RANTZ 'N RAVZ

I just love these letters.  It tells me my choice in sending a kitten to your home was the right one.  Thanks to all for sending such glowing emails.  Jean

We picked up the baby at the airport and he was in in good condition.  A little tired from the long flight but otherwise in good health.  He is such a joy to us.  I have never had a kitten that purred the first time I picked him up.  I am very surprised at how well adjusted he is to being around people.  He took a nap with my son as we were watching television earlier tonight. 

We fed him some soft food from the can upon his arrival and he has a good appetite.   

 I want to thank you for raising such a well adjusted kitten.  He is fitting in as a member of our family.   

 Thanks again for all your help in getting him to us and for raising your kittens to be very family friendly.  

 Best Regards

 David and Denise  just received their second kitten and all are great.

Jean, we thought you might like to see how well these two are getting along, since Neo got his "snip-snip" surgery.   All 3 are doing well, in the best of health and endlessly affectionate and playful. 

To the public: Don't hesitate bringing one or more of these amazing felines into your hearts and home.

Roy & Wanda

Madison, TN

November 1, 2011

Jean:

I've been meaning to write you for the longest time, but since today is Shaver's third birthday, I decided it was time to DO it.  He arrived here in Birmingham, AL, on Jan 15, 2009 after much angst over when we would have a break in the weather, warm enough to fly him out and my life has been forever changed.  For the better!!!!  He is just the sweetest, most brilliant, incredibly athletic, hilarious and loving, joyous little clown and buddy I could possibly imagine.  He arrived, so tiny, (especially next to my older, big muscular hulk of a middle aged Burmese, Otis) that I feared he would not survive the night.  Silly me--just an over-anxious momcat who had waited a long time for her new baby.  He was bright-eyed, relaxed but with his little baby fur reminded me of a little bird who had just fallen out of the nest.  I could not imagine that he would turn into such a sleek and beautiful but at the same time impossibly CUTE little cat.  At three, he is of course fully grown but still has the attitude and energy of a kitten and operates like a very expensive, high-performance European sports car.  He adores me just as much as I adore him.  It really was love at first sight.  Within a week he was snuggling with "Uncle Otis" and soon they became great pals, spending hour and hours each week wrestling and boxing with great earnestness and yet without anybody ever getting really mad--no spits, no growls.  Shaver has a huge crush on my other Burmese, a girl, Lilly, who a few years older and though it seems to kind of breaks his heart that she is basically a "one man woman", devoted to Otis, as he casts her longing glances (before an ill-advised, occasional running pounce) he takes her devotion to Oits in stride and they do have their tender moments and games of tag from time to time. 

 He has more entertaining little quirks than I have ever seen and I think it is in large part due to the fact that my boyfriend and I have spent so much time with him, talking, playing, watching his antics.  He is very relaxed and secure, totally indulged, yet remaining unspoiled in his attitude.  He LOVES his toys, rather than ignore them as so many cats do and devises amazingly intricate games and challenges with them that often leave me jaw dropped in amazement.  His favorites are handmade, natural sheepskin rats that a Russian lady at Shearling World makes for him.  He plays with them with such relish and vigor that I have to buy them by the dozen!  He puts them in his food dish and eats the dry food around them, I'm sure, imagining that he hunted and killed his own dinner.  How did this temple cat, who has never set foot on a blade of grass retain such an incredible hunting instinct?  None of my other cats have.  These rats are his game of fetch choice as well.  I am required to do this at least once, usually several times a day.  My arm gets tired of throwing before he gets tired of fetching!  I think Shaver has some sort of physical anomaly, double joints or something, that allow him do accomplish the most incredible feats of athleticism and contortionism I have ever seen.  We often shake our heads in amazement, asking ourselves, did we REALLY see him do what we thought we saw him do?  Often these moves seem physically, anatomically impossible.  For instance, rolling his back legs up over and behind him, so that the tips of the toes of his back legs touch the floor way behind his ears!  Impossible!  Yet true.  And, he can move so fast that your eye literally cannot see him move.  How did he get from here to there without your eye detecting any movement?  

 Oh my gosh, I could go on and on but I just want to thank you again for this dear little soul who loves with such an open heart and makes me laugh out loud every day.  I am giving serious thought to writing a children's book to immortalize this little character, Shaver, and have discussed illustrating it, with a friend who is a cat lover and artist.  I will keep you posted.  Thanks again and best to all of you at Casa del Gato.   You do a wonderful job breeding and socializing your kitties to be the wonderful additions to a family.By the way, Shaver's father is Sir Don Juan and him mom, Mahli.   I am attaching a few photos I hope you enjoy.

