Update 3-03

When Dale asked me for an update on Bhodie I was excited and confused all at the same time. Where would I start? How could I possibly capture in words what Bhodie has become? Would I remember the comical times Bhodie opened the laundry-room door, and leapt to the top of a cabinet, defying us to retrieve him? Would I remember his ability to discern between the sound of a plastic deli bag of cheese being opened versus the sound of opening a similar bag containing turkey or chicken? Would I remember the times he would test a wary visitor to see if Bhodie's size and exotic appearance was enough to scare them? Obviously, I remember many things about Bhodie's upbringing that have both delighted and amazed us along the way.

Bhodie continues to surprise us with his intelligence, his dark side, and his love for his family. As cats go, Bhodie shows no similarity to a domestic housecat. Where most cats run when strangers or even relatives enter a home, Bhodie will jump into the arms of an unsuspecting houseguest. The houseguest has no option but to either hold onto 30+ pounds of cat, or watch him bounce off and land on the floor. This is a gamble Bhodie is always willing to take. He seems to enjoy the "bounce" as much as being held.

Although by no means an evil spirit, Bhodie does have a dark side. His favorite prank is to tour the house looking for doors to open. There isn't an unlocked door, drawer, or cabinet that Bhodie cannot open. And if you've never seen a cat open a door, it is quite a sight to behold. There are certain rooms we'd prefer Bhodie not enter. Our baby daughter's room is one of them. Although Bhodie loves his baby sister Haley, he isn't allowed in her room. Not because he would hurt the baby, but because he loves Precious Moments bedding almost as much as Haley does and quickly jumps into the comfort of Haley's crib or cradle with little thought.

How do we secure this room from Bhodie? Simple, with a brass hook and eyelet at the very top of the door. Although Bhodie knows this latch is what's stopping him, he fortunately doesn't have the dexterity to unlock it. And Bhodie has learned to look for one of these safety devices before he attempts to open a door. He is also intelligent enough to know if the latch isn't "set", he can open the door. He will only try to open doors that have no latch, or have a latch that isn't set…pretty intelligent, I'd say.

Bhodie also loves grocery-shopping day. No grocery bag, paper or plastic, is safe from Bhodie. He loves any kind of meat…frozen or fresh. When a package of ham is missing, or a frozen pound of ground sirloin, we can bet it is hidden in Bhodie's room. He always brings his "prey" into his room for feeding.

But as wild, energetic and cunning as Bhodie may be, he has a heart of gold. He will cuddle up and sleep on either one of us for as long as we're willing to have circulation to that part of our bodies cut off. Having a cat that large laying across your legs is a surefire way to go numb from the knees down. But it's the price you must pay for adopting a cat that defies everything a domestic housecat normally is. A Savannah cat is the perfect compromise between a dog and a cat…and brings many "extras" that aren't found in either domestic counterpart.

We're often asked where the name "Bhodie" came from. That one is simple. It comes from an 80's movie called "Point Break". Bhodie was a character in this movie. And if a name ever perfectly fit an animal…it would be this one. If you know this movie, you can appreciate what Bhodie the cat is like. If you aren't familiar with this movie, rent it some time. You'll be out a couple of dollars, but you'll have a little more insight on the kind of free spirit these cats have. And if you continue to do research, save yourself the breeder-shopping piece…Dale is the person you want to reach.

And if you're lucky enough to get one of Dale's Savannahs, prepare yourself for some interesting and rewarding times. Also be sure to stop at the local hardware store for brass latches for your doors…you're going to need them.

Phil Hoolehan