Charley and Baxter

"Charley and Baxter are still every bit as wonderful as they ever were. They each have such unique personalties and we have completely absorbed them into the family. Right now, I can hear Baxter rolling a superball around on the wood floors. He prefers to bat things around for himself while Charley is ADDICTED to fetch.

Unfortunately, our air intake vents are on the floor so we are constantly going in to "fetch" his toy (an earplug for swimming) when it accidentally gets knocked in. If we don't, he lets out the most plaintive, sorrowful cry and we end up just melting anyway.

The boys have each taken on several nicknames. Charley is a.k.a. Squeaky, Trouble, Nosey, Beggar Boy, Meltycat (when he is extra comfortable), and Hey! Get Outa There!

Baxter is Lovemuffin, Hairball, Fluffbucket, and Needy Cat (when he won't take no for an answer to his demands for affection).

Gary and I have also adopted our specific identities with these guys. I'm "The Lap" and Gary is "Playtime". My responsibilities are much more extensive than Gary's. A woman's work is never done! Baxter is unbelievably affectionate. He has a favorite lap position of being held like a baby, so if he's feeling settled in, he works his way onto his back and kneads at my arm until he passes out.

Charley is more of a percher. When I'm reading in bed, he likes to sit on my stomach and rest his front paws and head on my knees. We have a new acronym, personally promoted by Charley: E.A.T. It means "Everything's a Toy." He has taken a liking to science in the form of testing the effects of gravity on items left on a nightstand. He likes to defy it himself by perching on our shoulders while we work around the house. He particularly likes to watch me cook. He's also taken to heater vent worship.

They still love to chase each other back and forth every morning with no one actually getting the upper hand. They have been found together in compromising positions on the papason from time to time. Sometimes, Charley is so overzealous about grooming Baxter that he feels like he fell in the tub.

Charley comes when he's called by name with a meow that sounds like "Yes?" Baxter doesn't really acknowledge his name, but his conscience is so sensitive that he never gets in trouble enough to be hollared at.

We just love these boys so much and are so grateful to have them in our lives. On that note I have to go. Charley just sent an earplug to Neverneverland and I have to find him a new one. Let me know how your fostering is doing when you get a chance. And feel free to stop by any time. I suspect you won't be too offended by cat hair everywhere? In the meantime, you still have our undying gratitude for bringing our kids into our lives!"

-Rose Dyhouse