Freddie Mac is our charcoal tiger. A big burly guy, at least 14 pounds and very handsome with his gray on black stripes and big feet. The only white on is on his chin. Tiger and Lillie, the new kittens, now 5 months old, look just like Freddie except for their white boots and chests.

We didn't know how he would treat the kittens, but he has been very good with them, even when they play with his tail. The kittens ran right to him, the first time they saw him, so we think their mother must be a gray tiger also.

It is really cute to see them with Fred, napping, playing or bird watching. One day the two kittens were sitting, side by side, on the sill of the picture window, looking out at the birds their little tails hanging straight down. Fred was sitting on the floor beside them, like a daddy with his kids watching the backyard entertainment.

Freddie Mac is the only one of our cats that has no nickname. He is always Fred, Freddie or occasionally, when he has been into mischief, Frederick! The kittens we call: singularly, "Trouble" or collectively, "Trouble and More Trouble."

Copyright © David Rorer
July 28, 2002