Thursday, November 15, 2012

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - LEIA

The mom was so excited to find a couple photos of her first cat last week and has been looking forward to writing this post ever since.

She had recently graduated from college and was working at her first "real" job when one of her coworkers mentioned a kitten had been hanging around her neighborhood for a couple weeks.  No one knew where she came from and no one was interested in taking her in.  Was the mom interested?  She checked with her roommates (who already had a cat) and they didn't mind.  So, sight unseen, she agreed to take her in, and if she was female, her name would be Leah.

The "kitten" was a small female, about 1 year old, loaded with fleas, ear mites, round worms and with an abscess above her right eye.  She was a mess.  Oh, and she was pregnant.  No wonder no one wanted her.

Leia (blue) with her son, Attila (white)
(BTW, bad photography must be genetic, cause my mom took this pic.)

Leah, now spelled Leia at the suggestion of a college buddy who loved Greek mythology and culture, was so grateful for a home.  When the mom got home in the evening, Leia would greet her, wrap her arms around her neck and head bump her.  She snuggled, hugged and purred, followed the mom everywhere and slept on top of her.  It was like puppy love.



Leia was a very quiet cat, she could communicate her feelings without a single meow.  There were a couple things she didn't like.  One was riding in the car.  

The first time in the car, she tried to jump out the window - while the mom was driving the "Roller Coaster" section of the Washington beltway.  The mom frantically rolled the window up.  It was August, the car didn't have AC, and the mom didn't own a carrier.  Leia went to the rear window and took a dump there.  So now it was swelteringly hot and gaggingly nauseating while that fresh pile baked in the hot sun.   But Leia wasn't finished yet.  She then sat on the mom's shoulder and screeched at the top of her lungs directly into the mom's ear until she got home.  It was not a fun ride.

This set the stage for our relationship.  Leia was all sweetness when things were her way, but she let you know in no uncertain terms when she didn't like something.  She was the smartest pet the mom's had.  She had many ways of expressing herself and letting you know where you stood in her world.  She also had a great sense of humor and took pride and joy in getting one over on the mom.  Those stories coming up soon!  We hope you enjoy them.

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The photos above don't do justice to Leia's beauty.  The mom believes she was a Korat.  She knows they are rare, but every description she's read of them fits Leia.  So here are some Korat photos off the web that look like they could have been her.

You could look at her and see her thinking.  She was a rascal who loved to find new ways of whapping someone in the face.  The mom and Robbie were her usual targets.


This photo just melts my heart because it looks so like her.
 Korats have a heart shaped chest and face.
You can see Leia's heart face in my photos;
And she really was this shiny.



She was a busy little cat, weighing only about 7 lbs (about 3 kg).  She got into everything and played favorites.  And she went out of her way to rub your nose in it if you weren't a favorite.
A picture off the web.

Leia in the snow.

Purrs!
We hope you enjoyed reading about our special girl,
but the best stories are yet to come.
Everyone have a great weekend!

23 comments:

Angel Prancer Pie said...

Aww, what a pretty girl Leia was! Looks like she could have been a Korat. Doesn't matter what she was, she was loved! Happy Friday, furriends. XOXO

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

Leia sounds like she was an awesome kitty! I can't wait to hear more about her!

The Furries of Whisppy said...

What an interesting girl! We look forward to more stories of Leia. :)

Marg said...

We think the pictures are great and Leia looks like such a nice cat. Never heard of that kind of cat before so glad to have some information about them. That sounds like quite a trip in the car. Thank COD for the carriers now. Take care and you have a great weekend too.

Brian's Home Blog said...

I so enjoyed yourmflashback, what a precious one!

The Island Cats said...

Leia sounds like a girl that knew her own mind! Thanks for sharing her story and pictures with us.

Pat Hatt said...

Great flashback, sounds like a wonderful kitty, to those she wanted to be. LMAO still laughing over the poo filled car hahaha

Hannah and Lucy said...

Leia was gorgeous and we can't wait to hear more about her.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Marilia said...

Thanks for share!!!!

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

Wow, I thought Leo looked like a Korat because I thought they had longer fur! So I guess it's Star that looks more like one, though her tail is still to fluffy, MOL.
Leia was gorgeous and sounds like she had a huge personality! Her son was gorgeous too!

Katie Isabella said...

I loved every word. I will enjoy even more stories about her. THANK you even th so many years have gone by for taking pity and having mercy on this helpless little one.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

When we saw the name Leia of course our Mom's mind went straight to Star Wars. Leia is such a beautiful name. What a pawsome kitty. WE can't wait to learn more about her (and boy we are glad she didn't jump out the window in DC!

GTnCo said...

What a sweet story!

Gigi said...

Oh she's a precious girl! You are lucky your Mom has so much to tell you about The Kitties Who Came Before. XOXOXO

GLOGIRLY said...

What a beautiful and special girl!
(((big purrs)))
xo, Katie & Glogirly

Oskar said...

What a beauty. Thanks for sharing her story with us!

Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

These are very beautiful treasure photos!

Anonymous said...

Reading that made me smile, then I remembered some kitties that have shared my life.

meowmeowmans said...

Oh, we loved seeing these pictures, and reading all about Leia! What a beauty she was. She sounds like an amazing and wonderful companion, and SO much personlaity! :)

Hugs!

Daisy said...

I did enjoy reading about Leia! The car story was funny!

Old Kitty said...

Oh Leia!! Awwwww what a sweetheart!! And her gorgeous boy Attila!! How wonderful!! Thank you for sharing the story of mum's first kitty!! She was truly a most memorable kitty - not just for her stunning awesomely gorgeous looks but for that precious memory of her car ride! It's so funny in a great way!! take care
x

A Tonk's Tail said...

What wonderful sweet memories!! But oh, that car story... *gasp*!

Timmy Tomcat said...

Oh My Cat! This is such a funny story. Sounds like a big purrsonality in a little cat.