Isabella was two years old when we got her in August 2001, so at the time of writing this, she'll be three in a couple of months. I'm no experienced connossieur of cats, but to me she's a rather cuddly, friendly, and a little shy cat. She's also quite lazy at times. More often than not I see her stretched out in a chair when I get up in the morning, sleeping when I have to go to school. I do so envy her.

There is somewhat of a dispute in the family regarding what to call her, still. Though we decided on Isabella when we got her, my mother a few days later came up with the name Isis*, thinking it more exotic and suitable for our half-Egyptian family. I kind of liked Isabella though, so I go with that. The previous owners called her Svinto, after a Swedish brand of steel wool, due to her grey fur.
These Swedes, I'm telling you.

Initially I didn't think I'd be particularly excited about having a cat, but - and you won't hear me admitting this too often - to tell you the truth I've grown extremely fond of this little girl. When she'd just come here and started getting acquainted with the house, she used to sleep in the sofa right behind my computer-chair (where I'm typing all this), night after night.
Me, I was awake of course (hey, it was summer), and gradually, after being used to so many nightly hours alone by the computer, I realized it was rather nice to have some company, and to now and then turn around and watch her curled up into a little ball.

Another secret: Not too long after we'd gotten her, Isabella ventured out and stayed gone for around 2½ days. Not knowing whether or not she'd learned to look at this place as her home yet, I wasn't sure she'd be able to make her way back, and found myself uncharacteristically worried. As it was, the morning hours of the third day found me on the couch, readily drunk on whiskey in an attempt to get my mind off her.
Ha-ha. But don't tell anyone. I'm 23 years old.

Nowadays though, I'm more confident in her abilities to take care of herself. She's my best girl and she sleeps in my bed now and then. In all, I'm very glad to have her around.