September 2011
Sorry for the time away. We are in transition; going to the US for the summer and moving house when we return. We'll be back in September 2011, with plans to breed again. We have 2 girls just longing to have families. Please contact us after the first week in Sept. for more information regarding future litters.

New Litter of Balinese Have Arrived!!!
30th August 2010
(see Details and Photos below)

Welcome to Island Blues ~ UK
Traditional SIAMESE & Traditional BALINESE ~ Cats & Kittens
Relocated to the UK. We are now in South West Scotland ~ at Kirkdale House ~ in the village of Carsluith ~ Wigtownshire ~ Dumfries & Galloway
Please enjoy our cats and kittens here and contact us ~ until further notice ~ NORTHISLANDBLUES@GMAIL.COM or call Ellen at +44(0)1557.840.384

This is our homegrown blog ~ here to introduce you to our homegrown cattery. We raise traditional Siamese and Balinese ~ otherwise known as "Old Fashioned" "Classic" or "Apple Heads". Our kittens grow-up in our bedrooms, underfoot with children and dogs. Please enjoy the pictures ~ and contact us if you are looking for a kitten of your own.
Big News Below

Read on for Big News, history and fun stories or follow the link to the right to see what kittens are available. Again please write to be put on our mailing list or to reserve a kitten now!

Based for years in and around NYC, my husband decided to take a year or 2 abroad, teaching and finishing his research of ancient stones. We moved to Forres Scotland in February 2007 and then to Carsluith in January 2008. Before we left the US, we had heard that there are very few Traditional and Classic Siamese in the UK. And Traditional Balinese you just can't find. We had several calls from the UK asking us to import kittens, but it is virtually impossible to bring any pet into the UK without a 6 month quarantine. So I decided to bring 2 adult females, who were expecting. As you can imagine it was very tricky. It took us (my daughter Dania and me) close to 9 months to get the girls ready to come. Now they are here, our mission is to plant a few new seeds and hope for the best.
Now for the Big News - read on...

last of Ulla and Levis children

~ 30th August 2010 ~ DAY ONE

Ulla and Levis' last litter has arrived. And what a sweet bunch they are!
3 Blue Boys
2 Girls ~ Lilac and Blue
DAY TEN:

This is a bumper crop. These little angels are already snuggling up, peeking out of their warm and cozy bedroom, greeting me every time I walk by. The 3 boys are all so different. One looks exactly like Ulla at the same age; round as a ball ~ head, eyes, tummy.
We have a Mokie twin or two. And the girls are exceptional. Both are rather petite ~ the blue very much so. Their eyes are almond, which means they'll surely be as deep blue as the sea, or the rag bowl in the photo. Here are a few pictures documenting their growth so far.

Please check the information page for new pricing and kitten availability. For this litter only ~ each kitten will be priced individually. Sadly as it's our very last Ulla / Levi litter which for now means it's the last 5 true Old Style, Traditional Balinese in the UK. Unless we find another traditional male by next spring, we'll be closing up shop.
Meanwhile, we have finally decided to breed Mia:

Ulla and Levi's long and lanky daughter. ~ Mia above ~ We decided to breed her to a beautiful Bengal. She is with her mate ~ Ozzie ~ right now (blue-eyed snow spot ~ Ozzie was the only surviving kitten out his litter and was totally hand reared from birth. As a result is very friendly,very outgoing with a superb temperament)

and a litter of Bengal/Bali kittens are expected in 2 months. We are so excited to see what they will look like. I don't know if Bengals have ever been out-crossed with long haired Siamese. By the time they are here, I promise to be better prepared. Our hope is to have the most beautiful kittens: with coats as silky smooth as the Balinese, as soft as the Bengals, with wonderfully surprising markings and maybe even a plumed tail; with personalities that are as smart, silly and affectionate as Mia, who I know will be a great mum (below with Ulla's babies)

and as brave and bold as the Bengal and as Passionate as their Papa. The only thing we do know, is that they should all be blue eyed and have fantastic conformation. As it's Mia's first litter and Bengals are large, we don't think she will have many. So please let us know if you are interested now. Remember:

Both Ulla's and Mia's litters are extremely rare and will be the only of their kind. We can only reserve kittens with a non-refundable deposit ~ starting at £100. Feel free to call for more information.

