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Even the term "apple head" was foreign to me. I bred Traditional  Siamese for several years at home on our Dairy Farm in Wisconsin.  When I married John, it was decided to leave my Traditional Siamese, female, Tanya, in the home she was born and raised in. In 1979 John and I began a search for a Traditional Siamese like Tanya, who I had left with my parents.  By then we were living in another State.  So my quest began with phone calls and reading newspaper ads.  No one close enough to us could be found, which caused our investigation to shift to the Traditional Burmese.  Unable to find a single Traditional Siamese, we purchased our first Traditional Burmese.  A second and third followed. Though the Burmese breed is so treasured by us, looking for a Traditional Siamese was on going. Every ad was followed up, but to no avail.  

We intensified our search in 1980, which included attendance of two cat shows. What they were calling "Siamese" in the cages were nothing I recognized and the Persians were not even close to looking like the ones my Grandmother raised! What had happened? Why was I treated so badly, when I asked about the Traditional Siamese? I had to find answers. As a last attempt to find a Traditional Siamese for myself, I wrote to CATS Magazine. My letter was published and only 19 breeders came forward. With a lifetime of breeding, showing, training and owning Arabian horses to my credit, I knew the Traditional Siamese was in trouble and heading toward extinction. I typed the names and addresses of all 19 breeders on a sheet of paper and mailed it to each of them. I included a request of them to get together and save their breed. To tell the truth, I thought I had done my good deed and that was the end of it. Letters, phone calls and unsolicited donations began coming in. I was sending my Breeders List out to all wo asked for it. The trickle turned into a flood of requests. Our Kitten Referral Service was born? Progress reports were mailed out to the 19 breeders at my own expense. Thus our monthly Newsletter came into being. To my astonishment the whole thing has kept growing ever since, due to sheer public demand. 

Below are just some of the thousands of letters that have been received, and one of our first Newsletters to those that cared enough to write to me back then. Click on the letters to enlarge.
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One year later our By-Laws and Constitution were accepted by out ever-growing membership, under the name, "The Traditional Siamese Breeders and Fanciers Association, Inc. As in many of the older cat associations, the Traditional Siamese was the foundation of our group. Our kitten referral service is flourishing. Thousands of letters and phone calls have been received since our Inception! As news of our accomplishments spread, supporters of other Traditional types within their chosen breed began contacting me for help in saving what was left of their original cats. This occurred to such an extent that a vote was presented to our entire membership to change our Association name. To give support to ALL, old and now rare types of ALL breeds, our name was changed to. "The Traditional Cat Association, Inc." (TCA, Inc.). And yes, we also support Household Pets. 

Below is the article that appeared in the Johnson City Press back in May of 1988, attesting to the early days of the Traditional Cat Association, Inc.
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Our motto: To Protect, Preserve, Perpetuate and Promote The Traditional Cat", that I created, is taken very seriously. Once accepted, Breed Standards are NEVER changed. Our Judges are thoroughly trained and policed by our own Committees. Thus we avoid the wide spread abuse of the term "improvement of the breed" that is followed by the other cat associations. Any deformity or genetic defect that is detrimental to the health of the cat is unwelcome here. We are interested ONLY in health, longevity, a lack of lethal genes, and a people loving personality in the breeds we support. By following the open-minded policy that there is room for all. We feel the Traditional cat has its rightful place among all others of its breed. Therefore we will continue, with firm resolve, to have our Traditional cats accepted worldwide. The persecution by the other cat associations has not stopped us in any way. Our Registry was begun for Traditional cats and Household Pets. Annual shows are being held toward Championship points. Our winners report that they are the best rewarded of all. We are well on our way to preserving what is left of the original cats. Our Breeders List contains breeders from through out the world. Currently I see only continued growth for this 15 year old Association. We have International Affiliates as well. I attribute this to good leadership, sound decisions, solid rules, honesty, high integrity, a desperate need to save the rare old types, and support by public demand. Never would I have thought that my longing for the Traditional Siamese cat I had in my youth would grow into all of this. The whole endeavor is very rewarding and exciting. 

