Yes, I really do have a cat!

Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later.

~ Mary Bly

Contrary to popular belief I do have a cat living in my house. Notice I did not say I own a cat, anyone who knows cats will tell you; cats are not owned. The sweet little feline in the picture above is Lexie, our 13 year old long-haired calico.

I still recall the phone conversation I had with Mark when Kyle and I were at the local animal shelter. "Do not bring home a female or a long-haired cat." I readily agreed, but that promise totally left my mind when I saw this sweet little ball of fur with the longest whiskers I'd ever seen. We had to have her, a long-haired female or not! The shelter told us she was six weeks old, but our vet said four to five at the most. She easily fit into the palm of my hand.

This was all before dogs...I had no desire to have a dog (don't ask me what happened there,I have no clue) and all was fine until McKenzie came to live with us...then Chance...then Layla. There are days when the dogs leave Lexie alone, but those are few and far between. She spends most of her time in our basement, coming in and out the cat door we installed in the door to our downstairs. She always comes up for treats in the morning and a goodnight pet and purr when the dogs go out before bed. We affectionately refer to her as our cellar dweller.

One problem we've encountered as she's aged is the fact that Lexie easily becomes matted. Not just hairballs, I'm talking full-fledged, down to the skin, full body length matts. We have to have her sedated and shaved by the vet about once a year. The picture above is one day post shaving- they leave her head and tail alone. I remember the first time I told Kyle we were having this done. I made the mistake of wording it "I am taking Lexie to the vet. We are having her put to sleep so they can shave her." I only got to "put to sleep" when Kyle cried out in protest "I can't believe you can be so cruel."

Most everyone knows we are dog lovers. It wasn't until last week when I had to go in late to work and leave early to take Lexie to the vet that I realized most people don't know we have a cat, and these are people who've been to my house more than once. (I think my staff thought I was just using the cat excuse to get out of work) :)
I forgave them, my friends all know I have a cat...or so I thought. The next night during bookclub Lexie made a rare appearance and one of my dearest friends noted that "Your cat is bald". This was followed by a chorus of "You have a cat?!?" from the others.

Yes, I really do have a cat!