Our Best Friends

Benjamin Franklin III, known as Frank, is a stately cat with a black goatee and huge feet.  He joined Lorraine’s household in 2007 when she visited the Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance on an expedition to find a new family member.  Frank greeted her at the door and was ready to play.  His human caretaker said that Frank was especially fond of small gray furry mice toys and even sent him off with a well-used example.  That was the first of many, and Frank reminds us periodically that white or colored ones just won’t do. . . . He and Lorraine play fetch daily, with Lorraine tossing the mouse and Frank bringing it back to her.  Of course, there are the days that Frank hides the mouse under the furniture or in a shoe and then expects Lorraine to fetch instead.   

From early morning walks through the neighborhood to mad dashes around the back yard, Leslie’s dog Daisy does her best to keep the family in shape. When she isn’t busy herding people, her favorite activity is flushing birds away from the yard. Not an especially brave soul, Daisy leaves the biggest birds alone but gleefully pursues anything smaller than a robin. With a gentle spirit and all the playfulness of a barrel of monkeys, Daisy taught Leslie’s family the importance of second chances and rewards for good behavior.

After being cat-less for nearly 3 years, Leslie’s family adopted a scrawny kitty from the shelter. Since then, the now 12 pound Rudy has become a cherished family member, chattering at the birds outside the window then curling up for a snooze atop the kitchen cabinets. Rudy’s affectionate nature was obvious right from the start, and he is named for the legendary film heartthrob, Rudolph Valentino. Rudy comes fully equipped with the best feline options, including Insta – Purr, automatic alarm clock and four-paw traction control. While he can yowl with the best of them, Rudy’s most common vocalizations are chirps and squeaks.

Prior to the start of the local veterinary emergency clinic, Dr. Hargrove took his fair share of after-hours emergency call.  It was through that work that he was presented with a lost and injured kitten who had been hit by a car.  Fortunately, the kitty recovered nicely and, unclaimed, he became a member of the Hargrove household.  His name, Crash, is a permanent reminder of his journey…