Gypsy and Raven - 2

One lovely spring day, as Raven sat in the bedroom window looking out the screen, the window suddenly fell shut. It happened so fast, I couldn't save her. Caught between the closed window and the screen, she clawed through that screen in a flash and was gone.  Who knows where? We never saw her again.

Perhaps adopted by some unsuspecting souls in the neighborhood, she became the bane of their existence.  It was almost a case of Good Riddance. (I said almost) I never before had a cat that treated me as though she personally despised me.

I couldn't just let her go unsought, though.  I did miss her!  So, I made up some posters and plastered them all over the neighborhood.  LOST, BLACK CAT, YELLOW EYES, ANSWERS TO RAVEN (etc.).  About the time I gave up on ever seeing her again, a little old lady called me on the phone in response to our ad campaign.  She said her son had found my cat.

“I’m pretty sure she is yours based on the description in your flyer, about six months old, female,,, looks like she might have some Siamese in her.

“Great! I'm so glad you found her and called! ” I said, “If you’ll give me directions to your place, I’ll be right over to take her home.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary.” She giggled cheerfully. “My son will bring the kitty to your place.  He’s already got her out in his car.”

The way she described her neighborhood, I wasn't sure I could find it, anyway. It was getting dark out and I wasn't feeling like driving through unfamiliar territory. Her address seemed so unfamiliar to me. I wondered how Raven got there. So, I gladly gave her instructions to our apartment.  A short time later her Sonny-boy arrived.  A linebacker for any NFL football team would never have gotten past this guy!  He was BIG!  There,  contentedly purring, nestled in his huge ham-hock arms was my little black shiny Raven.

“Gosh!  She looks so tiny!  She must have lost weight.” as I gathered her into my welcoming embrace.  “Thanks so much for bringing her home!.  I can’t believe she’s actually purring!”  I was thrilled that she seemed so glad to see me. Maybe her sojourn in the outside world had taught her to appreciate coming home. I knew Gypsy was now bigger than her sister and the Top Cat problem would be solved. Maybe we could settle down into a peaceful household.I came back into the living room and with a happy smile, announced to my family,  “Look!  I’ve got Raven!”

My husband glanced up and said, “That’s not Raven!”

“Of course, it is” I responded, a little surprised at his attitude.

“No!” He stated, “That cat can’t be Raven.  It’s letting you hold it without trying to rip your face off! Raven never purred before,either! And...” He added,”that cat is just too small to be Raven.”

I began to think he was right. Just then, Gypsy, who had been enjoying her freedom ever since her sister’s disappearance, came traipsing happily into the room.  The kitty in my arms suddenly leaped down to greet her, nose to nose.  No growling or spitting occurred. That made me really suspicious.

“Besides,” with a rueful grin, he said “That kitty is a boy!”

The obvious signs of masculinity swung beneath the tail.  “How could I have been so stupid as to not check that? We've been duped!” I shrieked, ran to the door and looked out on the empty parking lot. The Hulk had gone!

That’s how Magic came into our lives.

Gypsy and Raven - 1

First, there was lovable Gypsy, also known as Egyptian Queen Nefertiti. Born Halloween of ’88, I adopted her on my son’s birthday, two weeks before Christmas.  Gypsy had thick, black-satin fur, and she was built stocky and sturdy like a butterball turkey. The woman I got her from wouldn't let me take her unless I took her sister too. She said they belonged together. Different as night and day, they definitely were not twins.

Raven, also known as "She, of Whom Hell Hath No Fury",  was a black cat, too. Sleek, slim and pointy, as though descended from a Siamese, she was the meanest cat in the whole wide world!  If you tried to pet her or pick her up, she growled and swatted at your hand. Haughty, beautiful, and hateful, the evil queen in Disney’s Snow White movie had nothing on her. The perfect witch’s cat, she was unmercifully cruel toward her sister.

Obviously Gypsy became my favorite, but Raven wouldn't let her near me. If I paid any attention to her, Raven would corner Gypsy and growl at her. I figured they would have to work it out their dominance issues, and at first, didn't interfere. But I grew tired of Raven’s nastiness and decided to lean things more in Gypsy’s favor, so that she would become the Alpha female.

