The term "foundation cat" has been used throughout the cat fancies to refer to the parents that the breeder began with, as well as the ancestors of their current show cats. In TICA, The fourth and later generations are referred to as SBT, and eligible for championship status. During the early years, when the Bengal was being "designed," the early generations were described by some critics as feral cats. Through dedication, observation, selection of the most gentle males, and socialization, breeders learned that the kittens respond like other cats in a home situation. Most will agree that a bottle fed and well-socialized early generation Bengal cat is capable of being a fine companion cat when placed in the home environment,

What other example of the wild forest cats can fit into our homes as comfortably and easily as this small Bengal hybrid. When I watch my cats glide across the room, I'm awed by their beauty.... these are a few of the foundations of our line that captured our hearts and allowed us to share our lives with them.

(ALC Zarboo of Wildsafari x Wildsafari's Isis)

Retired and living in Virginia with Douglas. The photos of Song were taken on 01-06-2007.

Song is a stunning queen, excellent mother and the anchor of our Bengal program. She displays the wild stride with low tail carriage. Cat Fanciers often refer to a show cat as being "extreme." This means that the cat displays a more highly developed conformation than described in the current breed standard.

Among Song's notable features are her small ears, brown eyes, unique facial markings, rosetting, silky coat, thick tail, very long body, gray-white, spotted belly, primordial pouch, knuckled paws, and long, straight back legs in comparison to her forelegs. She has the random markings on her chest similar to the ALC. Her shoulders are slightly lower than her hips, with the accent on power available in her rear quarters to spring for her prey or leap to safety. She is poetry in motion. Backskull is larger than in a domestic--perhaps the reason the wild cats are well-known for their intelligence.

Here are some of the early cats who shared their lives with us. They are the ancestors of Greenmansions' present Bengal Cats.

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Thank you to Mario Z. for Song, who started it all....
Wildsafari Song of Greenmansions, born 01-23-1999

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Greenmansions Aria, DOB: April 12, 2000, owned by Karen Pavelka, N.Y.

Our thanks to Karen, for our beautiful Wind Song.

Left - F2 Greenmansons Aria - - - - Right, daughter, F3 Greenmansions Wind Song

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Greenmansions Moondance Minuete (Luna)