Note:  You know how tabby cats have that "M" marking on their forehead, the so-called "mark of Mohammad"?  I notice in photos and you can see it in the one that is more of a close up, Shaver has what looks like a shiny "T" on his forehead, no doubt for Texas!

Fran

Hi Jean,

I just wanted to check in with you about the kitten we adopted last week.

In honor of his loud, frequent purring his name is officially “Duramax” (after the diesel engine) though we call him “Max” for short.

We took him to the vet on Monday, and he was given a clean bill of health. So he and our Korat, Anna, have been introduced. It’s been slow going, but Anna is coming to accept him and start interacting in his play time. Having an energetic, comedic kitten in the house again has been good for all of us. ;-)

Otherwise, he’s been doing well and, although he’s a persistent and stubborn little thing when it comes to getting his way, he’s learning the rules of the house. I’ll let you know if anything comes up in the next few weeks, but I’m optimistic that Max will continue to be a good addition to our family.

June 21, 2011

Hi Guys,     Just wanted to check in  with you all and let you know that Gus (now 10 years old!) is fine and healthy and still giving us so much pleasure.  He is extremely agile, very vocal when he wants to be, and is very much still an “under the cover” kitty.  Sleeps the day away under the duvet – then gets up to wander the house to his favorite spots to catch some sunshine.  He is a lap sitter at night, and cuddles with Herb early in the morning waiting for us to get out of bed so he can have our warm spots! We love him dearly – and we are so glad he is still healthy and happy!  I have attached a couple of photos so you can see how beautiful he is!  One is in the Christmas tree – he does like to climb! All the best to all of you.  Try to stay cool this summer! Shelia

*Gus is on the home page  peeking out of the Christmas tree and the one next to it, just sitting there looking beautiful.  Thank you, Shelia

 Jean,

Just wanted to let you to see my "beautiful" babies! they are so loving and cuddly and have adorable personalities!  They sleep with us every night and can you tell, we just spoil them rotten!  Our vet and his office staff adore them, too! they always want to hold them and of course Sully and Sadie oblige by climbing up on each ones shoulder ( have you noticed that your cats like to "perch" on your shoulder?) - said they are amazed at how calm and loving they are! The vet said he will probably never get to hear their heart because they don't stop purring!  Thank you so much for our wonderful "new family members"!    Thanks again, Sally Ann

Sully and Sadie are on the home page in a basket together.  Thank you Sally

 Dear Jean,

We are thrilled with our new addition!! We have given him the name "Riptide".
It was very surprising to me to see how much care you took in caring for the kitten to ensure his comfort and care upon his arrival at RSW airport. My emotions took me by surprise as my family waited for him to be hand delivered to us. When he finally was brought to us, we immediately checked to see how he was doing. As you told us, he was snug as a bug and hunkered down in his crate. We were surprised that he was so little. Those big eyes won all of our hearts immediately. What a sweet little boy he is.
Since his arrival he has came alive! We took a family vacation to the Keys in Florida and he loved it!! Our snow shoe Siamese loves him also. Always grooming one another and endlessly playing together. Riptide is quickly becoming dominant and the king of the castle. Discipline has been a challenge somewhat. We have researched and tried everything I believe. When he has his mind set on something....nothing deters him.
As I mentioned when I originally contacted you, my husband is deaf and wanted a cat that would let him know when certain things occurred (door bell, garage door rising, etc. without being scared). Riptide has been a blessing, showing unconditional love to all of us and letting my husband know when he needs to be aware. The pictures on your website represent exactly what we received. He is a healthy, loving, smart little love bug. He represents all that the breed is said to be. Thank you.
 

Hi Jean,

I'm soooo happy with little Taylor.  By the way, today is my birthday...and my son got me one of those cat scratching/climbing carpeted things. It's amazing! It has 4 levels, one being an enclosed house, and several dangling toys. It's very tall so that I could put it by the back window and then she can look out and bask in the morning sunshine. Taylor loves it!
There is no way that Taylor could be more perfect.
Thank you again for her,
Donna
 

Hi Jean,

Just wanted to give you an update on Koji.  We absolutely love him.  He has a great personality and is getting along great with our Seal Point Siamese.  Thank you again for such a wonderful cat.  Attached is a recent photo for your enjoyment.  Talk to you soon.

