Today I’m sharing my fur babies.
In the top left corner is the gray tuxedo cat, Rupert, who was originally my oldest daughter’s cat, and he moved in with us when he was almost a year old. He’s 16.5 years young and, although dealing with a few health issues, appears to have a few lives tucked away to use. He’s our mother cat who has brought home a baby squirrel who fell out of the cedar tree and a bird who left the nest too soon. He left them safely with me and they were taken to the wild animal rescue. Rupert loves to snuggle and keep all the cats clean and safe. He is very loving, although sometimes, he will let you know with a well-placed bite if over-petted. I have to wrap him like a burrito to give him his thyroid pills or suffer the consequences.
Our only dog is Sara, who is 13 years old. She is a Shepard mix, and we enjoy our walks together on the magical trail. She never lets me out of her sight and is on the frail side now. Although in her day, she found a way over the fence when a bear was near my husband. She is our bear chaser, and they are afraid of her. When Hermie, her companion, was alive, sometimes they would find ways to escape and wander. She would be the one who would come home smelling of skunk. Then it was time for that bath with my special mixture of cloves, hydrogen peroxide, soap, and whatever else I thought of to throw into the mix.
The handsome brown tiger cat with bright green eyes in the top right corner is Chester. He is also thirteen years old and was a feral kitten whose mom was killed in our backyard by a dog we rescued from the pound. We could not keep the dog after that, but luckily she found a good home without cats. Then I had to rescue the scared and wild kitten left behind. It took a few days, but I finally tricked him into the house with tuna. He has his own room because his feral comes out sometimes in ways we can’t live with. He is the only cat that goes outside. Chester is the sweetest of all our cats and gives good standing hugs.
Next in the bottom left corner is our biggest cat at twenty pounds with the one white spot on his chest, eight-year-old Coco. He was born a day later than his littermates and had some health challenges as a kitten with his lungs, allergies, and finding all the parts needed to fix him. He was treated for his wheezing, and we figured out what he was allergic to that made his claws fall out. (cat sand) Those claws grew back, and after a few attempts, he was fully fixed. His charming personality makes him a celebrity at the vet. He is what I call a people-cat, and he is always bringing us his stuffed animal gifts, which you have to thank him, or he’ll meow until you notice. He and Chester dislike each other, though.
I adopted 2.5-year-old Luna with my grandson. He held her all the way home, and she snuggled under his chin. He was the one who named her. She is tiny but doesn’t know it. She loves music, especially when my husband plays his guitar. This all-black kitty with a single white whisker above her eyes is my husband’s biggest fan and fawns all over him when he is done playing. Coco fell in love with Luna so that she can get away with anything around him—and my husband. This kitty loves to cuddle under the covers but does not like to be held. When she wants in or out of a room, she will stand up and dig (without her claws) at the door until she is let in or out. She is the one that tries to escape outside, and it’s always at night. The chase is a game for her. Luna is clueless that mountain lions and coyotes won’t play with her.
Gray-striped Zuzu, named after the little girl on It’s a Wonderful Life, was a surprise addition to the family. While taking Luna to get her shots, I peeked at the kittens and went into the room with them. Well, I ended up with another cat when she sat at my feet with the cutest head tilt, and I figured Luna could use a playmate near her age. She is the most curious cat I’ve ever had and the most clumsy. If there is a crash in the house, Zuzu is the reason for it. She is why the roses I got for Valentine’s Day sit outside my window instead of the house. She is our lap cat and the one who will take care of any mice, lizards, or moths entering the house.
These are the animals that not only share our house but are my writing companions. When I write an animal or pet into my story, this devoted group has been influential in that process.
So, it’s not surprising that animals took a bigger role in my current story, A Voice in the Silence, that I’m currently finishing up. A dog, cat, and rat find an amiable lady who takes them in—of course, they aren’t your normal animals. More on that soon.
It was nice to “meet” your furry family members, Denise. I have a bear-chasing dog, too.:-) He’s also older and more frail now, too, but I still love him to pieces.
Thank you, Priscilla 🙂 I love the bravery of the bear chasers, and worry too. She once took on two bears treeing one and running off the other into the forest. I’m so glad the bears don’t realize they are stronger than our pups. In their hearts they will always be bear chasers!
I loved meeting your fur babies, Denise. I didn’t know you had five cats. My two are handfuls and I can see bit of their personalities in your kitties. I also have an escape artist (Little Bit).
Thank you, Joan 🙂 They are a huge handful but well loved too. Those escape artist are clever, yet clueless why we want to keep them inside!