I began feeding her lots of extra food. Since she was more muscular, I thought she would simply grow bigger and stronger than Raven and the change in dominance would just happen by default. I also got Raven spayed, with the plan to have Gypsy done later. Shortly after that Raven decided not to stay with us anymore.

What happens next?

Tootsie the Terrorist

An update on the New Queen, by the Cat Slave, Elizabeth

Tootsie the Terrorist Cat

I have been enjoying my new kitty. Tootsie. I have mentioned her in the last couple postings, but will reiterate. She's a Manx Calico and I swear she's some kind of dwarf cat. She is so tiny! Two years old, had kittens in October. I realize her being so thin could be from feeding kittens but she's been with me a couple weeks and plumped out, but weighs about 6.5 pounds.

There have been four accidental introductions. But, she is so aggressive and in the flick of a cat hair she's in attack mode.

First, was Timmy. She slipped through my legs as I entered the bathroom where she was residing. Since he was nonchalantly strolling by and totally unaware of what I was doing (his usual state of being) she went ballistic! Before I could move he had hightailed it through the house and ended up cowered in the kitchen window behind the curtains. Tootsie hadn't been in the kitchen before, so she was looking around cautiously when I caught up to her and got her back in the bathroom. It's odd... I haven't seen her have her fur standing on end.

Next was Queen Bambi. I made sure all the cats were shut in the bedroom. But, Bambi was having none of it. Finally, I was able to put her in the spare bedroom by herself. Unfortunately, I didn't make sure the door was latched tight and Bambi clawed her way out just as I was entering the bathroom. Same scenario, except Bambi headed for her sanctuary queen bed on top of the dryer. Needless to say that came crashing down along with a number of items throughout the hallway. I can do a pretty mean tigress hiss and that puts the fear of Dog into them. So, I was able to gather up the New Queen and put her away into the spare room.

My Maine Coon kitten, Shadow, (9 mo old) is three times her size, of course. But, he is terrified of her. He was victimized next. He follows me around like a puppy dog. I should have known! I got all the kitties into the bedroom. Door latched securely. I had Shadow in the kitchen and gave him his food. He was happily munching away when I went to the bathroom to pick up and carry the New Queen into the spare room so she could have some space to roam. Unbeknownst to me, Shadow had followed at my heels. Tootsie broke from my arms and the rest is history. I've got to give Shadow credit, though Even though she got a mouthful of fur before he headed under the bed, he spat at her with fervor. Once I got her back into the bathroom, and got down on my hands and knees to coax him out he was okay.

Timmy is 3 yrs old but outsized by Shadow

It wasn't quite so bad with Buffy da Bampire Flayer. She's been skulking around a bit since Tootsie arrived and cuddling up when I'm asleep. She's insecure about the whole situation I can tell. However, Buffy is the only one making friendly overtures towards Tootsie, by hanging out near the cage and making cute sounds toward her, even turning upside down for her from the safety of the tower while they each stared each other down.

However..... when the two had their encounter, it was no better than the rest. I have to face it. Tootsie is a Terrorist! You will notice... spelled with a capital T.

All this time I've had her and I haven't been able to get her acclimated yet. The best I am able to do is move them from room to room so they all get to smell each other, eat out each others food bowls, use mutual litter boxes. That's all working well, knock on wood. Nobody is peeing where they aren't supposed to.

I moved Tootsie out of the comfort of the bathroom and only use it for her temporarily now. I've got the cage in the living room and Tootsie is housed (er.. incarcerated) there. It's about four feet by three, by four. So, Tootsie is able to be in the midst of things without terrorizing them. She doesn't have to feel isolated. Even if the other cats are off snoozing somewhere she gets attention from me, and from The Monk, and a little bit from those who visit. She has food, water and litter box as well as three shelves to be on, plus a comfy bed. The Hilton it is not, but it's the best accommodations I can provide to keep them all safe from one another

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I realize of course, it's "mama hormones" making her so fierce, but she ought to be back to normal sometime soon. Seems to me. She's been spayed. I'm using Feliway spray. Buffy seems the only one close to ready to bother to put up with her stuff. She keeps hanging around the cage and making friendly overtures even after their confrontation where I broke them up with my Tigress hissing/growling act. It confuses them and diffuses them.

