We have cats. A lot of cats.

Not as many as some, but more than we intended.

And as most folks who have cats will tell you, they run the house. They have us very well trained in attending to their needs. But the love and entertainment we get back from them makes it all worth it!

We have 4 Maine Coon cats and one feral cat that was rescued from a litter born in a prison.

Here are the latest pictures of our feline family, taken in July 2006.

Annie and Max

DannyK   (Maine Coon, 4/2/94 - 12/17/07, 14 lbs)

Danny was a sweetheart, loved people and loved to play. He was very smart. He liked to drag his fish on a stick or mouse on a string to us. He would do this over and over, meowing all the way, because he learned he would get kitty treats each time! In December of 07 Danny suddenly got quite sick, we think it may have been cancerous tumors. Within a week he was gone, and the house is so quite now. We miss his loving ways and he ever-kittenish face and antics. There will never be another like him.

Jasmine   (Maine Coon, 10/24/92 - ..., 11 lbs)

Jasmine is our little princess. She is very shy and usually won't come out of hiding if other people visit the house (although she's gotten braver since we've moved to our new home). She is very soft and fluffy and loves to cuddle on Michael's tummy while he lies in bed. She purrs and drools all over him!

Max   (Maine Coon, 4/16/94 - 10/17/06, 21 lbs)

Max was our Maximum Cat. He was a big bruiser and never quite learned how to pull his punches, so we had to be careful when playing with him. But he was such a love that we forgave the fact that he didn't know his own strength. He had a very good ear and knew when the end credit music was playing after a movie and would get on our laps for attention! Max died quite suddenly in October of this year. He was fine one moment, and the next he was in severe distress with heavy panting, couldn't stand or walk without falling and rapid heartbeat. At the vet an x-ray was done and there was so much fluid in his lung cavity that you couldn't even see his heart. He was fading fast, and the vet said his heart was failing and there was not much that could be done, so we let him go. It was one of the hardest things we ever did. But at least it was quick and he did not suffer long. We miss him terribly. Thankfully, we have four other kitties to comfort us, as we comfort them on the loss of one of their own.                                                  Max will never be forgotten in our hearts. 

Stella   (rescue kitty, 3/1/01 - ...., 10 lbs)

Stella is our second little princess. She really took over when we brought her into the family 4 years ago. She is a small cat, looks almost kitten-size, but she is a little butterball so is quite round! She loves to play, all the time, and when she's not playing she is sleeping. She just drops wherever she is and conks out, just like a little kid.

Timon   (Maine Coon, 2/16/94 - ...., 17 lbs)

Timon (prounounced Timmen) is the head male cat, or so he likes to think. He always runs interference whenever cat disputes arise. He has the softest bunny-type fur and loves to cuddle between us at night on the bed. We have to be sure to leave enough space between us or he gets upset and cries!