Hairballs...

You know, Cats are interesting- they are sleek, beautiful, graceful & elegant looking creatures- at least some of them are. Others are cute-n-fluffy with flat faces. There are even hairless cats! (Though one must ask WHY?!) I can respect, even admire cats. I am the owner of 4. Our 2 American Short-hair mixes were rescues. The 2 Maine Coons are sisters. My mother decided they were too pesky, so we inherited them. Felines have a serious, independant, cautious nature, an aire of superiority. I kinda like that about cats, but in a way it gets on my nerves. I provide food & shelter for them and what thanks do I get? Our cats are rarely affectionate or initiate play- they lay around all day. They don't even like each other- you should see all the hissing that goes on around here! There is much work/little reward in owning them. Can't seem to obedience train them. I maintain their litter-box mess, pay their vet bills, clean up bird feathers and pick up the remains of mutilated rodents year round- GROSS! For all their otherwise dignified behavior, they eat like pigs, leaving food all over the floor. Now, you would think for all I put up with, they would let me pet them once in a while, but that's not the way it works around here. Basically, I pay good money for the priviledge of watching them sun themselves daily. Logically, it really doesn't make sense for me to keep them, but I do. Why does my household still include a feline population? It's a matter of balance. I've got 2 of the best dogs in the world- they obey me and worship the ground I walk on. Now I think God looked down one day and said, "Uh-oh she's getting a big head because of those dogs, I'd better do something quick!" So now I'm the owner of not 1, but 4 cats who sit & stare at me as if I'm the world's biggest idiot. Their tails don't wag with enthusiasm for me, they flick impatiently. When we get home after a trip, they give us the cold shoulder for a few days... What's the best way to get the last laugh? Name them very UNdignified names like Stinky, Wormhead & Dummybrain. (I've never done that, but it brings a great deal of satisfaction just to consider- ha ha) Good friends of mine in Texas & a guy in Knoxville have the BEST cats ever! I adore them!! Don't know how they do it, but theirs all have wonderful, distinct little personalities and put the meaning behind the term "cool cats". I had the best cat ever when I was 11. Bubby was a HUGE Maine Coon Tom who loved my lap, being carried on my shoulders like a mink stole, sleeping by me at night and following me around the yard. We bonded so well, he would even follow me into the tub & take a bath- NO KIDDING!! If I ever bathed alone, he would sit outside the bathroom door crying pathetically. He disappeared at 3 yrs of age- never to return- I searched unsuccessfully for months- broke my heart! Once you've had the best- it's really hard to settle for hair-ball hacking snobs...