My cat's name is Smokey. Three years ago, while our family was preparing to move from the city to the suburbs, a stray cat managed to get into our basement through an open door with a little help from my two younger sons. I remember the children running upstairs and telling me there was a cat in the basement. I proceeded downstairs to investigate and to my surprise there sat the most beautiful kitten (about 4 months old) I had ever seen.

I didn't know at the time but now come to realize that he is part Russian blue. When he saw me he let out a meow as if he were saying "hello there." I immediately picked him up and he started to purr. The boys pleaded if we could keep him and I didn't know what to do as we had boxes everywhere. I did tell them weeks before that perhaps after our move we could visit a shelter and adopt a cat. What a coincidence that a cat just happened to wander in our midst. I finally gave in and told the boys we could keep him providing no one else claimed him.

We moved five days later and brought our new addition with us. It was a little difficult for me to get used to our new surroundings. However, when the kids were at school, I never felt alone. Smokey was there keeping me company. I don't know what I would have done without him. Usually in the evening after a long day I will nap on the couch and Smokey comes up and falls asleep right next to me. If I am working on the computer, he just helps himself to my lap.

Smokey has been such a blessing to our family. We all have become so attached to him. He has the most sweetest disposition. We feel that we didn't find Smokey, Smokey found us!
© Gerri Cancellieri

I found the unadorned simplicity of Smokey's photo appealing. His picture also appears in the January Blue Cats Photo Gallery. You may submit your own photo for any gallery except Cat of the Week, but you must follow the Photo Submittal Guidelines. Pictures received without all the required information will be returned to sender.