Thank you to the following people who have contributed their passions, investments and lines to helping me get started on this exciting venture. They are in chronological order, and my thanks are not limited to them. Without their help, there would not have been this Abytopia...

Ursula Vincze - who shared with me her passion for and love of the Aby during the early growth stages of her own cattery, allowing me to experience second hand the joys and tribulations of breeding and showing Aby's, and for giving me Mia Ballerina, my first spayed Aby Queen whose gentle nature and sensitivity have taught me many mysteries of the Aby psyche. Also for countless supply of cat subjects and hours spent helping me develop and refine my cat photography.

Lynette Coffey - who graciously allowed a piece of her wonderful lines to go to me, an unknown, wannabe breeder, giving me that first leap-of-faith helping hand through the opportunity of my first Foundation Queen, CH Fin Bheara Cote d'Azure of Abytopia, aka Zoozoo: the spirited, hard bodied and loving blue aby girl who taught me that she knows how to be the perfect mom without any help from me. Also for an endless supply of information on cat breeding, health, and general cat issues.
Link to Fin Bheara Abyssinians

Diane Mendoza – who shared her wonderful King Tut and Lucy kitten with me, even though it was destined to be hers: the sweet natured, beautiful and gentle Van Dyke kid with the luxurious coat, CH Dimend's Chloe Zoe of Abytopia, aka Chloe, and who has shared countless photos of her family, human and feline, and fun adventures with me, along with pearls of wisdom and good humor on all things cat and non-cat related...
Link to Dimend Abyssinians

Bruce Alexy - who allowed that first breeding between Zoozoo and his stunning National Winner and great treasure, GC NW Gulfco's Sweet Talkin Guy of Alexy, DM, resulting in two gorgeous fawn baby girls, the apples of my eye. Bruce also has given me countless cat tips and advice, as well as helping me grow by nudging me towards becoming more confident in my own decision-making abilities. And, being somewhat of a miracle worker, he returned a better cat to me than the one I sent him, even though they are genetically identical.

Fortunately, because of Bruce, we are now sharing life with the joyful, gorgeous blue girl with the big ears and big heart, Alexy Maltese Falconess of Abytopia, aka Teaser. She has brought a lot of smiles and laughter into our home!
Link to Alexy Abyssinians
Link to Guy's Pedigree

Sue Ruminski and Lynn Martin - who together gave me the opportunity to share a piece of their exquisite lines, including a part of the heritage of the magnificent GC NW Tinbat's Morgan's Passing, DM whom I have admired and loved since I first saw his picture, by allowing me to bring the exotic, statuesque and vibrantly colorful CH Esente’s 3 Days of Rome of Abytopia, aka Bella, home with me to love and adore. It was their magnificent cats that bedazzled me at my first cat show in San Mateo a few years ago, an experience that hooked me and led me on this amazing path…

Valery Cassidy - who has the patience of Job for temporarily welcoming Miss Chloe into her home for what was to be a short and sweet romantic interlude with her studly, lover-boy stud
CH SAQQARABY RUDOLPH, aka Rud, and still months later is graciously hosting her and giving her the royal, pre-Queen treatment! Amazing what effective birth control an airplane flight across the country can be! Latest news flash is Miss Chloe has pinked up. Stay tuned for future news on the baby front! Yay!!!
Link to Rud's Pedigree

News Flash!!! Rud and Chloe are now the proud parents of 3 beautiful bouncing babies, 2 gorgeous ruddies and 1 hot red of mystery genders! Thanks, Rud, and Thanks, Valery!!!!

A special thanks to Susan Baker - who has tirelessly shared her vast knowledge of cat health and breeding issues, as well as being a reservoir of common sense and encouragement, who has been a shoot straight from the hip person, allowing me to grow and see things differently when I needed the blinders removed, and for being positive in the darkest of times.
Link to Cheetara Abyssinians

JoAnne Goettsche - Last, but not least, a special thanks and debt of gratitude to my lifelong friend JoAnne Goettsche who has stood by me through thick and thin in all aspects of my life, and who has been a fellow cat lover and Cat Fancy cheering section from the very beginnings of Abytopia. Thanks for your support.

And also...

Teri Kennedy - for lending support and leading me through a difficult time in the early stages of aby breeding through the CFA mentoring process.

Penni Putnam - for graciously welcoming me to the aby community and lending me a helping hand at one of my first cat shows.

Shirley Hess - for her kindnesses and supportive help at many CFA cat shows.

Elizabeth Koeller - for my first aby cattery tour, showing tips, and fun spirited nature at numerous cat shows.

Nancey Abbott - for aby tips, show help and show registration patience.

Mimi Cat - from the Smoky Mountains for sharing hope and laughter, cat stories and lore, lots of laughter, and making the most beautiful show curtains I could ever dream of! http://www.mimicatworks.com/

Pat Harbart - who kindly lent me the use of her forms and contracts from her own site, and whose beautiful RW SCG Coyotecat's Gryffindor of OhMy, aka Gryffin, adorns my checks and makes writing them a pleasure instead of a burden. http://www.ohmycats.com/

Helmi and Ken Flick - who selflessly helped me technically and emotionally through the early stages of my cat photography and beyond. Helmi is well deservedly at the top of her game professionally and gives me something to "shoot" for...
http://www.helmiflick.com

Each of you have shared with me your special gifts, and I am eternally grateful for every one of you!

It goes without saying, that I owe the greatest debt of gratitude to my darling mom, Mary, and my infinitely patient husband, Mike - they are the two loves of my life and have tolerated on countless occasions the thundering pitter patter of multitudinous kitty feet and crashing of <whatever> in the wee hours of the morning. My cat phobic mom has learned to accept that an occasional furry visitor will keep her feet warm and snug at night by sharing her hospital bed with her. My sweet husband has learned that you never know when you might step in some cat vomit, or worse. I'm talking furballs here. ;-)

Thank You All,

Jean Papo