Crazy Cat Lady

I grew up loving dogs.  Everyone in my extended family had dogs and, at the ripe old age of 12, I adopted my first real pet--a tri-colored Basset Hound named Whimpy.  *Side note:  I personally believe Whimpy is the best name ever for a Basset Hound.  That is all.*

Apart from a really fat guinea pig (RIP Gus) and a strange swimming frog (RIP Spotie Otie), I never had a pet after Whimpy.

One day, about 10 months after Frank and I got married and moved to Monticello, we were working hard on our landscaping.  Frank was busy picking up limbs and I was trimming rose bushes.  If you know much about me, you know I absolutely hate trimming rose bushes.  Those things never ever stop growing.  And the thorns!!  Ugh, I digress.  Mid-trim, I saw something...something furry.  I think the phrase "love at first sight" is sort of ridiculous, but it applies here.  At the time, I knew nothing about cats, but I could tell this little gal had been someone's pet before because she was super lovey and purred the second I pet her.  So, naturally, I started feeding her.  Because I knew nothing about cats, I went with milk.  Probably not the best choice, but she kept coming back any way.  Oh yes, you should probably see her now.  She's the prettiest ever.

After Bushes joined the Phillips fam, she started bringing a friend to the door.  The sad part is, we didn't know she was a friend.  In fact, we thought the "friend" was a really fat cat trying to steal the food we put out for Bushes.  (I even yelled at her a few times.  Sad face.)  Again, I knew nothing about cats.  As it turns out, she was super preggo and starving.  When we realized she was preggo, we took her in just like Bushes.  And, as the bff to our one and only pet, we named her Amiga.  Creative, I know.  Amiga is the most lovey cat in the world and she's obsessed with cuddling.  I think her hungry preggo days made her really appreciate the life she has now as the Princess of the Phillips castle.

Amiga had her babies--four in all.  Frank and I worked diligently to find safe, loving homes for all of them.  Well, all but one.  How can you say no to this?!

Meet Megatron.  She's a spoiled brat and Frank's favorite.  But whatever.

I think it's safe to say I'm a crazy cat lady.  And Frank, naturally, is a crazy cat man.  In some weird way, these gals made my transition to living in Monticello much easier.  They're family now, and I can't imagine life without 'em.

So, there ya have it!  My little, beautiful, furry family.

If you are thinking of adding a pet to your brood, please consider rescuing a stray cat.  Your pet will know you saved his/her life and will thank you (non-verbally, of course) every single day.