Hello folks,
It's been a long time since I have read these stories, and as usual,
I'm loving every minute of them.  Meanwhile, I have a story of my
own.

I used to sign my posts with 'Jane  -owned and operated by Fin'.

Fin was a stray who picked me up in the parking lot of the apartment
building. He was about 7 months old at the time.  He moved with me
hither and yon, and just ruled my life with an iron paw.  I always
said 'the only man in my life has 4 legs and fur'.  

Just before Christmas I came home and he was laying dead on the floor.
I was just beside myself. We had just moved to this apartment, and he'd
had a checkup and declared 'very healthy for his age' - almost 11 years.
He was 17 lbs, so when he jumped on you, You Knew It.  I fed him only
the best cat food.  He had his own lease, his own rent, and was even
getting his own mail!  And now he's gone.  A friend had to come and
stay with me that night because I was so upset.

I lasted only 2 months before the loneliness go to me, so the Saturday
before Valentine's Day I went to the SPCA and picked up Rita.  She's
a beautiful little tortoiseshell shorthair with a very squeaky voice.
I think her Indian name is 'Air Escaping From Balloon'.
She's a tiny thing, only 7 lbs, where Fin was 17. The SPCA said she
was 2 years old, but the vet thinks she's only 1, because she's so
tiny and because she plays like a kitten.  At night, she's torn between
wanting to be on the bed with me or playing with her mice, so she
brings the mice with her!  My bed sheets are littered with little bits
of chewed up toy mice.  All in all, she's a most satisfactory pet.

I still miss my Fin at times, but I'm happy to report that I have
rescued yet another kitty from a shelter.  

Jane
- owned and operated by Princess Rita