Old Gardener- I though so, too! : ) Is Ed a long-haired kitty? Kirby is a rescue cat (originally from Clear Lake, before being brought to Marin, where pets don't get euthanized), and astonishingly mentally well-balanced and non-neurotic. His neatest trick, though, is walking head-first down the peach tree's trunk. So, I'm guessing he's part Norwegian or Siberian forest cat. Love him dearly - as all of us love those felines who've trained us to serve them. : )

Allergic to cats, and am owned by dogs.
I created this design for mugs.

I would call Ed mid-length? His fur is not as long as a Persian but he definitely isn't a short-haired guy. He is originally from a colony of feral cats located above the San Fernando Valley, He was all of 3-4 weeks old when he came to me and, at that time, he was near-death from starvation, dehydration and illness - real touch and go for awhile. He is my buddy and he stays at my side 24/7 - he even climbs into the bath with me when I am not looking.

Kirby sounds absolutely wonderful! I keep trying to picture him and the tree - wow!

They sure can be good buddies. My cat will be l9 this summer and he is slowing down so rapidly that I almost think that by winter I won't have him any longer. I think his time is short.

Hemlady said:... I think his time is short.

I am so sorry to hear that. I dread the day I lose Ed...

That’s really funny, Debra! : ) But, on the flipside, my niece just recently asked: why is it that as soon as her husband walks in the door, it’s clear that he’s the owner of their male dog ? But she, on the other hand, is the servant of their two female cats? : ) (All three came into their family within weeks of each other and very quickly decided their allegiances/preferences.)

Old Gardener, because the daylilies are closer to the back door, I never seem to have my camera with me when we take a walk into the far side of the back yard that has the peach tree that Kirby runs up and down. It actually took me a while to realize that his head-first climb down *isn’t* what cats normally do. : ) But, just like your Ed, he’s my ‘guard cat,’ as I call him, and he rarely leaves my side. He seems to always have me in close view. There is something really special about kitties that bond so closely with their.... er..... servant. : ) Maybe some do sense having a mission because they were rescue cats. (And I’d love to see a pic of Ed in your bath tub! : ))

Cindy, hang in! Nineteen years is such a huge chunk of any owner’s life. I hope your kittie holds on for longer than you think now. I can't imagine life without Kirby either.