How Dakine Exotic Cats came to be. Highlander Lynx, Hibernian Lynx, and Maine Coon exotic cats. I have been a very focused dog breeder for many years showing and exhibiting Shiba Inus and Siberian Huskies and dabbling in the  Miniature Bull Terrier. I was an expert Speaker on dogs/breeding/health for the Ultimate Dog Summit panel in 2019. I am a Vet Tech by trade and have had many years of animal husbandry under my belt. I owned and ran a 30-stall horse facility, and raised dogs and other farm animals. I  did dabble in cats as pets for a few years when my kids were younger for my son is a cat person and adores them.

 

My health has been rough for the past few years. Being a small breeder just because I have chosen to be has been to my benefit, but still, it has taken a toll on my body lifting my dogs for when we travel in our RV I carry each Shiba Inu up and down the stairs whenever I take them outside to potty, walks, etc. I have EDS a joint hypermobility genetic issue and my joints have arthritis and are easily out of place. This is rough my shoulders are a mess so I have had a ton of steroid injections to keep me going LOL. I have long-standing Spinal issues from a head-on car accident as well as a traumatic TBI with long-standing health issues so I love to make Cats/Dogs as therapy animals for those in need.

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So in 2024, I was having a conversation with a very dear friend who is highly educated and also happens to be a highly renowned psychic medium as well as a  Producer. This dear friend of mine is named Richard Myles. I will tell you he has been right about so many things in my life predicting my bat bites,  and rabies shots which were crazy. Also letting me know about other health issues he has been spot on over the years. So during our conversation, he stopped and quietly paused for a moment, and then he said, "Oh my goodness, you are going to be cutting way back on dogs and raising exotic cats"! I was like no way my dear friend. I have a Siberian Husky for one. They are known as cat killers due to their high predatory drive , he was 5 at the time and had never been around cats except when outside and he always wanted to chase them! However, I have always loved cats, finding them highly therapeutic and the tone of the purr has been known to even help health issues with joint/tissue which I find fascinating. But I was like no way am I going to have any cats  let alone raise them with my dogs just not in the cards. I put our enduring conversation in the back of my head. But I also recalled the year before Richard had brought this up to me hmmmmmm. I found that interesting.

So the summer of 2024 my health and joint issues took a turn for the worst and I began to cut back on dogs down to three female Shiba and two boys. This is my whole program family including those who house and own dogs in my program. Still thinking nothing of Richard Myles and my conversation. I was just doing what I needed to for my health. This is when an opportunity presented itself to me. A friend who raised Maine Coons who is also a geneticist had two litters of Maine Coon Kittens who were fully health tested and Clears. She offered me a pair for an unbelievable price > She said she felt led to it and thought I should consider raising them that the world needed more good breeders. I felt compelled but remembered my Dogs. So she said take them and see how it goes if not well I will take them back. I had nothing to lose. I was quickly in love with the disposition of the kittens and to my amazement all my dogs including my 5-year-old Siberian Husky more than accepted them! This was a sign Richard Myles was right! Oh my goodness. I felt it deep within me. I then pursued the Highlander Lynx and the rare and new breed the Hibernian Lynx. My son wanted to do this with me so he also will be involved. He now is an adult and a Producer at a local TV Station. Has a great job and his place to have a few cats now was the time. If it wasn't for my dear friend and psychic Richard Myles who is also a cat lover. Strangely enough, he had a Maine Coon when he was younger and now has two Siamese. I may have never taken this step. I have not looked back finding the best to add to my very small focused program. My kittens are raised with the very best care for I am not a cattery. They will have a very good start and good preventative care which is the basis of health. I feel very blessed to have my cats and to have such a wonderful friend as Richard Myles has been to me over the years. He intrigues and amazes me. I am putting a link to his Facebook page below in case any of my clients want to use him or just see the man who helped bring this all together. Giving me the push, the intention, and the encouragement to make it happen. To this, I am forever grateful.