MY 2 BABIES ARE MY LIFE !!

In fact, they give me life !!! We moved to AZ in Jan 04 and the only thing I missed was my cat I had to leave behind cause I couldnt catch her !! She was semi-wild. As we were packing up the U-haul and getting ready to leave, she was spooked by the new owners of our house and ran away. I was heartsick !!! But the new owners assured me they would find her and take care of her until I could come get her. I called them asking about her, but was told they never saw her again. I think maybe they just decided to keep her.. She was a wild calico cat that really didnt like anyone. I was so lonely in AZ without my cat. I looked for 2 months to find a kitten and finally got a little 4 week old gray strip baby. Her name is Peanuthead, and she thinks I am her MAMMA, as I weaned her myself, and she stuck to me like glue... She is the love of my life and her antics are a constant joy. Added a little black and white kitten to keep her company, whos name is Beederbeeder. They both are truly a joy !!

Danger, Danger! I started with 2 and I"m up to 5 and I wouldn't give any of them up. They range in age from 15 to 1 1/2. I had one that made it to one month shy of his 21st birthday. Boy, do I miss him. However, they each have their own personality and all of them get into mischief on a regular basis. I don't know how I could live without their company.

I hear ya both!! Mind a little story?? I started with one kitty three years ago (that my heart ALMOST hesitated to take in, as I'd lost my "first born" - I have a 2 year old daughter, but I still consider my persian, "Precious", my first born *l* -only a few months earlier to a heart condition after 9 wonderful years together ). I was pregnant with my daughter and my boyfriend (now husband) and I had just moved into an apartment together. The cat's owners had moved away and left this sweetheart behind!!! EVIL people!!!! Anyway, I was visiting my parents when I saw her. I called her and she came to me immediately. She rubbed all over me and was so grateful for food, water, and some attention. I fell in love with her immediately. I ran inside the house and called my boyfriend to ask if he was still wanting us to get a cat. He said "yes" and I told him, "Well, one is on the way!" *hehe* I got "Precious"'s cat taxi, put the kitty inside, and took her to her "forever home". The next day, I took her to the vet...Guess what? She was preggers!! The doc gave me the option of aborting the pregnancy and spaying her right then, but because I was preggers myself and even more emotional and sensitive than usual, I said "NO WAY!" My BF and I had intended to keep a kitten and "Mama Kitty", as we call her, then give away the others to good homes. Well, alas, Feb. 28, 2002, Mama Kitty gave birth under our bed to five gorgeous kittens - two black ones and three tabbies! (4 boys, 1 girl). To make a long story short (I know - too late! *hehe*), I fell in love with the entire bunch - and they remain a wonderful, loving part of our family. Our daughter, Jade, followed four months later. NOT DONE JUST YET!! This past summer, my ears perked up to the sounds of meowing outside our apartment building. Naturally, I investigated. I found the scrawniest little calico! She appeared to be an older kitten, around six months old or so. Apparently her owners, too, had moved away and left her behind. ARRGH!!! IRRESPONSIBLE JERKS!!!! Anyway, with six cats, a toddler, and two adults sharing 850 sq. feet, I really felt I couldn't bring her inside. So everyday for about a month, I'd go outside, feed her, give her water, and spend a lot of time showering her with affection. She'd sleep on the air conditioning unit until she heard the door to our building open. Then she'd see me, meow, and come running gratefully. I tried to get the local humane society to take her, but unfortunately they had a long waiting list. Then I made a web page with photos of her and sent it out to all of my friends with a desperate plea for someone to adopt this beautiful lil' girl. In the meantime, I'd started bringing her inside our apartment, much to my hubby's chagrin (he felt we already had too many cats - no such thing!! *lol*). To my surprise, she and our six cats got along reasonably well! Then one day, one of my friends emailed me and said she'd be interested in adopting the cat that I'd already named "Baby". TOO LATE! I'd already decided that this "Baby" was mine! *hehe* My hubby was furious, but I put my foot down and he's pretty much gotten over it now . Besides, our daughter LOVES "Baby" - and there was no way we were going to get rid of this little sweetie now! And guess what?? When I took "Baby" to the vet, it turned out that she was NOT a kitten - just a malnourished adult, approx. 3 years old! Her FULL name is "Lucky Baby" - I added on the "Lucky" when the vet discovered that her previous owners had already had her spayed! She had a bout of roundworm infestation, but she has been treated, is fully recovered, and now weighs (get this!) 15 lbs!!! Point of my story is this: There's always room in your life (and in your heart) for a cat - or 7! If anyone ever wants to "cat chit-chat" *hehe*, feel free to email me!! Take care, and God Bless all the animal lovers of the world!!! Amy Open RNY, 10/22/03 402lbs/268lbs.