I've just realised that I've been reading this thread with great enjoyment for a Fortnight now, & posted to it more than once (& I know that some Americans arent aware of the term 'Fortnight' - meaning 2 weeks - presumably a contraction of 'Fourteen Nights)

.....& I havent yet told you about my 2 menaces.

Spike is around 7 years old, but seems older & wiser than that (& always has) He's black everywhere, though when the light is behind him, it can be seen that his fur is actually a very pleasing shade of Dark Brown. He's a fairly affectionate fella when the mood takes him, but can be fairly aloof for the most part, though he LOVES to stand or lie on peoples shoulders...wrapped around their necks like a black fur 'scarf'. He TRIES to talk to me...though in fairly brief sentences, & cant see why cant understand him as well as he seems to evidently understand me.

Slick, on the other hand is just thick... He's black & white, & about 2 1/2 (he & Spike arent related, btw). All that he takes the slightest interest in is food... or should I say, anything that he THINKS might just possibly be edible.... He's a bit rougher in 'play' than Spike ever was, & is also as clumsy as Hell, so I'm never short of a fair few scratches because of him.

He's not without his own charm, however, cos he often makes a sound more like a 'chirrup' than a miaow, & I've never known a cat purr so much when it suits him, & he's warm & comfy....the lad positively 'buzzes' - like he's got a little electric motor in him.....