feral cats in need

• Smokie was very attached to me - slept in my lap or on my shoulder... beyond having lost the sight in one eye to a car, he had behavior problems, was probably 'fixed proud' - sprayed when he was unhappy (an expression of his feelings), Nibbled hard on fingers and even my nose to show his affection and fought with the others. No one loved him but me.

He would sit out in the rain when he knew I was home, because he enjoyed being wrapped in a towel and pampered when he was wet. His last memories were being combed in my lap till he dropped off to sleep, at a vet he was comfortable with. It was traumatic for all of us. We returned his remains to the garden he was born in and back to the company of his parents. Angie will be sleeping in the sun over them all now. I will miss him for a long time..

"Baby" pictures of Smokie and his siblings...

Above: A Precocious baby Smokie in Fall of 1996. The first time I saw him he was sitting on the owl's head and fit nicely between it's ears!

Left: His second favorite spot... 2003.

Stories in Life in the Monkey Cage

• Taffy, his only surviving litter-mate, is terrified of confinement and medical treatment. Eating and sleeping are his top concerns these days... unless you have catnip!

Taffy is looking like himself again, gaining weight back and has been relocated to a generous friend's private sanctuary where we hope he will adjust to not having the run of the neighborhood. He's adapting much beter than any of us thought... is even rubbing on the new persons legs for food.

• Angie (about 9 lbs, very long soft hair) was about 2 before she spent any time indoors... is outside again because the 'boys' made her the pariah, she loves being scratched and talks up a storm. Runs at the sight of strangers... she was born in the yard next door and stays very close to home.

Angie is being adopted by the next door neighbors so she will be spared the trauma of moving. It's quiet now and she can relax for awhile. She seems to like Eileen (whos more my size) although John was the one who wanted her most... she not comfortable with 6' 4" men!

• Sam (about 12 lbs) is a big yellow marshmallow, and everyone's friend. He went to the local Feline Bed & Breakfast for a couple days in hope of placing him but was too "introverted"... until he got home, that is. Then he was back to being king of the roost. This is the cat that proudly brought me 8 baby opossums, one at a time.

Sam was relocated three blocks away by the neighbors who also had to move. (and renamed Ginger, much to his chigrin) He decided he didn't think much of his new "home." He's now camping out on a friendly neighbors porch and visiting Angie.