We invite all those moved to support our goal to join TCA, INC.  Membership is $15.00 annually (Jan through Dec).

CHECKS CAN BE MADE OUT TO TCA, INC.

The Traditional Cat Association, Inc. 
PO Box 178
Heisson, WA 98622-0178

GETTING TO KNOW ME

By Diana Fineran

Over the years Ive mentioned very little about myself. The subject has come up and Ive been asked to fill everyone in, so here is my attempt to do so.

The background of the formation of The Traditional Cat Association, Inc. and my recognition and subsequent naming and defining of the three different types of "Siamese" in the world is often equated only with the beginnings of TCA, INC. But the depth of my knowledge and experience of animal breeding and husbandry is much more extensive. I grew up on our Wisconsin Dairy Farm, where breeding and keeping registry and performance records on our herd of Holsteins was a way of life and the source of our means of support. Our Farm had the top-producing herd in our county for 22 years straight, based upon monthly, Wisconsin State milk tests. Horseback riding has been a life long passion. I began around age 2, when my father put me on the broad backs of our work horse team. By age 5 I had my own pony and by age 8 I had my own palomino horse. Ginger was bred to an Arabian Stallion, so thus began my career in Arabian horses. My subsequent purchases of Arabians lead to a dedicated calling to the Arabian Show Circuit. If I wasnt working, as a Service Rep for the telephone company, I was on the road with my Arabians. Training, managing, breeding and showing were all up to me. I drove the truck and horse trailer to and from show arenas in several States.

My years resulted in several Show Championships in both halter and Performance classes. On my roster of top awards is: Lady Gay Sun, the 1970 U.S. Reserve National Champion Part-Arabian Mare. I bred, trained and showed the Sire of Zarr-Hassan (Gazarr++ X Belleza), who won the titles of Canadian National Champion Stallion and U.S. Reserve National Champion Stallion in 1982. His sire, Gazarr++ (Gazon X Starr-Fire), the stallion I raised, went on to sire over 80 Show Champions. I raised 6 full brothers from his mother, Starr-Fire, who was a full sister to a U.S. National Champion Mare. The third generation of my breeding still romps around our pastures today, adding beauty and fun to our lives.

Over those years I bred (Traditional) Siamese and sold kittens. They were prevalent then. After John and I were married, which involved a major move to a different state, we began looking for a (Traditional) Siamese of our own. During 1985 and 1986 we searched through newspapers and word of mouth. Hoping the end of our quest could be found at a cat show, we attended one. It was at that cat show where I came face to face with the Extreme Wedge Siamese. The sign on the cage read "Siamese", but what I saw was an absolute, indescribable shock. In my mind, what ever that thing was, it surely wasnt a Siamese cat! When I inquired about the Siamese Cat I knew in my youth, I was harshly insulted and rebuked. That un-called for sharp criticism set me on a determined coarse to find out what had happen to "MY SIAMESE".

In two years we still hadnt found a Traditional Siamese kitten for ourselves, so I wrote a letter to CATS Magazine, which was published. 19 breeders responded from all across the U.S. and Canada. We ultimately purchased "Appleseed Mi Serenity of Tullycrine" as a kitten from Laura Kelly in Florida. We were and still are very happy with "Serenity". With such a small number of breeders responding, I knew the Siamese breed I knew was in trouble. The bloodline base was scattered and obviously small. I typed all 19 breeders addresses on one sheet of paper, sent it to all of them and asked them to get together and share bloodlines. I thought that was that. Such was not the case. Their responding letters and those from people asking for help finding the "Old Style" Siamese turned into a flood of correspondence. I like helping people and animals, so the Good Samaritan in me started sending out my "Breeders List" to all who asked for it. John began wondering if I was spending too much of our personal money, so I began accounts. The letters back and forth between me and those who wrote turned into our newsletter, and my accounts became our Treasurers Report.