 If I pick up Timmy and walk anywhere near the cage while Tootsie is in it, he stiffens into an arching, hair shredding mess! But, he doesn't struggle to get away. If I loosen enough for him to jump down, he curls into a tight ball and squeaks, "Hold me! Hold me! Protect me from the evil deemin!"

I Still Miss Him

In Memory of Ninja

Little Ghost cat,

Your footsteps pit-pat

In the hallway of my mind

The kiss of air, whisper-soft purr;

I hear the echos of your purr;

See your pouncing shadow everywhere....

And smile through my tears.

Author Unknown

Princess Tootsie Wild Kitty

So far the "New Queen" is not acting very friendly.

We had hoped she and Bambi wood be the best of friends, both being Queens and all.

Bambi say that Tootsie (that's her new name) is more like a spoiled Princess.

And for some reason, that's what Mom calls her too. At least. that's what I herd her tell The Monk.

She told the Vet her name is Princess Tootsie. So I guesses, Queen Bambi is right.

But me, Buffy and Shadow likes to call her just plain Tootsie.

We knows why Bambi don't like Tootsie. It was when Mom did the changeover. We all get to change rooms so Tootsie can get used to her new home and to smell us everywhere and know we live here too and not strangers.

The other day Princess Tootsie gotted out the cage real fast under Mom's legs and first thing she did was go after Bambi a growling and a screaming.

I never see fat old Bambi run so fast! They was all over the place.

Mom was able to stands between them when they stopped for a breath taking time.

She very brave! She pick up Tootsie like she was a precious sumpin' or other and carry her into da back room... our kitty room, and shut the door.

Then she go into the kitchen and pick up all the stuff that gotted throwed all over the floor.

Bambi has very hurt feelings cuz while they was running and screaming like Banshees, they pull down the royal red carpet and Bambi's special Queen bed off the dryer where Bambi get all warm all the time.

She say that her private sauna. And she say Tootsie dessa-crated her private sauna and queen bed. But, really, we thinks both of them did that.

While Tootsie was in the back room we all took a turn to investigate the cage. Maybe she like us more if she smell us more.

Caged Cats

Hey there! Hi there! Hi-dee-ho there! It's me! Timmy da Timid1 Guess whut? Queen Bamibi has made me "Lord of da Manor!" Ain't that the coolest thing ya ever heard? I not sure whut dat means, yet. She gonna tell me more. She say since Ninja gone, she need me to step up and take on my royal duties to her majesty. I can hardly waits to find out whut she means.

We been having lots of changes with our new kitty in da house. Let me tell ya how dat is going. Ya see, Shadow allus gets fed inside the kitty cage where he lived when he first came ta live wif us. Dats coz we not allowed ta eat his baby food. But, Mom forgot to close da cage door da udder day, so Buffy and I gots to look around inside.

Checking out the feeding area!

We been waitin' pashuntly for our new Queen ta make her akwaintance and finally Mom brot her outta her "confinement". Her was not happy 'bout it and her screeched at Shadow who dint know no better than to walk right up ta her and stick his nose at her! I barely got a look at her and decided to go hide away.

Queen Bambi made it quite clears what her thought of it when Mom brought the new Queen out to be in da cage for a while.

Bambi shows her displeasure!

Mom did dat for two days. Then, because it been so cold ouside in the freezing air in da house, her brought the new Queen into the cage to stay overnight in da living room. Mom wrapped it up in a blanket so we can't bother her and her can feel safe and warm, sez Mom. Da new Queen, she like dat, and don't screech at us no more.

First appearance of the New Queen!

The New Queen

I hesitate to report that there is an INTERLOPER in the house!!!

Mom thought we wouldn't notice? That's what she thinks! Well, I'm no dumbie! I know what I sniff and it's a cat! Another cat!

Darn it Mom! Aren't we enough for you? Do you have to rescue every poor pitiful kitty that you stumble across?

Yes, yes. I can tell by the smell, she's a Queen cat, too! Thank heavens Mom didn't bring her kittens along with her!That would have been more than this Queen could bear!

She also has that strange medical smell that I once had on my soft underside. That was when I "got fixed"! My tummy was sore for a while there. And I suppose that's how it is for the new Queen. Obviously, she needs to recover. She doesn't need to be surrounded by the four of us right now. Poor thing!

I presume she's our new family member, and not just a visitor. Mom is pretty picky about who she lets into my home. She knows I wouldn't tolerate a parade of strange animals.

