Premier Forestdancer Ellwood
				Ellwood was the reason we got into Norwegians. He was Steve's birthday present in 2003 (he had a choice of a Wegie, or a Playstation2. Sensibly, he made the right decision!) Steve wanted a Blue, so I phoned the Norwegian Forest Cat Club's Kitten List, and as it turned out, a litter of kittens had recently been born to Yve Hamilton Bruce's Queen Ch Nordlys Winifrid. The litter had a couple of Blue boys- we were in luck! We brought him home in June 2003 and were amazed by how quickly he grew and grew. Yve asked if we'd consider showing him, and I managed to persuade Steve to let me take him to "just one show"… well, it was fatal! He and 3 of his litter mates Forestdancer Mitzi, Figaro and Fonteyn were all entered into the Herts and Middx show in September of 2003. I was full of trepidation- I'd never really even been to a cat show let alone entered one, but that was ok, neither had Ellwood! Amazingly, he came first in his class, and his sister Mitzi won her class and Best of Breed. Thanks to Yve, Ellwood and I started a successful show career with him becoming a Premier in June 2004 at the Celtic Longhair and Semi-Longhair show in Chepstow and he's been Best of Breed at shows many times. We're now trying for Grand Premier, but I often think Ellwood would rather be at home having a quiet snooze. Having said that, Ellwood won Reserve Grand and Best of Breed at the Suffolk and Norfolk Show in May 2005. He also had his photo taken by several cat publications and caught the eye of ex Blue Peter Presenter Peter Purves, who asked to have his photo taken with Ellwood. Fame at last! On 29th January 2006 we took Ellwood to our first ever FIFe show run by the Viking Cat Club. He did very well winning his 1st CAP and being put forward to the final of the Norwegian Forest Cat Special. Ellwood went to a 2 day FIFe show at the end of February in Peterborough and attained 2 certificates, making him a Premier with FIFe as well as with the GCCF. We also went to the FIFe show in Welwyn in March where he obtained his first International Premier Certificate- only another 4 to go! Ellwood won his second International Premier Certificate at the Felis Britannica show in Tonbridge on 16th July 2006 and was also put forward for Nomination. Ellwood came with us to the Viking Cat Club Norwegian Forest Special Show in Milton Keynes on 28th January 2007 where he won his class and his 3rd International Premier Certificate and was up for Nomination. After a long break from shows, Ellwood came to the Garden of England FIFe show in Swanley on the 20th and 21st October 2007 where he won his Premier class on both days and was up for Nomination on both days. He is now an International Premier which he well deserves. On 27th January 2008 at the Viking Cat Club Show we were so proud when Ellwood won his first Grand International Premier certificate, was Best in Variety and was also Nominated for the Norwegian Forest Cat Special. Not bad for a cat that was intended just to be a much loved family pet! He seems to go from strength to strength and looks great with his winter coat. He's a beautiful lad- a gentle giant and extremely loving. He loves to assist me when I'm cooking (his first love is his tummy!), and is always interested in trying new recipes (sometimes behind my back). I'm not ashamed to say that Ellwood is the Love of my Life! And yes, Steve is aware of this, bless him.
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