Here Kitty Kitty ...and Real Estate

Last weekend I did something even my best friend would never expect: I went to a cat show. A what? Yes, a cat show. The Cat Fanciers Association had their gathering at the Pikesville Armory, and so off we went.

You know by now that I love my front yard aviary and my squirrel feeding stations (also called bird feeders), but I don't have other pets. Once in a while we host Erica's cat, but she's getting on in age and sleeps most of the time (the cat, not my daughter!)

At the show, I soon found my favorite cat – mink brown, but of course, and she was sleek and beautiful. The breed is a Tonkinese, and if I were ever tempted to take home a feline, this would be the one.

It was fascinating to watch how much preparation owners went through to show their cats. They had what looked like full beauty salons! Combs and brushes and sprays and powders – you name it and some cat was being groomed with it. Even noticed one cage had its own air conditioner...a portable fan gently blowing on the pampered pet.

Some owners looked stressed before the judging...the judging that would determine if the cat won a ribbon or just went home. Some cats were calm through the judging, others did not like it at all – I watched one judge get scratched, hissed at and this one little furry animal became so wild the judge threw this kitty back in the cage. The judge checked for injuries (his not the cat's) and then placed a blue ribbon on the cage. Guess personality was or was not judged....what do you think?

Hmm – sound familiar? Kind of like getting ready for a listing appointment, isn't it? Lots of combing through records for comps, brushing up on your presentation, and generally getting yourself ready to meet your prospective judges sellers.

How well have you prepared? Do you WOW the seller with your knowledge, your confidence, your marketing? Do you wind up with the First place ribbon-meaning you got the listing. Hopefully you don't scratch, get scratched, hiss or growl but personality is a big part in this real estate arena.

Cats are also smart about resting when they can. Even with activity all around, cats curled up and slept when they weren't getting ready for judging or actually in competition. Another lesson we could learn.

It was a purrfectly delightful day.