Tank, The Cool Cat Papa

Our cat Tank is just the coolest cat ever! He's had his bad moments, like knocking up every female cat in the neighborhood before we got him in to be neutered.....but he took full responsibility of his off spring. He knew who his kitties were, the three that stayed in the neighborhood and he taught them everything they needed to know to grow up to be self sufficient Oki Cats! Since both mama cats in the neighborhood had their kittens a few weeks apart, he was a busy daddy. Vicki next door had one kitten who Mama Kat kept, the other died at birth and Leilani took two of the kittens from Maria's house. It was so fun to watch Tank with his kids! When they were babies he was constantly trying to break into the mama cats houses. Finally the kittens were old enough to venture outside. Tank knew they were his and he immediately went up to them and licked them and proceeded to teach them everything they needed to know! He taught them how to stalk birds and shrews. It was hilarious as the kittens would be behind him copying his every move and than of course they were kittens and they would easily get distracted and pounce on his tail and the bird would fly away. Tank would than slap their little faces or roll on the ground with them. We felt like we were watching Lion King at times. He also taught them how to climb trees and the tricky concrete walls. Tank would run up to the walls, jump, cling to the concrete and climb up. The kittens would take turns running to the wall and smacking into the wall and bouncing off. They eventually learned how to dig their claws into the cement and than would proceed to fall backwards, but eventually they climbed the walls successfully! This was important because CJ, the neighborhood dog that belonged to the Perkins loved to chase cats! One time CJ had one of Tanks kids in his mouth. Tank came running and jumped onto CJ's back, dug his claws in and the kitty was free to run for her life! I wish i had more pictures of Tank and his kids. Smores, Vicki & Tanks daughter who lived on the other side of our wall got orders to 29 Palms California and the brother and sister that Leilani had both ened up dying of Luikemia. Leilani tried to save them and even did blood transfusions but it was just going to be too expensive and each died seperately at thier home. We were heartbroken and Tank grieved and meowed for a long period of time at Leilani's house. He knew something was wrong. But i love this picture of his daughter, Mitz. Tank sleeps during the mornings on the couch and Mitz would come over and jump on the couch and snuggle up to her Daddy! He would give a grumble meow, but would give her a quick lick on the head and go back to sleep. Now he roams solo and i wonder if he remembers his kids.....