Denny and Laura Dayton
The Los Angeles Times had published a short article about a new cat breed. Although Denny was not a cat person, he and his wife Laura went to take a look at this new breed. When they saw the Ragdoll for the first time, they were sold and decided to buy their first breeding pair.
In 1969, Ann Baker sold her first breeding pair to Denny and Laura Dayton.
The Daytons chose Blossom Time as the name for their cattery.
In 1974 Denny placed an advertisement in the Los Angeles Times and soon they could not meet the huge demand for Ragdolls. At the promotion of the Ragdoll, Ann Baker said that Ragdolls felt no pain, had no fighting instinct, and that they hang lamb in the owner’s arms. The Daytons thought it would be bitter to present the Ragdoll to the public and to let the people experience the Ragdoll. That way they could sell the Ragdoll more easily.
Denny Dayton was also the first to put the Ragdoll on the genetic map.
In 1982 the Daytons ended their 13-year career as Ragdoll breeders.
(Ragdoll Historical Society, History & Development of the Ragdoll Breed, Ragdoll History 1969-1975)