When we started building our home in the country, I was down to one pet...
Smoochie was the best cat ever! He had a personality like no other. I've had more cats than I can count, and none compared. I was living in Dayton with another cat and a doberman (both shelter adoptions) when he found me. He decided my house was better than the alley.
Smooch lived out his remaining years loving the farm life! He died in his sleep in the barn. He is buried beside it. RIP dear Smoochie. The hole you left in my heart has never been filled.
One day, while visiting our builder, Ray fell in love with some orphans...
...and they came home with us! They were only days old and their bodies were cold, but they thrived.
From left to right: Chubs, Paint Girl, Little Bear
Smooch took good care of them, trying to keep them out of trouble. We kept them in the basement of the new house until spring. We had planned on having them fixed when they were old enough...
Guess that shows how much we know about the physiology of cats! All our cats are now neutered/spayed! Some didn't survive the wild farm life, some found new homes. We still have six.
Chubbers is King! He had a healthy appetite from birth, and now is one hefty cat! Contrary to rumors... he is NOT on steroids!
Little Bear lives in the garage (really the living room) when the weather is bad. She doesn't like being in the barn with her brother and the kids!
Mickey was the smallest girl of Little Bear's litter.
She looked like a tiny mouse when she was born, hence the name. The others wouldn't let her near the barn or the food bowl, so she eventually became the bedroom cat!
She slips out the bedroom door late in the morning and heads for the woods. She returns later with a present for me! I don't think I could sleep without her on the bed.
Benji is Little Bear's other daughter... a true barn cat. She wouldn't dream of coming in the house, but she refuses to sleep outside! Her home has always been on the hay stack. Her favorite snack is a baby bunny. She has been known to leave her scraps on the tractor! She is a bit of a loner, but the others don't mess with her. She can hold her own!
Squeaky, Little Bear's son, is a talkative cat.
When he was a baby, he meowed constantly! He still does! If you talk to him, he meows. If he walks, he meows. He is afraid of everyone, except me. Nobody else can get within 5 feet of him!
He is not afraid of other cats. He is a big bully... Chubber's sidekick. Together, they decide when the others shall eat, sleep, whatever...
Teddy Bear is a very special boy. He was the runt... so very tiny. I didn't know if he'd make it in the tough world. It's amazing how much respect the other cats give him. Teddy has the most distinctive purr... it's almost rattly. His face does not give away his gentle nature. He is the most lovable cat in the world! Sadie gets annoyed at him because he constantly rubs on her whenever he sees her. Teddy walks with a wobble... not because there's something wrong with him; It's just the way he is.
I'll post a picture of him when I find one. For now, enjoy the video.
