My name is KJ and I am named for a very brave man.  His name was Captain Kevin Joseph Smith and he was in the 3^rd ID (Infantry Division) of the US Army.  He was killed in Baghdad, Iraq on December 8, 2005 when an IED detonated near his Humvee.  His daddy, my uncle Cliff, and my daddy served together in the first two gulf wars.  Kevin graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, in 2002.  Momma and Daddy knew him as Kevin, but all of his army buddies called him KJ.  When I was adopted, Daddy asked Uncle Cliff if he would mind if I was named for Kevin, and Uncle Cliff said it would be okay.  I am so glad Uncle Cliff and Aunt Joann realize what an honor it is in our house to have a cat named after you.

My name probably should have been Afterthought because Momma originally went to Animal Services to adopt a little gray kitten and decided she would need a buddy.  When Momma was on the way out to fill out the paperwork, I stuck my paw out and meowed and Momma said “okay, I will take you, too”.  She was reluctant to get another orange tabby because she was afraid I would remind her of Brendan and she did not want to be sad.  As it turns out, the little gray kitten got very sick and she died.  Momma was very sad but she made sure to pay extra attention to me so I would feel loved and accepted.

When Marnie was adopted, Momma stayed home with her one day and I curled up with Momma and went to sleep.  I am a Momma’s boy but that just means I like my Momma.  She spoils me and hardly lets me walk around.  I love her very much and I love my new home, especially my big brother Waldo and my little sister and wrestling buddy, Marnie.