My Kids

The Cats

<---Back (to my page)

I wrote up this page several years ago when I was playing with web pages. I only come back and update things every couple of years. Last updated 8/16/2015

"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats." - Albert Schweitzer

"To respect the cat is the beginning of the aesthetic sense." - Erasmus Darwin

“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” - Sigmund Freud

"The smallest feline is a masterpiece" -- Leonardo da Vinci

"There are few tings in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat." - Tay Hohoff

"As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows, cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human mind." - Cleveland Amory

Cats became one of my true passions for several years. They still are, but I haven’t rescued in years. I’ve done my part for the community, and it has cost me in many areas of my life, but I’m proud I did it. I will continue to love my crew for their time here, fulfilling my promise to them.

In 2000, I moved in with a girl who had a cat (the one in the cruise'01 pics) and she said she wanted another, so I bought another for her (this would be Abigail, below). At the time, I was very allergic to them and I much preferred dogs. The cat bonded with me, and I started reading everything I could find about cats. That was the start of my obsession for these fascinating, exotic & loving creatures. (I lost the girl, but kept the cat). As for the allergies, I built up a tolerance.

These are the things I've learned that hooked me on cats:

If cats are aloof, they simply haven't been won over. There's nothing quite as satisfying as winning over the love of a cat. Cats are extremely tough, emotionally & physically. That doesn't mean they don't become attached & get hurt; it happens all the time with domesticated cats. In the wild, they're often loners until they find a mate, but domestic cats can be very social animals. Cats are the masters of patience and persistence; it's how they survive. They are not pack animals and therefore their first instinct will always be survival, not submission. If it has to, a cat will fight until it's dead or insane; it will never give up. I used to think this meant they weren't as smart as dogs. Now I know that's not true; cats are smarter than dogs in some ways and dogs are smarter than cats in some ways (in numbers). "Smart" is very complex & humans try to simplify it too much. This also doesn't mean they can't be trained. You just need to do it differently.

Cats have been given the stereotypes of fluffy, cute, girly, aloof... After learning about cats, I'm amazed at how off that is. Don't get me wrong, I've always loved dogs, especially big dogs. But I've found cats appeal much more to my masculine side than dogs. Cats are extremely tough. I love to just sit & watch them hone their instincts. Dogs submit much easier than cats. Dogs rely on the pack for decisions. Cats don't trust anything unless they've learned it for themselves. That's smart. It's true, there's nothing cuter on the planet than a kitten, but that's just because it's funny to see such a little fluff ball act so tough & independent.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Gandhi

"Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to a man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures".

"Working to ease the suffering of sentient beings, to improve the situation on the planet, is the only way to happiness, contentment and peace."
-- The Dalai Lama

These are mine

(I've listed them in the order they came to me)

(Click on a pic for the large version)

Bastet (aka Abigail), born 5/00

She was my first, and I actually bought her for a girlfriend. I've had big dogs in my life since I was a baby and at the time, like most people, I thought cats were just naturally aloof. This one, however, taught me that it's the people that make them that way, through our assumptions. Along with many other things, I learned how much cats thrive on love & I've been a cat guy ever since. She's 8lbs of beauty you could stare at for hours. I've never seen a more perfectly formed, perfectly painted cat.

Ariel (top) & her brother, Johnny (bottom)

...both born 4/02

I don't play favorites, but these two are surely closest to me. After parting with the girlfriend & her other cat, I decided to get Abigail a friend. These two had been rescued as tiny kittens by the Animal Care Center at Sawmill, by themselves and barely surviving. Ariel is Daddy's little girl & spends most of her time cuddled on my chest & purring in my ear. John, born her protector, is big (35"), strong, beautiful, gentle & affectionate. Cats aren't pack animals and as such, they don't establish a pecking order, but Johnny is definitely the one who looks out for all of them. Johnny has been diagnosed with pancreatitis and he almost lost his life when I was away on business one week. Luckily, the wonderful folks at Best Friends Animal Hospital in Powell helped me save his life. He's pretty much back up to his normal weight and as long as I give him his medications every day & keep him on his prescription food, he's going to be fine. Everyone at the vet's office and everyone who has cared for Johnny has raved about what an incredible cat he is. He just seems to win people over.

Update: My boy Johnny passed in October, 2014. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through in my life and I’ve been through some stuff. We got to spend a few weekends together outside in the yard, just hanging out and being with each other. We both loved it. This guy taught me so much about life. I’m writing this almost a year later, and his sister is still not quite the same. She gets lonely much easier and needs more attention now.

Achilles (Josh), born 7/00?

