Our Family Pets

Multiple photos of some pets >>

TANYA

Tanya was the first cat I adopted.  Born in November 1987, I brought her home from the county shelter on February 10, 1988.  I had purchased my first home barely two weeks before and immediately set out to populate it with pets.   Being the first cat in the house she has maintained a "queen" status over the years, taking on each new addition to the pet family as they challenged her to be "Top Cat".  This is very impressive considering she has never  topped 11 pounds. Tanya and Powder are sisters, however I did not bring them both home at the same time.  Powder became my pet two days later.   Tonya passed away on February 7, 2005 at the age of 17.  She had failing kidneys and had to be put to sleep.

POWDER

Powder was our third adoption and has been Tammy's cat.  Born in November 1987, we brought her home on February 12, 1988.  Although Powder and Tanya are sisters, we did not bring them home together.  We adopted Tanya and another older cat on the same day.  It was apparent immediately that they were not going to get along as the older cat did not tolerate Tanya.  We took the older cat back two days later and picked up Powder. We named her Powder because she looked like a kitten covered in powder.  She liked to spend alot of time by herself but could be a very affectionate lap cat when she wanted to.  She was very soft and our most beautiful cat. Powder developed liver cancer and passed away on August 24, 1999 at the age of 11.

HUMPHREY

Humphrey was our fourth adoption and was adopted by Bill.  Born in April 1989, we brought him home on June 10, 1989. He captured Bill's heart with his black coat and blue eyes.  Little did Bill know that the blue eyes were a kitten thing, and would eventually change.  He was the only pet that we had difficulty naming.  Aka:  "The Black Rat"  he was very shy and would run from room to room fast and low to the ground, sometimes passing in a blur.  You had to take a second look to realize he just ran past. Weighing 20  pounds, he was our biggest cat and would usually lie around the house all day.  He was the only cat we had difficulty showing to guests because he hid so well when we had visitors that we could not find him. Humphrey was Sarah's favorite cat.  She would often snuggle with him on the bed and play with his fur.  He was her "cuddlely cat".  Humphrey died at the age of 10 on February 8, 2000 of unknown causes.

BOGART

Bogart was the fifth cat we adopted.  Born on August 14, 1989, we brought him home in October 1989.  Born in Pennsylvania, we adopted him from Bill's parent's neighbors. Arriving after Humphrey, it was only natural to name him Bogart.  He was a very friendly and loving cat, seeking the attention of visitors.  He especially liked babies.  He was always the first cat of the family to accept and try to snuggle with the babies. He lived an exciting life, having survived several ordeals involving his health.  He has jumped on top of a hot wood stove,  been locked in an empty house for 3 weeks, and has battled cancer.  He had a tumor removed from his back  twice.  Unfortunately it grew back a third time and he had to be put to rest. Bogart passed away on October 11, 1999, at the age of 10.

KIKI

Kiki is the sixth cat that we adopted.  We were visiting Tammy's Mom in North Carolina around Thanksgiving 7 years ago; she was skin and bones--starving.  She was even losing teeth because of the malnutrition.  Kiki got her name because that was what Christina called her when she snuggled up next to her car seat on the way home--a 2-yr old Christina was trying to say kittycat and it came out Ki-Ki.  She did not even mind the ride in the car to get to Virginia. She actually acts like she's thankful for having a good home.  She stays pretty close to home and hangs around when we are working outside.  Right after we brought her home, she got lost.  She was found a week later, after a major rain storm, stuck high up in a tree a block away from the house and soaking wet.  A neighbor climbed the tree and got her down.  She hasn't ventured far since.  Her arch enemy was Powder.  Powder would not let her go downstairs to eat without one of us escorting her.   Even now, weeks after Powder passed away, she still checks around corners looking for her.  Her most notable characteristic is that she has three black spots on her left side that look like Mickey Mouse.  She also talks to us a lot--loudly. Kiki died in Fall 2001 of unknown causes.  She was 8 yrs old.

PUNKIN

Punkin was adopted as our seventh cat in October 1999.  He showed up at Sarah's babysitter's house on a Sunday night, hollering from a window ledge all night.  He did not belong to any of the neighbors and had a broken tail and  was sensitive to pain in one of his legs.  We think he may have been thrown from a car.  He was  clean and very sweet, making himself at home we they took him in.  Having recently lost 2 cats, we decided to adopt him.  Sarah named him Punkin based on his colors.  He has orange fur and spice colored eyes.  Much like Bogart, he is very friendly and loving.  Being such a sweetheart, we decided to designate his birthday as Valentines Day, February 14, 1999.

MAGELLAN

Magellan is the second dog that we adopted.  Born on Thanksgiving Day,  November 26, 1992, we became his owners in February 1993.  Magellan is an AKC registered pure-bred Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie), with the the following bloodline: Dam - Sheela of McDonald's Farms; Sire - Kaytan's Royal Prince.  His registered name is Magellan de Schartel. Magellan is a graduate of the Abderdeen Acres Beginner Obedience Class, named best dog of his class by the instructor and was awarded a squeaky toy.  He was born too large to be a show dog, but big enough to be a frisbee dog.  He is very good at catching and retrieving balls and frisbees. The one negative thing is his bark - the very thing that shelties are known for.  He is otherwise a very good dog, playful and very obedient.

KALLIE

Kallie was actually the fourth cat we adopted.  She was so beautiful Bill brought her home from the shelter.  She is a long hair persian mix.  She is back and orange, with white paws, chest and belly.  She is a classic cat:  only wants you to pet her when she chooses.  She was very dainty and loving towards us, but did not like the other cats in the household.  They, being tabbies, did not care for her either.  They would not allow her into the litter boxes.  If she attempted to use them, she would get attacked.  Powder seemed to not like her the most.  (If you haven't caught on by now, Powder pretty much "owned' the downstairs of the house.)  Because of the stress of the household, Kallie developed urinary tract problems and had to be fed medicated food.  Tammy called a cat rescue league and found a home for her.  She lives with a writer in Winchester, Virginia.  Tammy and Christina went to visit her a couple of years ago and found her in cat heaven.  She has a large back yard, with a large cherry tree, with a picnic table under the tree so she can watch the birds.  She no longer needs medicated food and seems very content.

MAX

Max was our first dog, adopted in 1988, the first year in our house.  The shelter ran his picture in the local paper as "Pet of The Week".  Bill saw the picture and picked him up that weekend. Max is a sheltie mix, he had some of the looks and all of the bark!  He also had a problem with running off.  He always had to be on a leash and would run off whenever he was loose and the gate was open.  We finally gave him away after Christina was born.  He has a good home now with a couple who had lost their dog and wanted a house-broken, mature dog. (not a puppie)  They work in a home for mentally retarded children and take Max to visit.

A dog's letter to the editor I wish someone could tell me what it is that I've done wrong, Why I have to stay chained up and left alone so long. They seemed so glad to have me when I came here as a pup; There was so many things we'd do while I was growing up. They couldn't wait to train me as a companion and a friend, And told me how they'd never fear being left alone again. The children said they'd feed me and brush me every day, They'd play with me and walk me if I could only stay. But now the family "hasn't time", they often say I shed. They do not want me in the house, not even to be fed. The children never walk me; they always say "not now". I wish that I could please them, won't someone tell me how? All I had, you see was love, I wish I could explain, Why they said they wanted me, then left me on a chain.

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