All Creatures Great & Small

Chances are pretty high that 30 minutes into any conversation with me (Karen), the topic of my cats might surface. And chances are also pretty high that sometime within the period of our relationship, you've probably thought, "Wow, this gal is serious about her cats." Umm, guilty as charged! I can't help that the Creator himself chose to express his artistic abilities by creating his furry and purry friends! So, without further ado, I'd like you to meet my family:

Charles Douglas Dunlap (Charlie)

While he may now weigh in at 17 pounds, he once was a tinsy little barn kitten covered in fleas. I met Charlie in my parent's barn a few summers back, and it's been magic ever since. Do you believe in love at first sight? Well, I do, and Charlie is living proof that dreams can come true. If you have ever wondered why Steve deserves the Best Husband Ever award, dig this: We bought a pet airline ticket and brought Charlie home from Oregon in a cat carrier stowed under our seats. Now Charlie spends his days sleeping, eating, and hiding under the bed when friends come over.

Imogene Noel Dunlap (The Christmas Miracle)

It has been a life-long dream of mine to come home one snowy Christmas eve to find Steve cradling a kitten with a red bow tied around her neck. Merry Christmas indeed! I learned early on in our marriage that subtle hints get you nowhere, and so 2 Decembers past I made my Christmas wish known to Steve...repeatedly. So while Steve didn't deliver on the snowy portion of my dream, everything else was golden. Steve adopted Imogene from the humane society and knew she was the kitty for us. Reason #283 why Steve deserves the Best Husband Ever award.

Sir Brundibar the Gallant (Brundibar for less formal occasions)

Brundibar is our newest addition to our family. Also, he's a dog, not a cat (don't tell him that). Truthfully, my only complaint against Brun is the fact that he can't purr, but we're working on that. Steve & I have wanted a dog for sometime now, specifically a mastiff. I like big dogs and I cannot lie...those other dogs can't deny...

I mentioned to a lady on my school's Parent Teacher Organization board that I loved mastiffs, and she informed me that she was also a vet tech and would keep her eyes peeled for us. Mind you, this was almost 2 years ago. The week before school let out, my phone rang, and it was the same PTO mom offering Steve and I a free mastiff (not purebred). He had a rope embedded in his neck and was found wandering the streets of LA. We were also told that if we didn't adopt him, he would be sent to the pound within 3 days. Debbie Downer! We met him, fell in love, and now we can't imagine life without him. He will not be the size of a purebred mastiff, but we're hoping he makes it to 100 lbs. If you meet him and he barks a little, don't take it personal. If you had been abused and then left on the street with a rope cutting into your jugular, you might be a bit wary of people too. 

Now that you are more familiar with my animal obsessions, we can proceed with this whole blog thingy.