My Pride & Joy

I know I have mentioned my cats on this blog from time to time, but I haven't really told you much about them.  Its about time that I introduce you to my babies......

PHOENIX

Let's start with our Alpha-Male, Phoenix.  Phoenix is a very special cat.  He is a registered pure-bred Abyssinian, 4 1/2 years old.  He has a ticked red coat, long ears and tail, and a long lean (but very muscular) body.  Weighs about 12-13 lbs.  Many people say he looks like a mini-mountain lion.  His breed is native to eastern Africa and were worshipped by the ancient Egyptians.  Phoenix hates to be cold...he likes to snuggle with us, Isis or Pharaoh and loves to stretch out in front of the fireplace or in a sunny spot. 

He is extremely friendly and will want to get to know you the second you walk in our house.  He likes to jump on the back of whatever you are sitting on and start sniffing at the back of your head!  That's his way of getting to know you.....I think he was a dog in his past life! Phoenix is extremely smart and loves to play with toys or chase the other cats around.  I am pretty sure he is the sneaky one who steals the bread off the counter and gets crumbs all over my house....but he knows better than to let me  catch him on the counter! He can be very patient but also keeps the other cats in-check. As much as he loves me, he is a true Daddy's boy!

PHARAOH

Pharaoh is my little baby.  The turkey of the family! Like Phoenix, he is a registered Abyssinian, 3 years old.  Fawn-colored coat, amber-colored eyes and on the small side...only 8 lbs. We got him from the same breeder as Phoenix, but they do not share common parentage.  I wouldn't be surprised if they came from the same bloodlines though, because they are two peas in a pod in more ways than one! Pharaoh and Phoenix used to be inseparable until Isis (our first and only female cat) came along....she has kind of pushed Pharaoh out of the picture and he has been starved for attention ever since.

Ever since he was a kitten he has loved to sit in the bathroom with me in the morning while I shower and get ready.  This is usually his most affectionate time.  He has this habit of jumping into my arms when he wants me to hold him....usually when I am getting ready, scrapping, or sitting on the computer!  He demands lots of kisses and head butting! Its annoying but very sweet.  Since he still has his claws (all of my cats do), this can be kind of painful if I am standing up and all the sudden he just jumps right up.  He also likes to sit on my shoulder. Like Phoenix, he is also a freeze baby and loves to cuddle. He can be very naughty because he is so smart...his favorite game is to chase feathers at the end of a fishing pole.  He would make an awesome hunter!

ISIS

Isis is our one and only female cat....just over a year old, she joined the family last January after seeing an ad in the paper about Manx kittens.  A Manx is a cat that genetically has fewer vertebrae, making it a tail-less cat.  Actually they classify Manx based on their tail-length... Longy, stumpy and rumpy.  Isis is considered a rumpy because she has no tail whatsoever.  She has the cutest little kitty hinder!  She was five months old when we got her and had already started going into heat.  How annoying!!!  My other cats didn't even know there was a female species until she came along.  They had their fun with her until we finally got her fixed! As soon as we got her she really took to Phoenix.  She actively seeks him out and will cuddle up to him whereever he happens to be sleeping.....

Isis is kind of a scaredy-cat.  She runs away whenever people come over and won't let you pet her unless she comes to you, but she is starting to come around more and more.  I can't wait until she jumps on my lap and lets me cuddle her!

DUSTY

And last but not least, is my Dusty.  This gorgeous Russian Blue (pre-named Dusty) had been put up for adoption at the Humane Society three years ago, at the age of 7.  He was so scared that he was hiding underneath the litter box the day E adopted him.  Being as old, beautiful and as shy as he was, E couldn't leave him there! He was so shy and scared when we brought him home that he hid underneath the cupboard in the downstairs bathroom for two weeks.  Everyday I went down there, took him out and held him in my lap and told him everything would be okay.  Since then he has been the most loyal, beloved animal I could ever imagine.  A real Mama's boy.  He knows his name and comes to me when I call him, no matter where he is in our three-story home.  He greets me when I come home, sleeps beside me every night and always wants to sit in my lap.  He is very friendly and greets all of our visitors.  I love him very much and hate that I wasn't able to share those first seven years of his life.  I cannot imagine how in the world anyone could have given him up, but I will forever be thankful that they did and that E gave him a 2nd chance at life by adopting him.

SPOILED!

As you can tell, these cats are extremely important to us.  They are spoiled rotten! Only the best food and litter, countless toys, and three cat trees....one of which was custom built for us for a mere $600. It was totally worth it since they all use it all the time and it has probably saved our furniture!

Here is what meal-time looks like at our house!

I couldn't possibly tell you every great thing about our cats, or post every picture I have of them, but thats them in a nutshell!

Comments

[Adrienne]

I LOVED meeting your "family"! I have one kitten, Cashew, who I love DEARLY!!!!!!! Enjoy your family!

[Hillary]

Im not even a cat person, and after reading your post, I NEED a cat! they are so cute!!

[Raina]

They're all precious howeverrrrrr,
I think Dusty is my favorite. He is one gorgeous cat. I'd want to snuggle him all the time.

Super cute little family. And I love the 4 cats at their dish picture.

[April]

LOVE this post.
the last picture is TOOO cute.

happy almost friday!

xoxoxoxox

[April]

oh...this song rocks my songs off.

LOVE sade.

[Maria]

What fun pictures! I *love* cats but we don't have one yet...only three dogs. We used to have a cat, a bengal, my baby and she disappeared one day. Now I'm afraid to get another one for the fear of losing her too (since we have doggie doors for the dogs to go outside, I can't have an indoor cat)...it's been a few years and I still secretely hope she'll come back. Her name was diamond.

[sarah]

Awww! I love this kitty post! They are beautiful cats! How cute that they all eat together! Thanks for introducing us to your babies!

[shauna]

"I love him very much and hate that I wasn't able to share those first seven years of his life."

I feel the exact same way about my Tweakers. Simon is growing so fast. I love my furbabies. You have inspired me! Check my LJ later today for a animal post!

[Valerie]

Your kitties are such cuties!! I loved all the pics!! My fiance had two cats when we were dating and I grew very close to them, they were very affectionate and loved to cuddle. They passed away a couple of years ago and I miss them sometimes when I'm over at his place, and I'm by myself while he's doing something. Our plan is to get what soon, and I can't wait!!

[Jen]

Kristi, they are adorable! I particularly love the one of Pharaoh in the sink. You just have to scrap that pic and the story of your morning routine :)

[Jessica]

Aww...they are all so cute. Alyssa is sitting on my lap practically jumping with excitement at the "kitty-cats" on the screen...lol. I've got a little cat-person here, I think!