This is our baby boy, Claude. He's our 13 lb. bowling ball, I mean "kitten," who's a little over a year old now and still growing! So says the vet anyway, after his recent first year check-up. My husband and I adopted Claude (along with our other kitten, Jet) from the Michigan Cat Rescue after he was found living all alone under a tree at approximately 7 weeks of age. When we brought him home in May of 2006, he only weighed a little over a pound and my sister was convinced he was going to die because he was so small (but I knew better after seeing the size of his huge paws!).

I guess he proved her wrong, and we are all so thankful.

With TONS of love from his Mom (and Dad, too!), he has turned out to be a real momma's boy, and is the most laid back, appreciative, and loving kitty. Never again will he go hungry or be all alone under a tree.
© Stewart Simon

Claud's photo shows a happy, healthy, stunningly handom tabby boy, and the last line of his description clinched it for me. His photo also appears in the 2008 Domestic Cats Picture Gallery.

My Cat Pictures of the Week are chosen from submittals to other galleries on my site. You may submit your own cat's picture by following the Photo Submittal Guidelines.