He was roaming outside my apartment when he was about 2 years old (just guessing). He acted as if he'd been expecting me & he's been unbelievably loyal to me ever since. He was dirty, un-neutered & had an open wound where most of his toe was gone and no one called to claim him. He's a stocky 14 lbs of solid muscle & he knows no fear. I think he actually believes he could take me down if he needed to. He shows more physical affection than any dog I've ever known; it's really something to see.

Speed, Hollywood & Blackjack

Three brothers born 9/03

A woman I work with found Speed and Hollywood behind her house, where the mother had lived feral for years. When I first met them, Hollywood pooped on my hand & it's been true love ever since. They were wild & scared, so I wanted to give them a home where they could stay together. Several weeks later, she was able to get her hands on their brother, Jack, so I took him in too. Speed is faster than any cat I've seen. He & Hollywood are the acrobats of the house & like to show off for company. Blackjack was a little more shy, but a lot more willing to be held. He loved just being close. Jack took ill in early 2008 and passed away within a few weeks. I now think he & Johnny both ate some grass that had insecticide. When I let them out on the patio, those two always ran for the grass. I didn't put 2 & 2 together until it was too late.

Blizzard, born 3/04

Blizz was one of 7 cats that I rescued by my Bride Water apartment between 8/4 & 12/04. I found homes for the others, but Blizz & I decided to stay together. His fur is like silk. He's always wanting to be close, he's quite a catch. He's the troublemaker right now, but I hope that changes as he gets older.

Update several years later: Ha! He hasn’t changed a bit. He is a bully. And huge. I’ve tried, but can’t slim him down. But he’s happy.

Lucky, born 3/07?

I found Lucky crossing the street right in front of me back in 2008. So the name came naturally. I gave him to my brother Dan and he stayed there 2 years, then came back to me. Wasn’t able to place him, so here he stays. Lucky is very timid, but a LOVE SPONGE. He has trouble fitting in with the others but loves to be all over people.

Stumpy, born 9/07?

So I was truly saying no in 2009. I saw a cat on my step, talked to it for a second and it walked away. Knew I couldn’t help it. Next day, saw another in the parking lot, talked to it and it ran up to me and begged for attention. Gave it a little food but said no. 2 mornings later, my neighbor knocks on my door and asks me if one of my cats got out. There was a little girl in the bushes in front of my place, pregnant, and missing a leg. OK, God, fine. I’ll take her at least until the kittens are born. Luckily I was able to place all 4 of her kittens. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a home for her. I did get an offer after 4 years, but it was too late at that point. She’s home. Stumpy is my smallest, yet my toughest cat. She hangs out downstairs with the big bullies and she takes no crap.

Others who've passed on...

Morris (DOB- Summer 2004?)

Read more on FeLV here - http://www.felineleukemia.org

Morris lived for 4-5 years with no signs of disease. He seemed to keep it in Stage 1. His coat was thick so he was fluffy & soft. He was extremely polite & well mannered. He was brought to me by a neighbor after being bitten by a Pit Bull. His ear looked like a balloon & he required expensive surgery, but he recovered quickly. I tried to work with the neighbor, but they had no intention of keeping him inside or ever getting him any kind of veterinary treatment. He lived all alone in my spare bedroom for a couple of years until my brother was able to take him (because Whitey died). Unfortunately, he got out a 9th story window a week after going to my brother's. We never found him, but hopefully he went quickly. I still have nightmares about the poor guy. I wish I could've done better for him.

Click here

for more

pictures

of Morris

Calvin (right) & Hobbes (left), born in 1991

These two cool looking Siamese brothers lived in the same house for 14 years. Their owner took them to a vet to have them put to sleep in June of '05. She had lost her husband a few years back & had just decided to join a monastery. One of the volunteers at CCC was there & couldn't let it happen. She brought them back to the shelter & I took them home right then. They stayed in my office & Hobbes loved to be held & stroked. Calvin never really let me get very close to him, unless he was in his bed & I came in slowly. Calvin got very sick when I brought a foster mom in from CCC and was never able to shake it. He was miserable, not able to breath very well. So I made the incredibly hard decision to let them go. I had a mobile vet come out and peacefully put them to sleep while in my arms.

...galleries

Never did get his pic on here. I'm sorry Whiskey...

Whiskey: DOB-Early 2005, passed in March of 2007

Whiskey was a skinny, light orange & white tabby. I 've had Morris so long, I decided I needed to at least get him a friend if he's to spend his days in my basement. So I told Cindi @ Cozy Cat to call me with her next FeLV+ cat. A few weeks later, along came Whiskey. He was very scared of everything at first, but warmed up quickly. Whiskey grew sick and by the time I realized it was going to end soon, it was a holiday weekend and I couldn't get the mobile vet out to the apartment. That's the only way I will euthanize, because I don't want a cat to suffer the anxiety & fear of strange places & people during their last moments. Anyway, this meant I had to simply lay with him & watch him die. It was pretty awful watching him die, but that's life. God took him and at least I was able to lay with him & let him know he was loved during his last moments.

