There are a lot of cat people around……and there are a lot of dog people around. However, if you’ve never had or wanted a cat you’ve missed a lot of fun. First off, Cat People don’t like to hear a person say, “I don’t like cats because they are too independent and aloof. Dogs, however, are friendly, loving and show lots of personality.” Yah, but…….you have to walk a dog in good or bad weather. Give me a cat and litter box any time rather then having to go out late at night and walk the dog.

First, let me explain away the idea that cats do not have personalities. I have two house cats, three adopted strays who stay outside but sleep in the garage and two stray males who happened on the scene and decided I was a push-over for free food. All of them have very distinct personalities. However, the last two males are not allowed in the garage after I found they sprayed everything in sight.

Callie is the eldest. We named her so because she was, of course, a Calico cat. She came in 2001 half starved and scared. Small and demure she was light as a feather and a real lady.

Next came Chevy, a tiny kitten that was running around parked cars at the Chevrolet dealership. It would have only been a matter of time until he would run out under a car on Main Street and be killed. He was a spunky, mischievous gray and black Am. Shorthair.

Lovey was next. She was a young Blue Russian cat who rode into the parking lot in the back of a pickup at the Highway Patrol Headquarters. She waited at the door and ran in when she had a chance. Becky called to see if I would come pick her up because of course she couldn‘t stay at the office……..that got me another kitty. Lovey has always been starved. I feed the three of them in the garage when I let them in at night and they eat out of a round plate. She is a master at wolfing down most of the food from the two who eat with manners. She immediately pushes her head into the center (or beyond) and eats side to side then backs up enough to eat the food all the way back to the edge of the plate. I hate telling on her but she is a Miss Piggy.

(To be continued.)

Essentially Esther