Regards,
Chris & Holli

Lady Godiva is an absolute joy to us and is very spoiled. She is not happy unless she is sitting and purring in someone's lap.  She is so playful and loving.  I never knew a cat could be so affectionate and adorable.  We would like for her to have a playmate.  We would like another female champagne.

Thanks again for being an honest, caring, breeder who brings joy to so many families.

Vi Waldner

I have been so negligent in keeping you up to date about how Gus is doing. 

Gus is amazing. He alternates between thinking he is a person and thinking he is a dog! He is so affectionate and has bonded with Herb to the point that he thinks Herb is one giant sibling and meant for constant play time. Herb made the mistake of letting Gus sleep with us when he first came to us - thinking that he could later ban him from the bed. Ha! Our vet laughed out loud at that! Gus starts out on top of the comforter, but around 4:00 a.m., he snuggles under, usually between us, but sometimes at Herb's feet! Nothing is too high for him to climb, he loves water out of the faucet, paper bags and cardboard boxes were created exclusively as playthings for him, he loves socks and we can usually find one in his food dish, he eats less now [couldn't believe how much a kitten could eat!] but still manages one can of Sheba and a good bit of dry food each day. He never sees a stranger. When the doorbell rings, he runs to see who has come to visit him! He is just the best little companion ever. Although, I am quite allergic to the little guy. Much more so than I was to his dear departed Uncle Moose the Maine Coon. Good thing I take allergy meds everyday! He loves being "massaged" with this knobby little "brush" I bought at Pets Mart. When I pick it up, he flattens himself on the floor and immediately starts purring. He is also part monkey, I think. His antics are just amazing. He tears through the house sometimes like a streak of lightning. He sometimes runs from bath tub to bath tub [they are completely across the house from each other - quite a long way]. He starts out in one - jumps out, runs like the wind all through the house, into the other tub, out again and back to the other one. [Of course there is no water in them!!] Oh, and by the way, he is not afraid of water. We tried the water spritzer to train him not to get on the counters and when he was teething and wanted to chew our hands - but, he liked it so much we had to switch to an alternate Gus Buster - a can of air that you use to clean your electronics with. The Vet recommended it - we just have to pick it up and spritz the air - not even directed at him. But I never knew a cat could love water so much - he likes to play in it, doesn't mind being wet, and you give him an ice cube in his water dish and we have a mess all over the kitchen. 

He was just the best little kitten - our vet was very impressed with how socialized he was, and as they had never seen a blue Burmese, he is quite the popular kitty when we have to go for nail trimming! I'll be in touch with the altering information - and I'll send some recent photos. Thanks again for such a wonderful creature! He is just the best.

S Klein

San Antonio

Hi Jean!

Just wanted to let you know a few things. First Mike and I have moved.  It's a much bigger place with hard wood floors. The immense entertainment we get from watching Minkie slide across the floor to get Mr. Mousie was worth all the moving hassle.

Minkie (or Minkie Weasel as she has come to be known) is an absolute joy!  We had her spayed in February (laser surgery, IV, the whole nine yards) and she came through with no problems at all (need to send you the paperwork). Her fur has already grown back completely. The vet's office LOVES her.

They called to check on her after her surgery and said she was "an absolute doll" and everyone there was in love with her. Who can blame them? Bast and Brindle love her most of the time. But as they are both 10 years old, her constant playing does get to be a bit much at times. But they've each established hiding places as their Minkie-free zones. They are both picking up some of her habits however. They've both become more vocal and Bast, who was never fond of being picked up, is now quite amenable to it.

Unfortunately, they've both also taken to climbing on the kitchen counters while I'm making dinner and try to steal off with food---just like Minkie taught them! Oh well.

If you ever need a reference from this part of the country or anyone is worried about shipping one of your beautiful kitties, just refer them to me. I'll sing your praises and vouch that Mink suffered no problems

from her plane ride. I'm including my latest favorite shot. Talk about an under the covers kitty! Take care,

Amy, Mike, Bast, Brindle and Minkie .   Richmond VA

Hi,

I'm just now getting around to sending you proof of Oscar's spaying.  Oscar's doing really well. He loves our new house. The previous owners were serious dog lovers, so the house's flooring is over one-half ceramic tile, which is good for Oscar when he starts going with his mouse.  I read the letters from other Burmese owners on your website, and I am assured that Oscar is 100% Burmese  (not that I suspected he wasn't!). He does all those things - helps me load the dishwasher, type e-mails,  etc. All my friends want a Burmese now. Thanks for everything,  

C. Shetlar

Jean:I appreciate and love the way you talk about your babies and that you love them so much - your job (if you can call it that) must be very rewarding. Thanks again and we will be in touch.  S. Bender

Just to let you know you were right.  This little male kitten is
precious. He is also curious, inquisitive, playful and loving.  Took him to the
vet on Mon. following take home on Fri. because of some vomiting, runny eyes
and lassitude.  He felt it was minor illness due to the stress of the
change. The vet seems to be right as he was back in the full swing of kittenhood
within 24 hours.  Thanks for such a good one.

