Cactus

	*Furry Children*

Cactus

Born May 1997

Dilute Tortoiseshell Tabby or "Torbie"

Like 90% of all calico and tortoiseshell cats, Cactus is female.

Her mom was raising her under our house when she became ill. My old cat Boo showed her to me one morning. Poor little thing was about six weeks old with a runny nose and one eye glued shut from conjunctivitis. She was having trouble breathing, which is probably the only reason I was able to catch her. She wasn't used to human contact at all. A trip to the vet that morning saved her life.

Eric named her after the baby cactus plants he was raising at the time because they were all tiny, cute and all sharp points! We didn't have to hold on to her when we carried her (although we did for security reasons) because she clung to us like velcro. We didn't like the name velcro. She outgrew that anyway.

More baby pictures - click here!

After restoring her to health, we allowed her out with the other three kitties. Boo took over to finish raising her. He caught a sparrow for her and got in trouble with us. Her mom must have raised her on prey. When Boo was dying, she stayed with him and caught a sparrow for him. She grieved for him for several months then attached to Lee-Roy, copying everything he did as she had copied Boo.

Her markings are a mishmash of colors and patterns. She has both tiger stripes and classic tabby swirls all jumbled together. I particularly like her tail and the different shades of black, brown, grey, orange and yellow at the end. Her colors are muted rather than bright, which is why she's called a dilute tortoiseshell tabby.

She's a cat of strong opinions. Flash cameras are NOT acceptable!