I have 2 cats, Nutmeg and Figment. They are both calico, one is traditional colors and short hair, one is faded with just grey and honey color, but mostly long white hair. I love them so much that first step in the door after work I call out "where are my babies" or "kitties!". They come to see me right away. Mostly for food. But they love me and come to me for snuggles,too. I love my kitties!!! Susie C.

Hello! You are so right when you say that it takes years off of their lives by them being overweight. I just took my kitty to the vet (one of them-I have nine!) and he weighed in at 17 lbs. I didn't let him get this way on purpose, it just happened. He is one of two of mine that are overweight. Well let me explain to you actually why I had to take him in. He had beautiful long hair. Well, he got too big to groom himself, and he got full of knots. I had no choice but to have him shaved down. You may say big deal, but let me tell you, to him it was! He was depressed for a couple of weeks. He would just lay on my bed, or the couch. He was very mad at me. (You may be wondering why I didn't brush him??? He wouldn't let me, he hated it, and would nip.) My other baby that is overweight is short-haired, and she has developed knots on her back as well. They are not as bad as his were, but they are getting there. I try brushing them out, and she hates it too. Another thing about her is that she breathes really heavy, her belly almost rubs the floor when she walks, she is just not healthy being that big. Its not good for a cat to be fat. Don't let your husband do that to her. Its not fair to her! She won't live long, and in a sense, he will be feeding her to death. Cats have tiny hearts that can't support a lot of weight. Please stop him!!! Desirae

Jeannie, I to have a feline love of my life. I have had bear for all his 7 years and don't know what I would do without him. Bear is a 24.5 lb male tabby that loves to attach himself to your leg for a trip down the hallway it's very difficult to drag his weight with you....lol. I have migraine headaches every so often and when I have 1 bear seems to know because when I lay down on my bed bear is right there to purr in my ear and he actually kneads my head and temple with his paws. Usually the migraine doesn't last to long with him doing this for me. I give him all the credit for my migraines easing off and not from the medication. I take Cats are wonderful animals and we are blessed to have 1 in our lives.... Take care,Dannette

Aligar is my 13 year old, diabeteic, morbidly obese, heart condition, arthritis suffereing and half blind cat. He isn't really lovey dovey but does allow you to pet him. Anyways, I had my gallbladder removed on Monday and got to come home the same day. He jumped up in bed with me and laid next to me, never moving unless it was 5:30 am or pm, when he eats and gets his insulin and does his kitty business. Anyways, everytime I took my medication for pain he would need his "pain pill" too, a couple of kitty treats. He would sometimes get up and come next to my head and purr as he worked his paws to try to make me feel better. I have only had him for just over 3 years and he has been such a joy in my family's like.

My poor baby was spayed and declawed today. She looks so pitiful!!! She's sleeping behind the couch right now. I feel so sorry for her. Her 2 older "sisters" are avoiding her because of her vet smell. I can't wait for her to be her old self again!!!!! Hugs, Connie (8/18/04)