It's a kitty cat world...

It just occurred to me that I haven't yet introduced our furry feline friends! I can't leave these guys out! Yesterday afternoon was so beautiful here and the cats were loving being outside and just being "cats" so I took the opportunity to snap some candids of them.

First, we have Riley. She's about 6 years old. We originally got her as a companion for our cat Ruger, who sadly has since passed on.

She is an *interesting* cat...I think there's a very good chance that she's inbred. Seriously. She came from the local Safeway, so there's no telling how it is that she came into this world. But I wouldn't be surprised if there was some funny business going on in the barn where she was born...

She's not affectionate in the least and she certainly doesn't appreciate when anyone (dogs included) encroaches on her kitty "personal space" bubble.

I still definitely enjoy having her around, though. She has just recently made the transition to indoor/outdoor kitty after a major internal battle took place in my head. For the last year or so she's been inhabiting the garage, with a small kitty condo area outside to relax in, which she could access from a kitty door in the garage. The condo is actually in the dog pen, so it's super secure. The wacky weimies don't mess with her when she's in there, so it works great for a safe place to get some fresh air. Since she was an indoor kitty when we first got her, I was afraid she wouldn't have the street smarts to get along out in the big outdoor world.

After about a year of this though, I decided to take a chance on letting her outside. I've just felt like I've been depriving her a bit. I know I would go NUTS if I was never able to go outside.

The kitty condo is a good solution, but I could see that she was yearning to go romp in the grass. I'm still totally nervous, but so far, so good. She's pretty much got the routine down now. I let her out in the a.m. before work and by the time I go in at night she's usually had her fill of the great outdoors.

Next, we have Lunar, who is the complete opposite of Riley. Lunar is probably getting close to two years old. I say probably because it's just a guess. You see, Lunar was a hobo cat that showed up at our house when he was about six months old. To be honest, I was a little apprensive about this black cat that was skulking around our house...I didn't know if he was mean or not...he definitely looked a little ominous.

Who me???

The hubby (from here on referred to as Kuntry Boy) and I were deciding what we should do when Lunar made the decision for us. He took it upon himself to start coming into our garage via the dog door. The nerve! ;) We discovered that he was actually a pretty cool little kitty, so we took him to the vet to get shots, neutered (after confirming gender), etc. We figured that even if he decided to continue his nomad life, at least he'd be all set. Well, turns out he liked us too! We named him Lunar 'cause it was on a full moon night around Halloween that he showed up.

Lunar has turned out to be a really sweet and special little kitty and quite the exterminator! He is definitely earning his keep around here. Sometimes a little too well. ;) Like most cats, he's very proud of his job and often leaves me the evidence...proof that he's pulling his weight, I guess. It's not uncommon for me to find a shrew, mouse, mole, rat, or snake waiting for me in the garage when I go out to feed the dogs in the morning. Or when I get home from work. Sometimes both on a really productive day!

Alright, so there you have it! Now you've met all the members of our crazy furry family! Meow!