BIG NEWS:
Danny will be a grandfather again (seen stretching here). Danny has siblings, who are living with the Sultan of Brunei. Dan's daughter Ulla and her mate Levis are expecting (we think for the last time) around the 30th August 2010. This time Lili went to visit Levis as well - However, Lili has gone to live with Noah in Geneve Switzerland. It will also be Lili's last litter. Lili's delivery should be a week after Ulla. Many lovely kittens we hope. Based on last year's return, we estimate 3/4 Balinese - lots of lilac and blue. Be sure to check back "Available Kittens". We'll post births - videos too - as soon as they arrive.


Our Beginnings ~ History
The name Island Blues comes from our deep connection with several special islands around the globe. We do not consider ourselves "breeders", just a small family who share our lives with a small family of cats. We have had Siamese since I was 8 yrs old (a very long time ago) and have had litters now and then.

This is Fiona with her first 2 kittens Lili and Luna - their sister Lamb went to live with Charlie and Jen in Brooklyn. Fiona, Lili and Bear are the moms of all kittens we have had at Island Blues.

Today we have just 2 beautiful moms still breeding occasionally:

Lili, one of our blue point Siamese girls above, has gone to live with Noah (again) only this time in Switzerland. She is expecting early September - her last litter. Her daughter Ulla (was Oolah), a stunning lilac Balinese,

came to the UK with Lili and us in 2007. Ulla is also expecting (here in Scotland) around 30 August. And last we have Mia. Ulla and Levis' daughter, who is just over one year and has not yet been bred. But we surely will when the time is right. Mia is my dear sweet friend, my everything. I had no business keeping her -- no itention of breeding more and no male to breed her with. But she crept into my heart and wouldn't let go.

Mia is everyone's favorite - even the old crumudgin Fiona has adopted her. I can't wait till she is a mom. All our girls come from excellent TCA and CFA registered catteries, with a long line of handsome traditional parents. We are committed to raising only healthy traditional Siamese and traditional Balinese. They are (as all Siamese owners claim) very witty and wise, extremely affectionate and keep us continually amused.

This is Mokie - I could write a novel about Mo, who will always have a special place in my heart - forever. Mokie went through a great deal right after birth. But today, he lives near Newton Stewart with friends Emma and John. Mokie rides on the back of a motorcycle and enjoys a cuppa at the Bladnock Inn every day around 3. Most everyone on the Machars knows Mokie.

Do read about all the goings on here since the beginning below. Or go to the links at the top right, to see what kittens we currently have available. Other links include: sales of Sherpa Pet Carriers ~ at greatly reduced prices, funny stuff, extended families, and reservation forms. Have fun.

My Mia xox

American Gothic

All so serious - waiting for news perhaps...?

All the beautiful girls and boys, who have long gone never got a mention here. We were so very busy. And everyone had a home before they were born.

So many littles ones have come and gone - all since my last update:

Last year Ulla had 5 kittens - 3 boys, 2 girls - 4 lilac Balis and 1 blue Bali

Ulla is a wonderful mum and her kittens by Levi have all been smart and funny and gorgeous.

Lili (Ulla's mum) is only happy with a kitten to care for. When she doesn't have her own she adopts. Last fall Lili had a litter with a traditional self coloring male. She had 6 babies - 4 blue solids, 1 blue point and 1 caramel - 4 boys and 2 girls.

Lili and Ulla are now both expecting - we think sizable - litters, any time after June 15th. Ulla should deliver first, will have all Balinese and all blue and lilac. Lili should go second, but maybe not long after Ulla. She also mated with Levi this time. So we're guessing the outcome: surely many blues, possibly lilac, maybe chococlate even seal. She should have near 50/50 Siamese and Balinese (short hair and long hair). Actuals will be posted as soon as we know.

Ulla is so happy and proud ~ so happy.

3 day old kittens ~ born December 1st

Remark the tell-tale-tail grey rim on the far edge of the ear!

Maybe a blue or 2 ~ certainly the rest are lilac.

Kittens still available for late December early January Delivery.

1 Blue solid Boy

1 Blue solid Girl

And this Chocolate (caramel) Boy

Lili's October Surprise

1 Blue Point ~ the rest are solid

Twins ~ solid blues

Everybody!

Where are we?

Cairn Holy
Scotland News: We are finally home. In January Joe and I moved to the southern coast of Scotland on the Soloway Firth - between Gatehouse of Fleet and Newton Stewart. We live in a manor house on an estate owned by the Hannays since the 1500s. Our neighbors raise organic belted Galloways, make brilliant art installations, carry the post, keep the game, are writers and mechanics, those who've retired here from South Africa and those who've been here all their lives. We have decided to stay - whatever it takes, we wish to stay.

