The Real Rulers of the Household

We've been adopted over the years by four cats. They just show up when it's time for us to open our hearts, home, and wallets to them. The amazing thing is that they all get along, more or less, without a lot of histrionics or enmity.

Gracie

Gracie showed up in late 2004, skinny and starving after apparently having been dumped near our rural property. She is the most loving, most stubborn, and most interesting kitty I've ever had the pleasure to be owned by. She is very much a one-person cat, and I am That One Person. Gracie doesn't have any teeth left, so her tongue will poke out when she gets distracted or fixated on something prey-like.

Gizmo & Pippen

Once again, we were found by kitties in need. In December 2006, Alan and I went on a winter afternoon walk to the mailbox and back. Two kittens came tumbling out of a field to greet us. We said hi, petted them a bit, then continued on our way home. Well, guess who came along? They really did follow us home (actually, Gizmo led the way, looking back over her shoulder at us frequently as if to say "Hurry up! It's cold and you need to feed us! Are we home yet? Where is home, anyway?!")

Gizmo (orange tabby) is assertive, affectionate, and she loves to have her tummy rubbed. Pippen (tortoiseshell) is ....well, she's interesting. She's very curious, very independent, and honestly, kinda klutzy. She's very good at clearing a table by jumping up and pulling down all the magazines she can grab at. Or she skates across all the magazines to the other side..... either way, the table is now clear. Then she yells at me like it's my fault.

Kiddo

Kiddo was my boy, my Lil' Guy, my hunka hunka purrin' love from September 1993 to January 2010.

I will miss you. My heart is broken, but I know you're at peace.