There are cats here. Really. – 2015 © Colehauscats.com

There are cats in this photos. Yes, cats, as in more than one. On any given day, this is what our downstairs looks like. Often people say to us (people who have never visited), “You have how many cats?? Eight? Good grief, why would anyone in their right mind do that?” And you know they’re thinking we’re crazy cat people who are up to our earlobes in matted fur and can’t walk more than a foot or two without stepping on meowing, half-starved cats begging for attention, fresh litter, and/or hey, what is that on your plate and can I have some?

Well, no. That’s not at all what it’s like here. We vacuum once, sometimes twice a week. There are few upholstered pieces to collect fur onto. Everyone has their favorite spots and rooms depending on time of day, time of year, and the angle of the sun, and honestly, it never feels like there are eight cats here. You’ll have to trust us on this, we understand, but it’s true. We’re lucky and very thankful everyone here (mostly) gets along. They are all keepers. They are our family.

Yes, there are cats in this photo. Maybe not eight, or six, or even half, but family members none the less. And we didn’t even vacuum before taking this picture!

(Answer: Two. Pia in the kitchen window watching squirrels. Viola on the back of the loveseat watching the cameramom. Not seen in the photo is Quint in the box next to the kitchen table and Tessa trying to open the kitchen pantry door.)