This will be the closing chapter of those beginning years of the Somali cat. Lynn-Lee's Catfish stars on this final page. "Catfish" was the direct descendant of those beginning Abyssinians, Lynn-Lee's Lord Dublin and Lo-Mi-R's Trill-By of Lynn-Lee. "Catfish" first went to Pat Webber, an Abyssinian breeder who was interested in the Somali at her Puklat Cattery. Pat Webber showed Catfish who delighted the Cat Fancy as the "Halloween Cat." He pleased one and all by puffing up his bushy tail and making hair on his back "stand on end" as in the representation of the black cat at Halloween. In addition, it was his habit to come out "huffing and puffing" the sight of which might have frightened those who did not know him, but Catfish was always gentle in the ring never biting or extending his claws to scratch a judge. He was a love! Edna Field, a top Abyssinian breeder and judge loved Catfish, never failing to mention what a top Somali he was.

This was the highest honor a Somali could achieve at that time since Edna had bred the famous Grand Champion Chota-Li R.S.T., who was the top Abyssinian of his day. Unfortunately, Pat's husband didn't not share her enthusiasm for the Somali so Catfish went to Cathy Link at Tri-Na-Nog Cattery. Cathy grew to love Catfish who became her constant companion, riding around on her shoulders while she performed her cattery duties. Again unfortunately, a husband did not share his wife's enthusiasm for Somalis, actually calling the kittens "toads". Catfish was to produce an outstanding kitten at her cattery, however, namely Tri-Na-Nog's Grand Canyon, who went to the Foxtail Cattery of Pat Warren when it was necessary for Cathy to "go out of cats". Grand Canyon became top stud cat at Pat's cattery producing grand champions for her. He is presently owned by Carole dunham of Purrpots Cattery and we hope will continue to produce many more Grand Champions.

In the meantime, when Cathy looked for a home for "Catfish", her favorite cat, she found Mary & Jim Deeney's cattery named Abendblum. Catfish has both earned and found his permanent home with them. While there, he produced a top red, "Strawberry" which Edna Field has always awarded Best Somali in the judging ring since he evidently reminds her of Catfish. "Catfish" has also gone down in CFA history. He was the first Somali to produce a female Grand Champion, namely Abendblum's Trillium. Not soon to be forgotten by those who have seen him in the latest Grand Champion in CFA in the East, Catfish's son, Abendblum's Cymbidium. Catfish's latest claim to fame in the siring of our first CFA Grand Premier Red, Kittiwau's Theodocius, bred by Missy Harpre-Gill and proudly owned and shown by Pat and Pete Foltz. This completes the history written for our first decade celebration and covers the years 1970-74 inclusive, the cats and their people. As they say, the rest is history! This final chapter is dedicated to the memory of Golden Boise of Lynn-Lee and Du-Ro-Al's Samson of Lynn-Lee, foundation studs at Lynn-Lee who have just left me. Their contribution to the Somali history has already be previously mentioned!