Bodacious DOB-Early 2007?, passed October 5, 2007

She was a cute little white kitten that was FeLV+ and needed a home. Since Whiskey passed, Morris was once again alone, so I took her in to be his buddy. Morris has always been indifferent to other cats, so she did annoy him a little, but he kept her under control and I think she taught him how to be close with her. He let me know he was upset when she got sick & even more so when she left. She was such a sweet kitten who simply wanted love & attention. I'm so sad I didn't give her more.

Other cats I've fostered or rescued & found homes for:

Cassandra is one I fostered in 2005

She is a rescued cat from Cozy Cat Cottage, who I met while manning a Cozy Cat table at Petco. Cassandra had a severely mangled left paw (not sure if it was that way at birth or not) and Cozy Cat forked out $1600.00 to have a rod put in her leg. She got adopted the day after she went back to CCC & she's doing wonderfully. Click here for the rest of the story...

Also in 2005, I fostered Maia & her 5 kittens,

born on 05/05/05.

Maia passed away 4 weeks after giving birth, but the kittens went to CCC & have already been adopted out. Click here to see them.

Shanzi & Chance were my 2006 fosters

Shanzi & her sister, Lulu, were rescues at CCC. The vet thought they were both pregnant, so I took them both home, but as it turns out, only Shanzi was pregnant. She let me know when she was going into labor, so I was able to get her all set up, but it didn't go well. The first one was tiny & still-born. The second was full sized, but also still-born. After another 8 hours and no more cats, I took her to Best Friends and they immediately operated. They found one still-born and one alive. So out of that tragedy came one beautiful kitten. She was first named Hope, then Chance, but someone at CCC decided to call her Wishes. Once I took them back to the shelter, they were adopted (separately) within two months.

Pics coming soon...

Dora & Gladys:

Taken in by Denise, a person I used to work with. They were brought to me by the neighborhood girls, who know me as the Cat Man. Their mother is Lady, below. Denise is the lady who found Hollywood, Speed & BlackJack

Lady & Romeo

Taken in by Jenny, another wonderful person I work with. They now live with her daughter, Shauna. Two more left out roaming in the cold by people in the apartments around me.

Whitey

This guy lived in an apartment behind me, but the tenants soon started keeping him outside all the time, and then they moved out & decided not to take him. He was pretty scared just being outside. I trapped him & took him into my quarantine room (my laundry room) and he instantly showed me an enormous amount of gratitude. It was plenty obvious how happy he was to be getting attention, warmth & safety. Unfortunately, he tested positive for feline leukemia and therefore had to remain always separate from healthy cats. Feline Leukemia positive cats are killed at shelters, even "no-kill" facilities. Luckily, my brother Dan, a dog person like I used to be, opened up his heart & his home to this guy & now Dan has a new outlook on cats. He wants to write a book with me called "Cats for Dog Lovers".

Lilly

She was a very small female in heat that I found behind my Bride Water apt. and it's easy to tell she's never been indoors. I held on to her for a couple of months and although she enjoyed the steady temperature & food, she made it clear that she wasn't going to loose her toughness or her feral spirit (she would constantly pick fights with my other cats, who are twice her size). Luckily, a wonderful co-worker offered to let Lilly live out on her farm with a couple of other barn cats. So far she's been doing great. Being outside will shorten her life-expectancy, but it's a life she's used to, so she should be happy.

Update: Being outside certainly did shorten her life. Something unknown happened to her in early 2006 and she managed to drag herself back to the house before collapsing & dying. At least she found some love before she went.

Lucky

Lucky was a black cat who ran in front of my car the day after I met a great girl in January, 2008. This girl turned out to be someone I thought I'd be marrying. After Morris passed, my brother was able to take Lucky. Shortly after, the girl & I broke up. Hope my bro is benefiting from the luck!

I highly recommend the book, "Think Like a Cat".

Click here to read about de-clawing...

"We are healthy only to the extent that our ideas are humane." --Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

"Ethics are complete, profound, and alive only when addressed to all living beings. Only then are we in spiritual connection with the world. Any philosophy not respecting this, not based on the definite totality of life, is bound to disappear..." --Albert Schweitzer

"I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being." --Abraham Lincoln

"The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of human beings." --Leonardo Da Vinci

"By condoning cruelty to animals, we perpetuate the very spirit which condones cruelty to men. Humanitarians do not say that the lower forms of life must be treated in the same way as the higher forms, but that in both cases alike we must be careful to inflict no unnecessary, no avoidable suffering." --Henry S. Salt