R.C. Greymaulkin
R.C. was a distinguished yellow domestic cat who was my special friend and companion when I was in my late teens and early twenties. One of a litter of kittens born to my sister's cat in Los Angeles, he returned with me by car to Oregon following my summer visit there. R.C. was very jealous of my boyfriend (now husband) from the beginning, and the feeling was somewhat mutual. They never did get along, but R.C. was my "special guy," so my boyfriend had to put up with him. R.C. used to like to hide in the couch cushions and scratch whomever was sitting there. He also used to walk around on his hind legs and attack my unsuspecting brother. I, myself, never had any trouble with him and refuse to believe these slanderous slurs!

Aisha
A dear friend to both my husband and me, our wonderful and beautiful Siamese, Aisha, succumbed to kidney disease at the age of fourteen. Starting her life as "Howard" in another household, she came to us with very serious roundworm infestation and what later turned out to be Panleukopenia. Had a miraculous recovery after several months of intensive treatment. Managed to rip her left front leg wide open once by knocking over and breaking a soda pop bottle while leaping from her tall scratching post across the room. Used to torment our Doberman, Brigette, by walking along the staircase railing on the second floor, occasionally stretching out so Brigette would think she would fall. A very personable feline with a very determined personality (she was definitely "The Queen") and a very, very hard one to lose. She will be remembered and missed always.

Roo
Roo was a dainty Dachshund who belonged to our good friend, Brad. Originally a stray, she never fully got over her timidness. Brad loved her deeply.

Max
Max was our Cockateil whom we adopted when my sister-in-law, Mona, and her family moved to Alaska. Max started out as "Charley" but his name was quickly changed. Unfortunately, he never had any training when he was young, so by the time he got to us when he was around eight, he didn't know how to talk (always tried though!) Would drive us crazy with his screeching for attention, but he was entertaining and had a distinct personality. Apparently died peacefully of old age.

Brigette
Briggie was our sweet Doberman girl. A real clown and eager to please. Hated anyone in a uniform and loved to go for walks in the park. Ate a lightbulb once, apparently with no ill effects. Made many mistakes, but always learned from them and rarely repeated any. Was the self-proclaimed police officer of our two cats at the time, Aisha and Pyewackett, and was constantly after them whenever they would do something they weren't supposed to do. Eventually became partially blind and had very bad arthritis. We lost her at age fifteen.

Rudy ("The Rude-Dude")
Rudy was a beautiful golden Cocker Spaniel who adopted us after having spent several months (or years) on his own living in a nearby park. (I would love to find the creeps who abandoned him.) We have always felt he answered an advertisement for a companion placed somewhere by our Doberman, Brigette. Walked into our house like he owned the place and like he had been there before. When he came to us he was in really terrible condition--his coat was covered with grease and was badly matted, and he had a very severe ear infection in both ears, which necessitated two surgeries. Turned out to be a definite Class-A guy, with show quality, and a very loving friend. Died at approximately age twelve (guesstimate) from liver failure, after apparently eating poison mushrooms in the yard.

Pyewackett
Pye-pye-pyewackett was adopted by us when she was very, very small. Lived through numerous small traumas before she came to live with us. Always a timid soul, especially after the formidable Aisha arrived, but a real sweetie. We always thought she was rather fragile, but she showed us and outlived a lot of our other furry friends. Passed away at age seventeen, basically of old age.

Zip
Zip was another much-loved companion of our friend, Brad. A large gray cat, Zip was also a stray who was taken in and given a great home. Got her name from the fact she would zip around the room and quickly hide under furniture whenever strangers appeared. Apparently died of old age (no guess how old she was).

Chester
Chester was a marmalade Persian who ended up living with my sister-in-law, Mona, after being shuffled around from home to home. Never had an easy life. Somewhat shy, although one could have a pleasant conversation with him if he was in the mood. Died peacefully in his sleep, apparently of old age.

Miss Emma
Miss Emma was the companion of our good friends, John and Jim. She started her life as a stray, and was extremely fortunate she was found and adopted by them. She was a Dachshund with a lot of personality and ruled the house (and John and Jim). She eventually became arthritic and somewhat blind, and died of old age.

Leo
Leo was a beautiful marmalade cat who lived with my good friend, Dee. Leo started off badly, having been neglected and possibly abused, before he became a ward of the Oregon Humane Society. Through a recommendation of her veterinarian, Dee adopted Leo. It was rocky at first--Leo did not trust people and was slow to warm up to human companionship. On top of that, he was a biter and had to be broken of that habit! Finally, Dee and Leo came to terms and became the best of friends. He lived many, many years until finally contracting the beginnings of kidney disease, among other "elderly cat" ailments. We all were sorry to see him go, but rejoice in the fact that we knew him and his life with Dee was a happy and safe one.