Our Cats

The love of cats is what brought Hugh and Pam into a happy union (along with two cats each.) Crooked Pine Ranch now boasts 15 cats, 12 indoor and 3 barn cats. What does one do with so many cats? Well, for one, you spend an enormous amount of time everyday cleaning litter boxes, however, you are always entertained with their antics and life is never dull with so many balls of fur running around the place and nothing is more serene than having a warm kitty cuddled in your lap while reading a book in your favorite chair in front of the fireplace. Scroll down to see the lovable cats here at Crooked Pine ranch.

Zena

Discovered at the Humane Society shelter, Zena is a gorgeous female calico. A literal dynamo, she has boundless energy and intelligence not often seen in any cat...by far, she’s the smartest cat we’ve ever had. If ever there was a cat that could be called “the warrior princess,” Zena is definitely the one. Anything or anyone is fair game for a chase, a sneak attack, or just some good ol’ cat love. Although she spreads her love around, Zena tends to seek Hugh out for her affections. If you curl up with a good book, the chances are excellent that you will have this wonderful calico curled up right with you. Born in Winter Haven, Zena is about four years old.

Gizmo

Born on a horse ranch in Flagstaff, Arizona, Gizmo was “rescued” by Pam. He is a white longhaired Persian who loves to play with his best buddy, Zena. A game of chase is always the most important thing on his mind (except dinnertime). Gizmo is certainly a “Mom’s cat,” and his idea of heaven is Pam’s lap. Our smallest cat, Gizmo make up for his lack of size with the tenacity of a lion and has a “motor” that reminds one of a motorcycle. A favorite pastime is supper, and this little cat has the biggest appetite of all of our cats. Certainly not a picky eater, he enjoys everything. “Gizzy” is about twelve years old.

Bart

Bart is Gizmo’s bother, and was born in Flagstaff, Arizona. He is about eleven years old. He is probably the most “laid back” of all of our cats...we call him “Mr. Mellow.” He gets along with everyone with one major exception...Zena (the Warrior Princess). They both vie for the spot of “top cat” in the hierarchy. Bart is one of those cats that will take a lot...up to a point. Then...watch out! Bart is a beautiful shaded cream purebred Persian...complete with all of the eccentricities of the breed. He can be “chilling out” one minute, and the next minute he is tearing around the house like a banshee (none of which impresses Zena, of course).

The Three Amigos

Found at Polk Community College (and destined for the Humane Society) Pam rescued these three bandits. We have one male and two females...all totally black (one might worry that a black cat crosses their path about seven hundred times a day!). The male is named Plato, so named because of the unusual wrinkles in his brow that make him look like he is thinking too hard. His two sisters are Onyx and Ebony...and almost identical (we’ve tried to keep track of them by shaving a little hair from Onyx’s head...she wasn’t impressed), however, Onyx grew up to be twice as heavy as the other two cats so there is no mistaking her from her sister now. These three hellions are into everything imaginable and most of our older cats tolerate them. Click on each cat to see their individual photos (must have pop-up blockers disabled).

Mickey

Pixie

Mickey and Pixie came to us under unusual circumstances; Pixie and Mickey's mother (Sky) was a stray that took up at the ranch, she was a beautiful solid blue color with golden eyes. Unbeknown to us, Sky was pregnant and gave birth in the palmettos to the side of the house. Being a first time mom, Sky abandoned her kittens. The dog, alerted to an unusual sound in the bushes, found the newborn kittens. We brought the kittens inside and placed them in a warm chicken brooder and fed them goat milk. Both kittens not only survived, but thrived. Mickey and Pixie are grown now and Pixie has a new litter of kittens of her own. Sadly, the mother of these two lovely cats was recently killed by a snake. Click on either picture above to see photos of Mickey and Pixie as kittens being raised in a chicken brooder (must have pop-up blockers disabled).

The Fearsome Foursome

These deceptively serene looking kittens are Pixie's little brood. We have Trixie and Dreamer (the sleepy one on the chair) which are both black and gray tigers. Slater, the only male, is a blue color just like his grandmother and Pandora is a cream Siamese colored little girl (we don't know where she inherited that color from because other her parents and her grandparents were dark cats.) Click on each kitten to see individual photos.

Look What The Cat Dragged In

Well, Delta finally brought her kittens out of hiding! Five little bundles of joy (gee, thanks Delta, like we need more cats). All kittens, except Dinky-Do, have been adopted.

Rascal

Usually called the “Queen Cat,” Rascal was twenty-one years old and adapted quite well for being totally deaf. A beautiful, silky tuxedo cat with a definite weakness for catnip, Rascal had her territory staked our...and that territory was in the middle of the bed. No other cat dared to intrude on this “sacred ground.” A genuine “lap cat,” she had never seen a lap that she doesn't like, but was especially fond of Pam’s lap. Rascal was Hugh’s best friend for all of her twenty-one years. Hugh bought her at a garage sale for the grand sum of one dollar (the best buy that Hugh has ever made!) and carried her home in his jacket pocket. Rascal was born in Winter Haven. Rascal passed away quietly in her sleep in October of 2002.

fat cat

Top Flite

While on a golf outing (hence, the name “Top Flite”) in North Carolina, Hugh was adopted by Top Flite and was brought back to Florida. In his prime he was a 24 pounder...a gentle giant with the sweetest disposition of any cat we’ve had. Top Flite’s two greatest pleasures were snoozing on Hugh’s lap on the deck or sleeping next to Pam in bed. Unfortunately, Top Flite is no longer with us. He passed away in 2001 after suffering from renal failure. He has become the first permanent resident of Crooked Pine Ranch. He is buried here, under a beautiful live oak tree.We visit his resting place regularly. We still grieve over this wonderful animal, but feel blessed that we had him in our lives for as long as we did. We feel certain that we will see him again sometime in the future at the “Rainbow Bridge.”

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