Well, except for the birdies she once brought home. But, of course, they were only temporarily visiting until the neighbor came over and got them.

My goodness but they were messy! They scattered bird seed everywhere. At least the outside birds we feed at the feeders clean up after themselves. Our visiting birdies were pretty, though. I have to admit it. But, they didn't sing out in our favorite high pitched songs.

So, even though they were interesting, we were not curious enough to have them come out of their cage and play. Mom had been a bit nervous about that. But, she had nothing to worry about.

The fish, on the other hand... we LOVE the fish! They are so fascinating! Mom calls them Angels. They don't have any wings. And certainly, they do not fly as angels might. Nonetheless they are beautiful to behold! Shiny silver so mesmerizing with black velvet striped patterns. Mother Nature has blessed us with such creatures!

As for the new Queen. I'm not so sure she will be a blessing. I haven't seen her. Haven't been that interested in getting acquainted. Haven't even bothered to introduce myself through the closed door. .

Shadow says she growled at him when he took a peek at her. Mom was entering the room to give her food and attention, when Shadow approached the open door. The new Queen took one look at him and went into Mother Tiger mode. She can't help it, you know. She still has mommy hormones in her. I'm sure of it. As I did, too. It made me protective even after my kits were gone on to their new forever homes.

Shadow has no manners! Well, what can one expect?He's only 8 months old. I haven't yet had the opportunity to take him under my tutelage. Once she feels more comfortable here I will greet her properly... one Queen to another

I've heard her purring when Mom goes in and sweet talks to her. She's a mystery to me. Shadow says he didn't get a good look at her, but he thinks she could be related to Buffy da Bampire Flayer. I wonder what the new Queen will be named.

Naughty Kitty on Time Out from Video Gaming

Hi effurrybuddy! It's me! Yah... ME! It be Timmy da Timid! Ya miss me? I knowed it! I missed ya too! Queen Bambi wouldn't let me online coz I was playin' too menny video games. I dunt know what she talkin' bout! I just be jumpin' up by da TV all da time ta see what's all dem things movin' round alla time! They sure is fassinating! Ya know? Acourse ya know. I betcha yoo been up dere doin' da same thing. Yeah? Uh huh. I knowed it true!

But Queen Bambi, she say I was disreespectfull coz then Mom cants see da TV. Why.. she dunt even watch da dang thing half da time. She just gots it on, Mom say, ta keep her company.

But, ya know... MY Mom gots ME ta keeps her company! And Buffy da Bampire Flayer ta keeps her company! And my baby brudder, Shadow, ta keeps her company! Oh yeah... and Her Royal (pain in the haunch) Highness, Queen Bambi ta keeps her company. Why Mom even needs dat TV anyhoo? I purrsonally think she turn da TV on so she can laugh when I runs up and jumps on dat box in front of da TV to bats at all da movin' things on da TV.

But, dats whut I wuz talkin' about. That's whut Bambi... I means Queen Bambi put me on Time Out fer. Coz I was jumpin' on the video box and making the TV pictures changing. She say I play too much video games. I keeps tellin' her I dunt. But she say I do and dats why I was on Time Out and I not "permitted" to write no nothing on da bloggie for so long. Basides, I broke da Halloween kitty jumpin' up there. I dint mean to! Reely I dint. Dat's when Bambi put me on Time Out and I canst write on no Bloggie.

That... plus... we had so much udder stuff goin' on too. My Uncle Ninja, he went off to da Rainbow Bridge. I misses him so much! But him was so sick. I glad he got to feel better and go run free again. And we gots them widdle baby kittens and I got to be their pretend Papa. Then, they gots all sick and had ta go away, and Pinky nevers came back! I misses Pinky, too! And Mom cride so much about Pinky alla time. Bambi tell me it okay coz Pinky dint go to da bridge, but got dopted and a new furrever home after him got healthy again.

But, Shadow... MY Shadow... MY baby! Shadow... He come back home! Oh, him was so nervus and sad. All I could do was hugs him and licks him and purrs all over him and make him feel all happy again. Now he growin' up so fast. Queen Bambi, she say dat Shadow is 8 months old now and him still a baby. Him da biggest baby cat I ever did see! Him is as long as ME right now and I is a big boy cat. I mean mancat.

