Our friend Joanne trapped a litter of feral kittens who were only 4 weeks old and could still be acclimated to people. We used this as an opportunity to get Dresden a playmate, and it seems to be working well thus far. We got Annie on Saturday, June 28 2008, and we introduced them only a few hours later. It looks like Annie might well run the joint -- she's the one doing all the hissing and growling, while Dresden just looks curious.
Annie's name was given to her by Joanne, who thought she looked very dreamy when Joanne scratched her under the chin. Hopefully this is a good sign for her being very friendly in her new home.
From 2008-2016, our two cats were Dresden and Annie. From 2016-2021, Annie and Ginger. In 2021, a few weeks after we moved to El Granada, Annie stopped eating, and the vet said she had an intestinal blockage, probably stomach or intestine cancer. She rallied for a day or so after the vet visit, but then we decided we had to have her put down.
Here are our earliest pictures of her.
A bit uncertain at first, Annie crouched beneath the desk chair.
Getting a bit braver, Annie came out to investigate the air conditioning in her new pad.
We let Dresden in, and both he and Annie shared the toy. For reference, Dresden is about 11.6 pounds and Annie about 2.
Out in the main part of the house, Annie played "Chase the moth" over Dave's legs. It looks like she will indeed be a very friendly cat, which is just what we want.
Annie liked to climb behind the TV on its big stand. The best way to get there is by crawling through the electronics under the TV. Sometimes she'd just crawl in and watch us.
One of Annie's favorite spots was in a cat bed near the dining room table. It has a nice view of the living room where we hang around in the evenings.
Until Annie was eight years old, she pretty much never knew any other cat besides Dresden since they grew up together. She is really not sure what to make of the kitten ... in this picture, nothing good. After three weeks, they still hissed at each other sometimes and they didn't play together yet.
No photoshop involved! Annie (left) and Ginger (right) have been used to each other for a long time by now. They both like to sit on the credenza overlooking Jen's desk, but usually one of them wins and the other one comes back later.
From 2008-2016, our two cats were Annie and Dresden.
You've heard of the Cat in the Hat? Well, Annie and Dave show off their version of "The Cat IS a Hat".
Annie and Dresden reclining in their spiffy new cat tree. The top shelf is about 5' off the ground, which gives them a good perch from which to observe their domain.
Annie may look sweet here, but she can be a terror. And she's definitely not afraid of heights. We've found her on top of our DVD cabinet, and Jen has seen her eying the top of the refrigerator speculatively...
Dresden makes a good remote holder too! (In fact, he didn't even wake up until I came over with the camera to take his picture...)
Annie showing off her lovely chest markings and the rich gold color on her belly.
This is the new little black kitty that moved from Half Moon Bay to Fremont on April 4, 2008. He's a sweet little guy whose is a bit timid, but he's starting to get used to the idea of being a house cat.
His name is based on the Jim Butcher character, Harry Dresden, Wizard. Harry is tall and lanky, while Hairy is long and lanky. (At least right now. He might turn into Harry, the late Elvis years, if he keeps eating at this rate...)
Both Dresdens, when faced with unknown dangers, believe that running very quickly in the opposite direction is the only sensible choice. Both Dresdens, however, can be lured back by the call of humans, and both are more susceptible to the call of a woman than a man. In the books, Harry Dresden returns to face his fears and cast one or more magic spells that save the day. He is also famous for his shield bracelet, that is basically a personal force field. Hairy Dresden returns to face his fears and covers his human in a protective shield of cat hair, which is impenetrable to all but the most determined dangers. (Trust me, this cat may be small but he puts out a lot of hair.) Plus, the bad Hairy pun is simply too good to pass by.
Hairy Dresden makes himself at home on the couch.
Dresden likes to be brushed.
He likes it a lot.
Look into his eyes, and he'll cast his enchantment on you, too.
Dresden passed in May, 2017 due to diabetes.
Gus was only with us from May 2007 until March 2008, when misadventure sent him over the Rainbow Bridge to chase mice among the clouds. He was a wonderfully friendly cat, and he will always have a place in our hearts.
This is Gus when he first arrived at our house. Note how regal he looks even with his tail in his food bowl. His dignity is clearly still intact.
You are feeling very sleepy. When you awaken, you will feed me sushi-grade tuna and then pet me all day long.
Sometimes Gus' favorite spot was taken, but he was always a resourceful cat.
Gus loved to sprawl on the floor with his little white vampire fangs showing, daring you to try to tickle his belly.
This is one of our favorite shots of Gus, posed on our fence against the neighbor's Japanese Maple.
Gus was a true party animal.