Our Pets
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Nigel                        Helga                        Tigger                        Dante

 

 

Sir Nigel Clark, H. R. H. (His Royal Highness)

Born:        In a Barn, August 1997
Breed:      Potluck Siamese
Weight:    11.5 Lbs
Sex:          Male
a.k.a.:      Ol' Blue Eyes, Handsome, Fuzzy Butt
Favorite Food:  Fine Wine & Pâté
Favorite Hobby: Removing his Collar

Nigel is one of the most pampered cats you'll ever know.  Despite his origin, Nigel is pure royalty, (or @ least he thinks so).  Nigel rules the roost with an observant eye, an insistent meow, & an obstinate attitude.  He leaves the hunting to the other two cats because it is beneath him.  He's to prissy to get dirty and too "GQ" to have his fur out of place.  On the lighter side, Nigel's appeal as a cat is irresistible.  When he rolls his head back and those big blue eyes coo in your direction, it is hard to deny him anything.

In September of 1997, We went to a picnic with Jessica's parents.  The family hosting the picnic live on a farm, and in one of the barns a cat had recently given birth to a litter of kittens.  Amongst several kittens and a lot of curious children, Nigel poked his head out from behind some junk.  He went to Ryan, his forever savior and never left our sight.  We lived in an apartment at the time, so Nigel stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Buysse for the first six months of his life.  Nigel is a remarkable cat.  He really knows and remembers people by their voice, their touch, and what is their role in serving him.  He is a very loving cat, but on HIS terms.  He enjoys the outdoors, licking the dog's food bowl and bringing us presents during the night.  He's charmed his grandparents, parents, and just about everyone he meets.  There's just something about Nigel...

For more Pictures of Nigel, Click Here

 

Husker Helga Clark

Born:        Orlando, 1996
Breed:      Greyhound, White & Brindle
Weight:     78 Lbs
Sex:          Female
Favorite Toy:  Volleyball Knee Pads
Favorite Hobby: Laying in Papasan Chair

Helga is a beautiful dog.  She adores the cats, loves people, and is very playful.  She is a retired racing Greyhound and is very adjusted to her home life.  For exercise she races through the house and plays keep away from Ryan.  However, she is the most happy when grandpa visits her.  They take walks together, play together, and share a unique bond.  Helga loves anyone and everyone who walks through our door.  She has a very easy going personality and the only thing she ever asks for is attention.  She listens intently when you speak to her and she looks at you with her angelic eyes which say thank you for my life.  She enjoys cuddling with the cats, chewing on her bone, jumping and skipping outside, sneaking up in bed with us, and having her ears scratched.  She recently mastered the Sit and Shake commands.  

We visited our local PetSmart one weekend.  Greyhound Companions were there showcasing Greyhounds and trying to find homes for retired Greyhounds.  The dogs are so graceful, powerful, quiet, and beautiful.  They are very patient and loving dogs.  They truly speak to you with their eyes, pleading with you to save them.  We were hooked, filled out an adoption form and waited our turn.  Shortly thereafter, Trudy Battjes phoned and said that she had a Greyhound that needed a home.  We brought Helga home and she has sat on her throne @ Nigel's side ever since.

 

Miss Tigger Lily Clark

Born:        Unknown
Breed:      Domestic Shorthair
Weight:    11.2 Lbs
Sex:          Female
a.k.a.:      Tiggs, Tiggles, Pumpkin
Favorite Food:  
Favorite Hobby: Tearing down wallpaper

Tigger is the most social cat I've ever known.  She loves people, especially their lap and loves attention.  She'll even tolerate the neighborhood children, just in the event they may scratch her belly.  She always wants to be wherever we are, no matter what.  She sits at the edge of the bathtub during our showers, sleeps with us at night and sits on our laps all evening long.  She talks to us, is a constant companion and if you look at her cross-eyed, she starts purring.  Tigger is a very curious cat.  She has a lot of quirky behavior.  She likes anything circular, she doesn't like plastic or canvas materials, she likes taking socks out of drawers and she sleeps on our heat registers.  She will wear you out during a day because she is here, there, up, down, in a box, in the cabinets, out of the cabinets, opening drawers, emptying drawers, around the corner, under your feet, and on your lap purring and kneading before you knew it.

Again at PetSmart, we were looking for a feline companion for Nigel.  At the time, our household only contained Nigel and Helga.  We were looking at a black and white cat called Panda when we saw Tigger in the cage below.  They had her listed as a 2 year old fixed male that had been abandoned by her previous owner.  We took her out of the cage, she was pathetically thin and needed some loving.  There was something about Tigger that felt right.  We brought the "HE" Tigger home to join our family.  After about a month of love and proper nutrition, Tigger began maturing and went into heat.  Even though we already knew she was a female, this proved it.  Instead of a 2 year old male, we had an 8 or 9 month old female.  This was not a big deal because by that time, Tigger was a cherished member of our family and irreplaceable.  Tigger is a very sweet, loving, and special cat.  She is a true companion.  Tigger purrs all day long, never complains about anything and is always ready to please.

 

Dante Sasquatch Clark

Born:        September 1998
Breed:      Mainecoon/ Norwegian Forest Cat
Weight:    11.4 Lbs
Sex:          Male
a.k.a.:      Munchkin, Bigfoot, Litl Bit
Favorite Food:  Birds, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Rabbits
Favorite Hobby: Chasing Birds, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Rabbits

Dante is our little guy.  He likes to be in the middle of everything.  Dante always greets whoever comes in or out with a kiss and a rub.  He wraps his bushy tail around you and always makes you smile.  He has a tremendous disposition and likes it best when everyone is happy.  He enjoys snuggling with and bathing all members of the family, especially Helga.  When Dante jumps on your lap, he plops down wherever he lands.  He isn't the most graceful cat, but Dante is an exceptional mouser.  Dante has six toes on each  foot which look like a human hand.  He has four normal toes and then a separate appendage with two more toes.  Dante is very photogenic and likes to show off his cuteness.  Dante's best attribute is his attentiveness and love for each family member.

One weekend, we went to shop at an antique show at a local mall.  The show was a complete flop and we were about to leave when we decided to visit the pet store.  The pet store usually has puppies, ferrets, and birds but not kittens.  This time they had a litter of "domestic short-hair" kittens in the front window.  Of course, we stopped to look at them.  All of the sudden, this little fuzz ball full of confidence jumped out of nowhere onto the top of the kitty litter box and stared at Jessica, as if to say, "I'm the cutest one in here and I know it".  It was love at first site.  Jessica looked at Ryan and said, "If you let me hold him, you know he's going home with us."  Ryan knew.  We went in the store and asked the attendant to se the little sasquatch.  She knew exactly which kitten we were referring to.  As soon as Jessica held Dante, She knew she wasn't going to let him go.  Dante spent that day and night sleeping under Jessica's chin.  Jessica couldn't even sleep that night because she wanted to make sure he was ok.  Dante still sleeps under Jessica's chin or between the two of us.  Dante is an amazing cat.  He is happy, never pouts, and enjoys everyone's happiness.