| Rescued as a
tiny kitten, Tigger became AFTC's first member of staff
when he was 4 years old. This part-Siamese (Birman?), beautifully
marked champagne and white, exceptionally soft-furred tabby
eagerly anticipated each working week with its variety of
tasks, humans and opportunities for communion with them. |
|
|
 |
A strictly indoor
boy, Tigger was a cat-of-all tasks who excelled at welcoming
visitors at the door, especially those not used to acknowledging
felines. If overlooked he encouraged the culprit to stroke
him by gently tapping a retreating leg. On the rare occasion
the desired result was not forthcoming, following the offender,
sitting at their feet and asking politely invariably did
the trick. |
|
| Computer-literate, Tigger
often demonstrated his ability to produce unusual responses
from one of the office computers as he tiptoed past the
keyboard for a spot of desk-top window "outdoor guarding"
(usually done while the humans were having morning tea). |
|
|
|
|
Tigger's other specialities were proofreading
and checking outgoing mail, although it can truly be said that
he found every aspect of magazine production interesting and
never failed to notice something that required his special touch.
|
After a wonderfully loving and productive life,
Tigger walked over the Rainbow Bridge.
14 December 1987 ~ 31 January 2005 |
 |
|
Introducing Lucy
|
 |
Having had a
"Ragdoll in disguise" in our midst for such a
long time, our Very Special Boy could only be followed by
a real Ragdoll. |
|
| Lucy ("Ragdream
Lucinda") is a blue-cream mitted girl who joined us
when she was 11 weeks old. A ball of the softest mostly
white fur, she has both the cheekiest nature and the most
energy of any kitten we've ever known. |
 |
|
 |
Playful to the max, she is highly intelligent
and keen to learn how everything works. While computer
and telephone cords have their understandable fascination,
Lucy's favourite office "toy" is the shredding
bin. The combination of a few carefully selected strips
of shredded paper meeting the breeze of the main office
fan is irresistible. All work ceases while Lucy dashes,
leaps and somersaults about in an attempt to control the
pesky paper which the humans can only joyfully observe
while avoiding being in the direct chase zone.
|
|
|
With the morning's aerobic exercise done,
Lucy happily settles down to help the humans with some
desk work, especially if it involves highlighting paperwork.
She favours the colour pink and considers it an honour
if the skirmish results wearing a pink stripe on her front
paw.
|
 |
|
|
|
Like Tigger before her, Lucy has quickly found her favourite
sleeping spots in each of the offices. In the main office
she favours a small empty box under one of the desks,
while in the boss's office she favours the space behind
the waste paper bin (as well as its contents). Needless
to say, there are too many really interesting things happening
in the packing room to even think of sleep!
Also like Tigger before her, Lucy considerately divides
her time, choosing to sleep in the main office in the
morning and in the boss's office in the afternoon. All
in all, she has the makings of another fabulous VIP Staff
Member.
|
And then there were 2 …
|
| Phoebe ("Dollywood Phoebe"),
a bluepoint Ragdoll, came into our hearts the day
before her 2nd birthday. Swiftly nicknamed "the
gentle giant" she is everything anyone could
ever want in a Ragdoll - very affectionate, sweet,
talkative and s-o-o relaxed - she loves sleeping flat
out on her back, anywhere, any time! |
 |
|
 |
Phoebe had two previous "staff"
(i.e. dogs have owners, cats have staff) but
some determined cat genealogy located her breeder
and we learned that Phoebe looks very like her father,
both in colouring and size! Despite her previous relocations,
Phoebe settled in to her new home so smoothly that
within a few days it was difficult to believe she
hadn't always been with us. |
|
|
Phoebe enjoys office life and has expressed a preference
for Michelle's desk, especially the mouse side,
and she is also partial to camping out in the mail
tray. Seeing an 8kg cat curled up in a space that
Lucy (who is half Phoebe's size) can only just fit
into is truly a sight to behold.
Life is certainly sweet with two gorgeous Ragdoll
girls to supervise (and amuse) us.
|
 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
