Right now they are snuggled up, Charger stretched out on our bed and Glory nestled leaning against him, her head on his broad back. We would never have believed this could happen a year ago…

We had gotten Glory, a retired Bengal queen, the year before. As we were both working and the boys were in school, we did not always have enough time for our 3 cats. Glory, who fought with Panther and Jennifur, lived in her own territory, our master bedroom. Often she seemed lonely and would call for a cat friend.

It wasn’t just Glory who wanted a friend. Each of our three cats had adopted a human in our family, and I was feeling cat-less. That is, I got to feed, water and clean litter boxes, but no cuddling or play time, nor even a cat sleeping near me.

On my birthday, David saw an ad for a “Bengal cat male 1 1/4 years $90.00″. He called the woman who was selling the cat and we went the next day.

Gorgeous green eyes, beautiful brown spots and that Bengal striped tail combined with a powerful feline physique. The biggest domestic cat I had ever seen — and he played, pounced, purred. The mother of the young woman whose cat he had been clearly did not want this large cat playing with her petite cat and dog.

I talked with the cat, describing our family, and asked if he would want to join our family. Somewhat hesitantly he said yes. He felt unwanted and was keenly aware of being disliked. I also talked to our cats at home about Charger and his desire for a home where he was wanted and liked. I started by asking his real name. Charger was named by his mother and he wanted to keep that name. I even managed to find time to talk that night to my husband and younger son

Yes, I am what others call an animal communicator. More on that topic will appear in another article soon.

Having brought the cat carrier with us, we made our arrangements with the woman and brought Charger home, talking to him during the hour-long trip. Meow! Are we there yet? Will there be food? Can I have my own place to sleep? Can I meet the other (cats)? Will you lock the door?

Once again, we had rescued a cat from an environment where he was not wanted, to give him love and acceptance instead. And Charger is quite a sight when he gallops around our home .

Charger has taught me to be playful, calm, and to take some time to enjoy life, not just live it.

…completely out of nowhere…

…how can I say this…

…we suddenly…

…got another Bengal!!!

I can’t possibly explain this, except that we feel Charger is just the right companion for Glory. He’s the perfect male for her, because he’s just too big to be intimidated…but he’s so wonderful that he never got aggressive with her, even when she provoked him like crazy. He’s about 1 1/2 years old, and was given up by someone who was moving into an apartment that didn’t take pets. How she could have separated from this cuddly, friendly, gentle fellow I don’t know, but he was living with this woman’s mother since the beginning of October and felt sad that he was not wanted. Can’t blame her too much, because she already has a cat and a dog, who are both small (the mother is skinny and 60ish), and Charger…

…is Catzilla!!!

He is as big as a bobcat (Susan even visited a local zoo to check)!!! He could pick Glory up and carry her around like a kitten. And speaking of carrying, I can barely lift him up from the floor, so luckily he’s a good jumper…you should feel his muscles!!!

He does have the most amazing growl I’ve ever heard. Actually two…one is a "warning" growl that sounds like a big V8 engine idling, and the "serious" one where he cuts in the auxiliary power amplifier and subwoofer…only a digital recording could do that one justice. The first time he did it, he was under our bed and it felt like it was shaking. And when he purrs, it sounds like a pack of Harleys riding by, or perhaps thunder in the distance…