The Tabby Princess

When I saw her I knew, I had to have her.

From the first time we visited the mall in our new home town, my husband and Imade it a habit to pop into the pet store to see the animals. We never had any intention of bringing any home, we just liked to visit (and we already had a senior cat at home). One day I popped in by myself and they had a new batch of kittens. All were asleep except one and when I put my fingers up to the window she came running over to see me. For some reason a name instantly came into my mind, "Suzie". From that moment I was hooked.

I asked the clerk some questions, she brought her out for me to see, and before I knew it I was asking her to put a hold on her for me. She said she could hold her to 7pm but that was it. Off I went working up my pitch to my husband as I went along.

It didn't go exactly as planned. While I had all day to think about it, the idea of a new cat was sprung on him when he walked in the door from work. In the end it involved a lot of crying on my part until finally he said "I wash my hands of this decision". His psychology backfired and I dragged him to see Suzie at the pet store. I paid $10 for her and said I'd pick her up the next day.

Citation: images copyright M. E. Wood.

I have always loved animals. All kinds from wild to domesticated. I grew up always having a cat in the house and can't imagine my life without pets.

I have two cats (a short-haired American Tabby and a long haired feral adoptee) and one dog (German Shepherd).

I was lucky enough to marry a man who loves animals as much as I do.

Suzie, the tabby princess, was actually part of a litter born to a barn cat from a local farm.

The pet store at the mall was helping find homes for them. I paid $10 for her and it was the best $10 I ever spent.

I didn't come up with the name Suzie. I like to believe and have believed for the last fourteen years that she told me her name (read intro).

Of course that is the only thing I've been able to understand since. Everything else has been hit or miss.

Her name as been transformed into many variations or nicknames. Suzie Q, Princess (because she's treated like royalty), Q, Boo, Suze and baby girl.

She's a cat. She has a routine of her own and occasionally she let's me participate.

For the most part my favorite thing is having her sit on my lap; especially in the winter -- when we can keep one another warm.

The best way to insure she'll curl up on my lap, or any lap for that matter is a plush blanket we have on the back of the chair in the living room. If she sees me putting it on my lap, she's there in a heartbeat.

Suzie has a hut similar to this in a spare room where she hides out occasionally. Usually when she's had enough of the other pets and of the people.

One of our favorite things is to play with is spongy balls. Suzie chases the first few then just watches me throw the rest until I get bored.

These are one of her favorite solitary toys. She'll walk around with a ball in her mouth dropping it off of high places to watch it fall or dropping it into her water dish. She actually sings whiles she's doing this.

Suzie loves to get mail! Please leave her a message and I'll be sure she gets it.