Jonesy, my sweet blue & cream tortie cat, is the first feline to adopt me in my adult life. I brought Jonesy home from the Denver Dumb Friends League in 1999 (yes, she is named after the cat in "Aliens" for all of you movie buffs!). She was a shy little girl who had already had a litter of kittens before she was a year old - just a baby herself! She and her kittens were brought to the League by a caring store owner who found them crying in the dumpster next to his shop one day. I guess Jonesy's previous owners hadn't planned on a whole family of cats - it's pretty awful that they would just choose to dump them in a dumpster. Seriously people - spay or neuter your animals! Or, at the very least, have the heart to take them to a reputable shelter if you are unable to care for them!

OK, I'll get off my soapbox now and get back to Jonesy...

All of her kittens had already been adopted and poor Jonesy was left all by herself. When I inquired about her, the folks at the shelter told me that she was very shy and afraid of people. Could have fooled me! Once we were in the visiting room together she was sweet, snuggly and talkative! Needless to say, it was love at first meow! (On a side note - a similar thing happened when I first introduced Jonesy to my then-fiance-now-husband, Gary. I told him not to be offended if she ran away from him because she is very scared around new people. Nope! She jumped right up on his lap and started to purr like a crazy kitty! As if I needed any more reason to marry him! Jonesy gave the paw of approval on that one!)

Nowadays, Jonesy is a happy and FAT girl! She loves to lounge around in the sun, hang out on her cat tree and meow loudly at passing family members who are not giving Her Highness enough attention. She's still a little nervous around new people, but with the proper amount of coaxing she'll make friends with almost anybody. She's a sweet, wonderful member of our family - it's been a great life for a little cat who started out in a dumpster!

Pooh was a gift from my hubby and I to my stepdaughter, Cassie, on her 10th birthday. She had asked for "anything Winnie-the-Pooh" for her birthday that year. While some may think that naming a kitten Pooh and giving it as an "anything Winnie-the-Pooh" gift may be cheating, we beg to differ! Pooh has been a fun and FEISTY addition to our family.

Pooh is definitely the most spoiled of our fuzzy family - he has owned us since he was a mere eight weeks old! He developed from a sweet and funny kitten to THE ULTIMATE ATTACK CAT! Pooh runs a tight ship - if someone knocks on the door, he's the first to jump up on the counter to see who it is (and if they're welcome); he checks out every visitor; and he even makes certain that every grocery bag that comes in the house has something in it for him! A word to the wise: stay on Pooh's good side. One of our close friends learned the hard way that Pooh's bad side often times results in a lasting claw scar on the nose (true story)!

All rotten-ness aside, Pooh is a sweet and wonderful little tabby. He has been a best friend to Cassie for years now (I actually think he's considered a "senior" cat now that he's over seven years old - crazy!) and he loves his sisters, Jonesy and Pacino. He also LOVES chasing and retrieving his beloved mousey toys and getting hopped up on catnip! Bonus - if you are a "Pooh-approved" visitor to our house, he'd be happy to stretch across your lap and encourage you to stay a little bit longer!

Thinking about adding a fuzzy bundle of joy to your life? Live in the Denver metro area? Before you run off to the pet store, please consider adopting from one of these great shelters first - help them help the animals we love so much!

Denver Dumb Friends League
Denver, 2080 S. Quebec St., Denver, CO 80231, (303) 751-5772
Castle Rock Buddy Center, 4556 Castleton Court Castle Rock, CO 80109, (303) 751-5772

Max Fund
1025 Galapago St., Denver, CO 80204, (303) 595-4917
No Kill Shelter

The Cat Care Society
5787 W. 6th Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80214, (303) 239-9680
No Kill Shelter

Angels with Paws
2540 Youngfield St., Lakewood, Co. 80215, (303) 274-2264
No Kill Shelter

The Animal Rescue and Adoption Society
2390 S. Delaware St., Denver CO 80203, (303) 744-6076
No Kill Shelter

Don't live in the Denver Area?
Visit the ASPCA's online "Find a Shelter" page to find a great animal shelter in your area
Click Here to visit the ASPCA

I'm Only a Cat

I'm only a cat,
and I stay in my place...
Up there on your chair,
on your bed or your face!

I'm only a cat,
and I don't finick much...
I'm happy with cream
and anchovies and such!

I'm only a cat,
and we'll get along fine...
As long as you know
I'm not yours... you're all mine!

-Author Unknown

DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with my people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.
Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.
For now...