My first cat actually is my first cat. Simon James is a fat beautiful baby that I have had since November 2001. I was eleven. This cat has been my baby since I was a baby. His nicknames include: Simey, Timey, Fat Squishey, Lord Tubbington, Sigh, and Kittypotomus, He loves the outdoors but while outdoors he is usually sprawled out in the sun somewhere. Otherwise he is on a couch hogging your spot or on the bed hogging your spot. He will snake your couch space in the time it takes you to get a glass of water. Also, he is very smart and even spiteful at times. He likes to drink out of the sink faucet and no where else. If we don't turn on the faucet for him he will whine (which for him sounds like a little moan, he doesn't have a real meow). If we kick him off the bed too much or are gone for too long, he will poop on the floor. This cat weighs nineteen (19!) pounds. He's looking at me as I type this... Don't try to give me advice about "oh you should put him on a diet". Because it doesn't work. Simon eats Royal Canin Light Indoor food and it does nothing. But it was a big step up from meow mix. Simon is the cuddliest, loviest cat ever. All he wants to do is have a good cuddle while your taking a nap on the couch or sleeping in bed.
Our second "child" is Aunichee Rose. She usually goes by Neech or Peach though. Greg got her when she was just a tiny little kitten back in 2004. Neech can be a little prickly but only because she likes to be loved on her terms. As soon as you sit down, Neech will want to curl up in perfect kitty position to sleep. But move an inch and she will spaz out and run away. Weird sweet little kitty. She has a beautiful coat and always looks like she's posing to be in Cat Fancy. She is also very tiny and light. A perfect black haired little model. She always sleeps next to me and her favorite thing is being chased by Riley and then hissing at him when he catches her.
And now for Riley Trace. Riley often goes by Ry-roo, Roo, Rye, Little Dude, Punk-Ass Kid, etc. We got him in September 2010 when he was just a kitten. We went into the pet store in the mall and Greg wants to hold the kitten. Greg then says, "we have to get him." I told him no, that we already have two other cats. And he says, "just hold him." And then it was all over. Riley was sick however from the time that we got him. He slept all the time and had diarrhea. Four or five days after we got him, he started throwing up, wouldn't eat and wouldn't drink. His condition deteriorated quickly and he wobbled when he tried to stand, he was listless and cold. Greg stayed up all night watching to see if his chest was moving. In the morning we rushed him to the hospital. The doctor took a look at him. He weighed only 1.6 pounds and his temperature was 93 (cats are supposed to be at least 102). The doctor told us that he was very sick and that there was a chance we could lose him. We were already so attached to this little ball of black and white fuzz. After two nights in the hospital and heated IV fluids, he was able to come home. On a special diet of canned wet food he gained weight and did better.
Now he is an 8 pound fully grown cat, although he still hasn't matured. This was not the lethargic sleepy little kitten we bought at the pet store. He is a wild ball of energy. Bouncing off walls and finding something to mess up no matter what. He is a whiner and thinks he's tough but is too scared to be outside without mommy or daddy or Simon. Total third child.So now I'm sure you think I'm a crazy cat lady who mutters to herself and smells like cat pee on a bus but I'm not. Somehow, we keep the house clean and pee-free even though sometimes I feel like I have to follow Riley around with a vacuum.
Greg and I love our kitties. Although it would be nice to have a bigger place for them. But more on that another time.
