Pendraig Quantocius @ 6 months, photo by Helmi Flick

So, we’ve been asked by many people what the story is behind the unusual name, Quantocius.  Why did we choose to name our long awaited red classic tabby male Siberian kitten such an odd name?  Where did it come from?  Why is it so special?

I can answer it all in a word, Love.

For those of you not in the know about how my husband and I met, let me explain so the answer above will make sense to you.  My husband and I both had been rather ill used in life having difficult relationships we left, even after investing many years, money and tears into those relationships.  Both of us found a way to engage ourselves by playing an online game EQII.   I cannot speak for him but for me it was a way to enjoy friends that I had something in common with, play a game, and most importantly ignore reality that I was alone and hurting.  I had barely survived leaving my ex-boyfriend of 7 years, emotionally and physically, and was further ravaged by selfish parents who only seemed capable of putting me down and trying to control me in every aspect of my life.  Not to say they didn’t take me in, help support me but it came at a high price.

The only thing I managed to cling to was my cattery and it was by tooth and nail while everything else was systematically ripped from me and promises broken.  It is no surprise then I found myself spending all my spare time when not working, or looking for a job, playing a game to escape all of that.

Pendraig Quantocius photo by Helmi Flick

Well one day a new character joined our guild in the game… a fellow that was smart and funny, and knew how to make me laugh and oh how I needed to laugh.  It took me so long to learn to laugh again before I met him and I’d had my heart broken again since but here he was, gentle and fun and we had a blast playing that silly game together.  His character had the ability to transform into a big orange tiger…. and mine into a wolf.  We’d goof around while waiting on raids (you know, big groups of characters played by us geeks killing dragons and other “mobs”).  And his name, this lovely dark elf monk / orange tiger character?  Quantocius.

So, I named the cat for my husband, for the guy who made me laugh and showed me a truly selfless love that I have never known before.  Everyone always wanted something out of me, if it was to abuse me, use me, smother me, berate me, and ignore me but not him.  He just wanted to be with me in whatever way I was comfortable.  Friendship turned to love, he came from Florida to Texas so we could meet in person… and it was Love.  Love that manifested itself into a proposal, and a surprise pregnancy that has brought ultimate joy into both of our lives with a boy that is now 4 years old and yes… he loves the cats too.

Doug was a confessed dog lover, as am I, and he resisted the cats but this breed won him over and he is a wonderful partner in my cattery even though I started it a long time before I met him.  And I am still amazed he stuck around after hearing I was a cat breeder.  Most guys hear “cats” and take off, dating is rough.

Quantocius is Latin, it means “Sooner the better” according to the online dictionary.  My husband says “quickly as possible” and truly that is how he entered my life once we finally found one another.  To say he swept me off my feet and took my breath away is not an exaggeration!  His trip from Florida to Texas was dangerously swift and he was there before I knew it.  So was Gabriel for that matter…

For me Quantocius means Love.  The true, abiding, selfless love I found in my husband.  The man, who supports us, protects us, loves us and is completely devoted to his new family.  It only made since then to name the red classic kitten I wanted so badly after this Love and I hope more than ever for him to be a great champion show cat so all the world learns his name and the Love he represents.

Pendraig Quantocius photo by Helmi Flick