Well Josh, let me share a few things I've adapted to in our house. Need a disclaimer first, that I'm a crazy animal lover, CRAAAAAAZY, and I was willing to adapt my life to share it with an SV. That's probably one of the things you've read about on breeder sites -- you adapt to their life, not the other way around. While some or most of what I'll describe may seem harmless, when it continues day after day, night after night, month after month, some things can lose their charm. It's like living with a 2 yr old who is smarter and more determined than you are. And yet, I have 3 SVs (CRAAAAAAAAAAAZY); 2 F2s and an F6. The behaviors don't increase exponentially with the addition of each cat, but there is never a dull moment.
Since you're getting an F3, you will probably share life with a bit larger than average cat. We have some folks here with F3s that are hyoooooge so ya never know what you're getting until you get it.
You may have to:
--learn how to walk while shuffling your feet because the cat may always be attached to your ankle or under your foot; they just like being with their humans;
--share the shower or tub; in order to take a shower or bath alone, you may have to be faster than the cat while racing to the bathroom;
--Buy stock in TP and paper towel companies -- SVs are excellent paper shredders;
--Never ever leave a drink unattended as long as the cat shall live;
--Learn to eat standing up with your hands above your head and still be prepared to lose a meal or two because these cats can jump;
--Secure all breakable valuables out of reach; they knock things over just because. There is this stuff called Quake Proof that you can buy to adhere valuables to surfaces if you want some sort of decor in your place;
--Secure all unbreakable valuables out of reach because they'll go missing just because;
--Get used to having a cat in every appliance, cupboard, & closet. Really important to check washing machine & dryer before use;
--Like having distressed looking furniture. I have a lot of different height cat trees & scratching posts yet they prefer my leather sofa, bar stools, & dining room chairs. My dining room chairs are wrapped in beach towels to preserve the fabric. Those towels are replaced each year, sometimes twice a year.
--Never ever take it for granted that the cat couldn't possibly do something or get into trouble in the most benign looking places because it likely will and you don't want any nasty surprises.
That's not all, but you get the picture. They are wonderful, delightful companions probably unlike any animal you've ever known. But, you have to be prepared to make a few adjustments in your life. Remember, when you tell your SV "no", s/he will hear "Try harder." Like I said, it can be charming and it can be a pain in the a$$.
