Gregory and Simon came to me in the Spring of 1996, shortly before my sweet Tabitha passed away. They were strays at the apartment complex I lived in. Every day when I would come home from work, I would jingle my car keys and they would come running. Eventually, I had five or six cats following that sound, knowing that it meant they would soon be fed. Some of them I found homes for, but Gregory and Simon stayed with me.

I adopted Rocky the following February. Although I did not want any more cats, when I heard Rocky's story I felt compelled to bring him home. Rocky was neglected by his family. At 6 months of age, he was stepped on, his pelvis crushed. It took them two weeks to bring him to the vet. By that time he was practically dead and the family was not willing to pay for any medical care. Normally a cat like Rocky would have been put to sleep. But Teresa, a vet tech, felt that he had a lot of life left in him. She said that out of all the animals that came through the clinic, Rocky had the strongest will to live. Through all his pain, he still tried to stand up when anyone came around to pet him. She begged the vet to help save him and miraculously he agreed. I don't know who paid for the vet bills, if anyone. They didn't expect Rocky to be able to walk again, but he gets around just fine now. He walks with a slight swagger and he isn't very smart, but he is a happy and healthy cat.

I found Xena while I was riding my bike along the highway. She was about 4 weeks old and there was no mother cat anywhere. Getting her home by bike was difficult, and traumatic for her, but she turned out to be the lap cat I have always wanted. She is the most timid cat I have, but definitely the sweetest once she gets to know someone.