National Best Balinese
National 10th Best Cat
CFA 1998-1999

CFA's 10th best cat is a stunning seal point Balinese - GC, NW Purrmatix Undeniable, bred and owned by Terrie and Bruce Smith of Northport, New York. "Undie" is the very first Balinese to earn the title of National Winner. A title which has been elusive to the breed for nearly 30 years! Balinese were accepted into championship status during the 1970-71 show season.

Undeniable is the product of 10 years of hard work on a very intensive breeding program that concentrates on the importance of using Siamese for outcrossing. There are no shortcuts to breeding quality Balinese. Variant breedings are time consuming, producing all non-showable shorthaired kittens. However, their value in the breeding program is unsurpassed. One need only glance at Undie's pedigree and see she has a very strong influence of Siamese in her ancestry. Caru, Silmara, San-Toi, Chesboro, J-Bar, Del-Ri and Sanlino are but a few of the Siamese lines that Terrie and Bruce incorporated into their own Purrmatix lines (founded almost exclusively on Gaynell's, Rangkesari & Queenette's Balinese stock), to come up with a consistent breeding program that has proven itself over the past 10 years by producing over 30 grands, 8 regional winners, and 8 National Breed winners prior to Undeniable.

When Undie was about 10 weeks of age, Terrie began to realize that the tiny seal point daughter of GC,RW Purrmatix Unforgettable (CFA Best Balinese 1997-98) and Bali-Cats Dream On of Purrmatix, was more than just a little bit special. Dream On is out of two Purrmatix cats - CH Purrmatix Dream Girl of Bali-Cats, and Purrmatix Scooter Pie of Bali-Cats, a variant. He was co-bred by Darlene and Jeff Fox, and Terrie and Bruce. Unlike most Balinese kittens who lack in coat until much older, Undie had a fabulous coat at 4 months of age. To add to that, she already possessed incredible Siamese type and looked like a miniature adult. She was ready to show!

Undie was a shy kitten and Terrie worried about how she would take to the show ring, so Terrie brought along Undie's Mom, Unforgettable to comfort her daughter. In her very first ring, Undie was terrified, shaking like a leaf. Terrie left the ring momentarily to bring her Grand Premier up to another ring. When the judge went to take Undie out for her first evaluation, the cage door made a loud snapping noise that sent the already frightened kitten into orbit! Undie jumped straight up, hitting her head on the top of the cage, and then began spinning around in fear. The judge called for a handler, and Terrie's friend Debbie Kusy went to get Terrie from the other ring. Terrie's heart sank as she thought it was "all over" for the very best kitten she had ever bred. Now a decision had to be made. Should she be pulled from the show, or stick it out and hope that her next experience in the ring was a kinder, gentler one? The latter was chosen. Thankfully, her next ring was with Wayne Trevathan who had been informed that the kitten was scared. He cuddled her in his arms, and spoke gently to her, petting and reassuring her that it was OK. He even gave her the first final of her career, and over the weekend she became more and more at ease.

Two weeks later was the 1997 International. Against advice from Debbie Kusy who feared Undie would get loose, never to be seen again, Terrie decided to go. So, Terrie & Bruce removed the back seat from their van, replacing it with a large, comfortable cage, and off they went on the 18 hour drive to Atlanta with Undie and three other Balinese. At the International, Undie decided to "come out of her shell," and brought tears to Terrie's eyes when she stood on her tiny tippee toes and played with a feather in Vickie Nye's ring. She knew then that this kitten would indeed be "a show kitten," and never acted shy in another ring. She made history in Atlanta, ending up as 5th Best of the Best kitten in show, a first for a Balinese. Shown only 7 times as a kitten, Undie earned enough points to be the NAR's 9th best kitten in 1997-98, and the highest scoring Bali kitten ever.

An Undie continued to mature, and only got better. She had incredible color contrast, a long smooth wedge, captivating deep blue eyes, and huge, low ears that just didn't quit! Add to that her rock hard body, and delicate boning all gracefully adorned with a silky, flowing Balinese coat and lovely plume tail..Undie was a "complete package." She went on to grand in one show in February of 1998 at the Lincoln Cat Club show, and was shown 5 times at the end of last season for exposure. In those five shows she competed with many of that years top cats, and garnered enough points to be second best of breed to Purrmatix Sweet Escape. Terrie was encouraged to try for a National Win the next season, so she decided to give it a shot.

The first show of the 1998-99 show season, at Greater Lancaster FF in York, PA, Undie had a National ring point average, and was best shorthair, 2nd best cat in show to a white Persian -- Noblessa's Pristine, another 1998-99 National Winner. Things were beginning to look promising. Terrie showed non-stop for the next 13 weeks, and by National Capital in September had accumulated enough points for a National Win! Undie remained in great condition all season, cycling only three times. She was Best Cat In Show 7 times, winning the Fancy Feast Cup In August at Mo-Kan Cat Club. She had a repeat performance at the 1998 CFA International Cat Show, once again placing in the top 5, as 2nd Best of the Best Shorthair in Championship. It seemed there was no stopping this special girl.

Highlights of some of her shows included Craig Rothermel's statement throughout the season that Undie was the best Balinese that had ever been bred, and Bob Molino (who made her his best cat each & every time he judged her ) , saying that if there had been a better Balinese bred, he has not seen it! And finally, in the second to last show of the year in Binghamton, NY, Karen Lawrence was brought to tears (so was Terrie), as she awarded Undie her Best Cat as she had done all season.

Although Terrie's husband Bruce mostly remains behind the scenes delivering kittens in Terrie's absence and caring for the cats on weekends, he is very proud of Undie's accomplishments, and of Terrie's dedication to the breed. Many new friendships were made, many old ones were strengthened. Many thanks go out to all for their support and encouragement. Especially, Terrie would like to thank Bruce for allowing her the opportunity to follow her dream. A dream which has now come true. And to all of the judges who found something special in Undie, and consistently found "a spot" for her, thank you for giving us an unforgettable year, with an Undeniable cat.