"Alaranth" is Ping's fluffy sister. Her name also was taken from a character in the Dragonriders of Pern Books. She has always liked to dig her way under the bed-covers and reminded me of the Dragon in those books who liked to dig. Alaranth was the bonus cat: Jezz (Ray's GF of the time) begged me to take her because the person who was originally to adopt her couldn't because he was not allowed pets in his apartment.

Ping and Alaranth were born in April of 1994. Their father was a Himalayan (Possibly mixed with Siamese) and their mother was a Calico Tabby. Alaranth has medium-long fur (Typical of a Himalayan) with markings those of a light to medium gray tabby. She also has a slight kink near the end of her tail. Her eyes are a Yellow, almost a clear Goldenrod. Her Voice is just about what most people would expect a cat to sound like.  Since her surgery in 2006 she has had several occasions where she looses her voice. (She tries to meow but just ends up blowing air, it ends up a soft "mehh")

Alaranth likes her back and chest scratched but does NOT like her feet or paws to be touched. Her favorite nap spots are under my office desk, near the front door, and next to the pillar that separates the kitchen from the dining room. She usually sleeps under the covers with me. Although Alaranth will occasionally nibble the dry food, she definatly prefers the cans. Her love of food is obvious by her size. (Ray calls her "Pig with Fur" ... and I sometimes refer to her as "Fatty") She LOVES cat treats and shaking a jar of them will bring her running. Alaranth has never really been active or playful but she will swat at the cat Teaser when I bring it out.

Unlike most cats, Alaranth likes to be on her back. She will often lay next to a wall and flip over on her back to nap. She will also do this while lounging on me, bracing herself against one of my arms.



I nearly lost Alaranth in early 2006 when she developed a bladder infection which burst during surgery. The Vet didn't know how she had survived to that point with such a high systemic toxicity level and didn't think she would make it. I brought her home where I thought she would be more comfortable and after two weeks of intensive care and strong antibiotics, she started to recover. She was unsteady on her feet for several months but did fully recover.

One of the funniest things I have ever seen a cat do happened while she was recovering. She was just starting to get around on her own and decided she wanted to be in my lap. She stood next to my desk chair while I was sitting there and started to jump ... but aparently had miscalculated how her muscles worked after the surgery. She ended up going straight UP instead of up and forward into my lap. Realizing that there was a problem, she started flapping her arms like a bird and trying to push with her legs as if swimming. Naturaly that didnt work. After I stopped laughing, I picked her up and held her in my lap for several hours.