Our Revolving Door of Cats

We got Yoda from our neighbors in July of 2001.

He was a smart cat, who learned from observation that doorknobs open doors. He couldn’t figure out how to turn them with his paws, but he sure tried.

Monte had had dogs as a kid, but after having Yoda, he decided he prefers cats.

Yoda got sick and died in August 2006.

We replaced him with 2 kittens from my parents, who always have an overabundance of cats. The black one is Ziph, and the tawny one Zephi.

Ziph loved watching the swirling water, and Zephi had to see what his brother found so facinating.

They were the best of friends.

But Zephi got sick and died in February 2007.

So we replaced him with the tortoiseshell kitten, ZaeZae.

She and Ziph played together well.

But then Ziph died a month later.

We replaced him with ZaeZae’s twin sister, Zoe.

It was cool to have a matched pair of tortoiseshell cats. ZaeZae is on the left, Zoe on the right.

Sisterly love.

But Zoe developed an infection and died in June 2007.

After having had four cats die within eight months, we decided not to adopt a replacement. ZaeZae would just have to be an only cat.

Then one evening a couple weeks later, Zettie showed up. She came in our house, looked around, and decided it was suitable. So she adopted us.

She hates ZaeZae (and all other cats) but loves to sleep with me on my pillow.

Thus far we still have ZaeZae and Zettie.