Ashley James always thought of herself as a dog person—until she got her first cat, a Siamese, while single. Defying common stereotypes, the cat talked to her, chased wadded paper, and followed her around the house.

 

The James family rescued Hiss as a kitten ten years ago. She was rescued with her sister who sadly crossed the rainbow early on. As a young kitten, Ashley kept Hiss nearby in a drawer for easy bottle-feeding. She earned her name by hissing while biting the bottle’s nipple. Hiss is a striking short-haired tuxedo cat—black with a white chest, paws, and a touch of white on her face. Though independent like most cats, she has a soft spot for young Valerie, the family’s “tornado.”

 

HRH Prince Hairy—also affectionately called Prince or Princie-Poo—was named by Ashley, a self-proclaimed Royal Family enthusiast. A two-year-old Ragdoll cat, he has a soft and silky Angora-like coat that requires constant brushing, a long tail, and bright blue eyes. The name Ragdoll is derived from the cat’s tendency to go limp and relaxed when picked up. The breed is also known for their docile, affectionate nature. Larger than most cats, Prince weighs about 20 pounds—more than double Hiss’s 9.

 

Ragdolls are often described as dog-like—following people, enjoying being held, and showing little aggression. Prince Hairy fits this perfectly: when the family brought him home before Tallulah’s birthday two years ago, he happily soaked up attention from the kids at her party. He also enjoys spending time with Ashley in her sewing room, always seeking play and attention. While he loves the whole family, he especially favors Anthony, who keeps his room stocked with toys and gives him plenty of attention.

 

The different breeds of Hiss and Prince Hairy is demonstrated in how little they interact with each other. Independent Hiss prefers not to play, while Prince Hairy often seeks her out and tries to coax her into it. The family’s 14-year-old dog, Kiki, gets along well with both. At night, Hiss sleeps beside Ashley, and Prince Hairy rests in a cat tree; both avoid climbing furniture, preferring scratching posts and cat trees.

 

Ashley researched carefully before choosing a Ragdoll cat. When a friend’s cousin in Arizona—who is a Ragdoll breeder—had a litter, Ashley flew down to pick up Prince Hairy when he was eight weeks old. Like her first Siamese cat, he’s very vocal, affectionate, and thrives on attention. Today, he—along with Hiss and Kiki—are cherished members of the James family, bringing joy and companionship to all.