Sorry to say that means - we have no plans to have any litters in the US anytime soon. We are in the process of getting all the family ready to come here; Fiona, Bear, Nina and Danny - and Charlie too. Our dearest Muffin will probably stay in the US with one of the kids; she belongs to Oraibi, Danya, and Noah and doesn't need to make the big crossing at 16 to be happy.

As for our cats already in Scotland -- Lili and Oolah had babies in November. All were the most wonderful kittens - I know I always say that. But this time I had several of the kittens for close to 4 months. One was preparing to go to Singapore, another had to be old enough for a rabies vax to go to Fontainebleau France. I've decided never to keep a kitten that long and try to part from them - it's just too hard. Oolah had but one baby born still, but revived by Joe doing mouth to mouth. This is Mo (Joe's very own) and cousin Sweat Pea - who lives in Singapore.

Poor Oolah was confused and her milked dried up right away - so Lili took that one in and raised him as her own. Oolah accepted but was very sad. She went into heat with in days and stayed in heat until we decided to breed her in the new year. Oolah (now Ulla) gave birth to 5 kittens 3 weeks ago. She is so very very happy. This is the story of Ulla's remarkable kittens:

Much News!
Life has thrown us a curve - perhaps a boomerang!
The Amazing Story of Arthur ~ Mokie and Maya!!!

Living in the magical land of southern Scotland on the Soloway Firth, we decide to have Oolah (also known as Ulla Gaelic for hidden Treasure) give birth to one last litter. Then we'd spay her and she'd either return with us and Lili, her mom to the US or stay here with Steve. So Ulla was bred in January to Levi - a wonderful blue Balinese here in the UK. Meanwhile, we've been thinking seriously about staying here - renting a cottage for a year or 2 maybe longer.

On March 10th Ulla gave birth to 5 lovely fluffy Balinese, only 1 girl - 2 lilacs and 3 blue. After a week it became clear that our little lilac girl was losing her coat - she was getting pink and warm to the touch. Full of fear we went to the vets, had scraping and fur samples to check for ringworm, mites, etc. Other causes for feline alopecia were checked: congenital hypotrichosis, allergies, over grooming, nerves? All were coming back negative.

Thing is the kittens were all eating well, getting fat, comfortable -- but by 2 weeks 3 (three) of the 5 kittens were losing all their hair. My vet in the US had a few suggestions, but when they were all exhausted I turned to the internet. I started looking up what gave rise to the hairless breeds. First I read all I could about the Sphynx - eventually I found out about the Peterbald (and the predecessors of the Peterbald - the Don Sphynx). I was struck by the similarity between my little moggies and the Peterbald.

Around 17/18 days the little girl was going through stage 3 - regrowing a very fine pelicule of velor / chamois / moleskin... the 2 boys remained in limbo one completely hairless, the other still losing his coat slowly. We finally began to realize we might have something really special here - possibly a new breed...? And the kittens began to grow on me - like no other. New breed or a fluke in time these babies are very cool. And no matter what they'll be a part of our family forever.

But is it a spontaneous mutant gene? or rare recessive non-autosomal event, needing one chromazone from each parent to present the trait? (I still don't know what I'm talking about). Thing is neither mom or dad has anything close to hairlessness in their backgrounds. Then again maybe that's what happens when you repeatedly breed recessive to recessive -- at some point the natural world says "enough" and the silky soft long haired cat goes bald naked, transforms into a primary original state.

Not knowing how to answer, we've agreed to let the kind scientists of the University of Edinburgh take some samples and perhaps share them with UC Davis Feline Genome project. I'll let them do the pondering, while I set about trying to determine where these little beauties will spend the rest of their days.

I do plan to rebreed Ulla to Levi - to see if the same thing happens again. Or we might breed her mom Lili to Levi to see if we can trace this back a generation. Or we may consider breeding Ulla to Levi's dad? Perhaps a year or 2 from now we'll know more and be breeding the little girl or her brothers. My hope will be to continue in my number one pursuit: well balanced, healthy happy traditional cats, who have terrific personalities and live as long as possible. I figure a hairless oriental breed that created itself is as organic and traditional as it gets. In any case, I won't be manipulating nature or promoting mutations that weren't meant to be.





All this to be continued weekly I plan....