L.  Turner

Just wanted to send you a note to tell you how truly happy I am with the TWO kittens that I have gotten from Jean Motas.  I have a Sable Male, Jingle who is 16 weeks old and a Blue Female, Belle who is 12 weeks old.  I took them to the vet on Saturday for some shots and was told by the vet that the breeder I got them from must really know what she is doing because they are perfect kittens.

I was told a number of times before I got them that once I got a Burmese kitten I would never want any other kind.  Now I know it is true.  They are perfect, loving and funny kittens.  My female is somewhat independent but still loves to cuddle.  The male is fairly convinced that the world revolves around him and insists on being the center of attention most of the time.  He never meets a stranger!  He is hysterical.

Everybody at the vets office loves them.  When I took them in on Saturday for some shots, the receptionist announced as I walked in with them, "They're here!" and people came running out of the back to see them.  My vet was carrying both of them around the office showing them to all the other vets.  It was a good hour before I got them back!!!

I am so happy that I got two of them instead of just one.  Thanks again!

Warmest Regards,  S. Meyer

Jean,

We love the new kitten Rio. She has gotten really fat. She is so sweet we love her very much. She loves to play. Thank you for making this cata part of our lives.   From the Children of the Shay Family

More from the Shays:

Dear Jean,

Rio is doing just great!!  She is eating like a pig, wears herself out playing with the other cats, and takes long naps with anybody that is available for some quiet time!!  She loves to get under the covers, at first we were a little worried sleeping with her but now that she is bigger I'm sure she can take care of herself. 

She is such a sweetheart, and she really seems to have adjusted so well to our household.  She is very popular with the whole family and my 89 year old grandmother keeps requesting that I bring her over to meet her (Grandma just got out of the hospital due to pneumonia.) We absolutely love Rio and thank you for how wonderful she is!! We just got a digital camera so I will send pictures as soon as I figure it out!  Hope you are doing great!!

J. Shay

Dear Jean... The kids are just doing fantastically. The had adapted to the house and us almost instantly. Their intelligence at this age just blows me away. They're so smart it's scary. And they are so loving. I don't know why we bought the cat bed as they won't use it and have to sleep with us at night. Sometimes I take a little nap in the afternoon while their playing and before long they are plastered next to me and napping too. They are starting to recoqnize and respond to their names and are beginning to understand what NO is. They bring us their toy mice to play with and will retrieve them when we toss them. They love they tile floor in the kitchen and bat those mice and chase them all over the place. They play wrestle so hard that sometimes I think they'll hurt each other. But their bond to each other is amazing. When they sleep, eat or use the potty they have to be close to each other. No trouble with potty training. The first time we showed it to them they jumped in and used them. The biggest challenge now is teaching them that they can't eat off of the table but they sure know where their food comes from as they sit by the refridgerator door and let us know it's time for chow. They eat good, both science and soft food. That Tiffer is a real chow hound. They are really growing and that Tara is a real tease. She agitates Tiffer into to a play fight by turning her back on him and swishes her tail....the chase is on. I could go on for pages and we sure wish you would come and visit them whenever you can. Those two are a real blessing and a joy...thanks to you.  'Nuff for now and do come visit.

PS I think our coming often and visiting them and handling them mad all the difference in the world in the way they have adapted.....Bless you........M.

Dear Jean

Rio is sitting and reading this as I write.  She is doing great, quite a cuddler.  She is so tiny, she only weighs 5 1/2 lbs.!  She will always look like a kitten, and she is adorable.  She has a dual personality, she sometimes acts like a bratty adolescent, but usually she wants to be in your lap.  She loves to  wrestle with my other two cats, and she gets along well with the dogs too.
We adore her.  Jingles and Blue are doing great too.  Blue gets to spend the colder months in Florida, he is quite fortunate!
Take care. I will call you if I need another baby!!!
Jennifer