The first "real" snow. . . and Leo

You may have seen a post a couple of months ago complaining about the first snow coming a bit too early. Well, the snow didn't last then and by Nome's standards, could hardly even be called a snow fall. But, it has since come to stay. These pictures give you an idea of what our snow storms really amount to. I must say, just after the snow has come, its typically warmer than its been in days and the fluffy white stuff just puts most of us in a good mood. Most Nomeites would agree that cold without snow is just no fun. So, when the snow comes we're all a little happier.

My little house covered in nice powdery snow! Yay! I get to shovel. Have I ever mentioned that I love to shovel snow? Really. Its so fun and feels like I'm playing. With so much snow, I get to have fun forming walkways and carving steps. Maybe you'd have to be here to see what I'm talking about. Its great though!

It may not look like it, but this is about the same height as my car. The plows pile the snow up in the middle of the street and usually within a day to two clear it away.

A big machine that is sort of like a vacuum comes and sucks up the piles of snow and shoots it into the back of a big truck. . .

. . .and then the big truck hauls it away.

I'm not sure why, but when I first moved here, this whole scene was always pretty exciting for me to watch. I've just never been anywhere that there was enough snow to require an ordeal like this and truth is, its still very cool for me to watch. Cheap thrills, eh? You learn to take them where you can get them in Nome.

And on to Leo. . .

When I adopted Fiona she was the only girl in the litter, with 4 brothers. One of her brothers was adopted by a little girl down the street from me. She named him Leo and was pretty in love with him initially. But, the novelty of having a cat wore thin very quick. A couple of days ago, she called me to say that she had decided that she just didn't want the cat anymore and wondered if I would like to have him. She explained that she had decided that she wants a dog instead. I'm not too thrilled about helping to send the message to her that its okay to simply dispose of an animal when you're tired of it, but I also don't want to see this little guy go out in the cold to someone who won't take care of him. She is just a kid, 11 years old, who I suppose is learning about taking care of an animal and I'm glad to see that she is at least seeking a good home for him and not just sending him back to the pound. I had no interest in another cat, and if this was any other cat I don't think I would even consider it. But, he's family. He's Fiona's brother and that has to count for something. So, I agreed to bring him home and give him a trial with the other animals.

He came home with me on Saturday and immediately Henry shyed away, Duke wanted to lick and sniff every inch of him, and Fiona showed her true diva colors. She believes that she is queen of this house and she was not going to let Leo think otherwise for one little second. She was in his face hissing and doing that internal growl that cats like to do from the moment he came in the door. She cornered him by the couch and stood above him looking down making it very clear that he was not to attempt moving from the corner she had placed him in. He just cautiously looked up at her and at me with pleading eyes. I retrieved him from the corner, but then gave them their space to figure eachother out. I listened to thumping and snarling cat fights most of the night with my fingers crossed that neither would get hurt. Occasionally there would be a bark and I knew Henry was trying to join in. He's too chicken to do anything on his own, but he gladly followed his little sister's lead when it seemed safe. They were relentless with poor Leo. But, he took it well and remained his sweet little self.

A little history I haven't shared is that when I brought Fiona home I was not exactly smitten. I don't know what it was, but I just didn't instantly fall in love with her like I expected. But, I really wanted her and had committed to adopting her so I was just going to make it work. When the little girl down the street adopted her brother she asked me to come visit and meet him I experienced something different. When I saw him there was an unexpected, instant connection. He was just a sweet little doll and I felt what I had hoped and expected to feel with Fiona. I thought maybe it was because he was a boy. I had really wanted a girl in the house so when I went to pick a kitten out at the shelter I didn't pay much attention to the boys, I just went right for the girl. I do remember one of the little boys standing out to me though. He was more reserved than the others and seemed less interested in getting out of the cage and more interested in me. I thought for just a moment about getting him, but instead went with the girl just because she was a girl. Isn't that ridiculous? I have no way of really knowing, but I think there is a pretty good chance that Leo was that little boy I first felt something for at the shelter.

Anyway, Leo and Fiona survived last night and have been much better today. Leo has been a sweetheart and not aggressive at all. He just seems to be doing his best to cope with an angry and dare I say, bitchy, little female who has something to prove. Oh and let's not forget her sidekick Henry who tries to be just like her. Poor Leo. In the picture below, you can see Henry and Fiona cozied up together and actually allowing Leo to sort of be a part of it. This was as close as he has been able to peacefully get since he arrived.

I'm not convinced that I'm keeping him, but I am very fond of him. I hate to admit it, but I do feel an adoration for Leo that I just don't feel with Fiona. Don't get me wrong, I've gotten to love my little girl, but there is definitely something special about this boy Leo that I just don't have with her. I've decided to just give him a little more time and see how things go. It hasn't even been two days, so we'll just see what happens. I think Duke may feel a bit overrun by the little furry people, but he seems to be tolerating it fine. I'm waiting to see all four of them cuddled up together, but I think I might have to wait a while for that. By this evening though, there were at least three cuddling up together.

What do you think? Should I keep him? If I do keep him, should I keep his name Leo or give him a new one? I'm not crazy about that one, but it is his name and I guess it feels sort of strange to change it. My friend Buford (a.k.a. Beagle) calls him Leroy. Although I always correct him when he calls him that, I think I actually like the name Leroy. Maybe more than I like Leo?

Hmmm?? A single girl with two dogs and two cats. . . and not opposed to more if/when the room allows for it. Am I my mother's daughter or what?

Please do give me your thoughts on the matter of Leroy. I mean Leo.

I'm having trouble posting it, but I have a cute video to post so check back.