Who is Petit Suisse?
I am Céline Bouldoires, a 37years old swiss veterinarian specializing in farm animals generally and, precisely, poultry. In the summer of 2006, my husband and I moved to a small village in the mountains, where life proceeds at its own pace.
UPDATE 02/2009: I am no longer working in poultry. I am now a consultant for a dog food company.
What is a rexclick?
Rexclick is the registered name for my Cornish rex cattery. I made the word up. For me it means something like "click here if you want to learn about Cornish rex cats". Since it is short and catchy, I use it a lot as my username.
Why are you blogging?
I started a blog in 2005 named the rex chronicles, with the intent to be able to give quick updates about our cornish rex cattery. I discovered I love blogging! Petit Suisse came later, primarily to enable friends and family to keep up with what we're doing these days.
UPDATE 02/2009: Come visit my photoblog http://rexclick.my-expressions.com
What happened to the Rex Chronicles?
I discontinued it after starting Petit Suisse, because I discovered there are lots more things I want to post about than show news and litter announcements.
What happened to the Cornish rexes?
We are not breeding actively at the moment. The breeding cats are with breeder friends who go on working with them.
Why did you stop breeding?
In a nutshell, we realized we do not have the financial OR emotional means to be cat breeders.
Cutting back on the cat hobby allows us more space to explore other things in our lives.
Where can I learn more about the cattery?
Have a look at the cattery website
So, what are you blogging about these days?
This blog is foremost about life in Wisen, but you will also find my opinion on different subjects, and sometimes a book review.
Where exactly is "the village"?
Wisen is at the south border of the Jura mountain range on the swiss side, at a eighth of 800m. It is technically in Solothurn county, but is much nearer to the Basel Landschaft region. There are 400 residents, most of them farmers.
UPDATE May 21st, 2009: we will be moving - again - this summer, into our own house!
Where can I leave my comments?
There are no comments on this site, but every email is much appreciated: rexclick (at) bluewin (dot) ch
I like your pictures. What type of camera do you use?
I'm still using our trusty 6-year-old Olympus C-220 Camedia digital camera with 2.0 Megapixel.
UPDATE July 7th, 2008: I upgraded to a Nikon D40 reflex at Christmas.
May I use your pictures?
Generally, yes, but I will ask you to give credit with a link back to my webpage.
I noticed there is a lot of french on this blog?
Yes, of course, since it is my mother tongue. I have been asked lately to include more english for international visitors as well as for those from the german speaking part of Switzerland. I changed languages when I moved Petit Suisse to a new address. Ironically, it was on february 21, which is International Day of the Mother Tongue (do you now why 3'000 languages are dying out? Because they have no economic relevance. Isn't that terrible?).
What happened to the basset?
Our basset puppy Amandine turned out to be deaf. After much soul-searching, I decided to bring her back to her breeder, where she can be with a hound pack and live a good life.
Why didn't you get another basset?
Françoise, the breeder, immediately suggested "replacing" Amandine with another puppy. But..it was difficult enough giving her up. We didn't want to "get a better functioning model".
Bassets are cool!
Then what's with the Dobermann?
Acutally, Bohème isn't a Dobermann, nor is she a dobe mix. She is a purebred french shepherd dog, a Beauceron. We chose the breed in anticipation of moving to a farmhouse. So far she's been everything we were hoping for - and then some.
UPDATE July 9th, 2008: we have been the happy owner of a blond labrador bitch for 7 months now - goes on like a house on fire with Bohème. Her name is Emily.
UPDATE 02/2009: We had to say goodbye to our beloved Boheme much too soon (cancer). She is missed greatly.
What do you do with her when you are both working?
Easy - she goes everywhere with me (one of the perks of being a vet). She loves riding in the car!
UPDATE october 1st, 2007: I found a really good place for her to stay in a pack-like environment during the day, and she loves it. Since she also gets good exercise there, I let her go a couple of days a week.
UPDATE 02/2009: Emily comes to the office with me every day
What's with the hairy kittens?
They are part Maine Coon, and sisters. You can see more of them on their own site. (Caution: way too many adorable kitten pics)
Who is Balzac?
Balzac is our registered purebred Maine Coon born October, 2006.
UPDATE JULY 1st, 2007: Due to increasing behavioral problems (not getting along with the girls), Balzac is now a happy indoor-outdoor cat at his own place.
Exactly how many cats do you have now?
We have three resident cats at Petit Suisse right now. None of them are Cornish rexes, since we placed all of them with breeder friends.
I noticed you have a beautiful stripey cat. Where did you get him?
The stripey cat is our Double Grand Champion Blakkatz Voodoo Master, an american shorthair. He came all the way from North Carolina. If you want one just like him, you will have to find a breeder in the US. There are no active breeders in Europe.
UPDATE JULY 1st, 2007: I chanced upon one breeder in Germany on the web. Only silvers, unfortunately.
What is a polydactyl, and what can you do with it?
Polydactyl means "many fingers". These animals have additional toes. Actually, it is more of a aesthetic thing - they are perfectly normal in all other ways.
Two of our cats are polys, as well as the dog (all Beaucerons are). We think they look really cool!
Where do I get a polydactyl cat?
Most of the time, you don't. They just happen. However, there are Maine Coon cat bloodlines which are polydactyl, as well as pixie-bobs. Go to this site to learn more.
I want one just like yours. When can I get a kitten from you?
If you are looking for a Cornish rex cat, we are not actively breeding at the moment. Please contact the breeder friends listed in the old Petit Suisse sidebar (Olivier and Valérie). If you are looking for a hairy kitten, please look elsewhere (breeders I know personally are listed on the kitten blog). Ours are just pets, sorry!
Who is Yael?
He is my nephew, born June 2005.
How did you came to work as a poultry vet?
After graduating in 1999, I worked in research, teaching, at an all-hours small animal clinic, as a sales representative, and built a small homeopathic vet practice of my own - all in the course of six years! You could say I've been around the job..
UPDATE July 9th, 2008: I am not working as a poultry vet anymore. I am now a consultant for a dog food company
What are you planning for 2007?
We are planning to keep the same jobs, the same animals, and stay in the same village. it would actually be a first in our 10+ years together.
UPDATE July 7th, 2008: it worked pretty well. Of course, we both had to change jobs in the following year (2008), and got another dog, but we're still living in the same village..
