About Theresa Purrs Maine Coons

About Us

Hi, we’re Diane and Ken Bleh.
Let me tell you how we got here.

My story with cats began long before Maine Coons ever entered my world. Between 1983 and 1996, I bred Persians and Himalayans, filling our home with beauty, personality, and the joyful chaos only cats can bring. But life has seasons, and when three of our four children reached their teenage years, I made the difficult decision to step away from breeding and focus on family.

Still, once you’ve lived with cats in your heart and home, that love never truly leaves you.

In October 2023, I stepped into the show hall for the very first time with my Snow Bengal, Miss Scarlet, not knowing just how much that moment would change me. She was only six months old—spunky, confident, and completely herself. While I was nervous, she was busy enjoying the attention, happily knocking her number off her cage and showing off to anyone who walked by. Watching her embrace the experience with such bold curiosity was unforgettable.

That first TICA show didn’t just introduce me to the world of cat showing—it sparked a genuine love for it. Through showing, I found not only a new passion, but also a community. Along the way, I met people who quickly became lifelong friends, bonded by a shared love for these remarkable cats. Showing in TICA has become about so much more than competition for me; it’s about connection, learning, and celebrating the unique personalities that make each cat—and each journey—special.

Fast forward to December 2023. Ken surprised me with a Christmas gift that changed everything—a Bengal kitten meant to be shown in TICA. Libertybengals Private Jesse James quickly became my heart cat, reminding me just how deeply I had missed the presence of cats and kittens in our home.

Our time in the show hall has been shaped by the guidance, encouragement, and kindness of some amazing mentors. I feel especially lucky to have Jessica Petras as both my show mentor and a close friend. She has always shared her knowledge, encouraged me, and believed in me, which means more than I can express. I am truly grateful to have had her support on this journey. Her mentorship has been a big part of our growth and success in TICA.

There was just one thing left on my wish list a red and white Maine Coon.

For over a decade, I had asked Ken for a Maine Coon. Year after year, I waited—and then finally, my dream arrived. LibertyKatz Maverick Independence became my first Maine Coon, and from the moment he entered our lives, I was completely smitten. I began showing Maverick as an alter (neutered male), eager to learn everything I could about this remarkable breed.

That curiosity soon turned into passion.

Not long after, I welcomed my first Queen, Chemicoons Magnolia Of Theresapurrs, from Liz Brown. Around the same time, a close friend introduced me to an experienced Maine Coon breeder, Teri Matzkin—who has since become not only a trusted mentor, but a dear friend. Through that connection, we welcomed our first King, SaraJen SharpDressedMan Of TheresaPurrs.

Together, Ken and I have fallen deeply in love with Maine Coons—their affectionate nature, playful spirit, and larger-than-life personalities. This breed has captured our hearts, and I am committed to honoring them through responsible, thoughtful breeding with the goal of improving the breed and raising exceptional kittens.

This journey wasn’t rushed or planned—it was earned, one chapter at a time. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.