January 1st 2002 - July 27th 2005

I am not sure where to start with this snobby, crisp stealing little beauty. She was indeed our princess, not just in looks and they way she held herself high, but in the sheer regality of her manners.

Tia Maria always looked down on the rest of the pets as being her subjects, she presided over them and always felt that they were just mere pawns in her world. It was this attitude that made her stand out.

From the first time I met Tia, there was a bond, she was originally supposed to be my princess, to go alongside Kahlua, who had originally come as a gift to Kat. In the first few weeks, Tia never left my side, cuddling in my jumpers, sleeping on my pillow. This however, was not to last. Tia was not going to be the princess that had to kiss a frog. Instead she found her place with my own queen and from then on she became part of Kat and it soon became clear that she would never do anything without her mum, even to the point where she would not even pass peacefully until she was in her arms.

Tia had so many outstanding moments, she disliked my dog Sabre from the start, Sabre disliked her to the point that she almost wanted to eat her early on, but they still lived together, shared the same space and never argued again. They just kept their distance. Eventually the time came when Tia was ready to mature and become a mum, or so we thought. She spent time at two studs in an attempt to become pregnant, in typical bolshee style she rebuked any advances, it was clear that she was not going to let anyone near her, she missed her mum and each time she returned unwilling to let anyone else comfort her.

She was finally mated to Boysee from Michamese after a 6 week honeymoon, she certainly made the wait worthwhile and bore a litter of 4. She even had to wait until mum was with her before doing anything, and this was the case for each of her litters. She would spend at least the last two weeks of her pregnancy with mum every night, curled up. Her interest only diverted when I would open a packet of crisps. Yes, Tia loved her crisps, in fact she loved any treats, once she even attacked a bag of bombay mix!!.

Although Tia, spent a lot of time trying to run away from me, something we never understood, as she would be happier sleeping in my clothes than anywhere else!, she was always incredibly special to me, and the few times that she did jump up on me and cuddle up in my lap made me feel like I was finally privileged to be graced with her presence. But then I guess that is what princesses do.

I don't know if I will ever stop crying and mourning for her, she was in actual fact the first living sole that has ever passed away on me. I've never experienced this at such close quarters before. I know she has been called to overlook and be guardian of our rainbow bridge, it was what she was so good at. She was an amazing mum who loved her babies and it's ironic that her last hours where spent delivering her final presents to the world.

Dearest Tia, we will cherish your babies with all our heart, nurture them and bring them up to be the little princesses you would have wanted, and in Tia Lusso, we have your spirit and love.

Your legacy will always live on.