Katya is a 10 year old cat who's been with us for 7 years. She came with the house when we bought it. Mostly she stays outside. She was injured and is currently at the vet, which has me reminiscing about her and our other pets, current and previous. (She's going to be OK.) 

Katya and a chicken studiously ignoring each other. 

Kouzia is a sedate old man of 11. When I first got him as a 6 month old kitten, he was so wild that he would race around a room - at ceiling level. Believe it or not. I know better. He's still musical and tickles the ivories from time to time. 

Smokey and Cinders were left for us by our first tenant. They're about 8 years old now. Mostly they live outside. They're real lovey-dovey, but terrified of Scooter. 

Hissy Fit is a feral cat. We first saw him as a 4-6 month old kitten, so we know he's about 5-6 years old, same as Tuck. 

Nip, Tuck's sister, died last year. This is perhaps the last photo before her mysterious illness. They were my bottle babies. I found them lying on concrete at a fruit stand, cold to the touch, probably only a day or three old. Thanks to my fondness for James Herriot stories, I knew to pop them in the oven - and it worked. I'm still a little amazed at that. 

Jessie, alas, is no longer with us. She was hit by a car 2 years ago. She was simply wonderful with children. The first time we had friends with toddlers at our house, she kept herding them away from the swimming pool. She let Nadya walk all over her - and nap on her too. 

Chip has been with us for 6 years. He's 7 or 8 years old. Best guess is an Irish Wolfhound and German Shorthair Pointer cross. He absolutely adores chasing tennis balls. 

Scooter and Katie have been special friends since the moment they met. We're not sure what kind of dog he is, but are currently leaning towards ummm, can't remember. 

Irene holds Tuck and Hans.