Fur Balls

When Best in Show, Christopher Guest’s spoof on dog shows and dog-show enthusiasts, was released last month, Kansas City moviegoers got their laughs at the quirky people who obsess over an obscure hobby. This weekend a similar subject hits closer to home: More than 1,300 felines, competing by invitation only, convene downtown for the Cat Fanciers’ Association International Cat Show at Bartle Hall. Taking accompanying humans into account, it’s expected to be a huge gathering.

It isn’t easy being a show cat. Maria Bruhn, who will show two of her 17 cats, Mr. Dumas (after the French author Alexandre) and Furby, an older Siamese, bathes her cats two days before a show so that they appear clean but have time for a little oil to accumulate on their coats, giving them a nice sheen. With the Siamese in particular, Bruhn says, the insides of their ears should be shaved so that they appear larger. A Siamese is disqualified if it fails to live up to Siamese standards of beauty, including almond-shaped blue eyes and a wedge-shaped face. Bruhn also gives her cats vitamin C supplements in cold weather so they don’t get the sniffles.

To prepare for the competition, last week Bruhn let Mr. Dumas and Furby have a trial run at her son Freddy’s school. Furby is an old pro at the cat shows. Mr. Dumas (who got his name by being “kind of a stupid kitty”), however, is still a bit ill at ease in front of a crowd. Bruhn cradled him in her arms before going into the school meeting room and, feeling his paws, noticed that they were sweaty. Bruhn immediately set about coaxing her kitten into feeling more calm and collected, asking him, “Are you nervous? All these children looking at you, huh?” The cat did not answer.

Mr. Dumas had better do some deep breathing and relaxation if he wants to be named “Best in Show, the most beautiful cat in the world” this Sunday.