Amani Ra & Nala

Amani Ra

Nala

Pet Parents
Leanne C.   Clearwater, FL

"After much negotiating, with Ellie wanting to name him 'Amani' meaning peace and Kelley preferring 'Ra,' we finally came to a compromise... we settled on 'Amani Ra' and we're calling him 'Rocket.' It's not as elegant and regal, but it does suit him the way he blasts around the house... When I come into the room, he immediately comes to me and climbs up to headbutt me, purring loudly."

"Nala was clearly nervous the first night, following the boy like his shadow... doing exactly each thing he did, right after him. This morning she seemed more calm.... she sat in my lap, purring, for quite a while. By the way, Amani Ra is up to 5.4lbs. and Nala is now 3.2."

"Woo-Hoo! Nala came up to me today and stood up on her hind legs with her front paws as far up my leg as she could reach and meowed for me to pick her up. Once I did, she just sat there all calm and sweet while Kelley and Ellie looked at us stunned. They were a little jealous because, so far, she won't let anyone else hold her but me. Hee Hee. She is turning out to be very sweet."

Nala Relaxing

Ra Relaxing

"We got the kitties to the vet today for their checkups. My vet was sooooo impressed with them. Nala was up to 3lbs. 7oz. and Ra was 5lbs. 11oz. on the vet's scale. Both kitties have adjusted well and are getting along with our two other domestic cats. Nala is just a little sweetheart. I'm so glad she finally got over her initial apprehension. Tonight, I was laying on the floor playing with the kitties and Nala decided she was going to take a break so she crawled up inside my T-shirt and stretched out against my side until she felt like playing again. Ra is a big sweetie too. He is always nearby, looking to be petted... he looks at you with this adorable dreamy look on his face. It is soooooo cute. He is really good with Emily [my 3-year-old daughter], too. He lets Emily carry him -- supervised only, of course -- and doesn't protest at all. Although at the rate he seems to be growing, I don't think she'll be able to hold him much longer."

Ra and Ellie At The Computer

Ra Checking Her Work

"Nala is so funny. She brought my hairbrush out of the bathroom and loves to pick it up and throw it down over and over... just when you think the brush has had enough, she takes a mighty pounce, lands on it, throws it straight up into the air over her head and zips all the way into the next room before it hits the ground -- only to come running out of nowhere, leaping on it again, and slamming it to the ground with a loud clack. Take that! You hairbrush!"

Ra Inspecting Nala's Kill

"I've been trying to get some good side photos of the kitties so you can see how pretty their markings are. Unfortunately, they're always moving too fast. They're doing great! They both seem very happy. Ra was up to 6 1/2 pounds on his 4-month birthday and Nala was at an even 4 pounds. Here's a photo of 4-month-old Ra with my domestic cat, Kaos. He's five years old."

Sideview of Nala

Kitten Ra & Adult Kaos

Nala eats more than any cat I have ever seen! If I feed them out of two bowls in the same room, Nala will run back and forth trying to squeeze Ra off of his bowl. Even if she just finished eating ten minutes ago and walked away with food still left in the bowl... if I happen to walk near it, she will stand at my feet and meow at me until I pour her some fresh food and then I have to pet her while she eats. She then chows down like she hasn't eaten in days. It's really funny. But she is really lean and solid muscle and it is almost impossible to get a photo of her because she is always in motion!"

"Ra, on the other hand, is very laid back and sweet. He likes to sit with me and just hang out; he used to allow Emily to pick him up, but now he's too big."

Sweet Ra

Mokave Kittens and My Domestic Cat

"Here's a photo of the kitties at naptime. They're so snuggly. Ra is now 7.6lbs. and Nala is 4.6. Ra starts purring if you even look at him and Nala will purr when I pick her up, providing that she wasn't interrupted in the middle of some important kitty mission such as snatching the feathers-on-a-stick toy out of my husband's hand and hauling the entire thing seven feet straight up the climbing pole to show who's boss. Here are some photos, including some rare ones of Nala as she was briefly winding down. A typical evening around the house... I'm relaxing on the couch, Ra comes up and snuggles with me for a while, but then not to be outdone, Nala squeezes in between us. Ra scoots over and gives her some room, stretching out to groom himself contentedly, while Nala meows at me - or simply stares at me until I bend to her will - at which time I reach down to pet her and she shows her affection by alternately licking my hand and trying to rip one of my fingers off. She seems to really enjoy it and tries not to hurt me... I love both of my kitties so much!!!"

Naptime

Nala Finger Chewing

"Here's Ra, taken in November, 2009. He's up to 11 pounds now. Solid muscle. And another photo of him helping me fold clothes."

Ra at 11 Pounds

Ra Helping Out

Apollo & Nairobi Star

Pet Parents
Joe, Cyndi, and Nadia   West Hartford, CT

Apollo

Nairobi Star

"Nairobi Star is wonderful! She is 8 months old and over 10 pounds!"

Sybelle

Pet Parent
Jessica P.   Big Spring, TX

"Thanks for the update, Nora. I have been to PetSmart and bought all the necessities for Sybelle... I am so excited!! I will let you know when she is picked up and when she arrives home, which should be around 8-9 pm tomorrow night. I can't wait...

I am already considering a playmate for her down the road.....so just remember how much I like the strong rosette patterns in either gold, brown, or fawn, and either sex will be fine!!! Oh, and like everyone else... BIG cats! LOL"

"I took Sybelle to the vet just to get her record established and had her weighed. She weighed 5.8 lbs. at 3 1/2 months. I wish she would eat more dry food, but she eats up her kitty cocktails just fine. I am following the feeding instructions so I do not know why she weighs less than her sister, Sari, whom you said was 6.5 pounds. Oh well, I know she is healthy!" [Note: Sybelle had recently been spade and had not regained all her weight back from the surgery. Even so, she still outweighs most domestic male kittens her age!]/p>

Shiny Fur

Sybelle's Big Paws

"Sybelle has adapted quite beautifully to her new home and family. She sleeps with my 2-year-old daughter and I, and took a nap completely under the covers earlier today. She is so much fun to watch and play with... I look forward to the days ahead with her. Her cat tree came in a few days ago; she just purrs when she is on it. It was like she knew it was a "present" for her and she was grateful. I will take more pictures as she grows up, and I just wanted to say thank you for providing such a wonderful companion."

Sybelle and Madison

Tucking Sybelle In

"Sib" Sybelle

"Madison was covering Sybelle up. It was cute. They are really getting along well together and Madison calls her "Sib" so I guess she is her new sibling, lol."