Meet the furry family: Rufus - the Top Cat!

Meet Rufus, the big ginger furball, and the inspiration behind the sabretooth battledragon Two Gulps & You're Gone from The Dragon Whisperer, and the fledgling dragon Two Gulps Too Many from Flight to Dragon Isle.   Rufus arrived on Valentines day in 2005 from West Lothian Cat Rescue, and I adore him to bits.  He was a feral cat who had been in care for over four years.  Incredibly bright, his frustration had spilled over into aggressive and unpredictable behaviour.  He attacked everyone; people, other cats and dogs (and vets).  But he was just scared so I gave him aversion therapy, teaching him that touch was not threatening, but in fact good. Clear boundaries, not minding if I get bitten (he used to bite to the bone!) and the establishment of a sin bin soon had him mending his ways.  Social, he soon discovered he wanted cuddles and company - all he needed was a lot of love.  For a big cat he is fine boned and has a small face and a relatively small bite.  He is a very brave cat who will challenge intruders much larger than he is (and yes there are bigger stronger cats with much longer teeth!!)  even though he has been  injured. Today Rufus is a reformed character but will never be a model citizen, and only I handle him as he still is tempremental and difficult, hence the inspiration for Two Gulps & You're Gone, who is only handled by Quenelda.  Rufus is top cat and dog in the house - the alpha male - but I am the alpha female and ultimately top dog and cat.  Perhaps his love means so much more because he was such a wretched unhappy puss when he arrived.
Whenever we are away, no matter if its dark and wet, Rufus will always be waiting for us at the end of the garden path, tail up in greeting, and lots of chirrups...

Scary rabbit...Rufus often comes me when I am in the rabbit garden mucking out.  But he is really a big softie, although he tries to hide it he is a bit scared of inquisitive rabbits who are as big as he is.

Rufus above when he first arrived, rather plump and pear shaped.  You can see the resemblance between him then and the fledgling Sabretooth dragon Two Gulps Too Many below.  Both are rather fond of their food!