My name is Patches and I am a medium length hair cat of mixed, distinguished heritage. I'm black, white, and orange. My family loves me but I am sort of shy and withdrawn, so I spend most days upstairs sleeping on the clean linen in the bathroom. But when Mom comes home, I love cuddling in her lap. We are happy in the evenings together, no matter the weather. The litter box is easy to keep. Walmart bags are good to take my garbage out in.

I am sad, feel I am getting old, and life is kind of boring. Then Dad died and I hibernated even more. I thought life couldn't get any worse. But then,one day Mom brought home this little long haired furry kitten. I was ambivalent. I was jealous, but it sure was fun watching this little scamp running around, jumping in the air, chasing any little scrap of paper on the floor, jumping from one piece of furniture to another. But then this little kitty Mom calls Lexie began expecting me to play with her. I didn't know all the new games, but she kept jumping on me, play biting me and jumping out from behind the furniture and scaring me. One day I started chasing her and she loved it. I have started playing with her and we run like lightening up and down the stairs, around the furniture, and up on the tallest furniture we have. We love to surprise and scare each other. I have lost several pounds and look even more sleek than before. I think I am enjoying life. Lexie has become my friend and we help cheer Mom up by sitting in her lap (both, at the same time) and sleeping on the bed to protect her at night.

When Dad died, we were so sad and cried so much. We thought life would never be good again. But then Lexie and I began our friendship and we made a pact to make Mom happy again. That is our job every day. We are so soft, we purr so beautifully, and never bark. She loves that.

I don't know how I could make it without Lexie and Mom. I hope this will help other Moms or Dads who are sad to give a new home to two new soft, fluffy love balls from the shelter. Do it today, and get a furry hug for Valentine's Day. Dogs drool, cats rule.