I am my neighborhood's eccentric cat lady.

I've accepted it. And why not. Every neighborhood has one, why shouldn't I be her (she be me?)? Whatever.

You've seen my sweet girl Vladdy with me in my profile pic, but let me just come straight out and say it. There are 4 more at home in addition to her.

I know what you're thinking.

"5 cats? Criminy, that's a lot of critters!"

But I've really embraced my position in the neighborhood and I think I remember reading somewhere that 5 is the bare minimum you can have and still be considered "eccentric." Phew! Just made it.

"So how does one come to have 5 cats," you ask? It's really easy - you can do it too. Let me show you how.

About 3-1/2 years ago, I came home from work one day and there was the scrawniest little orange tabby I've ever seen on my front sidewalk. He was a polite and well-mannered gentleman and it was clear he hadn't been getting regular meals for some time. I would have been remiss if I hadn't done something to rectify that unfortunate situation. Luckily, I remembered I had a can of tuna in the house and before you can say "Presto," I had a cat. Now I just needed to know what to call him. Hmmm. He showed up right before Halloween, he was orange, and he was quite adept at sneaking around and startling me when I least expected it, thus, his name is Spooky. He is handsome utterly charming. And such a skilled hunter! Why, I once saw him leap into the air and snatch a bird right out of the sky, and he presents me with his trophies on a regular basis. I firmly believe he is still greatful for that first can of tuna.

Next came Bella. She's a cute, precious and very fluffy black and white tuxedo girl. She used to hang out with the neighbors down the street (and was named by their 4-year-old) but she decided she likes us better and she never goes "home" anymore. I can't say I'm unhappy about that. She is very gentle, though mildly feral and doesn't trust strangers. Unfortunately, if she hasn't met you 100 times, you're a stranger. I honestly believe Bella is mildly "challenged." She forgets. But Spooky takes really good care of her. They both prefer living outside and the two are inseparable. It really is adorable.

I thought for a while that our furry family was complete until I got a call from a friend about a year and a half ago. Her neighbor's cat just birthed a liter and the neighbor couldn't keep them. Did I know anybody who could take in one or more kittens? Why yes! Yes I did. The babies were only about a week old when I first saw them - their eyes weren't even open yet. We had to wait weeks and weeks before they were old enough to leave their mother, and we visited them every week until then so they would know us and not be frightened when we brought them home.

All of them were nearly solid black with one exception. A tiny tuxedo! My friend decided she looks just like her own cat Amir, and so the kitten was immediately dubbed Amir, Jr. A.J. is a sweet lap kitty who loves to watch me cook. She jumps up on top of the cabinet closest to the stove and watches every move I make. She cocks her head to the side like she's thinking about whether she would make the same spice-choices.

The second looked just like a little bear, or maybe even a Wookie. She was the cutest little thing. Black as night with just a small white blaze on her chest and a miniscule white dot on one ankle. I knew she would be perfect for my husband.

She always looks mildly grumpy or "put out" and my husband, book-junkie that he is, named her after a loveable old grouchy character he likes. Kitty's name is Trout. We always have to explain it, but she is sort of clumsy and a little grouchy so the name suits her. She is such a beautiful cat. If Merriam Webster wanted a picture of the perfect feline, it would be Trout.

While I dearly love them all, I've saved my darling Vladdy for last. She is my dark angel. She was the runt of the litter - only 3 or 4 inches long the first time I saw her. As I said, her eyes weren't even open, but when I picked her up and cradled her in my arms she immediately climbed my shirt and snuggled up against my throat. She is solid black, with one exception - she also has a blaze on her chest that is more a defined circular shape than Trout's. She's grown into them somewhat now, but when she was tiny, her ears were the same size they are now. They were gigantic on her tiny little head. With her little pointy face, big ears and (we were soon to learn) her penchant for hanging upside down, she looked for all the world like a cute little fruitbat!

So...
1) she's bat-like
2) with jet black, smooth short fur
3) and an avid neck nuzzler
Since I have a thing for vampires as well as cats, it made perfect sense to name her after the Dark Prince himself. Dracula. Vlad Dracul. And presto...a cat named Vladdy was born!

So as you can see, there are no Socks, or Mittens or Tigers for me (not that there's anything wrong with that). My babies' names are utterly unique. Just like they are.