Meet Our Two New Family Members....Trouble and Pepper

Our 20 year old black & white tuxedo cat was diagnosed with kidney failure after the first of the year so skiing in New Mexico was the only trip we took until August. After all the good years she gave us we felt it was important to stay close to her until she got close to the end. No, we didn't spend thousands of dollars to put her on cat dialysis. I don't believe in that for an elderly cat. There is no cure for elderly cat kidney failure so we were not going that direction no matter what. The vet did give us some powders to mix in her food which helped for a while. Yet, it was quite painful to watch her go steadily downhill over 3 months time. Eventually, she wouldn't eat or drink and stayed in the same spot 24/7. R.I.P. Miss Trouble. We loved you well and we'll meet up with you someday.

At first, we weren't going to get another pet. Really. Then I found myself thinking I'd see her in all the old familiar places, heard her meow. You get the picture. I knew then that I needed a new baby to love on. My life just wasn't as good without a furry baby. So the search began.

After looking at all of the animal rescues and PetSmart (also rescues) I became exasperated that I couldn't find *the one* that I was looking for. There has to be an immediate bond for me and the kitten, which I wasn't finding. A friend told me to check Craig's List but every time I'd call they had already found forever homes.

Finally, in late June, I found one that needed a new home. A lady had been driving down the street, saw a bag making wild moves, stopped her car and discovered that it was a little kitten. I almost died over the story so I felt that I was lucky to fetch her & bring her home. The lady was afraid to take her to the pound for fear of her getting put to sleep. I immediately bought a cat carrier, some kitty food, and new toys on my way to pick her up. Meet Trouble (#3) when we first brought her home....

Yes, we ended up calling her the same name as our previous cat because we're getting old & couldn't remember any of the names we came up with. Our daughter thinks we're idiots.

And this is what Trouble #3 looks like at 4 months old....

The more comfortable she became with us, the more I became her *toy* and major teething source. My hands, arms, and feet were totally scratched and bitten. I was miserable and she had decided Mr. Snoots was her favorite. Tired of the condition of my hands, I went on a new quest to find her a little friend. She just looks like a little stinker trouble, doesn't she?

Oddly enough, it was Craig's List once again. I found the most adorable Manx *Rumpy*, which is a Manx with absolutely no tail. A total opposite of the Black Beast - Trouble, little Pepper was sweet and at first so very shy. She spent the first 5 days under my bed so I put out food , water and a litter box for her, and she was obviously eating, drinking, and using the box. So, I gave her time to adjust at her own level of comfort. Less than a week later I had to ban the two new best friends from my bedroom just so we could get some sleep. Their romping up & down the halls was keeping us awake. This was Pepper when she first came to us....

This is my little cupcake Pepper now. She's quite the social butterfly and the perfect addition to our family. She is a total angel and Trouble finally quit biting and scratching me....

I guess she really just needed a little buddy. They romp and play together constantly and you don't ever really see them apart. At first I felt sorry for Pepper but quickly noticed she could hold her own with The Black Beast. They have so much fun together as well as provide us with countless hours of sheer entertainment. It's actually been difficult to get decent pictures of them because they are always tearing through the house at warp speed.

I think we'll keep these two characters. Only love can break a heart and only love can mend it again....