About 17 or so years ago, I brought home twin kittens - Charlie and Shaolyn. Charlie was an all black male, and his sister was all grey. Well, she was actually a silver kitten, but eventually grew darker as she aged. I lost Charlie about three years ago, and buried his sister two years later. Shaolyn (affectionately referred to as "Shooshie") originally belonged to one of my exes, but it was mutually decided that if we broke up, she was to stay with her brother (and me naturally, lol.) They were my bestest friends besides being my fuzzy children. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of them - or sing the songs I've made up for them over the years.
Shortly after Shooshie's death, we adopted Maxwell from an animal shelter. He's a striped grey tabby with lots of attitude and a load of spunk. We were a bit nervous about introducing him to Ember, who is an older classic marked orange tabby. Things didn't go so well at first - but they do co-exist peacefully provided Max doesn't instigate - which he does quite often, lol. At this point, I think Max is keeping Ember on his toes and keeping him sharp. Well, that's what we hope.
Max is a sharp little guy. He's a pro bug catcher and could play until he collapses from exhaustion. He's also a talker who especially likes to talk back when reprimanded. His trademark is meowing while yawning. I guess he figures he'd kill two birds with one stone. He learns quickly and is quite ingenious - except when it comes to doors - he hasn't quite figured out the push/pull thing.
Ember doesn't meow like "normal" cats. He tries to enunciate. He's been known to have said "I don't know", "kumbaya" and can now say "water". He says "momol" for mommy, and when he's especially aggravated, he'll mumble on and on ... I guess it's a blessing that we don't actually know what he's saying - we may not want to know. I have never heard him meow once, but he can hiss quite well though. Heh.
I have a weakness for black cats and Mare has a weakness for orange. I still want another kitten, but I have a feeling Mare will win this one.
I cannot imagine a life without cats. I used to be severely allergic as a child, but can't tell you how grateful I am to be able to tolerate them now. I'm still allergic, but I deal with it. Having the fluffy love is worth every sneeze, hive or itch.
