Introductions

I must introduce our resident animal family members, in order of their arrival.

Diva *sigh* is our resident village idiot, to say that she is a "special" dog is being very kind. This dog's only claim to fame is being able to urinate on command. Hell, I'm surprised she can even manage that. The rest of the time this dog has a dial tone echoing in her head. Driving in a vehicle with her is the ultimate test of one's patience and sanity. She will emit a noise similar to that of a dying animal once she is in the car. This horrendous noise will continue without fail for the entire drive. This dog needs a near lethal dose of valium to keep her quiet. She is the most neurotic dog I have ever come into contact with, although getting more animals has really seemed to mellow her out....or it's just her getting older.  Looking at her the wrong way can make her drop her bladder all over the floor in an instant.  She has not been the easiest dog to love, but I do love her.  

Bijou is our little Princess. Really. She has "interesting" quirks. She wouldn't jump off our bed or jump up - she had to be picked up. It took her almost three years to jump up and off the bed, with a step up unit, of course. She doesn't like wet or snow on her paws and will demand to be picked up. One year we let her out the snow, not even an inch, and she was yelping like we had beat her or something. Diva on the other hand was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Go figure. Bijou can at least sit, come, stay, and lay down on command like a normal dog.

Dexter is our only "furry" cat, but don't let this cute pose fool you. He is one of the moodiest cats I have ever had the 'pleasure' of living with. I know he wasn't hard done by in his life as we have had him from the second he was born, my mother's rescue cat being pregnant. He is all snuggles and purring one minute and biting the next. He loves my husband though. However, he is another animal in our home that seems to have mellowed out with the addition of other animals. After bringing our two hairless male brothers home, he has become quite affectionate and I have not been bitten in a few months now. Bonus.  

Rupert is mama's boy - mine. This boy is very particular, yet loving and sleeps with me every night. Not a fighter, he prefers to keep to himself and snuggle which is fine with me. He is my soul kitty.

Orion is our shit disturber and my husband's cat, no surprise there, LOL. He likes to terrorize others while they are trying to sleep, especially Dexter. He isn't much of a snuggler unless he is with my husband or it is bedtime.

Priscilla is our newest addition to the family, arriving in late November 2010.  If she looks surly, it is because she is.  Although she really is lovable and affectionate.  I think that her surly-ness is just a female thing.  She is just really, really persnickety and doesn't like "boy germs". Yes, that's what it is.  I bought Priscilla from a breeder in New Mexico and she was shipped to me by air to Seattle.  Picking her up was a relatively simple process.  I got in the car, I drove to the border, I answered the ridiculous questions (why are you buying a cat from the US? Um, cuz I can?! not the answer I gave, but sure wanted to!), I crossed the border, I drove 4 hours to the airport, I got her and I went home without any incident.

I think I got maybe 2 hours of sleep 'cause I had a lot of emotions the night before.  I was so excited to see her, I was hoping that she wouldn't be overly stressed out and scared, and I worried that she might not come due to the cold in Seattle.  My boys' breeder shipped in a male from Russia the night before she came and he ended up not coming as it was too cold in Vancouver, so I was thinking what if she can't get shipped out, then what?  I was panicking a little, yes. I was also trying to think of a name and everything I came up with just didn't feel right or sound right.

As I said, the drive down to Seattle was pretty uneventful, so I can tell too much about that other than I was so glad it didn't snow until I got home!  My cousin, Denice, and I talked about names off and on the entire 4 hours, but still no name for her at the time.  So glad Aunty Denice came with me cuz I am not a good driver AND navigator....that is a recipe for disaster!

Needless to say she did arrive safe and sound.  Big thanks to American Airlines for the top notch service.  She was warm when I got her and I could tell that she had been handled in gentle manner.  The staff were wonderfully pleasant and I would definitely use their services again.  We made it back to my car as quickly as possible cause it was freezing outside!  We ran to get her inside the car and get the heater pumped full-blast for her and to get her out of the kennel she had spent a long time in.  She was very, very friendly and purred a lot!  She rode in Aunty Denice's arms all the way back, purring off and on, she really seemed to enjoy the ride and was very calm; actually she slept most of the way.

When we got to the border crossing, I was fully expecting to pay my 12% in taxes for her.  When the officer asked what my purpose was, I told him that I went to Seattle to pick up a kitten.  He looked in the car from his booth and this is how the conversation went:

What *IS* that?....Is THAT the kitten?! (I swear I saw the color drain out of his face at this point)

Yes

Is it ok?  What's wrong with it?!  

She is a sphynx, it is a hairless cat...they are born that way.  (Officer turns green!)

Oh.  Do you have the rabies certificate?  

I hand over her paperwork 

My cousin says: do you wanna pet her?!?!  

I say: she's so soft 

Noooooooo, I'll take your word for it.  You have a nice night and drive safe. 

Thank you officer  

I think he was a little afraid of her, LOL.  It worked out great for me 'cause I got to buy her and the rest of the brood more toys 'n' treats since I did not have to pay any duty!!!!

We didn't get home until around 11pm, but at least we were home, safe and sound!  I put her kennel in a quiet spot in the house and let her come out on her own and she did very well.  She wasn't afraid of the dogs and was very curious.  Orion and her seemed to be friends pretty quick, Dexter was indifferent (as usual) and Rupert, for some reason, did not like her at all.  Lots of growling, hissing and arching on his end.  

Not much happened the first day she was home.  She slept most of the day, getting up every few hours to come and visit everyone in the house.  She was very talkative and would come if you call her and she is so affectionate.  I don't think I have ever had a cat so affectionate and loving.  

And to top it off, she came home with a name!!!!  As I was paying for the airport parking, I noticed the cashier's name.  I liked the way it sounded and when I looked at her and said it, she responded to it.   

Everyone, meet Priscilla, our princess.