We had babies, still one gorgious girl available





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please go back to the main page for more photos and our other cats. This is just an FYI intro page :)

Fairy Fiona von der Salzblume, call sign: "Funny"
Our pretty Silverqueen
Click on her photo to get to her page


Coonies, the cat called dog

They usually didn't get the memo that they are cats. They are very intelligent, and ready to do whatever you train them to (within reason, they are still cats of course... they just dont' insist on it)




Pride Rock

I have a lion,
he sits high on his rock,
and looks down at all the game beneath him.
should I tell him the cliff is my monitor?
the plains of game, my moving hands?
no,
he is a lion,
and he would not believe me.

copyright Kirsten Houseknecht





How it began
The start of this line of adorable silky laphoggers was quite accidental. My mother had a Maine-Coon ladycat, SUPPOSEDLY fixed (yeah, right), and I had my faithful Persian tom-cat. To make a long story short, my going on vacation with mom catsitting resulted in love at first sight. It took Tomboy all but 15 minutes to make his desires known, and the lady fell like a ton of bricks. Before we had even settled down enough to see what was going on, the damage, so to speak, was done. Nine weeks later mommy-dear was graced with the first litter of her life. SEVEN of them (say goodbye to curtains and silk cushions) The kittens were so adorable that literally everybody who saw them wanted one. Coonies have such a loving personality, they are called dogs in catskins for a reason!
Our first accidental litter went to friends and neighbors. Of course, I had to have a kitten myself. There's always room for one more :)
As they grew up, I could only echo the uncounted phone calls my mother received: Are there to be more? We just have to have another one, and my neighbor/sister/boyfriend/mailman/hairdresser/cleaning lady wants one too..... when is the next litter due??? Next litter? Hmmm... next litter.... weeeeeelllllll, lets see... and so
Deliberation was short. The rest is History.

We learned that it is not accepted practice to breed between races (although we still get emails from people going on and on about the character and beauty of our kittens from that first litter). Many families keep coming back for seconds, and sometimes thirds. I myself was absolutely BLOWN away by the sweet and attentive disposition of my own 'oops', that kitten I kept and named Nikita. And so the hunt for more coonies began.

We have found coonies who are not only beautiful, but have the same fabulous spirit our Nick portrayed, AND they are normal sized (the original USA bred races of tall, healthy cats). Still big for a cat, but not the big'uns of 30 lbs or more you will sometimes find in the newer show lines. Our breeding couple continues in spirit what the first 'SILKIES' represented, still raised to be extremely attentive, cuddly kittens who will stick to your side for the rest of their lives.








Moving On
To date, there are Silkens on two or three continents (some are army brats and do get around). Coming from the Persian angle, I always wished I could have healthy cats on top of sweet personalities, but the standard here in Germany called for flat (and therefore destined for sickness) faces. I never liked that, and even my orininal Persian Tom was a 'so-called' shame to his breed. He had a nose:) The Maine-Coons are beautiful, gentle giants, but I don't like my cats to weigh 20-30 pounds and more! Especially as one of the Coon's trait is to sit on laps indefinitely. Or try to sleep on your face. Or other body parts, as, and when they become available. That tends to get heavy. We found JUST what we needed in some old American lines of purebred coonies, and the perfect cat for addicts who just want personality, looks, and sweet temper in a long haired, silky cat which is easy to care for and easy to please.








Final Outcome
What we now have is a healthy cat with the attitude of a dog, ready to go where you go, constantly underfoot, and with an intelligence and obedience you will not believe until you see it in action (don't get me wrong, they are still cats. With all their lovely 'who, me?' attitudes). These are cats who understand human language perfectly, and choose not to ignore it. If you take some time to teach them, their vocabulary can, and will, extend way beyond what you'd ever consider possible. AND they will speak back!

They come when they are called, because they WANT to be with you, they mrrow and purr a lot, and there is not one mean hair on these bodies unless you push too far (they can defend themselves if the need arrives, but it takes a LOT to get them there, which makes them perfect companions for children). And what a body it is.