Bambi say I not "mature" enuff ta call myself a mancat. I dunt know. I kinda like still being a boycat. Mom still swoop me up and cuddle me like a boy cat. I think she not do that if she think I mature like my old mancat, Uncle Ninja. May him rest in peace.

Why they say that? Rest in peace? Huh? I wonnder. Him not resting as I unnerstands it. Him off running free on da udder side of da Rainbow Bridge. And mebbe even him going ta run right off into him next life like Queen Bambi say. If dat how it is, then him not resting at all. Cuz kittens, them moves around a lot!

The Day After Chris Mouse

I must say, I'm a bit miffed! How could she leave us alone for three days? How dare she? The Queen is not happy!!!

On the other paw... she did leave us well supplied with Nepeta Cataria You know the delicacy... the beautiful green with the fragrance of heaven.


Ah.... Yes, indeed!

And she left us with fresh litter to make our toilette sweet and tolerable... you know the stuff. Of course, you do. And lots of clean water and nibblets galore.

And in the middle of the night The Chris Mouse came to visit and gave me my birthday present!!!
I'm now the age of... Well, never mind! A lady cat never reveals her age. Well, at least... not this one.

So, now she is home and we cuddle in bed while she sleeps

Queen Bambi's Adventure

I was such a naughty girl today! Santa Cat is not going to like that, I'm sure!

I love to waits by the front door whenever anyone comes in or goes out. I have practiced sitting back and pretending that all I am interested in is greeting people when they arrive. But, today I made a run for it!

It is fruitless for Mom to call me. Why does she think I would come to her when I've just gotten my freedom to be naughty?

I likes to roll around on the sidewalk and in the dirt I just runs away and laughs at her. It reminds me a song I once heard: "You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man".

But, Mom, she surprise me. Unlike other times she didn't bother to come outside and frantically try to get back into the house. That's always been part of my fun in escaping.

Today, Mom just gave up and let me go roll on the sidewalk and run around the side yard and leap over the fence. Well. I mean, I couldn't leap over the fence this time. In fact I couldn't even climb it. I've gotten a little too much extra fluff on me to be able to do that! So annoying! Mom calls me her "Butterball". Today Mom said she wasn't going to waste her time trying to tempt me to come in. She didn't even go open a can of food and tap on it with the spoon. She said she wasn't going to "participate in such a fiasco" and Can you believe it? She shut the door on me!!!

That sure put a damper on my spirits. After all, half the fun of running out the door is getting Mom to play with me. I really make her work for it, too. Really make her have to go after me and entice me. It's always fun to see what she will do.

She always circles around behind me, always goes to great lengths to pretend she's not after me. Just as soon as she gets near me, I run for the bushes. Then she comes to the bushes and gets down on her hands and knees kissing the air and begging for me to come out. I act like I'm going to come to her. Just when she has her hand right near me, I run right past her! "Ha! Ha! You can't catch me I'm Queen Bambi!"

You should see her trying to get up from behind the bushes! Tee hee!

Now, now... don't go worrying about me. I'm not going to run away. Not really! I'm not going to run down the street like that time in the middle of the night when Mom followed me into the neighbor's yard wearing only her nightgown and bare feet. She fell down when I ran up the tree and I felt so sorry, I have never done that again. Plus, as usual those doggies next door set up to barking like banshees whenever I'm outside. I can't figure out how they know! Maybe it's the jingle bell on my collar?

I hope Santa Cat will give me some extra points for being a good girl. I didn't stay out long this time. My mousemates followed me from window to window watching me, and it was no fun without Mom. So, I came back to the front door and meeowed to come in like a good girl. I didn't even roll in the dirt either. That should count for something.

Ever since I came back in I have been following Mom around the house, and climbing up on her every time she sits down, and rubbing my face all over her to let her know I'm sorry for distressing her. I can't promise not to do it again. But, I did want to make it up to her by giving her all that loving.

Honoring the Mouse

MOUSIE and ME

by Timmy da Timid

In my mouth

that's where he belongs,

or dancing on my paws, tight in claws,

or flipped in the air, tossed so high.

I smack him across the room,

my best friend, Mousie.

Caught in a corner somewhere,

we play hide and seek.

"I found you! I found you!" I mew

when I hear him squeak.

Oh, my mousie, my favorite thing!