To provide distinction and respect, I created the breed names, Traditional Siamese, and Classic Siamese (and Extreme Wedge Siamese) and wrote Breed Standards for the first two. This took considerable research to accomplish. The importance of what a Breed Standard is and how it is used, demanded that I be accurate, clear and thorough.

Currently TCA, INC. is the leading force behind the push to bring back the "Original", "Old Style" Traditional Siamese and Classic Siamese. Over the years we have accepted other breeds that have the same difference in body type as the Traditional Siamese and Classic Siamese from the Extreme Wedge Siamese. Included are the "Traditional Balinese", "Classic Balinese", "Traditional Burmese", "Classic Burmese" and others. Once again, I created the breed names and wrote their supporting breed standards. All together Ive written over 30 breed standards and am still working on more to preserve and protect other Traditional Cats from near extinction.

There are so many breeds that have been harmed by the constant revisions of their breed standards by the other cat associations, and other negative actions. I had to take a stand against this onslaught. That is one of the main reasons we are here, and are so willing to work with others who support the same goals.

We have our own Registry, hold our own shows, have major advertising both on the web and in Magazines and have a highly sought Breeders List available to prospective customers. 

Staying united has helped to keep our efforts an ever-stronger voice on behalf of the Traditional Cats. Their history, personality and glorious coloration deserve nothing less.

5/19/2002

Serenity Crosses the Bridge

With a very heavy heart, John and I must announce the passing of our deeply loved Apple Seed Mi Serenity of Tullycrine, Yesterday,  October 6, 2005. Even though we had the wonderful privilege of living with her, she was distinctly important to everyone in TCA, INC.  It was our search for a Traditional Siamese, and the resulting acquisition of Serenity, that lead me to found TCA, INC. Her presence and impact in our lives has been and will continue to be felt all over the world. In her own quiet way, she changed the Siamese world forever. 

All through her 18 years and 3 months of life she was as strong and healthy as can be.  It was her liver that failed.     

Friendly to all, kind toward others, talkative and calm, Serenity always presented her inquisitive nature to our home activities.  She was the epitome of grace, dignity and beauty. Always sleeping beside my pillow on our bed, her soft purring and gentle brush of her fur is so deeply missed.  The empty space she has left is huge.  The tears flow.  Grief is consuming.

Now she is in God's hands watching us from above. Love Diana.

"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring You home again."   
 

Dear Serenity,

I must admit that I was a newbie to Siamese when Diana went looking for one. She pressed on about how they were so much different than other cats, and who was I to say no to that. So I was educated in understanding of Siamese cats by one who was somewhat unique in her ways, according to other stories I have read about Siamese cats. You were of a demur nature, but talkative more-so than our other cats, but again in your own way. Not chirpy like Purr-Kins, our Maine Coon, but more demanding, like after an offense against you.

You were never mean or offensive to the other cats, nor to either of us. Your purr was quiet and personal, sharing it only with those you were close to. You were somewhat aristocratic, in that you would not eat dry food from a dish, but rather pick it out with your paws, so you would not have to touch the same food with your lips as others might have done. Your gallop was well known by us, and was identifiable from anywhere in the house.  You even taught others how to do it.  It was your clear way of shouting freedom and joy are mine to share.

You were representative of why we have spent so much time and effort on all of this TCA business. It is just too damn important to leave this work undone. You would not like it if we had not expended our efforts and taken the stand To Protect, Preserve, Perpetuate and Promote The Traditional Cat".

You only lived a mere 18 years, while others we have learned of have lived beyond 24. Still these are multiple lifetimes as compared to other less fortunate cats who lived only a few years. It is the love of you cats for what you are and how you make us feel that demands we choose the Traditional and Classic cats for the future. 

To not do this is an insult to all cats, big and small.  And while I am only a supporter of this effort, I know that you, and every other cat that has gone before is cheering us on, and galloping all over the place with excitement and happiness that we have fought this fight on your behalf, and will continue to do so.

So long Seren, and even though we can't feel the softness of your fur, we feel your presence and spirit.  I know some of your cousins will be along before long to teach us more about your kind, and will be finding their own place in our hearts.

Love John

 

         

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