My petting zoo!

My whole family is an animal family. All of us enjoy animals around. Some of us more than others. Some folks just don't care for pets. I know people who don't believe that animals have any personality. I know animals with more personality than those people! I have sympathy for those people who are allergic to animal dander/fur. They will never be able to understand the pleasure, of sharing your world with a pet.

I have always been more of a cat person than a dog person. I do enjoy dogs, but I seem to connect better with cats. I guess that is why I have allowed my family to accumulate 6 cats. 6 is the limit, and there will be no more than 2 after a few of these 6 pass on. Although that will be several more years, because the oldest of our cats is only about 7 or 8 years. The youngest are still less than a year.

My house is alot like a petting zoo. A small one at least. We currently have two dogs, lab mixes, 3 parrots, all African Grey's, and 6 cats. The birds will likely outlive me and my wife. The oldest, Oscar, is about 28 years old or so. He should live to be about 80 years old. The other two are siblings, of the same hatching. They are about 17 years old. They too should live to see 80 or better. The cats however, are what I wanted to chat about.

Dogs have masters, cats have staff!

That couldn't be more true. I love my cats. All 6 of them. The statement is true, though. When a cat wants something they make it very clear. They will continue to make it clear, until you do something about it. They also, don't come to you when you want them too, the way a dog will obey a command. The cat gets love, when the cat wants love.

All of our pets are rescues of some type or other. Some were picked up from the Pound. Others, were brought to us by people we know looking for a good home, while their circumstances prevented them from having pets any longer. All of the quadraped variety are just your common cats and dogs, with one calico cat, and one Siamese cat for exceptions.

Personality! That's what a cat has. Of the six, we of course have the ring leader. He is the oldest and the wisest of the bunch. He knows how to get them all fed, he knows how to get treats, he alerts the rest to a flock of birds outside. We call that "Kitty Vision." They all sit for hours just watching birds at the feeders outside. And he is the one you will have to move for the best seat in the house.

The next oldest, is Max. He really is Max - size that is. He is about an 18 pounder! That's cool, cause he has the biggest heart too. He is my cat, and I know it! He will cry until I come home from work, always has to be in my lap. Doesn't really like anyone else. He is also the guard kitty. He will growl at the door, if someone comes to the house. Don't beware of dogs, just beware of Max!

Then there is Morgan. All of our cats have names that start with the letter M. Makes it easy to get them confused. Like when your parents were mad a one kid, they would call out everyone elses name before they finally got to yours! My brother and sister know exactly what I mean there!

Morgan is the Siamese cat. Not your typical though. He is all white, with beautiful blue eyes. He is soooo cross eyed it is amazing he can see anything at all. I imagine that is why he is such a mean cat. Morgan loves the laser pointer, and is a cat nip fiend. Give him both and have hours of fun! His white fur is so soft, it is like an angora sweater. Morgan loves to be where his mommy is! He is her baby.

There is Mowgli. She is a loner kitty. Mommy's little "princess." Princess my ass! She is always getting picked on from two of the other cats. Morgan and Misty, like to be mean to her. She likes to be touched only when she wants it. If you try to pet her, she will slink around and avoid it, then run and hide. She is also the climber! She loves to be in the highest place she can find.

Misty, is the calico. She is still less than a year old. She is probably one of the cutest cats I have ever seen. There is just something about her. She loves to play with the other cats. She is also the cat that doesn't mind being picked up, and petted for extended periods. That of course makes her great for the kids. The neatest thing about Misty is the way she walks. Picture a gorilla walking towards you, on its front knuckles. That's the way she walks.

Last but not least is Minnie! Just like Max was max size, Minnie is a wee lass. This is the water cat. She loves to be in the bathroom. The sound of water draws her attention, like a fire siren draws killer bees, (see the movie "Swarm"). If she gets in the bathroom while you're taking a shower, she will stand on the toilet and stick her head in the tub, and watch you shower. When she isn't at the food dish, you can find her on the toilet, or at the sink. Something fascinating about water!

Once you get to know my cats on a first name basis you will fall in love. They can keep you amused for days. The best part of that is that they rarely ask for your interaction to do so. Just find a comfy spot to sit, (you may have to move a cat) and sit back and watch. They are great companions!