Everyone's Bio

About Us: Just wanted to give everyone that has the time to read a small novel the rundown on who's who at the Webb Ranch. We will update more on Shinzou as we get to know him!

Felines
Gettin': the oldest in our home has been described as a basketball with a tail. We prefer to think of her as genuesque. A beautiful long-hair tortoise shell kitty with the "love me, love me, love me" personality.

Betty Boop: ah, "Boop"... the sweetest, prettiest thing ever. Incredibly shy and aloof around company, but when she walks in you feel like the whole room just bloomed. Please don't inquire of our vet how sweet she is - that crashing sound is someone else assuredly.

Chloe, a.k.a "Goey Chloe: (like Go-E Chloe): That sweet little face is not what you think, but Momma doesn't go out into the yard without that little huntress.

Gracie, a.k.a "G'Night, Gracie": our little Dorie (of "Finding Nemo"). Sweeter than anything, but a little on the forgetful side. We've seen her walk around the corner, get spooked by something, come back around the corner a few seconds later and get spooked again. It wouldn't be so bad, but she might do it several more times.

The Litter - Lydia, Mr. Darcy, and Rudy, Yes, we kept a whole litter of four kittens. Lizzie, unfortunately is no longer on this earth.
Lydia, a.k.a "The Bully": if this cat ever fills in, she will be taking on nearby bobcats and giving them a run for the money. She is big, but thankfully lean. She is a long hair tortoise shell with awesome markings and is very affectionate with people. She has a tendency to use her size to push some of the others around. Ok, she pushes everyone around.

Mr. Darcy, a.k.a "Mr. Dorky" or "Dork from Orrick": the only male feline in the house and pretty much the easiest going. The time we brought him down out of a tree after loosing his balance was enlightening. He clung to the branch with his back legs dangling, I put my hands under his back feet until Momma could bring me a chair to stand on, when I was high enough to take his weight, he dropped down into my arms showing a grand appreciation for saving him. I thought I was going to be shredded by a frantic kitty.

Rudy, a.k.a "LBKWWFACOHC" (Little Black Kitty With White Feet And Cream On Her Chin): Yeah, you think the alias is long, wait until you hear her story..... We found the litter born in the basement tucked in a box we setup for the occasion except there was this little black mass cold and wet on the concrete floor. We scooped her up, wrapped her in a towel and proceeded with the 101 Dalmatians resuscitation procedure. Rubbed her until she started squallering and then set her down with Mommacita to nurse. She is still squallering and always on the edge of Tasmanian Devil. After a lot of work she is as sweet as they come, but you still don't want to spook her - there will be bloodshed. You’ll be pulling back a nub and not even know what hit you. That cat is fast! Rudy is our special needs kitty and is highly favored by Momma.

Camille, a.k.a "CaMiracle", "Li'l Kitty" (she's not a little kitty any more): Found on the roadside about 3 months old with her left rear leg broken in two places, her tail broken in two places, and her right rear leg broken in three places and totally dislocated. After leaving her at the vets overnight, we readied ourselves for the worst news on our way there. The vet's response was "She may not be too bad, never underestimate a cat, give it a shot and see". After 10 days of squeezing this kitty's bladder for her and 2 months of watching her drag herself around on just her two front paws, she began to recover slowly. Therapy was getting her to chase a strip of cloth around - remember she can only use her two front legs. It was amazing to the see the fortitude this precious little kitty showed. Slowly starting to use the "good" back leg she picked herself upright, eventually putting down the dislocated leg for balance. The leg still kind of dangles as she walks and runs, but now you should see her climb a tree. She runs and you can barely tell she really can't stand on that leg. She has blossomed into one heck of a Grade A Kitty and you'd never know how she suffered. This inspiration we call "CaMiracle".

