This will probably surprise many of you - before I entered the picture, my mommy was not a pet/animal lover in the least.  She felt sorry for the stray, homeless and abused, but didn't understand the unconditional love and attachment between humans and their non-human family members.  She merely tolerated Grandma's bichon, Barney, and my friends, Thomas & Floyd.  As a youth, Mommy brought my Grandpa & Grandmother every stray she found, but didn't help to take care of them because she didn't really like pets.

When Mommy quit traveling 5 days a week every week and decided she & Daddy needed a pet, no one really thought it would happen.  Folks thought it was an exercise to see if Daddy would give in.  (Daddy is an animal lover, who's always had pets.  At one time, he had 27 hunting dogs, 9 horses & 2 cats.)  Initially, Mom wanted a canine - a Japanese Chin - what a silly idea that was!  Daddy had to talk sense into her re:  felines.  Aunt Crystal & Uncle Chas were prepared to become my forever parents because it seemed inevitable that the newness would wear off & Mommy would not want me anymore. 

Keep in mind that I've only heard these stories because I can't see my mom like this.  She's the best mommy a kitty boy could ever have.  We go everywhere & do everything together.  She's become one of those obnoxious people who loves me so much that she tells everyone about me & shows everyone my photos (and there are A LOT of photos!).  Of course, I don't mind, but there are those who find her adoration for me a little over the top.  (I have lots of airplane stories that I'll share with you some time.) I'm Mommy's best friend; she tells me so every day.  I changed her life! Who'd have thought that a handful of fur weighing less than 2 pounds could have made such a difference?  Gotta run.  Catch ya' later.  --AJ the Kitty Boy