Just a few shots from my bird count.

[Solly Mack]

18. One of the cats got into the hamster cage and was holding one of the hamsters in his mouth.

I was busy at my desk and just happened to look up at the right time. I shrieked. The cat dropped the hamster like it was on fire. I then witnessed one of the most adorable, if suicidal, things ever. The hamster hit the floor and immediately stood up on his hind quarters, reached out for the cat's face and held it between his little hands. Then he kissed the cat on the mouth. I rescued the hamster and got him back in his house.

At the time we had 1 dog, 2 cats, 1 bird and 1 guinea pig. Something akin to kitty hell, I suppose. "Water, water everywhere..." and all that - the one cat tried though.

Both my cats lived to old age and passed away a few years ago. One followed the other.

Just dogs now.

Miss Prissy, the guinea pig, was very smart. Once she learned where we kept her veggies she would go to the fridge herself and make noises until we opened the door. Then she would tap at the crisper. She knew her veggies were in there. 9 A.M. every day like clockwork. One morning we were listening for her and no noises came. She had passed on in her sleep.

Now the bird, he was mean. He would meow until a cat pressed against his cage and then he would bite their noses.

I like critters.