To all responding archipelagans:

Thank you very much for the pet cards.

It is said that Americans do not trust people who do not like pets. I believe we have not elected a president since Woodrow Wilson who didn't keep a dog (and he kept sheep on the White House lawn). Did you know that the Bush's dog Millie has sold more copies of her memoirs than Ronald Reagan has of his?!

[Editor's note: I'm not surprised; she is probably the better writer. !!]

I suppose I should describe the critters in my home.

Three Cats: Rudy is the Maine Coon Cat weighing in at 18 pounds. He is a real sweet kitty. He is also the ONLY pet I have ever purchased! Kitty Litter is the stray I rescued off the streets here in Sacramento. I told her something like,"well, if you get into the car, I suppose I will try to find you a good home". She jumped for it. Gremlin is a seldom seen kitty. She had a nasty skin condition that caused her to rip open her neck and face. After 6 months of therapy, the condition was cured but the owner had hit empty on the wallet after the first month. I believe she is the most beautiful cat in the world.

One Dog: Casey is our little Mexican Jumping Bean! He is a terrier/chihuahua mix that John brought home for his work. Casey was an abadoned hit-by-car animal.

Seven Cockatiels: Mr & Mrs Nasty, Froto, Peep, PJ, Buddy, and George. All rescues with various chronic medical conditions. Two of them can talk and wolf whistle. Five of them are tame enough for fingers. Three of them can be cuddled.

Three Budgerigars (AKA parakeets to the ugly American): Two were gifts and one was a cat rescue. They are the ones who LOVE the sound of the computer. They sit and chatter and hang upside down for hours!

Two Pigeons: They are the fancy fantail pigeons. One is a rescue from a cat, the other caused her owner to develop a life-threatening allergy. They stay outside.

One Orange-winged Amazon: Again, another chronic medical bird. He has a fungal sinus infection that at this time can only be controlled. He loves pizza and will scream at the top of his "lungs" until he gets his piece.

One Box Turtle: She has free run of the backyard. I almost have her conditioned to come to the back door for food each morning!

And that's all for now!!!

Robert - if I remember I will include a box turtle care sheet for your mother. Box turtles deserve the best care you can provide - they have life-spans in excess of 100 years!!!