I hope you find Valnika to be a rewarding experience
and you share in my love for the Russian Blue.
My
name is Valarie Williamson. With my husband Hackel, I have
a small cattery located in Houston, Texas.
Our
cattery name is Valnika and we specialize in raising and
showing our beloved Russian Blues.
My
goal is to produce quality Russian Blues that conform
to the highest show standards and combine beauty with
personality and excellent health.
I
show in the Gulf Shore Region of CFA.
Our
cats are raised in a caring and healthy environment, receiving
lots of love, attention, and top quality nutrition as
a top priority. .
Routine
health care includes annual vaccinations for rabies, feline
leukemia, and FVRCP.
ABOUT
US
I
was born in Pasadena, California, the oldest of 4 kids, while
Hackel is a native born Texan. My parents just celebrated their
46th wedding anniversary. We moved around quite a bit as children
because my Dad was a field engineer who worked for NASA. That
meant we traveled back and forth between California and Florida
for rocket launches and builds.
Despite the many moves, our cat, Susie, a Blue Point Siamese,
always traveled with us. She lived for 16 years. She had a decorated
life. She always accompanied us on our many camping trips -
and would bring back hunting trophies to the campground... eek!
It
was Susie who first introduced me to the love of a cat.
I
have been happily married for 18 years to my husband, Hackel
(rhymes with Michael). I was never able to have children, but
my cats are my kids so I don't feel I have missed out too much...
and it's a lot less stressful :-).
While
I had been dreaming of owning a cattery for several years, it
was not until early 2001 that Hackel and I started seriously
looking for our foundation Russian Blue. We found wonderful
breeders locally in Houston and so it was that we took our first
steps of an exciting journey in the cat fancy.
THE
MEANING OF VALNIKA
Choosing
a cattery name can be a difficult task... but exciting too.
I was totally intrigued while researching the heritage of Russian
Blues. Finding that they originated from Archangelesk Island
in Russia and migrated to Europe back in the 1800s inspired
me to honor their history by choosing a Russian name for my
cattery. Hackel agreed... and it was
actually his idea to call it VALNIKA.
I
loved the sound of the name. When I did further research on
Russian names I found "Valerie & Valerius" were
strong conquerors in 18th century Russia. So I liked the "strong"
attribute. Nika or Nikita means unconquerable. So that was the
foundation of naming our cattery - Valnika, strong and unconquerable.
Boy, we have a lot to live up to. We better get to work!!!
A
TRIBUTE TO KATY
I
cannot write about my life with cats without sharing Katy's
story. Katy
was a very special kitty.
She was a calico cat rescued by an organization which takes
in abandoned pets off the street.
In
October of 2000, my husband and I saw Katy in the local shelter
and it was love at first sight for all three of us. We immediately
adopted her and brought her home.
She had a sweet personality and was very playful.
I
remember she would walk by a mirror and arch her back like she
just knew that had to be some other kitty in the "window".
Of
course I took her to the vet for a checkup and she got a clean
bill of health.
My
parents were leaving on a trip at Thanksgiving and I agreed
to take care of the new feline member of their family, a red
and white tabby named Cleo. It was a fun house during that week.
They
are pictured together in the photo above that my sister in law,
Rachel, took during the Christmas Holidays. She framed the picture
for me and surprised me with it as a gift a couple months after
it was taken. I will always treasure that photo.
As
New Years approached Katy developed a high fever and became
very inactive. We took her to the vet New Year's Eve. The vet
thought it was just a bad virus but started Katy on antibiotics
as a precaution. Over the course of the next few days, despite
round the clock home nursing, she continued to go downhill.
I was so frightened for her.
I
tried things you would do for a child. I put her in the bathroom
with a very hot shower running so the steam could help loosen
up the congestion in her chest. I prepared a steam tent with boiled
water in a cup with a little mentholatum. There
was no improvement. Her temperature remained high and nothing
would bring it down. Again we returned to the vet.
He
diagnosed her with FIP. As I researched FIP on the internet I
realized it was always fatal... and Katy was suffering. Although
it was against my beliefs to end a life, I was forced to let her
go. Together we made our last trip to the veterinarians. I left
the vet's office broken hearted.
Katy
was just 5 months old when we lost here, but we were privileged
to have her as part of our family during her short life.
Thank You, Lee
This website was so much fun putting together. What you see here is what you get, a Russian Blue from a very loved home. I dedicate this website to Lee Harper, my friend and webdesigner in the cat fancy. Without her wonderful talents and commitment to success in developing a cost effective website to exhibit my beloved Russian Blues this would not have been possible.
If you are needing a website or wanting a redesign, don't hesitate to contact Lee.
Visit ShowCatsOnline Web Design for more information.
Man's fate is like that of the animals;
the same fate awaits them both;
As one dies, so dies the other.
All have the same breath,
man has no advantage over the animal.
All have the same breath,
all go to the same place;
all come from dust and to dust all return.
Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward
and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?
ABOUT
US
In
October of 2000, my husband and I saw Katy in the local shelter
and it was love at first sight for all three of us. We immediately
adopted her and brought her home. 
There
was no improvement. Her temperature remained high and nothing
would bring it down. Again we returned to the vet.
