The cats' page

Our cats Poo and Scratchy are two-time winners of the "Cat Lottery";  Diane and I adopted each other's cats when we got married.  Poo is below, looking like she owns the place, which she pretty much did. We lost her on November 17, 2007 at the ripe old age of 17.  Poo was in all likelihood the world's friendliest and happiest cat.  She was beloved by all, especially by Diane and me; Poo was the only living thing we’ve ever known or heard of that achieved universal popularity.  We love her and miss her so very, very much.  Godspeed, kitty.

Fans of "The Simpsons" will understand our other cat's admittedly-morbid name.  Unlike her much-abused namesake, however, our Scratchy has a good life...lots of naps and plenty of (sometimes forced) affection. (And even after that she's pretty darn grouchy and has earned a lifetime ban from Northwest Airlines.)

S

Sisters Bazooka (left) and Miss Chloe (right) are the latest additions to the family, joining us via the Carroll Co. Humane Society in June 2008. A more fitting name for Bazooka does not exist, and no roll of toilet paper is safe if she is around. Chloe enjoys watching TV--- especially shows with crawlers--- and climbing into the clothes dryer.

CAT

The fat cat on the mat
    may seem to dream
of nice mice that suffice
    for her, or cream;
be she free, maybe,
    walks in thought
unbowed, proud, where loud
    roared and fought
her kin, lean and slim,
    or deep in den
in the East feasted on beasts
    and tender men.

The giant lion with iron
    claw in paw,
and huge ruthless tooth
    in gory jaw;
the pard dark-starred,
    fleet upon feet,
that oft soft from aloft
    leaps on her meat
where woods loom in gloom--
    far now they be,
    fierce and free,
    and tamed is she;
but fat cat on the mat
    kept as a pet,
    she does not forget.

            - J.R.R. Tolkien