Our Cats

Sophie's 1st birthday photo.

She's really grown up and is the softest, longest, prettiest cat.

Tucker at 5 months.

He's going to be a huge cat if he ever grows into those paws.

Sophie and Owen hanging out on the back of the love seat.

Gus with his tail wrapped around his nose.

Owen in profile - he's one handsome cat and he knows it.

Gus looks ticked off, but he was really just starting a yawn.

All the kids settled in for a nap in the sun.

Owen helping Gelina knit.

Tucker was very pleased that he had managed to shred almost an entire roll of paper towels and then spread the remains all over the basement floor.

Tucker thinks a warm laundry basket is the best place to sleep.

Tucker likes napping in this old crock. We put a comforter in there to make it more comfortable.

When Gus stretches out, he really stretches out.

Tucker hanging out in the sink. Dave had to negotiate with him so he could shave.

Sophie checking out her new water dish.

Tucker trying to decide if the Christmas tree is good to eat or not.

He and Sophie were so rough on the tree this year that we didn't even bother to hang to ornaments.

Tucker loves Christmas because Christmas means more boxes for him to play in.

Hey there, what's for dinner? Where's my plate?

Tucker and Sophie just hanging out.

Owen likes to sit on Gelina's knitting and guard it. So when she knits on the kitchen table he thinks that means that he gets to be on the table too.

Tucker loves his sister Sophie. He is "her" kitten..

Tucker versus the laser pointer.

Tucker "helping" Gelina knit by running off with part of her project.

Gelina's sister-in-law sat Tucker in Dave's arms and it was all over. When we got him he was still mostly bottle-fed.

Gelina was a little resistant ("Four cats! Are you crazy?") But it didn't take her very long to come around.

Tucker peeking out from under the hutch.

Most of our early Tucker photos look a lot like this. He's incredibly fast for such a little guy.

Tucker is so small and fast that we had to put a bell on him.

This is the smallest collar they make and it just hangs off him.

Tucker playing - look at the size of those paws.

Owen and Tucker meeting for the first time. Owen has no idea what he's getting into.

Sophie has done a fine job taking care of Tucker and trying to keep him groomed.

Tucker stalking his stuffed playmate. We don't think he knows it's not a real cat yet.

1.4 pounds and growing bigger every day.

We weaned him off of the bottle. He has taken to soft kitten food with a vengeance, and even likes the dry kibbles.

The tiny tiger stalking Dave's camera.

Sophie telling Tucker the secrets of being a good cat. Tucker's Mom died when he was just 2 weeks old, so there was a lot that she never got to teach him.

Four tails around the food dish.

Tucker dove right into morning feedings.

Tucker really likes chasing the stuffed mouse around his toy.

Emo cat - Tucker is not at all happy about the collar with a bell.

We told him it could come off when he got a little bigger and we all learned to walk together without stepping on him.

Look at the bowlegged stance on this little guy. He's quiet the toughie. He was the only one of his siblings to make it, so we know he's a fighter.

Tucker - 3 months old and 5 pounds.

"Look at what a big boy I am!" .

Tucker all tuckered out. We got new satiny sheets and he just curled right in for a nap.

Tucker giving Owen a good licking.

All of the cats are great about cleaning and taking care of each other.

Sophie and Tucker in the new den window. We had just had the window installed and the first time we opened it these 2 hopped up there.

You talkin' to me?

Tucker switches from being a tough, big boy cat to being little cuddler in a heartbeat.

Tucker drags his little stuffed pal all over the house. When he finally outgrew his bell, we put it on the toy.

Sophie is our only girl. This is her baby photo. She's a little caramel-colored tiger who is very sweet and sure of herself.

Sophie at 9 months. She looks so grown up.

Owen meeting Sophie for the first time.

Okay, maybe Sophie was a little over-anxious to meet the boys, but that's the way Sophie is.

The first day or two was a little rough - lots of hissing and a few minor skirmishes.

But Sophie just isn't the kind of cat who takes no for an answer. She just makes herself at home.

It's going well. Owen is very good about playing with her and looking after her.

And Gus has done a fine job of keeping her clean.

Sophie enjoys reading with Gelina.

And hanging out in the sun.

And, of course, napping with her big brothers.

Here's Sophie after a hard day of causing trouble.

Hold still, dammit, or I'll never get those ears clean.

Owen wraps himself around Sophie to keep her warm.

Sophie reaches for the camera lens.

She gave the lens hood a pretty good bat and Dave had to clean her paw print off the filter.

Owen and Sophie helping to wrap Christmas presents.

Sophie at 11 weeks old.

Owen giving Sophie a good licking.

Sophie being crazy.

Sophie is 5 months old here and is giving Dave her best annoyed teenager look.

Gus says, "Put treats here, please."

