I'm pretty sure there's always been a cat in my life. My first word was the name of our calico. I'm comfortable around cats and their ways, and enjoy their presence. I currently have a cat named Genji. His preferred activity of sunbathing was interrupted last year to bring him in for dental surgery. Now I know cats can have their teeth professionally brushed. We had all kinds of pets in the household when I was growing up: guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, birds, newts, turtles, fish, even an iguana. I worked with animals at a pet store for a few years, and today notice the wildlife anytime I go on walks.