Mutsaba wasn't the first cat I ever loved, but the first to be mine. I fought very hard for getting permission to own her. My father did not hold with cats as indoor pets, and my mother was afraid of them. But when my family moved into a house of our own, I finally won. Mutsaba got her name from a comic book cat I had invented years ago. We called her Mutschi most of the time, though.

My second cat Phoenix was completely different from the more reserved and sophisticated Mutsaba. I often called her an imp. While she could be very impudent, she was also easy to love. She got her name from a Native American warrior women I met in the USA. We lost her in October 2002 and still miss her like mad.

You can view a larger version of the pictures by clicking on them.

© Christa

On April 13, 2005 was born the cat that is now sharing our home: Ariel. He was supposed to be a girl kitten, but when Robin and I saw him for the first time we decided that his gender really did not matter. It has taken us years to convince my husband that we should get us another cat, and in the same week he finally gave in to our constant nagging a friend from my past e-mailed me some pictures of their double litter (their two cats had three babies each). Of course we had to go and visit them, the rest is history. Ariel is big and eats like three cats. He has great courage without being stupid, loves to play really wild games, but also to snuggle close for hugs and kisses. In a few short weeks he has made himself an important part of this family, and we just don't know how we ever did without him!

Do you know the 
Basic Rules for Cats Who Have a House to Run?
Every selfrespecting cat should know them by heart!