When Jennifer and I moved into our downtown Franklin house with Totem, the last of our three Rhodesian Ridgebacks, the prospect of adding a cat to the mix was the last thing on our minds. I love cats, always have; but there was a lot in flux. I had just put a period on a long career in the entertainment industry, and we downsized so I could write full-time. Downtown Franklin was different back then. Still somewhat quiet, with more of a residential feel to it, and it wasn’t long after the move that we began hearing the signs of cats. It started with a few territorial disputes awaking us in the wee hours, but then Jennifer walked in one day and said: “I think we’ve got kittens . . .”
We soon discovered their two favorite birthing spots. One was over our back fence underneath a storage shed of a music studio, the other; directly across the street at Bobby’s Automotive, sheltered in their car storage area. Over those first few years we trapped about 30, most of them kittens, but we also nabbed the breeders and had them spayed/neutered. Our animal shelter will take the kittens, as they can be domesticated and are easily adoptable. The adults get their ears tipped and are returned to the colony to live out their lives with no more reproduction. Of the 6 that we currently have, 3 of them were born over the fence and across the street, 1 found his way into our territory, and 1 we believe was dumped. Our most recent addition is a little torti lady named Maize, she was just bones wearing a fur coat when I picked her off the sidewalk on the other side of town in August of 2025. She’s on daily thyroid medicine and finally bouncing back.
Click on the photos below for a brief bio!
Town was hand caught in the backyard the day before Thanksgiving 2018. Since it was during the holidays we needed to foster him through the long weekend. This would be Jennifer’s first experience with a cat. It didn’t take long for that 8–9-week-old kitten to end up sleeping on her chest as she laid on the sofa in her pajamas. She was smitten with this little guy and so was our Rhodesian Ridgeback, Totem.
Town was a great climber and loved to play with Totem, who was surprisingly gentle with his tiny new companion. He was also great author kitten who slept for hours in a cat cave on the table while I wrote. He was there snoozing away when I put the final period on the manuscript for Town Lawe, and that’s how he got his name.
Town was a great climber and loved to play with Totem, who was surprisingly gentle with his tiny new companion. He was also great author kitten who slept for hours in a cat cave on the table while I wrote. He was there snoozing away when I put the final period on the manuscript for Town Lawe, and that’s how he got his name.
Town’s sister from the same litter; she was elusive, but after she delivered a litter of her own at around 9 months, we trapped her and her kittens in the same weekend. She was returned to the colony, and with some patience and love became our second inside cat October 2019, 11 months after Town. She’s a doll, and Totem loved her too. The photo on the blue cat cave is the very moment that I brought her inside.
Town and Sissy’s older sister from a previous litter. She literally walked right into the trap the same evening that we trapped Sissy. This once wildcat is a real love but still clamors for the outside, so I built her a very robust heated cat house. She’s now about 70% inside, She, Town, and Sissy get along well. Gray Gray also had a litter when we trapped her.
We don’t know where Junior came from, but when he showed up he was a little over a year old. He was the most difficult of all to trap, very savvy, and the wildest of them all. Junior had injured himself and thankfully we were able to get him. After his TNR, he still hung around, and slept in another insulated house that we had. He eventually learned to trust us, and when he was wounded in a catfight, he came to us for help. Our vet treated him, and he's been inside ever since. He gets along OK with Sissy and Gray Gray, and he and Creamsicle tolerate each other. He doesn’t seem to mind Maize either and they spend more time together. Town Lawe doesn’t like other males, so they bat at each other through the glass panels of a French door. Junior is probably the sweetest of them all.
Somebody dumped him just before Christmas 2022. He was in such good condition that when he came trucking through the yard I held out hope that he was someone’s inside cat who had temporarily escaped. We trapped him Spring of 2023, had him fixed and released him. But it soon became apparent that he loved being with his new humans and had chosen a home. We call him Creamsicle, Creamy, or even Bubbles, because of his greeting voice, and he is the perfect author cat. He’s part Maine Coon, so he’s no lightweight, and he would prefer to be the only cat in the house. He’s pictured here with Junior, both are FIVs positive so we're glad they have each other. I really wanted Williamson County Animal Shelter to help in placing him, as a 5th cat was really pushing it in our small space. However, they gave me such a hard time when setting up the surrender appointment - even stating that they would reserve the right to euthanize him! - they are a no kill shelter, and we never ask them for any help - When the day came I informed them I would never surrender Creamsicle to WCAS, and would figure it out myself. I still can’t believe that conversation happened, but it did. Although I’m happy for the animals they do help, they really treated us poorly when we were so desperate, and have done our part in this community. All he needed was a little time, patience and love. He’s a wonderful cat, who wants to be in the middle of everything, and the best cuddler!
