Pets Pets
Yep, we've got some. Cats, actually. Apparently when it comes to cats, you either love 'em or hate 'em. We adore
the little hairballs... So much so that we have six of them that live here. Actually, they pretty much run the
place, and the rest of us human-types just hang out and cater to their every whim. We knew we were in trouble when
the cats outnumbered the people 2 to 1... All are rescued strays, all are altered. They are your "indoor only"
variety - having been rescued they don't have a whole lot of interest in going back outside. They have lots of
big sunny windows to lounge about in, a never-ending supply of lovely crunchy food, cool sparkling water, the most
expensive litter ever produced to do their business in, and our complete and total adoration. Their names are (in
order of seniority) BoyBoy, DustBunny, Zoomer,
Bitsy, Zoe, and Flat Stanley
BoyBoy came to us one night when there were storm warnings, and tornadoes swirling in the skies. He 
sat on our front porch, scratched on the door, and
wouldn't give up until we let him in! He is "head cat"; the other three tend to follow his lead. Over
the years he has mellowed quite a bit, and these days he is most content to curl up in a warm, sunny spot and watch
the world go by. BoyBoy is a very vocal cat - and if that doesn't get your attention, he has also learned how to
bang the kitchen cupboard doors by pulling them open ever so slightly, and letting them go! This usually signals
a need for more food, or more attention... With BoyBoy it could be either! BoyBoy is a very social cat, and considers
it his "duty" to greet everyone who visits the house. BoyBoy is also the "old man" of the group,
at an (estimated) age of 20 years. Our vet believes that he was approximately 5 years old when he adopted us. A
true "gentleman", BoyBoy is everyone's friend, as long as they remember he has the most senority! 
DustBunny is so named because he runs and hides under the bed whenever anyone rings the doorbell. If
you ever do 
come over,
expect that it will be hours, possibly days before you will ever actually see DustBunny, and then he will probably
be a gray streak on his way to the food bowls or the litterbox. He is truly the most shy cat we have ever known.
He is also the sweetest and most loving of our cats; he will "dance" on a soft lap endlessly, kneading
his paws and purring so loudly that he drowns out the television. He never bites or scratches, and endures "pets"
from even toddlers with a tolerance that is amazing. Duster also rarely "meows", instead he chirps! 
You know he is your friend when he
gives you a gentle "head-butt". We found Duster in a parking lot next to a puddle of anti-freeze. He
was less than 8 weeks old at the time, and a skinny little shivering kitten. Duster is Sarah's Official "Office
Cat" and has a place of honor on Sarah's desk from which he "supervises"! DustBunny is now over
15 years old, and is the largest (or at least the "fluffiest") of all our cats.
Zoomer is Zoomer because he used to have a marked propensity for always running everywhere. He has been
diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and gets insulin injections 
twice a day here at home. Zman used to be able to jump very high, and could
balance for a long time on his back feet, not unlike a squirrel or a rabbit, however diabetic neuropathy has robbed
him of some of his athletic abilities. Zoomer gives "pets" to the people he really loves - he reaches
out one paw, and "pets" their face gently! Because he was such a tiny kitten when we found him, Zoomer
has learned much from the two older cats; one of the things he learned from DustBunny is to run and hide when the
doorbell rings! Zoomer tends to sleep on his back, with all four paws in the air. He also "talks" in
his sleep frequently. His favorite place to sleep is on top of any unsuspecting human. Zoomer was headed for a
terrible fate at 8 weeks when we rescued him. He is now eight years old, and still not quite ready to give up his
kittenhood! Zoomer's nickname at the vet: "Zoomless" or "Zoom-No-More" (after he was neutered!)
One thing Zoomer has never learned from the other cats: how to purr. 
Little Bit is now our "senior" girl kitty. When we found her and brought her home, she was
smaller than a Beanie Baby, just a little bit of 
a kitten! More than two years later, we call her "Bitsy", and she rules us all!
Like a little princess, she reigns supreme over all the kitty boys in the house, and our hearts! Bitsy will always
be right in the middle of whatever is going on, and her curiosity is insatiable. Her favorite game is "scary
monster", sitting up on her back legs, and throwing her front paws out. So far, no one has been too scared...
The other cats just lick her on the head, and go on about their business! Bitsy is also a "sink drinker", demanding a fresh stream of water
whenever anyone gets near a sink. The utility company has named her "customer of the quarter" twice this
year! Bitsy is very definately Emily's cat; her favorite place to sleep is under the covers, curled around
Emily's feet! She's also very vocal, and will "talk" until she gets whatever she is after! Bitsy is five
and 1/2 years old now.
Zoe is our "baby" girl kitty; in November of 2000 we found her living in a drainpipe in the side of
a local building.
Our
vet estimated that Zoe was 12 weeks old when we found her; she had apparently been "dumpster diving"
to survive. Like Bitsy, she was no bigger than a Beanie Baby when we found her, but her appetite was (and still
is) legendary! Zoe is a very curious cat, and is also an excellent jumper -- one of her favorite perches is on
top of the doors leading out to the sunroom. She has learned "tricks" from all of her older siblings:
BoyBoy taught her how to bang the kitchen cabinet doors; Dustbunny taught her how to run and hide when the doorbell
rings; Zoomer taught her "flop" for belly rubs, and Bitsy taught her how to burrow under the covers like
a deranged mole. Zoe "peeps" more than she meows, and will run ahead of us into a room, and then dramatically
"flop" onto the floor, turning belly-up. She loves to be petted on the belly, and will continue to "flop"
in front of you until she is satisfied! Zoe is "the queen of the laundry"; she is never happier than
when the dryer is running, and she is curled up in the basket on top... in the middle of a load of towels warm
and soft from the dryer! Zoe is four years old now.
"Flat Stanley" or Tanner, was a "problem child" when he was born in a local transmission repair
shop in June of 2003. Because of his 
position in the womb, when Tanner was born he was... well, flat! Since Emily had read the "Flat Stanley" books in third grade just the year before, we decided to name this
funny little guy after the main character. Our vet told us that Flat Stanley should live a healthy and normal life,
although x-rays do show that things are a bit out of place inside. When he lies on his side, Stanley looks so flat
that he has earned the nickname "roadkill kitty"! However, when he is standing or sitting, you really
can't tell there is anything wrong with him. Tanner is a real character, and appears determined to enjoy every
moment of his kittenhood, for as long as he can. Flat Man Stan is the only cat to ever give Zoe a run for her money
- he will chase her through the house at dangerously high speeds, and then just sit and look at her when she stops!
Although initially Tanner could not jump at all, he has gained enough strength (probably from chasing 'ol Zoe around)
in his back legs that he can now jump well enough to visit the kitchen counter whenever he wishes. Tanner is now
approximately 18 months old, and is happy and healthy. BoyBoy is training Tanner to be "greeter cat",
and Tanner is learning quickly! 
Thanks for stopping by and visiting the cats! Chuck, Sarah & Emily (the humans)
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updated September 2004
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