kittens + cats + anatomy

Is there really such a thing as too many cats?  I mean, we're bordering crazy-cat-lady territory around here with all the new babies, but somehow we're falling in love with them all!  Nine kittens from two mama cats' litters have occupied our back porch for the past couple of months.  They're so playful and fun, and we just can't get enough of them!

And honestly, what easy pets to keep around.  They live outside, and sleep in the barn or under a blanket on the porch in the winter (okay, that sentence may have exceeded the preposition allowance for proper grammar, but who's counting?)  Best of all, they eat all the pesky mice who would otherwise be occupying their former home under my kitchen sink!  Three cheers for cats!

Oh, and while we're talking about the perks of cat-ownership, you should know that they're awfully handy for teaching anatomy to children.  Yes, indeedy.  I overheard one such lesson given to my little girls by a 9-yr. old neighbor girl the other day, while walking behind the daddy cat.  "You know, if you get those little furry balls cut off, he won't be as wild and chase all the girl cats."  Oh my.  Anatomy 101 in the backyard.  I ran away laughing, while they stood there with puzzled looks on their faces.  Perhaps I'll explain it in more depth when we take the cats to get spayed/neutered.  Perhaps... 

 Look how they sleep on their backs with their mouths open.
Or are they playing dead so little Sarah won't torture hold them again?!

This one's asleep with one eye open...with good reason, too.  Here comes brother, to step on his head!  (or could he be looking out for Sarah?)

Look at those precious eyes!

This is Tuna.  Our favorite of the new kitties.  The one we decided to keep.  Poor little one went missing a few days ago.  We miss her.  (sniff, sniff)
And yes, these kitties have been handled so much, they just fall right to sleep in your arms like in this photo!

A sleepy Tuna, getting a bath from Mama.

This is Reepicheep.  Or is it Kojo?  They're twins, recently adopted by some good friends.  Now happily living in a large barn and eating lots of pesky barn birds and plenty of raw cow's milk.

 Sleepy mama (and grandma) Sophie, alone for a little "cat-nap."  :)  

And last, but not least, there's Pippin.  Son of Sophie (from last year's litter), and uncle/brother/dad to the new kittens.  (yes, it gets a little confusing when incestual relationships are involved!  the confusion earned another anatomy lesson, of course...)
Anyway, Pippin...he's cool and calm, always lounging around or purring against your legs for some very subtle attention seeking.  Sweet and lazy...nothing exciting with this one.  Well, except that we thought he was a she until we saw how she he was interacting with the lady cats...namely his mother (for shame!).  So Betsy had a name change, along with her his identity crisis, from Betsy to Pippin.
He's our favorite full-grown cat.  

How about you?  What kind of pets have been your favorite?  

Our neighbors have baby guinea pigs, and Sam is begging to adopt one.  Have any of you kept a guinea pig for a pet?  What did you think of it?  We had hamsters when I was a kid.  And ever since then, I've shied away from caged animals...they seem to be so stinky!  Am I wrong?

Oh, and if you live in Utah and want a kitty to call your own, email me.  And you might want to brush  up on your anatomy...  :)