Velvet Girl

It wasn't until April of 1997 that I actually adopted my first devon. Four members of my family died within 3 months in early 1996. I was devastated! Then I became ill in early 1997 (I have since discovered that a lot of people process grief through illness). There was no diagnosis, just lots of very expensive, very painful tests. And I was very depressed, etc.

One Saturday I had to attend a funeral. That was a *trigger* for all the unresolved sadness from the previous year. I started crying again and thought I would never stop. Eventually I did.

I got the thought in my head to call the devon breeder. I had saved her card. I called, she had a kitten, I made an appointment to see the kitten.

When I got to the house I was shown into a room with two black devons, male and female. I sat quietly and talked with the breeder. The kittens came out of the cage and walked around sniffing. The female kitten watched for a while and then came over to me and sat down right in front of me. I felt *chosen*. I adopted her and took her home. We spent the next month getting acquainted. She snuggled under my chin and rubbed her head. She slept next to me in bed. She taught me how to play fetch. I realized very soon that this was no ordinary cat. She had so many almost human traits. She would call me when she couldn't find me in the house. She is a wonderful companion.

She is my darling Isis. She bonded with me and no one else. Isis is my *velvet girl*. I highly recommend devons to folks who want an interactive cat. Isis brings me her toys when it's play time. She is very persistent!

Then the next February (Feb 28, 1998) I had to have my Minnie put down. I called the breeder as I was looking for a devon playmate for Isis. Isis didn't seem to play with my other cats, just me. I went to see Romeo, an 18 month old retired dark silver mctabby stud boy. What a sweet disposition he has. He coos at me. He runs up the front of me and I catch him in my arms. He plays with Isis but she is clearly the boss. He has adopted my husband. Each afternoon he pats Bill on the arm when it's nap time. They retire to the recliner chair and Romeo curls up in the crook of Bill's elbow for a 1/2 hour nap. Romeo will keep bugging Bill until he gives in.

Then I went to the breeder to look at her white stud who would need a pet home when he was retired. I was still drooling over the whites every time I saw one. Instead I fell for a white female kitten in the next cage. Lily came home on Thanksgiving 1998. What a gift she is, literally because she is my Christmas and birthday present. She is Romeo's romping partner. He is so gentle with her. Lily sleeps under the covers as she is now 7 months and just growing coat. She has a very playful personality (I call her a party animal). I'm watching to see how her personality develops. So far she's a great clown. She is learning from the other two.

All three devons snuggle on laps for naps. They all cuddle up at night. Isis will sleep in the bedroom but not on the bed. Isis is the litter box monitor. If it is not clean enough for her, she will leave a *gift* on the floor next to the box. Isis is clearly the head devon here. Romeo is very athletic and lively but such a sweet boy, he's the most charming devon in the world. And Lily is the little clown right now. I do not anticipate adopting more devons now. I work with the devon rescue so I can still help out the breed without adopting any more.

I tell everyone about these special cats. The interactive personality disqualifies folks who want a cat that sleeps and eats, etc. and then ignores them. These cats are not aloof. I'm not really sure that these are cats sometimes. The best description I ever read is a cross between a cat, a dog, a child and a monkey. I've seen all these parts demonstrated on a daily basis. These cats are family members. I cannot imagine life without them.

Diana Nelson
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