Ken and I have lived in Idaho since November 1996, and in addition to our little house (above right), we own a 4-plex apartment building four blocks away.  To learn more about our neighborhood, visit "Our Little Corner of the World" page.  Our other activities and interests include writing, square dancing, various hand crafts, photography (Pat), and real estate contract investing.

     Ken is retired, if you can call it that.  It means he doesn't punch anyone else's time clock.  But, he is always busy with repairs, remodeling, upkeep on our properties, businesses, managing our rental units, and working with my son, Steve, in his bicycle shop.  I'm currently laid off from Coldwater Creek and trying to get enough business through my original photographs, colloidal silver, Kitty Kandy, and Antiques & Collectables to begin my "retirement" now instead of waiting until November 2005.  I began as a judging trainee and a Specialty Judge for UFO (United Feline Organization) in October of 1998 and graduated to Allbreed Judge in 2000 (above center).

     We got started raising Bengals in April 1996 when we bought Pixie from Louisiana (above with Ken and I).  She was the first mink Bengal in the Northwest.  Two weeks after her arrival, we showed her in a UFO show.  To our surprise, she took Best of the Best Kitten in Show, of course we were honored, but we were also "hooked"! 

     Our goal is to breed for steady improvement of this magnificent breed of domestic cats and more specifically to improve the "snows" especially the mink and sepias.  We are aiming for more contrasted markings, wilder faces and body types, rosettes (still not common in "snows"), whited tummies, thicker tails carried low, large nocturnal eyes, and white spots behind smaller rounded ears.  Of course, through all of this, we are breeding for wonderful pet dispositions in every cat.
      In 1999 we embarked on an additional breed.  We were enchanted by the plight of the Sokokes and felt a need to help.  We are aiding in the survival of this breed by raising them, looking for new American breeders & pet owners, looking for ways to let people know about them, in the DNA research, and in finding a way to take advantage of the contacts I've made in Kenya by a trip there in person.
     Thank you for reading and visiting our web site.  If you have any questions as a breeder, pet owner, or just someone who is curious, I'm always glad to talk about these breeds in any capacity.