About Us

Nucoonrizn is a very small cattery located in Boonville, Missouri. My name is Susan Norbury, and the cattery is also my home. I share my residency with my wonderful husband John, and a loveable, loyal cocker spaniel, Gus. Early in 2003 finding ourselves in the role of soon empty nesters, I put forth a plan to ease that transformation. Unbeknownst to my husband and sons, we were about to become cat owners. Maine Coon cat owners to be specific.

Now being the good natured soul he is, John went along with this plan with only a small amount of reluctance. In fact, it was his idea to attend a few cat shows, “Just to get the feel of things”. So off to Memphis we went to a show. We love Memphis, and figured a couple hours at the show, then we would head over to Beale Street, and enjoy some good Blues and Bar-B-Q. We did that, but we also spent the better part of two days at the cat show. When we left, I knew we wanted a Maine Coon kitten, and I knew I wanted to show a cat! From that point, the search was on for the right cat.

Some things are just meant to be. I found my cat, and I am forever grateful to Dr. Kelly Gerling of Gerlingcat for allowing that big handsome boy to come live with us. This beautiful creature had to have a special name, so after much thought, Commander Silas Earthwalker was decided. John is a collecter of Studebakers, and a popular model is the Commander. Therefore, the first part of the name. Silas, is an acronym for “Susan is loosing all sanity!!” I thought I must be crazy, because people kept telling me I was. Saying things like, “ There are lots of free cats out there.” However, I wanted a cat with a pedigree, a show cat. Dr, Gerling’s stud cat is Skywalker, so in keeping with that same theme I added the earthwalker to his name. This lovely cat became a show cat.

I loved showing, and Silas tolerated it. He became my first Grand Premiere in November of 2004. He can still be seen hanging out at the shows, but just keeping the other cats company, and enjoying all the people stopping by to admire him. In June of 2004, we aquired our first breeding cat, Syracoon Ruby Sky of Nucoonrizn who came to us from Alexis Mitchell of Syracoon cattery. Thank you Alexis for having faith in me, and for trusting this little girl to us. She is beautiful brown patched with white, and has proven to be a wonderful mommy. We had our first litter sired by RW, GRC Coondavi Kaine V of Bordeauxcoon. Nucoonrizn will always remain a small cattery where we strive to improve the breed, while producing healthy, happy, well adjusted kittens. The first rule of breeding in my opinion is, and always will be, to do no harm. We look forward to seeing many of you though out the midwest at a cat show soon. Please stop by and say, “Hey.”