Couple cares for 4 cats, 2 dogs
Published: 1/12/2013 2:35 PM
Last Modified: 1/28/2013 3:02 PM
The Ramirez household includes 4 cats and 2 dogs.
The 2-year-old Lab/husky mix, Rootbeer, is the biggest of them all. 
Cha-Cha (left) hangs out with Villian.
Bootsie plays in a bowl.
The cats, all female rescues, are: Bye-Bye, a 10-year-old tortoise shell; Villian, a 6-year-old tuxedo cat; 4-year-old grey Cha-Cha; and Bootsie, the long-haired kitten.
The dogs are 10-year-old chow/lab mix Missy, whom they have had for a couple of years, and 2-year-old Lab/husky mix Rootbeer, the biggest of them all.
Here, Lesa Ramirez tells us more about them.
1. Do you have a favorite? Why? Does your husband have a favorite?
I don't think we really have a favorite but it does seem like THEY have a favorite. Some of them seem to like my hubby more than me and then there are a few that never leave my side. But I think my husband's favorite is our oldest cat, Bye-Bye. He didn't really care for animals at all too much until he met me and then I found her. It was love at first sight!
2. Is it hard to keep six animals in the house? How do you manage?
It really isn't that hard. I work from home right now and I have lots of experience with animals so you just kind of know right away what will work and what won't. I will say the cats hated when I first got Rootbeer because he was a puppy, and although Missy is older, we just recently got her. So my cats did not love the idea of a puppy. They stay a respectable distance from each other ... except for one. Bootsie. She and Rootbeer are best friends.
3. What made you decide to keep so many?
I come from a family of animal lovers and all my animals are rescues. It is my dream to open a no-kill nonprofit animal sanctuary. I will, too.
4. Whose job is it to take care of them?
I mostly take care of them because I am able to be home, but my husband is good about helping out if I need it.
5. Do they all get along?
They mostly get along but I think they just kind of tolerate each other. But when it is play time, things get broken. Plus, the girls (my cats) have their own room all decked out with toys and a cat tree and jungle gym.
6. Do you have a favorite pet or animal organization?
I am a big supporter of the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
Written by
Nour Habib
Scene Writer
