It's so cute to see Bella and Tippy greet me when I get home from a grueling day at the office. Both offer salutations simultaneously, both stop and stretch, like an aerobatics team on maneuvers, they both then yawn at the same time, showing dazzling white fangs, and then both are around my feet, such that I cannot move. The only difference is that Bella flops down, exposing her tummy for a rub and wriggling her small body back and forth. Both come to put a thousand puncture marks on my tummy after dinner. They "knead" me, you see.

They are true siblings, so much alike, but they look so different in appearance (different dads). But the same fine boned shape, same bright eyes, the same huge tail flags, raised high. I am trying to get weight off Velvet, but trying to put weight on Bella. The Tipper has gained some weight; he needed to. Cleo is at status quo, always the same with Cleo.

Cleo is a "status quo" cat. Never sick a day in her life. 13.2 pounds at two years old, six years later, I think she's still 13.2 lbs. I thought she was fattening up some, but the poorly calibrated bathroom scales proclaim "13-14". She might be 13.5. She is a good weight for her build.

I dare not weigh the "Vet". Might be too disappointing. Anyway, with me and her on there, I might exceed the scale's maximum gross weight. I DO mean "gross".

Cleo is stable as a gyro. Same weight, same everything. I know eight is too young to be looking for "differences" i.e. her slowing down. Not Cleo. She is the same cat as at four. I would say "same as two" but she is indoors now, so has a more sedentary lifestyle.

I love them all equally. Well... Cleo a 1/100th more, because she was my first cat, and in charge here... Velvet, maybe a 1/100 more, because she is so affectionate; she loves a kiss and a nuzzle, and cries out for love if you don't give her tender pets, oh, and the fact she almost died being spayed... Tippy, perhaps a 1/100th more, because he is so beautiful and sensitive. ...Bella 1/100 more because she's a genius cat, just so bright and sweet.

*Oops*... Kinda evens it out, I guess.

Copyright © Bill Mason
April 16, 2002