By a whisker

Who's the prettiest kitty in Quebec? That's what the cat lovers were out in force to find out this last weekend at the Carnaval des Chats, held at Cegep Edouard-Montpetit in Longueil.

Over a hundred cats from a veritable United Nations of breeds (Russians, Persians, Siamese, Balinese, Singapuras, Cornish Rexes, you-name-it) were competing for the regional cup in four (excuse me) "cat"-egories: exotic, domestic, kitten and spayed. Factors included dental health, grooming, temperament and plain ol' "Awwww!" quotient.

Frustratingly, petting the preening pussies was strictly verboten, for reasons of hygiene.

Sergeant Pepper, a Maine Coon bred by Jean Lacroix of Lacolle, was named "Best of the Best" at the competition. Sergeant Pepper heads to Belleville, Ontario this weekend to compete again. "Needless to say, we're very proud of him," says Lacroix. :

-- Rupert Bottenberg

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