Our Family
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Dale grew up in the small town of Cabery, IL. He was involved in raising livestock from a young age. His parents put a great deal of trust in him and allowed him to take part in the decision making process of their livestock based business in his teen years. After finishing high school he attended the University of Illinois, where he received his graduate degree in Animal Science. While in college he took the opportunity to travel abroad, spending a summer working on sheep and cattle ranches in Australia. While attending the U of I he was a member of the livestock judging team. During graduate school he had the opportunity to coach the livestock judging team at the University of Illinois. His involvement in livestock judging allowed him to opportunity to make several trips to Europe to compete in livestock judging events. Dale has taught collegiate animal science courses, as well as served as a professional livestock judge across the country for the past fifteen years. |
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Holly grew up in a military family. With her family she lived in Colorado, Germany and Texas before moving home to Oregon at the age of nine. She was also involved in raising livestock and a member of 4H and FFA. Like Dale, she was involved in livestock judging that paid for some of her college tuition and allowed her to travel to Europe to compete in livestock judging events. After high school she moved to Illinois, where she got her Bachelors degree in Public Relations, with a minor in Agriculture.
Dale and Holly met through the livestock judging world. Their similar interests and passions were an immediate draw to each other. They were married in May of 2003. Their lives have been prosperous on the family front. They have four children – Dylan, 9, Tara, 7, Chase, 3, and Kadie, 2.
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Dylan is a very bright and intuitive child. He has continually been praised by his teachers as being a very bright and interesting kid that adds value to class discussions from his personal experiences he has had out of the classroom. This year he was invited to be part of the gifted program at his school. He is very interested in the proceedings of the exotic cat breeding business and often offers his services in socializing kittens. Dylan has participated in sports from the age of four - including baseball, soccer, football and basketball. Recently he has been bitten by the motocross bug! He eats, sleeps and breaths dirt bikes! Thanks to his Papa he will soon have his own personal motocross track in the back yard to enjoy. |
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Tara is the “Mother-Hen” of the bunch. She prides herself on taking care of the younger ones when needed (and even a little when it isn’t needed). She is also a very smart young lady. Her teachers have praised her for being a very caring and giving person. She will go out of her way to include everyone. She also enjoys playing with and socializing kittens with us, though she is not interested in the logistics the way her brother is. Tara has been taking ballet and jazz lessons and playing soccer for three years. Her passion is horses. Once the barn is constructed, she will fill it with horses. She also enjoys taking her four-wheeler out on the dirt track from time to time. |
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Chase is the future Animal Biologist. At three years of age he can look through an Animal Encyclopedia and identify every animal. He can also tell you where most of them live, what sound they make and what they eat. And unless you are completely certain, don’t argue with him! He also likes dinosaurs and their fossils. He was an archeologist for Halloween in 2008. Again, he can tell you the names of quite a few dinosaurs. He is intrigued by echo-location and what animals use it, as well as the marsupial families! What a kid. His favorite part of raising exotic cats is feeding them. He thoroughly enjoys helping mix the wet food and supplement for the kittens and the nursing queens. |
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Kadie, well, Kadie is the pistol of the group. She is the baby of the family that thinks she should call the shots and run the show. She believes that she can do anything the big kids can do, and maybe even do it better! She loves the cats and kittens. She wants to pick them all up and give them big squeezes! She hasn’t quite comprehended the idea of playing slow and quite with them, so they usually try to go the other way before she gets her hands on them. She’ll learn though. She loves the dirt bikes as much as her biggest brother. If she hears one start up she will go running from anywhere in the house, screaming, because she wants a ride. She grins from ear to ear when Dad gives her a ride. She rocks forward to back to try to get him to go faster!
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The heart and soul of Select Exotics was born from Dale’s parents, Bud and Marilyn. While Dale was pursuing his graduate degree Marilyn continued breeding Bengals and working with Select Exotics’ first breeding Serval, Keystone. Without their tremendous efforts – carrying the load for many years – and their continued support Select Exotics would not be in existence.
Marilyn passed away in March of 2008. Her love for the cats was undeniable. She was willing to do anything necessary to make sure that all of her cats were happy and healthy. This goes for her family as well. She has and will continue to have a profound influence on our family and Select Exotics. We miss her love and guidance a great deal. Her passion for the Savannahs was truly a blessing.
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Bud is still contributing to both our family and Select Exotics. His relationship and the help he offers in caring for his grandchildren are much appreciated. He also stays busy caring for our breeding cats on a daily basis. His efforts help make our whole families quality of life better. The excitement in his face to watch his grandchildren enjoying life – especially if it is on a dirt bike – is an immense joy for us.
We would like to thank both Bud and Marilyn for their contributions.
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- INTERNATIONAL INQUIRIES WELCOME -
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