My life has been turned upside down - but in a good way. Two weeks ago today we brought home a furry addition to the family (yes, a 'furry rat bag,' according to DaveinGermany!) We've been without a pet for too long, and so Miss Pris joined us, and has wreaked havoc on a daily basis every since. But we love her, and I'm making the most of this kitten phase, and all that comes with it!
She was very shy and timid when we got her. She obviously wasn't well socialized, and she cried pitifully all the way home - but that was to be expected. The lady who sold her to us was kind enough, and well meaning. But she had a germ phobia and wouldn't let me touch the kittens until I had opened my purse and made the transaction. I had expected to be able to play with them all, and make my choice based on more than just looks, but that wasn't in the cards. The two females were held up to me with the question "Which one do you want?" It was all done rather quickly to say I was choosing a companion for the (hopefully) next 20 years!
The woman was selling them as purebred Egyptian Maus. I've no idea if this is true, but I chose one of her kittens because they looked cute, have the big ears and green eyes of that breed, and a few spots among the tabby stripes. That's not quite accurate: I had a real Egyptian Mau cat many years ago, and he was the sweetest, most loveable bundle of fur I ever had the pleasure to know. I harbour hopes this this little one will be something like that, but no matter: she is her own 'pursonality' and that's just fine with me.
In the two weeks since she came to live with us, she has grown, both in size and in courage. She fearlessly hurls herself off furniture, and careens helter skelter round our house. Early mornings I'm normally in a fog as I prepare breakfast for hubby and me. With the advent of Miss Pris (she's named after a character Daryl Hannah played in the movie Blade Runner) I've got to snap out of my fog rather quickly, or risk tripping over her with my morning tea. Whizzing! There she goes. Crash! There she goes sliding into the furniture (the wooden floors make stopping somewhat difficult.)
After breakfast (hers and ours) comes playtime. That is, of course, after she's used her litterbox. I made that mistake early on - enuff said! I have a great toy that I can whisk around: some colourful feathers with a bell on the end of some elastic tied to a wand. She loves that. With little effort (and risk) on my part, she can run around in circles and make her flying leaps. Of course, I found out the hard way not to try to take it from her mouth in mid session - two puncture wounds later. She also enjoys attacking my toes, so I've taken to wearing slippers, even though I'd rather not in summer.
Hubby has bonded with her too, mainly by playing 'let's attack the hand' games. Despite my disapproval (it's not good to encourage her to see human hands as biteable playthings) this is mainly how they interact right now. No wonder she sees my hands and feet as similarly delightful 'toys!' What is it about menfolk that they enjoy teasing and wrestling with animals? I just don't get it! But she seems to love it, so who am I to say?
But then after a good long playing session, it's nap time for Pris. If I'm able to stay put for a while, I can enjoy her snuggling up under my chin. Heck, I sometimes nod off too. She purrs like a little tractor. Then she's off again like a shot - look out, here she comes! Life sure isn't dull these days. No complaints!
She was very shy and timid when we got her. She obviously wasn't well socialized, and she cried pitifully all the way home - but that was to be expected. The lady who sold her to us was kind enough, and well meaning. But she had a germ phobia and wouldn't let me touch the kittens until I had opened my purse and made the transaction. I had expected to be able to play with them all, and make my choice based on more than just looks, but that wasn't in the cards. The two females were held up to me with the question "Which one do you want?" It was all done rather quickly to say I was choosing a companion for the (hopefully) next 20 years!
The woman was selling them as purebred Egyptian Maus. I've no idea if this is true, but I chose one of her kittens because they looked cute, have the big ears and green eyes of that breed, and a few spots among the tabby stripes. That's not quite accurate: I had a real Egyptian Mau cat many years ago, and he was the sweetest, most loveable bundle of fur I ever had the pleasure to know. I harbour hopes this this little one will be something like that, but no matter: she is her own 'pursonality' and that's just fine with me.
In the two weeks since she came to live with us, she has grown, both in size and in courage. She fearlessly hurls herself off furniture, and careens helter skelter round our house. Early mornings I'm normally in a fog as I prepare breakfast for hubby and me. With the advent of Miss Pris (she's named after a character Daryl Hannah played in the movie Blade Runner) I've got to snap out of my fog rather quickly, or risk tripping over her with my morning tea. Whizzing! There she goes. Crash! There she goes sliding into the furniture (the wooden floors make stopping somewhat difficult.)
After breakfast (hers and ours) comes playtime. That is, of course, after she's used her litterbox. I made that mistake early on - enuff said! I have a great toy that I can whisk around: some colourful feathers with a bell on the end of some elastic tied to a wand. She loves that. With little effort (and risk) on my part, she can run around in circles and make her flying leaps. Of course, I found out the hard way not to try to take it from her mouth in mid session - two puncture wounds later. She also enjoys attacking my toes, so I've taken to wearing slippers, even though I'd rather not in summer.
Hubby has bonded with her too, mainly by playing 'let's attack the hand' games. Despite my disapproval (it's not good to encourage her to see human hands as biteable playthings) this is mainly how they interact right now. No wonder she sees my hands and feet as similarly delightful 'toys!' What is it about menfolk that they enjoy teasing and wrestling with animals? I just don't get it! But she seems to love it, so who am I to say?
But then after a good long playing session, it's nap time for Pris. If I'm able to stay put for a while, I can enjoy her snuggling up under my chin. Heck, I sometimes nod off too. She purrs like a little tractor. Then she's off again like a shot - look out, here she comes! Life sure isn't dull these days. No complaints!
