Ah, Genie, what a wonderful description of our first two kitties, (now, so sadly, both deceased). Our little Mouse (yes, he was a cat. How he got his name is a long story) would come when he was called. He was the most telepathic animal I have ever owned. The day my dad died he crawled up in my lap and meowed as hard as I ever heard him cry. I wiped my own tears on his coat. He shared my sorrow for what must have been 30 minutes or so (an eternity for the fickle minded feline.) Our Half-Pint would greet my wife every morning the moment she opened an eye - he would be right in her face purring and asking for breakfast. If she was a tad late in rising she would get the gentlest little tap on the nose or forehead. Then, almost as if to say, "well, now that you're awake, you might as well feed me" he would purr and "meaapp". He was our vocal kitty. He had more distinct meows, murrs, meaapps, and other sounds that our other cats combined.

So many thanks to all who have posted. I promise to get the pictures up either by Christmas or shortly after the New Year. I am waiting on a guitar to get out of the shop so I can add it to the family portrait.

Freightdawg