That’s a lot of pets. We still have two silly dogs.
It is, and I realized I forgot our gold fish, Cleo.
How great to meet your wonderful fur babies. They are all adorable. We only have two crazy dogs but love them to bits.
Thank you, Darlene 🙂 It’s hard not to love them to bits with the unconditional love they offer, isn’t it?
Awwww, they are all adorable in their own way. I love how you shared the different aspects and personalities of each. And I have to say, Rupert is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Jan 🙂 They are unique in their own ways. Rupert is a handsome guy and had a Instagram page years ago through my son.
Denise, I LOVED meeting all of your fur-babies. This was such a wonderful post, with you sharing their personalities as well as photos. You definitely have a house full of critters. As the single dog in a houseful of cats, Sara must really love all of her feline companions. She sounds like quite the brave lady having gone after bears, too!
I always enjoy how you include animals in your stories, and I look forward to meeting those to be featured in A Voice in the Silence!
Thank you, Mae 🙂 I was excited to share my animals today. They all have such unique personalities. Sara is a special dog and has adapted to bring around all those kitties. She is especially good friends wirh the two older cats.
Denise, I enjoyed the stories about each animal, and your pictures are wonderful. I’m looking forward to the WIP!
Thank you, Linda 🙂 I spent some time chasing them around to get a current pic of them for this…lol
I wish I had so many furbabies! I’m particularly taken by the gorgeous Sara. What a face on her!
I ended up with more than I planned but love every one of them! Sara is a beauty ad a big flirt too 🙂
Lovely babies Denise! You are blessed! A wonderful post.
Thank you, Balroop. I am very blessed.
All beautiful, Denise.
Thank you, John 🙂
😊
I loved meeting your furry family, Denise. They’re adorable! So glad they help with your writing.
Thank you, Staci. They are good companions and muses.
This post is adorable, Denise. I also love cats and yours sound lovely. Sara also sounds like a brave girl.
Thanks, Robbie 🙂 Yes, Sara is very brave taking on not only bears, but living with a houseful of cats.
And I bet the lady in your upcoming book is not a “normal lady” too. 🙂 I enjoyed the descriptions of your pets – all with their own characteristics, needs, and desires. This post helps those who don’t “know” pets to realize that like we humans, each animal has his and her own personality. What a lovely household you have!
No, definitely not a normal lady, especially by the end of the book…lol. Yes, they are all different just like humans are. It is never boring in our household, which seems to suit me. Thanks, Pam 🙂
They are all adorable and have such unique personalities. It’s easy to see how much love you have for them, Denise. 🙂
Thank you, Yvette 🙂 They are easy to love, including our goldfish Cleo who I forgot to include.
What a precious family, Denise. Thank you for introducing them to your readers. I can imagine the companionships, the delight, the magic. All wonderful! 💗
Thank you, Gwen 🙂 They are wonderful companions that are always reminding me of the magic in our world.
Awww. So sweet to meet your animal friends and writing buddies, Denise. And I’m excited to hear that animals play a part in your next book. Happy Writing!
Thank you, Diana 🙂 It’s been a lot of fun developing animal character like the ones in my current story. Happy writing!
A kid’s book, MG or YA or adult? I’m curious.
It’s for adults, Diana. There is a serial killer, lab experiments, and a few other things thrown in.
Aaah. Definitely not for kids. I’m looking forward to it.
Such beautiful fur babies!! Pets are the absolute best! Thank you for introducing us to yours, Denise.
Thank you, Mar. They are the best and give us unconditional love.
Beautiful cats and dogs Denise. What a wonderful part of your family <3
eden
Thank you, Eden 🙂 They are!
I realize you have only 1 dog! I need new glasses! haha
Lol. I need new glasses too 🙂
Sorry, I meant dog , not dogs!
Cute fur babies!
Thank you, Mark 🙂
Your fur-babies are beautiful, Denise. I can see they are loved <3 Can't wait to read the new story!
Thank you, Jacquie 🙂 Yes, very loved! The story is getting there…I hope soon.
Denise, I love this post. What charming introductions. I feel like I’ve stroked each silky back and scratched under every chin. Hugs on the wing.
Thank you, Teagan. They welcome all that attention lavished on them:) Hugs right back!
PS: Your new sounds wonderful. I’m looking forward to it.
Yay! It’s getting close.
I LOVED meeting the crew.
scoxox
Thank you, Sandra xo
I love that Rupert is a rescue momma. Such a handsome boy.
He is a handsome one and the caregiver of the animals.
Sara the protector.
Happy Sunday.
Always xo
Happy Sunday xo