They have a relatively sturdy frame, slinky and athletic, with the most gorgeous long, silky coat you have ever touched. They make the perfect mate for us gotta-work folks. Brush them once a week with a poodle brush (ask me to show you, normal cat brushes and/or combs do NOT do the job), and you have a cat that shines as if you'd groomed it for hours each day. Of course, since grooming is considered extra loving attention, you may also do that every day until your arm falls off. No objections there from the kitty, provided you start early and playful with say, a soft baby brush, and not when they are one year old and NEED it :)




On their way
With 6 weeks of age the kittens generally are housebroken and eat anything they can get their little paws on. Picky they're not, but we do feed prime pedigree food and 'barf'. By 10 to 12 weeks of age they understand (and follow) the basic commands ('come here baby',' look what >>I<< got', and 'get the heck outta there' :). There is no fixed day for pickup, each litter develops differently. Normally, they are around 12 weeks old when they decide they are ready. And yes, it is them deciding. If you come too early, they just won't choose you. After their second round of shots plus one week they are ready to go at 13 weeks.

It is always the cat choosing the new family, although we try to make suggestions. They have temperaments just like we do, and some are quiet little angels, some are timid and sensitive at first, and there's the occasional hell raiser amongst the toms. Most are all cuddles, some want to play and roughhouse, some just climb on top of you and go to sleep. We just need to get to know you a little before you may have one of our babies.

You are encouraged to bring your whole family (minus the dog) and a few hours of time, children of all ages provided they do understand -and obey- 'please remain seated'. (If you don't think they will, either leave them at home or be prepared to have me MAKE them - I sometimes found that under 4 years, with rare exceptions, you might want to consider a dog instead. Something big that doesn't choke so easy). The kits consider being chased a threat, and instinct dictates they run and hide. And they won't be back out for more until the offender is gone, so your trip would be wasted.

However, place kid and kit into the same sleeping arrangement later at night, and you'll find them happily bonded by morning. Sometimes it takes a while for a kitty to choose, although it is my experience that it is usually a matter of minutes. You sit down on the floor, and the one that attaches itself to your stockinged leg, or gets hopelessly tangled in your bootlaces is the one that goes home with you. Don't think for one minute that you have a say in the matter :) Wanna bet? Dozens of hopefuls came for the silver girl and left with the blue boy.




To boldly go….
Schedule pick-up so you have at least a few days at home with the new addition to your family. While they won't leave us until they are perfectly able to manage on their own, there is nothing more pitiful than a little kit which feels deserted. And believe me, the first night you try to lock them out of your bedroom you won't get much sleep. Their howling will keep the neighbors awake! Share your pillow, why don't you? If you think you'll have a problem with long hair all over everything you own, and a cat that goes whereever you go, 24/7, consider a different breed. These little hearts break if you lock them out. All THEY have is you, and they want you all the time when you're home.




Adjusting
They are quite good with children, as long as the child is not TOO small and screeches a lot. Noise they are a little weary of at first, but they adjust well, and especially the boys love to be 'manhandled'.




Interested ?
Come on in and look at my breeding couple or the kittens. Most times the color sheme is silver tabby (silver grey and light grey tiger stripes with white accents and white undercoat at breast and belly) or black tabby.




Warning
There is one disclaimer though. The Silkens are no pets. They are family. Be prepared to have them for the next 2 decades or so, cared for. They are not area oriented, they will bond with YOU and happily go where and when it is asked of them. Leaving them behind is cruel. So please, think well before you decide to adopt one of my babies. Only enter our lives if you know you can give your heart completely and be trusted to hold theirs, and in return, I can guarantee you a companion unlike any you will ever find again. If circumstances ever dictate you part with your furbaby, contact me first, I'll usually be able to help with temporary and/or permanent placement. Stay in touch, to join the Silkens family means to join for life.