I remember a very brief lunch meeting with my boss and a quick drive to his home to recover my prize. I was the proud recipient of two kittens rescued by his young son, Puss and Boots. These two sisters had markings which reminded my wife of her most beloved Patches.

I was a dog person and cats held no place in my heart until about 5 years later when they had weaseled their way into my heart.  Puss and Boots knew initially that I was not a cat person. Well who do you want to spend as much time as possible near. Why the person that prefers dogs, of course.

Puss and Boots produced about 18 offspring and many people who worked so hard to make my business a success now have young or maybe middle-aged descendants. The girls had some very funny habits. When one spent the night away, she could plan on getting a good scolding from the other as she drug herself in the door.

When times were tough and one of the new moms had more than her hands full with new kittens, the other would pitch in and provide back up. The girls also had a fun habit of following my wife and me around the neighborhood when we would take a walk. They stayed far enough behind to feel independent but close even to have us in their view.

Puss and Boots were also big game hunters. The best stories including their stalking a vulture who was busy cleaning up road kill in our front drive and a rattle snake who was so unhappy that I thought I was hearing a rainbird sprinkler clicking off water in the yard.