Meet the cast

This is Kafka.

She is probably about 16 or 17 years old. She literally followed me home one day and cried outside my window until I let her in. She was a very young kitten, likely lost from her litter mates too soon, and as a result she is an exceptionally needy cat.

She loves to be held and carried around and given half a change she will suckle you. People that meet her think it's adorable when they meet her, but it gets old real quick. But still when I am sad she's always just pure love and affection like a living stuffed animal. Except when you put her in a cat carrier, then she turns into a foaming at the mouth she-beast. The vet will not see her unless she's been properly sedated first (she's scarred her fair share of vet staff)

This is Kona (aka "Fatty")

Kona is 8 years old from a litter of feral kittens found in my in-laws woodpile in the backyard. She is remarkably well socialized all things considered. Very social with us (esp during her kittenhood) and with people who are over a lot, very wary of strangers, not much of a lap cats but likes to be close by to where we are. She's been more reclusive since we moved to the new house, but gets along well with Kafka.

This is Pigwidgeon (aka Stinker)

Stinker (she responds to that name) is probably one of the most socialized cats I have ever known. She was from a litter of a barn cat belonging to a co-worker. she'll be a year old this fall. Not only does she come when called (85% of the time which for a cat is amazing) she lets us now when she wants windows open, when she needs to go downstairs, and will even tolerate a leash for short periods of time. Yes, she has trained us well. She is very outgoing, friendly, active and fearless. And spoiled. She doesn't get along with our other cats so much (Kona still hisses at her) and in fact she loves to taunt them (which is how she earned the name Stinker) but she is very very closely bonded with us.

And finally......

This is Bauer

Bauer is a purebred Coton de Tulear puppy we adopted from a breeder in the AZ/NV area. Since we just brought him home Aug 8th 2009 we don't have much else in the way of background on him, and naturally this blog is about his transition into our family.