Cats in my Life

Yeah, my real name...

:-)

Thanks for sharing that info. Very interesting couple. Your mutual devotion to felines is heartwarming.

Hatha was a mixed-breed medium sized dog, about 16 years old when she was saved from the road (hit by a car). She suffered a broken backbone, but recovered since the spine was not damaged, only compressed. It took several months for sensation and control to return. I wrote about her some years back.

Belle was also 15 or 16 years old when she was abandoned on our front porch.

Hatha thought Belle was her puppy, and they were inseparable. Hatha left us first at age 22, then Belle about a year later at age (maybe) 23.

Always three on the counter top, suspiciously watching me make coffee for self and Sumako...

These three were the ringleaders. Mr. Christmas, Candy, and Siren:



Next day, changing of the guard. Mayday, Oliver, Siren:



The next morning, Mayday, Mr. Christmas, and Siren:



Mr. Christmas, Siren, and Mayday:



And so on through the week...

This was a bit amusing (and unsettling) at first. A bit eerie. Early every morning, sometimes after sunrise and sometimes around 5AM... They were mostly interested in following my every move as I made coffee, or watching my wife make fresh bread.

Kiki (last year, age 21 -- or 100 human years) taking a nap with our granddaughter Saki (age 7). She loved to be with Saki...

Anna was up all last night studying for her exams...

Waiting... Siren and Malaika.

Surveying his domain, anticipating rain. Gypsy on our (his) back wall, around 2004.

Oliver, circa 2010. He was born totally deaf and came to live with us when, as a kitten, he followed Sumako while she was walking our dog Hatha. He was walking down the middle of the road, and the only way Sumako could save him from being run down was to bring him home. I found later that he was deaf when I came into the lounge and shook my key ring quite loudly right behind him (no response), then touched him and got a jump-reaction. The vet later confirmed - totally deaf.

Oliver would lurk beneath his favorite chair until someone (anyone) would kick the ball, then rush out, grab ankles, then rush back under the chair to wait for the next attack. Never used claws, just grabbed with paws.