Then one day, for my birthday, my best friend said she was going to give me a cat. But of course she had to ask my parents. They didn't even have to think about the answer. It was no straight away. I started to ignore them, and not talk them. I was very rude. I really was desperate to have a cat.
It was about after a month of extreme rudeness, and arrogance that I came to the conclusion that my parents were not going to let be get this cat.
So one afternoon I was surfing the Internet and one of my friends gave me a website. It was a site about all the different types of breeds of cats, and a picture to go with some information. I found a very unusual cat.. It was strange looking, it had a 'Pixie' look about it. And it had very short hair. It was a Devon Rex. I was quite taken in by this cat, and I wanted to know everything I could. So I went onto many sites, made some inquiries about kittens and asked for any information people could give me. I'd read that it was a somewhat rare cat, and a popular show cat. So I knew I wasn't going to be paying $50 for this cat.
One weekend there was a newspaper ad 'Devon Rex Kittens'. Without my parents knowing, I called and asked for a price, and for information. Just so I knew what I was up for. The man told me he was selling his kittens for $400. I certainly didn't have a spare $400 lying around, so I thanked him sadly, and ended the conversation. I took the little newspaper add and stored it into the back cover of my mobile phone.
That afternoon I told my mom about the type of cat I wanted, and if I could have it. I also said that I'd found an add in the newspaper about it. She simply said no. I was heart broke. I had been made to believe these cats were so rare, that a newspaper add selling them, was amazing! I soon learnt better though.
Even after my mom had said no, I started joining up for Devon Rex sites, saving pictures of them, and realizing that there was quite a few registered catteries around in NSW. I added them all to my 'favorites' and checked them often for updates. I read up so much about them, and many stories of them. And the more I read, the more I wanted one. I was just hurting myself though, because in my heart I knew I couldn't convince my parents.
In June every year, my family goes on a trip to Queensland. And it was June again. On the night we were packing I asked my mom to sit down and listen to me before she answered. I said to her 'Mom the cat I want is a Devon Rex. It barely molts so you most likely wont have an allergic reaction to it. And cats aren't like puppies they don't dig up gardens.' She had a stern look on her face. 'So if I save up $400 all on my own, can I get one?' She started to smile. It was a known fact in my family that I couldn't save. She almost laughed. 'Convince your dad, and if he says yes you can have one.' she answered. I jumped up in happiness.
But as easy as it sounded, convincing my dad was not an easy thing to do. He was very 'stuck' in his old ways, and wouldn't be to happy about having a cat in the house for the first time in his 55 years of living. Mom warned me not to mention anything until after the holiday, in case everyone got into an argument over it.
So when we came back I sat down with me dad. I basically said the same thing to him, as I said to my mom. I expected a dead on 'NO'. But he sat in silence for a moment, considering the thought.
'Alright Casey.' he said. 'If you can save $400 ON YOUR OWN, you can get it.' I practically fell of my chair with excitement. No one thought I could save $400, but I was going to prove them wrong.
My parents and their friends laughed at the thought of my saving $400 for a cat. They often said 'The phase will blow over, and she'll spend all her money on something stupid.'
Me not having a job made it a lot harder. And I didn't want a job, I wanted to accomplish this on my own, just to prove to them I could do whatever I put my mind to.
I suffered much for 8 months, as I passed shops containing things I'd wanted for so long, and could now get. I had $400. I had more then $400. $600 to be exact. But no kittens were due until Jan, 2004. It was upsetting, as I knew I had enough money, but I had no Devon Rex, cuddling in my lap.
I searched some places, visited some catteries, but I could not find a place that had available Devon Rex kittens. Until I found Crinklewood Cattery. I had a large list of places to call, but I'd placed a star next to Crinklewood. I wanted to call that one first. To my luck, she had some kittens. 8 Kittens. 2 White boys, 2 Tabby Girls, 1 Tabby boy, 1 Si-Rex girl, 1 Blacksmoke and 1 Tabby and White girl. My mother phoned her, and we organized to visit her on the weekend, to see if we were fit to have one of her kittens.
I was extremely thrilled that we were going to this place. I was so excited. I was going to meet a Devon Kitten, in the flesh.
When we got there, we found out that 1 of the Tabby Girls, the Si-Rex, the black smoke and one of the white boys had already been adopted. We walked inside to first meet the mother of the kittens, Paris. A stunning white Devon Rex. Her fur was delightfully soft. I'd always read that Devon had the most beautiful coats, but I'd never touched one myself. Paris spoke upon command, and followed her master everywhere. I just adored her, and I couldn't wait to see what the kittens would look like, if their mother was this beautiful.
We entered a room, with 8 lively kittens, tearing around, playing happily. The breeder asked me some questions, and explained a lot to me. A lot of it, I'd read on the Internet, but it was good to hear it from an actual breeder, who owned many of these kittens. She suggested two different kittens that suited me, and my families personalities. Both were Tabbies. One was a quite boy, who had his playful moments, but just loved to snuggle up. And one was an outgoing girl, who just wanted to play with you all the time. I couldn't choose a kitten. Both of them were too adorable. I also liked one of the white ones. He was overly friendly, and he followed me, and sat on my lap. I loved it!
My parents suggested the Blue tabby to me. He was the boy, who was a snuggler. Because they'd been so generous to let me even get this cat, after all the fights and arguments we went through I decided to get the Blue tabby. I really didn't mind, I loved them all!
So the breeder wrote my name down, took my address and a deposit. The kitten was ready to come home for another 3 weeks yet. I knew the wait would kill me.
She also gave me a photo of the kitten I had chosen. All in all, this cat was costing me $530. (Including de-sexing). He had a champion bloodline, and was a show quality cat.
The 3 weeks of waiting seemed so long. I rang the breeder all the time to find out how he was doing, and what he was up to. But on the last week of waiting my dad had a heart attack and was taken to hospital. He was okay, but he wasn't aloud home for two weeks. So my mom had to drive me up to the breeder. It was going to be a good surprise when my dad came home.
We picked him up and brought him home over the hour drive in a cat carry-case. He was so good, he slept most of the way home, and only woke up when the car went over a small bump. He then meowed a little. It was an unusual meow, not that I've heard from other cats.
My parents fell in love with him instantly, and were so amazed how taken by this cat they were. My father was the one saying he would never ever own a cat, and yet now every day he tells me how thankful he is that I was so persistant in wanting a cat so bad.
My parents fell in love with Devon's so much, that they let my sister buy one. So now we are the proud mothers of two lovely Devons! Indiana and Lupin have the same mother, and both have beautiful personalitles, and are lovely and friendly behoynd words. They love a cuddle, and love their playtime. But most of all they love eating! Devons are quite pigs. They are very naughty at times, and great entertainment! I love them so much, and it just goes to show!
Never put a cat down if you have never owned one! They are wonderful creatures!