I first encountered her in 2016 when walking Totem around downtown Franklin at 4:30 in the morning. She was a sweet little tortie who would greet us daily at the edge of our morning walks. The following year Jennifer began taking Totem to a battlefield and I changed my morning routine. Fast forward to July 2025 I began my early walks again in that area and was surprised to catch sight of her. A couple weeks later she was stretched out on the sidewalk directly in my path and when I reached down to pet her she was completely emaciated, nothing but skin and bones! I scooped up all 3 lbs. of her and brought her home. The vet determined that she’s 12-15 and needs a thyroid pill 2x a day. We’ve been acclimating her to an inside life, and this sweet-itty-bitty is now 6 lbs. and coming back to life. She and Junior are friendly and hangout together.
Frequently asked questions
Are they indoor cats?
4 are inside full time. 2 are 70/30 although we would prefer them inside 100% for reasons of safety, and we work towards that end.
Do they all get along?
No. However, there are combinations that work, it’s definitely a challenge but necessary to keep the peace.
How much does it cost to care for everyone?
About $15+ per day in food + veterinarian care. We are self-funded, so please buy our books, it really helps!
Do you have a favorite?
Each one has a special place in my heart, but, yes I do have a favorite, can you guess who?
How do handle vet check ups?
We are so fortunate to have Dr. Karen Foster, a wonderful vet who has a mobile practice and she comes to the house. Absolutely heaven sent and a life changer!
Have you lost any of them?
Yes, at least 3 over the years, and it still hurts. Outside cats in general have a much shorter lifespan. Traffic, poison, cat fights, sociopaths . . . It’s a harsh world out there, and the main reason we work to transition the 2 indoor/outdoor cats inside.
What’s the hardest part of having 6 cats?
Three things.
- Playing and spending time with each of them. Contrary to common belief, cats do get lonely.
- Cleaning multiple litter boxes throughout the day to make sure your house doesn’t smell like you have 6 cats!
- Constantly vacuuming and using rollers or fur gloves to keep cat hair to a minimum.
This is Cynara’s Checotah Autumn Colors - AKA- Totem. This handsome beast was the last of 3 Rhodesian Ridgebacks that we’ve shared life with over the years. Such a lovely boy who could run like the wind, and loved to show off. He After losing his adopted mama Sophie, and then losing the loss of his huge yard in our downsizing, he immediately took to Town Lawe the day we brought him inside. Town looked up to Totem both figuratively and literally, and adored his new big brother, playmate, and shadow. As a testament to their devotion of each other, both Town and Sissy remained at Totem’s side every moment of his final day. Even now, Town sleeps on the spot where Totem did. We all miss his huge presence in our little space.
Five months before Town Lawe, there was Edna. It was a brutally hot day in early July of 2018 when we heard the faint cries a kitten. I located her in the gap between the fence at the back of our property. She had just passed out when I hopped over and pried a fence panel loose to extract her. She reeked of fuel and that asphyxiated her; most likely from a shed or the auto repair across the street. We immediately took her to the vet, they bathed her and nurtured her back to health. These pics are from when I went to visit her at the vet office later that week. A client of the vet adopted Edna and gave her a wonderful home. We’ve determined that she's Gray Gray’s littermate.
We think Buddy was the father of Gray Gray, Edna, Town, and Sissy. He was a big headed tomcat who lived in one of the houses I built. When he fell ill back in Spring of 2023 he didn’t protest much when I brought him inside. He even let me bathe him daily during those weeks that we tried to nurse him back to health with our vet. We still miss this tuxedo boy, He’s buried in the yard where he used to roll around. This photo is of Buddy, Junior, and Blackie, July of 2022 hanging out together in the backyard.
Blackie and Junior showed up at the same time in 2021, leading us to believe that they were littermates. By 2022 they were battling each other constantly and both were getting really torn up. We brought Junior inside as a result of one of their fights, and that kept the peace. Sadly our sweet-faced little Blackie was killed by a car that December. He’s buried next to the garden bed that he used to stretch out in.
Town and Sissy in a quiet moment. These two like to chase each other all over the house, usually around two o’clock in the morning!
Another shot of Creamsicle, with Gray Gray on overwatch. Gray Gray doesn’t put up with any nonsense from the boys.