The Boris Brooks Photo Album
(Cats that have touched our lives.)
Charlie - b. 1969 in Sungei Gerong, Sumatra, Indonesia, d. 1988 in Houston, TX
I found Charlie wandering outside the Stanvac Refinery in Sungei Gerong. He was almost completely black from dried crude oil but had a jaunty attitude. I took him home and, despite the objections of Jeanne and the servants, we kept him. Washing did not help his color or the servants attitude toward him so we just let the dirt wear off. In a few months he had the most beautiful soft white and orange fur. Charlie came to the US with us in 1970 and went back to Indonesia with us in 1972. When we all returned to the US in 1973, Charlie had accumulated over 40,000 air miles. Charlie helped run the house and raise our two children until old age caught up with him. He died in 1988 about 19 years old. Charlie Photos
Fred - seal point siamese, b. Houston, TX, d. Houston, TX
Fred came to live with us in 1973 after we returned from overseas. He was a very sweet lap cat. He and Charlien were always wrestling with each other. Fred often grabbed Charlie around the neck, flipped over backwards and threw Charilie half-way across the room. Charlie never figured out how to counter the move. Neither cat ever tired of their matches. A cronic urinary tract infection took Fred before his time at the age of about 8. Fred Photos
Bert - orange tabby, b. Houston, TX, d. 1995, Kingwood, TX
Bert arrived at our front door one evening and petitioned to become a house cat. Since we already had two very competent house cats, we suggested that he become the outside cat. He did not like this and when a raccoon began attacking the cats in the neighborhood we began letting him sleep inside. That was a mistake. I couldn't put him out. Every time I tried, he would climb up my front, throw his paws around my neck and howl pitiably. We gave in and he became a house cat. Bert Photos
Alexandra - ruddy abyssinian, b. 23 Mar 1985, Neith Cattery, Houston, TX, d. 12 Feb 2000, Kingwood, TX
Alexandra was our first Abby. She was a beautiful cat but very stand-offish. She was primarily a one person cat. First she bonded to me then when I went on a two week business trip, she bonded to Jeanne and really just tolerated me after that. She got along well with Bert and was very protective of Boris Brooks when he arrived as a kitten.The big "C" took Alex at the age of almost 15. Alexandra Photos
Boris Brooks - fawn abyssinian, b. 22 Oct 1995, Angleton, TX, d. 11 Dec 2007, Kingwood, TX
Boris Brooks came to live with us in 1996. The name was a compromise as I wanted Boris and Jeanne wanted Brooks. The double name allowed us to keep the kitten and avoid a divorce. It was a wise decision. It didn't takke long for BB to take over the house and make sure it was being run to his satisfaction. He was always there to greet visitors at the door and let them know it was his house. He liked heights and could often be found on top of the kitchen cabinets surveying his domain. He died suddenly at the age of 12 from a suspected heart attack. Boris Brooks Photos
Alexander - red abyssinian, b. 16 Jan 2000, Houston, TX
Alexander is our bargain kitty. Looking for another "Abby" we found Alexander living in a dog grooming and boarding establishment. He had what appeared to be a mild eye infection so he was a bargain. He was very cute and we felt sorry for him so he came home with us. He and Boris Brooks hit it off immediately. A few weeks later, his minor eye infection had turned into a serious ulcer and he was in danger of losing the eye. At that point he was part of the family so we had no choice. After two rounds of eye surgery (and quite a few $) we saved the eye. Alexander's color is spectacular, his fur is very smooth and he has an outgoing personality. Despite the expense, we still think he was a bargain. Alexander Photos
Bailey Brooks - red abyssinian, b. 12 Sep 2007, Sulphur Springs, TX
Bailey Brooks came to live with us several months after the passing of his partial namesake. His previous family called him "The Kisser" as he likes to head bump and lick faces. He is definitely a lap cat. At nap time he much prefers to curl up either in a lap or against a warm body. When not napping, he is into everything. That keep us and Alexander on our toes. Bailey Brooks Photos