only needed one final to Grand, and a big thanks to Patty Jaccoberger for granding her in style. She kept her up at her ring forever, kept moving the grand point rossettes off the front of the cage getting another look. Then out of order takes her out and says this is my best All Breed Premier and my Best All Breed cat! I nearly fell out of my chair!

She finaled in all but one ring that weekend, and repeated the Best All Breed Premier, and Best All Breed cat in Susie Beeties ring. The decision was then made we should try for a Regional Win.

The fun begins, remember I did not know anyone in CFA, I was not a cat breeder who knew anyone important, just an ordinary person with an extraordinary cat. So keep inmind that politics aside it can be done, and fun can be had along the way. I made such wonderful friends on this incredible journey. Before Chiffon I would have never put myself out in the public eye so to speak, I was pretty much content with my stay at home Mom life. But giving Chiffon an audience, and involving my sons made it so much fun.

At the show Chiffon granded at she was dubbed the Pointed Princess from the judges. I did not realize until much later on through the season that she was the first Red Point Devon Rex to ever make it to Grand Status in CFA, and the judges all knew this. Comments were made how they had never seen one, but they had heard about her and were thrilled to get to handle her. Soon at shows she was being judged out of order way before other cats who were waiting ahead of her. Come to find out these judges could not wait to get to see her up close in person. Much to my surprise and thrill!

We had many adventures her and I, we travelled to Southern California several times by car. We drove to Utah, and made it out just in the nick of time through sleet and snow. Carole drove with us to Idaho and that was a roadtrip to remember, we had so many laughs, and had a pretty good idea why we all live in California. Chiffon went to Reno Nevada, gambling casino capital. We flew in a plane to Oregon. I think now she has travelled more than my husband! She loved it all the views, the admiration society, the excitment, the new faces, and the thrill of the attention.

She was not so happy about the Friday night baths, but quickly learned it was all part of the routine. She often still takes visitors in our home to her wall of fame. Sometimes I think she may miss it a little, but not too much, because she is so spoiled at home, and still leads the life of a Princess.

In the 1999-2000 show season in CFA GP, RW Rex-N-Fx CHiffon Debutante was Fourth Best Cat in Premiership in Region Two, Best Devon Rex in Premiership, The first Red Point Devon Rex to Grand, and the first Pointed Devon Rex to get a regional win.

There are no words to express my gratitude for having Chiffon in my life. It feels as if we have always been connected, and she was just waiting for me to find her. She is the most beautiful, sweetest little wise soul, one could ever know.

She glows from within and truly is an angel. Thank you again Carole for this most precious gift.

Chiffon's Story

Chiffon's show career

Chiffon's Rosette's and Trophies

Chiffon's Theme cages

Devon Rex by the Sea