The Boys

Balthasar is a large, sleek and black lankily powerful-looking cat. . .I once (briefly) considered renaming him 1953 Vincent Black Lightning. . . He’s what you get when you call central casting and ask for a small panther.

His brother Rufus is a medium-sized fluffy marmalade kitty with extravagant whiskers, a mild expression and fur between his toes.

So guess who’s top cat? Who boxes the dog’s ears at any opportunity? Who’s more than a little skittish of strangers and steers clear of the dog?

Bal looks like black lightening but if you look closely you’ll notice the small anxious furrow between his eyes. He is an anxious, timid guy. Knocking at the door? OMG TO THE BASEMENT!!! A sudden movement, as when I drop something or bump into something – and this happens a lot - he jumps a yard and hides under the sofa just in case.

Rufus looks like a pussycat but has the cranky, imperious personality of a Klingon. He demands to be stroked in certain spots and certain ways and for limited periods. A centimeter off, a second or so too long and the offending hand is mauled without mercy. (The dog will not pass within a foot of Rufus, and she has good reason)

Go figure.

(Posted by Sally)