I drop him into my water bowl

he might be thirsty, you know.

or maybe he'd like to swim

I sniff my mousie and lick him,

and take a nibble or two.

but I won’t chew.

I'd have no one to play with,

I would miss him.

Wouldn't you?

I like to carry him tightly in my teeth

and hide him beneath the curtains,

under the rocking chair,

or by the front door.

So, when people come in

they squeal in surprise.

I think they like mousie as much as me.

But, I don't want to share.

I take him behind the sofa

where he can sleep,

way in the back to safely keep,

so the others won't find him,

and they never do.

Mousie has hard little eyes

a missing tail,

scrunched up fur

all sticky from play.

He has no more whiskers.

I don't know where his ears went.

They just disappeared one day.

Really, and truly.

I didn't eat them. I swear!

They must be hiding

somewhere over there.

In the middle of night,

with the moon shining bright,

we are alone, Mousie and me.

Running back and forth we play joyously.

Leaping and scrabbling across the floor

we tear up rugs, throw pillows with glee.

Then, slide into the kitchen,

where he hides from me

under the fridge just out of reach.

I stretch, and poke until my friend

is in my clutches again.

All tired out, I carry Mousie

to my bed, roll on top of him

to hide and protect him

to get myself comfy

and purr him to sleep.

I dream of him and me playing.

Oh, how I love my Mousie!

Serval - Big Cat Rescue

Wow!
Maybe Timmy has some Serval relatives.
He looks so much like Tonga with that coloring near his ears.
Don't you think?

Watch the youtube video and you can see what we mean.



Old Jeffery had a tooth missing up top. Maybe he also had a surgery to remove it.

Detective Pinkerton of Santa Cruz, California

Pinky Cat of Santa Cruz a few days after adoption.
He is on top of his little brother, Shadow.

I still wonder where you are, Pinky. I worry how it was for you at the shelter. I know they gave you the medical treatment you needed. I wish I could have paid for it and kept you. But, at least the shelter people kept you instead of releasing you back into the wild. After all you had been a found feral kitten at age 5 weeks.

I was told you were fine. Was it an adventure for you? I can imagine it was, my little guy. I understand you adjusted well, you loved and were loved. You were quite the lovey boy! You were always right out there ready to take on the world, investigating everything. You were afraid of nothing!

Ninja would growl at you, but that wasn't a problem.All the other cats gave way to Ninja! But, you just walked right up to him and stuck your nose in his face as if to say "how do ya do". I never saw you back down once. You were so outgoing! I understand that is because you were your mama's first born. That's also why we gave the name, "Shadow" to your brother. You led the way and he followed you, like a shadow.

They lost their feral mom cat so young.
They nursed on whatever they could... usually me.

I was told your brother didn't fare so well as you did at the shelter. Shadow was very frightened, hid in the back of the cage and hissed at anyone who came near him and clawed anyone who tried to hold him. Still, he got the medical treatment he needed too. You both had Giardia.

Rather than return Shadow to the wild, or put him to sleep because he was "too feral" to be adopted, the shelter people offered for me to keep your brother. Of course I said yes. I wasn't sure if Shadow would be the same. Would he be wild and untame because of his experiences in the shelter? But, I love him, too. Do you miss your brother?

My heart aches for you Pinky of Santa Cruz. I shall always call you that in the hopes that some day whoever adopted you will read this blog and know you had loving care. And if by any chance whatsoever that they need to find a new home for you, perhaps they will let me know.

I miss my little boy. Pinky, I wonder where you are. 

Even though I have your brother here by my side, it is not enough. 

I should be happy to have him, and not be missing you. At least there's that. 

Shadow is happy here. He hated and feared the shelter.

Dearest Pinky of Santa Cruz, my heart breaks missing you. 

And I know your brother misses you too.

Shadow Kitty Looking for a Home

Shadow is four months old now.

Doesn't he have the most beautiful face?

Shadow has long hair in his ears like a lynx. 

Can you believe the length of them?

Shadow has the most unusual looking tail.

It's white on the underside and fluffier than the rest of him.

Quite distinguished. Don't you think?

Shadow is quite the mellow personality.

I caught this picture of him yawning.

It's a little fuzzy, but I thought it was cute.

Isn't he adorable?

Shadow has a brother whose pic I will post later. It would like for them to be adopted together.