KXLY, WA - Dec 29, 2006… There were some kittens that had died, Van Stone said. He said the other cats were so hungry they had started eating the other kittens. … Read more…

The Age, Australia - Dec 16, 2006Photo: AP. THE world's first cloned cat has given birth to a litter of three apparently healthy kittens. The kittens were revealed … Read more…

The holidays can be stressful for people, with surmounting expectations of get-togethers and traditions, but animal experts say furry friends can feel the pressure of the season too. Read more…

Cocoa has been part of our family for over ten years. We don’t remember exactly when we got her but our son Christopher was around two and he is now thirteen. She has long black fur with just a bit of white on her neck under her chin. Her eyes are gold with a hint of green. Cocoa is extremely shy and does not come out of hiding when strangers are in our home. She has only made a few exceptions in her life; I believe they were “cat people” like me — I haven’t met a cat yet that didn’t like me.

Cocoa’s diet consists mainly of dry cat food. We started using the indoor cat varieties that help control hairballs a couple of years ago. She still occasionally coughs one up — why does she always have to aim for carpeted floors rather than the hardwood or vinyl??? A few times a week we also give her about a quarter of canned food. She’s very finnicky, however, and doesn’t always eat it. There’s no guarantee either on whether the variety she liked last month she will like this month! She only drinks water — has never liked milk. She won’t eat scraps of any kind — including fresh meat — except for roast turkey. She is a pest when we cook that although she will only eat a small sliver or two.

I clip her claws every week or so on her front paws and about once a month on her back paws. She’s usually very good but occasionally growls or even bites if she isn’t in the mood. She loves to be petted. In fact, most mornings she greets me when I come downstairs by plopping herself firmly in my path for a good pet and if she’s in the mood a tummy rub. We just put in a new Brazilian cherry wood floor in our dining room and she hasn’t figured out yet how to stay put when I pet her.

Every evening I watch a little television and Cocoa is quick to jump up on the bed next to me for a thorough petting. If I don’t pet her enough, she pokes me with her head until I give her what she wants.

I can’t imagine life without her as part of our family!