I currently have 3 furry children, all cats and all girls I like to say it’s a sorority in my house!

I grew up with cats, all boys, interestingly enough. There was Rocky I, Rocky Racoon, had a mask around his eyes and rings on his tail. He was around before I was born and very protective when I did come around, he was at my side, on the baby blanket, if I cried, he came running.

Next came Rocky II (sensing a theme?), or as I named him, Rocky Baby Boobie, he was orange on orange striped and so wonderful, let me play with him, lead him around.

Next came Rocky III, a very cute grey kitty who was brought to us on my sister’s fourth birthday. He was such a good cat, he let her drag him around by a string attached to his flea collar, not to worry kids, she was a little girl.

Nougat (new cat) came while I was in high school, I was away for the weekend and the family brought him in the house (he was a stray that we heard was thrown out of a car window on the expressway or service road) and my mother fell in love and he was her baby. He was part Maine Coon, fat and fluffy.

So, as you can see… I grew up in a cat household.

So, when it was my turn, and I’ve had some interesting babies (rabbits, rats, yes, I said rats, I’ll tell you about them sometime) I inherited my first cat, a beautifully black cat, had Persian in her, with the same name as my sister! It was a little odd if I was on the phone with my sister, yelling at my cat!

I was her first stable home and eventually, she came to be mine fully and I loved her, she could be a *itch, let’s just say, but she was still mine and I was crazy about her. She was always there for me, when I was sick or sad, she was right there with me, when I would sing in the bath or shower, I wasn’t sure if she was singing with me or crying because she thought I was hurt!
She was 4 or 5 when I got her and about 19 when I had to put her down, she outlasted any roommate or relationship that I had!

I was with her when she died, I held her in my arms as the last breath left her body and it was one of the hardest moments of my life, but I knew that I was doing what was best for her, but my heart did ache. The mousepad I travel with has a picture of me holding her, she’s always with me.

I thought she needed a friend, boy was I wrong! I brought 2 cats into the house, Biscuit, who I thought was a sweet little girl…oops…after I gave her to a new mommy, we found out she was a sweet little boy! Oh boy!

Things were never the same after I brought Jymy home, what a cute ball of fur! I got her from a shelter, the minute I picked her up, she fell asleep in my hands, how could she not be mine! She was such a bundle of energy, she would catch and fetch and chase, not sure if she thought she was a puppy! She event hunted and brought me presents, oh my!

Everyone always wants to know how she got her name. We picked her up at the Blue Ridge Arts Festival one year and on the way home, I asked the kids what to call her “Jymy” they shouted in unison! (For some reason the wasband used to call me Jimmy as a nick name, not even remotely related to my name, but there you have it).

Shortly after I put my baby down, I added Peanut and Butter to the family, so tiny and adorable! I thought that if Jymy didn’t like them, at least they would have each other, I got lucky! Happy home!
Peanut is all grey and Butter, my little panther. It took a little, but they warmed up and it was heaven.

Unfortunately, a few years ago, we had what was referred to as “snowmaggeden” and Butter got out and I haven’t seen her since and I still miss her.

Jymy sleeps at my head and Peanut in the crook of my body, they are never far from their mommy. Jymy will actually put her paw or head on my head, kind of hold it.

Over the summer, I inherited another cat, Bella. She looks like Jymy, but fluffier, she’s a beautiful cat, full and fanciful. She was in a home with her brother and two small children, all of which stressed her out. The brother was given to a good home, which left the two small children, this didn’t work for Bella. So… Here we sit with three cats in the house and finally, it’s getting a little better, there isn’t as much hissing ALL the time, but there is still hissing I think she’s the one who’s been using the dining room as a litter box (I think I mentioned that in another posting). She really is a very sweet cat, when she wants to be.

So, my friends, there you have it, my furry babies. I have three, its four or more and you’re the crazy cat lady!

Meow to you.