Cattery histories are interesting and varied. They allow people to understand more about cats and the people who breed them. I would like to share with you a brief history of Charlemaine.

I have been an animal lover from as far back as I can remember. Had events in my own life been differently, I would have surely studied veterinary medicine, but that was not the path my life took. Instead, I married and became a mother of three children.

My early experiences breeding dogs were with German Shepherds and Great Danes. At that time, I also had a couple of altered male Maine Coons as pets in my home. The decision to add the Maine Coons as household pets was an easy one. The cats have a wonderful disposition and I have always referred to them as "cats and/or kittens with puppy purr-sonalities". They worked well in my rough and tumble household of small children and the dogs.

My divorce in the mid 1970's and the move to a smaller house brought about big changes in my breeding career. No longer did I have the room to breed the large dogs. With the exception of a few litters here and there my breeding career was pretty much over. That is, until a Maine Coon breeder friend suggested that I consider breeding Maine Coon Cats.

The idea appealed to me. I had by that time many years of experience as an owner of Maine Coons and was committed to the breed. Truth be known, I was also suffering from serious "puppy withdrawal" and the realization that despite the enormous time commitment that breeding requires, it was an activity that actually maintained my sanity as I alone was supporting and raising three very active children.

I carefully considered the idea and realized that I could apply my knowledge of genetics, pedigrees and bloodlines from my dog breeding to Maine Coons, as the basic principals are the same.

With an eye trained for years to see quality in dogs, I seriously turned my sights on Maine Coons and purchased my first breeding females. Through my association with other Maine Coon breeders I was able to learn more about the breed - the strengths as well as the weaknesses. Putting this information together with my knowledge of genetics and pedigrees has allowed me to breed my cats in a way that I better the breed by breeding for soundness, size and longevity as well as for temperament.

As my children grew, the cats became more and more of a family activity for us. For many years (with the help of my children) I ran the local 4-H clubs in the Harrison Town Park, where I taught local children how to care for and show beef cattle and cows, sheep, dwarf goats, a miniature horse, a pony, chickens, exotic ducks and even peacocks! My children helped with the daily chores of feeding and cleaning and learned to respect and love animals. At the same time I ran a small 4-H Cat Club (Maine Coon, of course) where I taught the children about the breed, how to care for a cat and then each showed their cats as alters in a local 4-H show. Every Saturday morning for about 5 years I ran a 4-H Dog Obedience Club and taught children ages 5 and up dog obedience (the children worked the dogs, parents could only watch).

As a family we also showed some of our cats in local cat shows. As you might guess, a serious commitment to showing was not possible for us at that time. However, through other breeders and the wonderful show homes that my kittens have gone to, many Charlemaine cats have championed in the CFA, TICA and UFO show rings.

As my breeding career evolved, I needed a name for my cattery. When I was breeding Great Danes, my married name was "Karl". As "Karl the Great" was Charlemagne, I used Charlemagne as a prefix to distinguish my dogs. When it came time to register a cattery name I chose the variation Charlemaine.

Charlemaine cats have been mainly older bloodlines. These bloodlines are typically slow growing, which is important for the proper development of the internal organs as well as the tendons and joints. This principal is used in the breeding of large dogs, and I believe, equally important in the breeding of Maine Coons (a large and heavy boned cat). After careful consideration and research, I am currently in the process of incorporating certain of the "newer" bloodlines into Charlemaine. This will result in a somewhat faster growing kitten, but not to the detriment of their health, development and growth.

I have a special love for the polydactyl (many toes) Maine Coons and actively breed for that trait in many of my lines. Many of the polydactyl Maine Coons in Europe and America can trace their pedigrees back to Charlemaine, especially to Pussytoes Mikie of Charlemaine ("Mikie") a gorgeous mackerel brown tabby who is now retired.

My children are now grown and my animal household consists of an English Mastiff, an Australian Shepard puppy, a Miniature Australian Shepard and two Macaws. I am now raising my six year old grandson so the tradition of Charlemaine in raising our kittens underfoot, with love, to be kid proof, dog proof and respectful of birds continues.