And then there was seven . . .

Sammie, the daughter's cat, has pretty much taken over. She has complete run of the house now and she rules with an iron paw. When she's hungry, she eats what she pleases, whether it's out of another cat's bowl or off your plate. When she wants to play, she plays, and if the other cats are sleeping she'll roust one of them awake and they will play - and like it. When she's mad, stay out of her way or she'll mow you down.

Did I mention she weighs less than 6 pounds?

On the other hand, she's been having so much fun playing with the others that the daughter decided Sammie needs a little companion.

Enter one of my co-workers, whose cat had kittens. The original idea was she'd hang onto the kitten until the daughter was ready to move. Due to a string of incredibly bad luck on my co-worker's part, the kitten needed a home ASAP.

Do you see where this is leading?

We took delivery this morning. He's fiesty and fearless, a cuddley ball of orange and white fur. He's charmed the daughter and I, the rest of the cats are not impressed, Sammie most of all.

The husband doesn't know yet. I suspect he'll be even less impressed than Sammie.