Bandit & Outlaw, a.k.a.The Biter and The Lap Boy

Well now. As you’ll note below, I got a little crazy past few months. Guess it was only fair Mr. Lyons took a turn and decided he needed this pair of brothers. Wow. For a couple already enjoying the love of several felines, welcoming home this young pair has been a blessing and a joy (to us and a couple of our younger cats… To a couple of the older ones? Not so much…) One of Mr. Lyons’ goals is that the young kittens will teach the older kitties How To Get Along With Dogs. The official outcome of that is yet to be determined…

Josie, a.k.a. Larissa and Mr. Lyons Have Lost Their Minds…

It was bound to happen, right? We have such love for felines and after decades together, a long time in the country, and that pesky thing often known as a midlife crisis(??), I was bound to push for a dog. Of course I was! And you want to talk about a distraction?! My timing was terrible, finding sweet Josie before our fence was finished, which means she and I spent her first several months with us leash walking very frequently. Why, you might wonder, didn’t I simply let her romp and play freely? Because our 5 acres weren’t enough for her…And she swiftly started visiting neighbors’ without permission. She has yet to learn “No” means get your butt back here, but the liver treats and I are still working on it. Why didn’t anyone tell me that dogs go from lap-size to Volkswagen-comparables in just a few weeks?

Izzy, a.k.a.Holy Canine, We Did It Again!

Because Miss Josie was such a vibrant, energetic bundle – one who thought jumping and nipping were as necessary as breathing – and one who considered Mr. Lyons and I nothing but her personal chew toys, I decided she needed a friend.  The cats aren’t exactly thrilled, but Josie and Izzy are. Izzy came to us as a sweet one-year-old in desperate need of a new home when her prior living situation changed unexpectedly. I’m happy to report the girls get along great, they think wrestling and treeing cats  are their purpose. Sweet Izzy also likes to stand on her hind legs and give hugs. Bona fide arms-around-the-waist hugs! Now, if I could just get back to writing…

Rango, a.k.a. The Instigator

Mr. “I’m Innocent” is really our TROUBLEMAKER Extraordinaire, happy to tempt the rest of the Board into mayhem. Is it any wonder I keep telling Mr. Lyons writing isn’t the only thing interfering with home keeping around here?! >^..^<

Sassyfrass Nutjob, a.k.a. The Collaborator

Always ready to jump in the fray when her brother starts something. More importantly, this rolly-polly ball of fluffy goodness  reminds me of the important quiet – purring – moments in between all the busyness. The moments that help spark and create memorable characters. 🙂

B-Ball, a.k.a. The Distractor

Sweetest feral-rescue cat ever; made the fifteen months it took to tame him sufficiently to get him in a cat carrier and to the vet more than worth it. Happy to “plop” down in place, up against my legs whether I was savvy enough to grab pen and paper beforehand or not.

Tucker, a.k.a. El Senior

He’s our “Rah” kitty, a reference recognizable by Watership Down fans. Tucker may look similar to B-Ball above, but they’re totally different. Tucker came to us from a neighboring ranch, so he’s a true West Texas boy through and through. Although, he does have a British accent which I’ll have to explain sometime…

Cholla, (yes, named after the cactus because he’s very prickly) a.k.a. The Agitator

Cholla *thinks* he’s in charge, even when he isn’t, ready to bully his way past any other feline around to get his Human Affection. Purring next to me as we work on this page together, he’s my reminder to not let characters get too complacent until the final chapters, to always stir things up – agitate them, if you will – to keep their journey toward lasting love fraught with both fun times and tension.

Buddy, a.k.a. The Evaluator

Always ready to sink his teeth into a manuscript and let me know when further modifications are needed. Though he’s also a senior kitty, Buddy is the newest boy to join our family. He’s adapted well and is quite demanding, vocal when he doesn’t get his way. 😉 We put up with His Grumpiness because he also climbs on laps for lovings every day.