Owen curled up on his favorite leopard pillow doing his king-of-the-jungle pose.

Gus in a dramatic pose.

He is so handsome and regal.

Gus posing for the camera.

He has such a sweet face.

Owen stretching about as far as a cat can stretch.

Gus checking out his reflection.

Who is that handsome kitty in the mirror?

Gus taking it easy.

Has there ever been such a furry cat?

Pinned - Owen holds Dave down so he doesn't go anywhere.

I'm ready for my close-up now.

Gus attacks - usually Owen starts the fight, but this time Gus launched a preemptive air strike.

Owen is not at all pleased about being smooched up.

Talk to the paw - Gus is equally unhappy about getting his nails trimmed.

Owen checking out Dave's new camera - an Olympus E510.

Just in the first few photos we've taken with the E510 you can tell that there's a huge difference in quality versus our old C5050.

Look at the richness of Gus' fur.

Another shot of Gus posing for the camera.

Even in little images like this, you can see the greater detail and tonal range of the E510.

Compare this shot to the next one.

While Owen is still very handsome in this photo, our old camera just didn't do him justice.

Owen thinks that lying on the his back in the sun is one of the best things in life.

While Gus just thinks that it makes Owen look pretty silly.

Owen can be very focused and energetic, to put it mildly.

While Gus is just a little more laid back.

All aboard - cat train now leaving the station.

Gus and his handsome heart-shaped face.

When Gelina broke her ankle (no, the other one this time) Owen took it upon himself to guard her leg. He rides around in the electric wheelchair with her and has even attempted to drive it a couple of times.

Best buddies - Owen and Gus curled around each other for yet another nap.

Whoa Gus... that doesn't look very comfortable.

There that's better - all tucked in.

Who's not supposed to be in the kitchen window - that would be Owen.

Cat pile on the back of the couch.

Gus and Owen enjoying the view out the window. We think Owen views Gus as a big, furry pillow for his own personal use.

Owen content.

Copy cats.

Owen sprawled on the blanket in the sun.

Yes, I'm quite comfortable. Why do you ask?

Gus and Owen curled up for a nap. We're lucky that they get along so well.

Gus perched - looks like we're going to have to get bigger speakers.

Gus doing his Isabel Bloom cat impersonation.

Owen checking out the view from the den window.

Gus out like a light on the footstool.

Gus likes Gelina's new laptop. He lays on the mouse so she can't use it unless she pets him, too.

The Gus look - how could we NOT rescue him from the animal shelter?

Gus the jungle cat - they can't see me if I hide behind the palm tree.

Mirror, mirror on the floor - who's the cat that we adore?

Cat fight!

Talk to the paw.

Making up.

Dude, I'm getting a Dell. Right? Because everything is always about me, isn't it?

Owen focused on the the blanket game - Gelina wiggles her fingers under the blanket and Owen tries to pounce on the mouse that just has to be under there.

Owen wasn't happy about our leaving on vacation to Belize, so he tried to stop us from packing.

His Royal Hairiness Gus napping in the sun

Owen says, "What? I didn't do anything, yet..."

For some reason known only to him, Owen decided to eat part of the mat in our weight room.

It lodged in his intestines, requiring emergency surgery to get it out.

Lucky we caught it in time. The vet said anther 12 hours and he might not have made it

They gave him a pain patch and he spent most of the next couple of days sleeping. We spent that time worrying about him.

Owen showing off his scar - they stapled him together from sternum to belly.

Did the experience faze him?

What do you think?

Dave's Dad and Owen catch a nap together.

Not to be outdone, Gus makes sure he is groomed.

Gus sprawled.

More napping - this time with Gelina.

Owen - no self-assurance issues here.

Gus and Owen - oh yeah, that's the spot.

So who's the king cat here? Owen surveying his world from the top of Dave's PC.

Gus helps Dave work on the website.

Gus checks out the view from the living room window in our new house. This spot has become is favorite perch.

Owen rolling on his back in the sun - life is ever so good.

Happy first birthday Owen!

He's grown quite a bit since we got him and you could hold him in one hand.

Gus settled in for a nap.

Brushing time. Owen is the only cat we've had who just loves to get his tummy brushed.

Awwww Mom, quit smoochin' on me, would ya?!

Now it's Gus' turn to get groomed and have his nails trimmed.

He's not as happy about it as Owen is, but he tolerates it with kind of a quiet indignity.

Owen returning the favor and grooming Gelina.

He's very serious about it, and will hold your head still with a paw so he can do a thorough job.

Gus checking out the fish tank.

Hey - it's Spring!!!! Let me outta here so I can go chase that bird.

Samantha (Princess) settles in for a nap.

Sam and Spencer playing under the tree. Most of the ornaments survived.

Spencer the yoga cat.

He just loves to be held upside down, and the way he crosses his little paws is just too darn cute.