Concha, a.k.a "Kitty Concha" "Concha de la Moncha": Pretty little calico that came to us from a household that had a canine dominance - she was hounded day and night. Three days after landing at our place, she was nose to nose with our canines in a sweet display of acknowledgement. There is still a little bit of a feline feud going on, but the adjustment continues. Concha is an old friend found stray after we went to a wedding in Michigan so it is fitting that she ends up with us after all.

Canines
Rojo, a.k.a. "Honey", "Buddy", "Big Dog", "Stud", "Momma's Boy", "His Royal Highn….." - I digress: The alpha in the house, a 10 1/2 year old Siberian Husky of the red variety, one blue eye and one brown eye. He truly is majestic. Usually it is very difficult for us to walk through crowds at public events. Everyone loves him, wants to pet him and just has to see this guy. They should... he's the greatest. Especially for a Siberian, he is incredibly well behaved. Smart as can be and the most obstinate... again, I digress, he really is wonderful. We can set him loose in a park full of kids and the worst thing he will do is lick the mess off of the little ones' faces. Even the cockatiel likes him and when the bird lands on Rojo, he won't do a thing but get up and leave (you'd expect a poof of feathers and no more bird). Don't even think about harming one of his cats.

Abby, a.k.a "Abby Doodle" "The Doodle Dog": Abby came to us as a rescue at the local pet store, one of those Adopt-a-Pet Days. When we walked in all we could think is “what do we have to kill to make that noise stop?”. Saw the cutest little dog in a crate making allllllllll that racket. Got her out and sat her down next to Rojo. Two miraculous things happened: Rojo didn't chomp the little dog and she shut up. They have been close as can be ever since. Well, she just adores her Rojo. Abby is um, well... a little spoiled. She hasn't learned the manners expected of the Big Dog. If you visit, expect a warm welcome from The Doodle Dog and when she nibbles on you like an ear of corn, it is only affectionate play.

Orion, Orion Tatomirach (TAra-TOdd-MIke-RAnce-CHelsea - the first two letters of the names of the family that presented him as a gift) a.k.a usually something like "@#$%^& Bird": Our feathered friend who endlessly seems to frustrate us. Orion can "sing" such songs as "If I were a Rich Man", "Music Box Dancer", "Low Rider" and the Popeye tune, but would rather shriek this awful sound that gets him chastised hastily. He has been known to spend several hours in the closet when just covering him won't do. None-the-less, he gets a rare opportunity to fly around the house and ride on our shoulders - when we put out all but the two cats that really don't care about him and seem to understand he is family.

The Revered Ones
Tessie and Turbo: No AKA's here, just Tessie and Turbo, two Geochelone Sulcata (African Spurred) tortoises. Everyone in the household understands that above all things, no harm shall come to these two. Not that anyone wants to bother them. Usually after the fascination wears off, everyone just hangs around the tortoise abode until one of these tries to climb over them. Turbo is pushing the weight of a bag of cement only you can't carry him close to you as he will push off (try carrying a bag of cement at arms length). Over the last couple of years, Turbo has taken to being a little territorial, taking on Tess, Siberian Huskies, trees, and even flower pots. Tessie is just sweet little Tessie, always nibbles at your feet because she just knows you've brought her a treat. If you want to see something fascinating, walk into their area with a piece of cantaloupe concealed. All of a sudden the aroma hits them and you see 2 necks stretch and make a run for you. The most absolute fascinating thing to watch is the grown-ups. You tell a couple of parents to bring their kids over to see the tortoises and you hear them think “What’s the big deal – a couple of turtles” (don’t, do not, make sure you don’t call them that in front of Momma or you’ll hear it – “They’re not turtles, their tortoises. I don’t call you a chimpanzee, do I?!?!?!?!?” And then the spiel “Tortoises are desert animals, turtles live near water”. Blah, blah, blah…..). Inevitably, the adults are always the ones back at the abode watching and watching these intriguing creatures. They really do have distinct personalities and add a little water, some wax (NOT TURTLE WAX for goodness sake – TORTOISE WAX!!!), and they are stunning.