Bentley & Izzabella

Our journey started one year ago when we chose to get a kitty. We researched many breeds of cats. We checked into breeders all over the Midwest. Then we found the most unbelievably kind and sincere people - the Gutes. We thought after all this research we knew everything. Wrong!

Our first surprise came when we arrived at the gorgeous, clean and friendly Gute home. We had seen many cats and I, not being a “cat person” had not been sure of this entire process until that moment. Their cats were so beautiful -we adopted 2! But I was hesitant about the long drive home from Minnesota and expected chaos due to cats not liking car rides. Wrong again-they loved it!

Our next lovely surprise came at home. We prepared an isolation room to slowly introduce our adult schnauzer to the kittens. They wanted nothing to do with that – Bentley our new male kitten and Zoe instantly were pals. It’s almost unbelievable how they play – they roll, bark, meow, chase and if one stops before the other wants to stop they bite each other’s behind and it starts all over. They always know where each other are and sleep together in a very tiny pen or our bed! (They have trees, beds and tunnels but I guess it’s not cozy enough!)

We were also told that males are so much more loving. Well no one told Izzabella, my little female kitten! She’s my sweetheart. She sleeps next to me, “helps” me in the bathroom and always, always, joins me at the computer. (She says “hi” by the way!)

My best friend has had cats her entire life. She cannot believe these two. I don’t realize all the differences between our cats and other cats. But she just laughs and me and points out that “normal” cats don’t come when they are called, don’t let you just brush their teeth or trim their nails like it’s nothing and they definitely don’t roll on their backs and beg to have their bellies rubbed! Not to mention, less shedding and way less allergenic!

Our only child is 6. While he is very good around animals….he still is a 6-year-old boy.

The cats love him anyway! They look for him and if they feel it’s past his “wake up time” they become his instant meowing, licking, play with me alarm clocks. If he has friends over to play - the cats are right in there with them. Didn’t those cat books tell me cats are timid and like to hide?

My son and I have undergone some health issues this past year. When we need laughs - these two perform. When we need tenderness - they purr. And there is no doubt when we are particularly not feeling well - they make sure they are beside us! My son said it best after his last surgery, “Mom, isn’t it great we have the cats to love?” Actually, we are the lucky ones, to have something so intelligent, beautiful and charismatic love us - it’s amazing. I never thought I’d be able to love a cat like I’ve loved my dogs. In all that research I read somewhere that if you are a “dog person” you will be able to “tolerate” a ragdoll cat. “Tolerate” isn’t the right word - it’s more like become addicted to...I love being wrong!

Karen Peachee’ (& Family)