A little while ago I left my number with a local breeder, and low and behold, one day the phone rang, and she had babies available. Now although her prices were lower than the norm, I still could not afford one. My heart was breaking. Then she said I could have the Mummy cat, if I pay for the spaying. She is a Tortie-point, meaning her darker colour points are not even coloured, but with tortie markings. I thought it over, and my heart and mind had an impressive battle, and guess which was the winner? I did have my reservations, though, having never had an adult kitty before.

Eventually the day came we had to pick her up, and it is a LONG time from morning to 15h30. I am so excited. It was instant love for me, but she gives hubby one look and snarls at him. She is gorgeous, with a whitish muzzle, but a dark lower lip, which looks dirty. The 37km trip home is not a happy one, she’s disorientated and clearly upset. At home I put her in my room, away from Pepper to give them time to adjust. I gave her water and a little dry food the breeder advised, and she let me hold her and purred before falling asleep. I am delirious.

I left her to sleep it off, but when I look in on her an hour later, all hell brakes loose. She is fully awake, in a strange place, full of strange people and smells, and spit and snarl if you just so much as look at her. She dives into the wardrobe, behind a box, and all you see is two red little eyes in the dark. Her whole little body is tighter than guitar strings, and even if you are brave enough to try and get her out, she dives right back.

Her first little meal lasted her a full 24 hours. That is how long it took for her to come out of that wardrobe. We tried any kind of food you can imagine, cat food, human food, milk, cream, cottage cheese, but bugger-all, she refuses everything. Then in the middle of the night we hear her eating kibbles and using the sand box. But the moment you move she is gone again. I get a bit of hope when she starts to explore the room, although she is still hiding and growls like only a Siamese can when you get too near. I want to name her Possum, because all you see are those pretty eyes that change colour according to her mood. I am stressing all the more, because this cat I am hopelessly in love with, does not LIKE me! For the first time in my life, I meet a cat who is immune to my charms. And I am depressed, so far down, I have to look up to see the dumps. Just because my cat hates me.

After 5 days I phone the vet, and she prescribes kitty-Prozac. We try it twice, but since she only eats dry food, you have to give it to her by force. Any positive effect it could have had, is counteracted by the act of giving it to her. And this is where Pepper decides no way, he wants to play and she is a playmate. And as long as hubby and me keep ve-e-e-ry still, they play, and he even draws her out to the living room. Ok, I admit, this is after a few good whacks… she lets him know instantly who is the boss in this outfit. I am amazed. Pepper is so cocky, and he is so submissive, prrrrrmmmmm and rolls on his back to show her she is the boss.

During this time I get this idea to rename her Maya, as in Queen of the Ancients. I am convinced she told me this telepathically. Her name at the breeders was Mai Ling. She just looks regal, like a queen. And true to her name, you only look and appreciate, you do not touch! She may, if she so wishes, smell your hand, and allow you a 2-second chin scratch.

I think we may have won her over. She will not need any more kitty Prozac. But what a battle. And well worth it. But Maya is home. And our home is her royal castle.

Copyright © Kiti de Jager
September 28, 2003