I am kitty. Hear me ROAR.

King of this land. Master of this domain they call Colorado. Regally
perched high on my throne, I can see every inch of my kingdom. My neck
arches with sleek grace as I gaze over my dominion.

It is a rich land, full of wonderous things. Trees, bushes, flowers,
hiding places, and a bounty of every type of food imaginable. My heart's
desire can all be found here. My lady-in-waiting caters to my every whim
and I am satisfied. Fearful I might try to conquer other lands, she has
tethered me while she disappears for a while each day. Of course, she
doesn't realize I can climb up here and survey my land. What does she
think? That I might come to harm? This is MY land after all. Nothing
would DARE to harm me here.

Ok, ok, so there WAS that little incident the other night. I didn't
really mean to worry her. I just heard something outside on MY porch.
And of course I streaked out to investigate when she opened the door
ever so slightly to peer out. Perhaps someday she will forget.

Standing, I slowly arch my back in pleasure. Perhaps it is time to wash
my sleek fur once again.

Wait. What's that? My lady-in-waiting approaches! Quick, I must descend
before she can see me.

Oops. Too late. I have been spotted. Ah well.

Nonchalantly I descend the ramp down to this room she calls "deck". Her
eyes wide in shock--does she actually think I might fall? I would never
fall, I am a cat! I distract her by reaching up, stretching and placing
my paws on her chest. She lifts me into her arms of course--that ploy
works every time. Mmmmmmm, warmth.

Perhaps tomorrow I shall survey my kingdom again. For now, I shall sip
my milk and allow my lady-in-waiting to amuse me.

In loving memory of Onyx, ruler of my home.
September 2, 1989 to April 11, 1999

When we first moved to Winter Park, Onyx was only 8 1/2 months old.
Coming from an apartment to this wilderness was a royal treat for him.
Our deck back in Iowa overlooked a parking lot. The house in Colorado
that we stayed in backed up against woods and had a tremendously large
deck. He escaped the second night, leaping out of my arms when I
stupidly opened the door a crack to look out and see what kind of animal
was making noise outside. I started tethering him to the deck railing so
he could play outside on the deck. I never dreamt he would climb onto
the roof.

As it turned out, the deck railing continued up at an angle on one side
of the house. He would hop onto the railing, walk around it and then
right on up to the roof. That first day, when I saw him sitting up
there, I freaked. I decided right then and there that if he was going to
be outside, he should be outside safely. The tether came off and that
was that. For many days afterwards I would find him perched up on the
roof when I came home from work.