The first time that I had ever heard of "The Cat Dancers", was while watching an episode of the Animal Planet television series, "Fatal Attractions." The series dealt with the true stories of people who keep very dangerous wild animals such as tigers, panthers, snakes, monitors and other reptiles, chimpanzees, bears, hippos, bucks, even buffalo as personal pets - believing that these animals could actually form a bond with them - that they could tame the "wild" out of them. In most cases, it cost them their lives.
This is the episode regarding "The Cat Dancers" ...
"Like a hyperbolic tale ripped from the cover of Weekly World News, the documentary film “Cat Dancers” is steeped in exotic animal fur, nude portraits, a love triangle, spandex, headbands and rhinestones ..."
~ From the HBO documentary, "Cat Dancers"
The following is the true life story of Ron Holiday (his stage name; real name Ron Guay) and his wife Joy Holiday (her stage name; married name Doris Guay; birth name Doris Gagnon) and their jaguar, panther and tiger show. I will do my best to condense their incredible journey as best I can (in other words ,the short version).
Ron and Joy both studied ballet/dancing when they were very young. In fact, they grew up together. They performed Las Vegas shows as a couple before they became "The Cat Dancers". And, before "Siegfried and Roy", there was Ron and Joy Holiday, the husband and wife team who became the world’s first exotic cat entertainers in the 1960’s. Chuck Lizza, also an animal trainer and an attractive younger man, was asked to join their act in the 1980's. The three of them eventually got involved in a love triangle. Needless to say, Ron and Joy had a rather unconventional marital relationship to say the least.
Their tigers were not only their act, they were also their beloved pets whom they raised and trained when they were just cubs and also lived on the cat ranch located at their home ...
At home with the "cats".
A publicity photo of Ron, Joy, and Chuck.
So, what went horribly wrong? Well, Chuck was attacked and killed by their one and only white Bengal tiger, Jupiter, whom they had since he was a cub, while at their home. White Bengal tigers are known to be even more dangerous than any other breed of tiger - they are far more aggressive and their temperament is extremely unpredictable! The main reason for this is because White Bengal tigers are inbred by humans - messing with their DNA. With that, comes both physical and mental abnormalities such as crossed eyes, deformed lips, and, of course, mental instability.
After Chuck's death, Joy became so distraught that she fell into a deep depression. She refused to eat and lost even more weight making her terribly frail and weak. Ron, at a loss as to how to help her, and, in an effort to cheer up, asked her to come help him feed the babies because they missed her. So Joy and Ron walked out and when it was Jupiter's turn, she, in her weakened physical state was shaking and began to lose her balance while trying to feed him. THEN IT HAPPENED! Jupiter reacted by taking Joy's body into his mouth and threw her full force into the ceiling - as if he were tossing around a rag doll! She died immediately.
Such an intriguing, yet very tragic story indeed. I came across an HBO Documentary about "The Cat Dancers" which was filmed back in 2007. As I was watching it, my eyes could not help but to be glued to every interview - every show clip - every detail. If you would like to learn a bit more about their fascinating story, please check out sites such as Amazon, etc.
I was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. I studied Arts in San Juan, P.R., and Valencia, Spain. I have a degree in Arts. My Studio is at home.
In the 80's I had the opportunity to express my art painting in T-Shirts with Acrylic (Watercolor Technique), and baby clothes. At that time I was studying at the Inter-American University of Arecibo, P.R., and they asked me to make a film for them showing how to paint a CLOWN, and MY BLACK CATS on T-Shirts. I had a wonderful experience doing this film. Also, I designed clothes with leather applications, and belts for a Leather Boutique in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
After my second daughter was born, I had to find a steady job, which did not leave me time to pursue my art inclinations for many years. I have begun drawings, painting watercolors, acrylics, oils, and pastels once again. Now I have the time to express my feelings in my art.
My favorite subjects are Nature details, Animals, Faces…maybe something around me that catches my attention and imagination. I hope you enjoy my art.
All my drawings and paintings are dedicated to my dad, David, and to the good memories he left us.
This was a little video clip of Midnight doing his "burying" thing. I have never seen a cat do this before and I had to laugh every single time he did it! - (please excuse the quality, I was just learning how to take videos with my husband's digital camera at the time).
"Seriously, ma?"
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Lady Tabitha snuggling up to Mr. Midnight.
A pic of Midnight taken at his first Cold Laser Therapy session for his arthritis - Photo by "Eagle's Peak Animal Hospital" staff.
Let's see, where do I begin? Well, upon one winter's morning, approximately 16 years ago, my husband received a phone call from his boss that the Have-A-Heart trap that he set at work the night before in an attempt to rescue a beautiful ebony cat who had been up until that time living out of the neigborhood trash cans to survive, had a cat in it who was waiting to be picked up and brought home.
When my hubby walked though our door, I saw this poor, terrified little kitty cat who was too scared to even move, looking at me as if to say, "Help me please ~ you gotta let me out of here and please don't hurt me, pleeease!" We had an enclosed porch in which we temporarily kept him in so that he could not only have privacy, but would also feel safe while allowing him to gradually get used to his new surroundings. Not to mention the fact that since we already had two inside cats we needed to keep him separated from them until we could get him to his vet appointment for a Fel-Luk test, blood work, shots, etc.
After all that, we finally brought him inside with the rest of us to get acquainted with our other two cats. None, and I mean NONE of our cats are allowed outside ever! The risks are far too great and I am far too protective of a 'Cat Mom" to allow anything or anyone to hurt my fur babies.
He adjusted beautifully! It was as if he had been living with us all along. The other two cats at that time were females and he simply adored them. We believed he was a British Shorthair or at the very least a Brit mix. His physical characteristics and his disposition matched purrfectly. Even though cats are for the most part independent, every breed has their own set of idiosyncrasies or habits that are uniquely theirs. British Shorthairs are known for being very loyal and quite affectionate (especially the males) and they will follow you from room to room until they or you sit down and relax somewhere. They also have rather short legs and stand low to the ground which makes them very uncomfortable and anxious being picked up or held. They are not known for being very talkative either, in fact, it is rare that you will hear them "speak" at all. ALL of these things were true of our cat Midnight.
Midnight loved to sit near me while I was on the computer.
He also befriended our dwarf bunny, Sammie, and would often keep him company by lying aside of his cage for a half hour or so at a time. Getting along well with other family pets is also a part of the Brit's personality. Also, they much prefer the company of adults to children as they are pretty laid back and enjoy the peace and quiet in their environment, often hiding whenever you have company visiting the house. They usually only bond with those whom "they" consider family.
One of the things I loved the most about Midnight was his nightly routine of jumping on my, I mean "his." pillow and plopping himself right on my head while purring me to sleep. Of all the wonderful cats who have blessed our home over the years, he was undoubtedly the sweetest and most loving we have ever had.
Sadly, we lost him in 2017, but there is not a day that goes by that I do not think about him. At the time we found him, I was in a very dark place in my life - the truth is, I did not rescue him, HE rescued me. He will be forever loved and missed!
Now I lay me down to sleep, The king-size bed is soft and deep... I sleep right in the center groove My human can hardly move!
I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight And here is where I pass the night No one disturbs me or dares intrude Till morning comes and "I want food!"
I sneak up slowly to begin My nibbles on my human's chin. She wakes up quickly, I have sharp teeth - And my claws I will unsheath
For the morning's here and it's time to play I always seem to get my way. So thank you Lord for giving me This human person that I see.
The one who hugs me and holds me tight And sacrifices her bed at night.
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