Moonshine and Sunshine
Moonshine (left) and Sunshine (right) are Bengal cats and are taking a break from trying to escape out into the great outdoors.
Bengal cats are a cross between an Asian leopard cat and an American shorthair cat. The breed has a wild, beautiful appearance. The golden shimmer in their fur comes from the leopard ancestry and their coats may show spots or rosettes, a distinctive fur pattern. Bengals are loyal cats who form strong bonds with the people that spend time with them. They are intelligent, provide unconditional love and are known to follow their humans around the house wanting to play like a puppy.
Tracey and Scott Ray of the Hidden Pointe neighborhood know all too well about the loyalty of Bengal cats. The Rays have two, Sunshine, a 7-year-old female, and Moonshine, a 6-year-old male. Sunshine came from a Denver-based breeder. She was brought into the family because Keaton, the Ray’s now 14-year-old son, had always wanted a cat for his birthday and eventually his wish came true. A year later the Rays welcomed Moonshine from a breeder in Castle Pines.
Although the same breed, Sunshine and Moonshine look as different as day and night. Sunshine is a marble color, where Moonshine has the looks of a pure leopard cat.
The Rays are animal lovers. In addition to the cats, they have three dogs, a Cairn Terrier, a part-Havanese and part-Yorkshire terrier, and a goldendoodle.
“Keaton and I would own a farm if we could,” said Tracey. “Five pets sounds crazy to most but feels just like home to us.”
The Bengal cat’s heritage does not lend them toward more aggressive behavior than any other domestic cat, which makes them suitable for a home with children and other pets. Their playfulness, beauty and hypoallergenic trait make them popular among pet owners.
Natural night hunters, the Bengals are stunningly beautiful with a flash of attitude.
“They are as wild as they look. They spend half their time trying to find ways to get out of the house and roam the neighborhood,” said Keaton. When Moonshine wanders outside, he hunts for the yard voles, leaving his catch on the patio for family to see.
When the cats are indoors, they are always in the room with their people. Moonshine constantly talks to the family, insistently meowing for his teaspoon of cream cheese, while Sunshine is the first to tell them good morning and that her food bowl is empty. Neither cat enjoys a snuggle and they do not want to be touched unless they are in the mood.
“Keaton is the cat whisperer,” concluded Tracey. Sunshine allows Keaton to hold her, and Moonshine is always by his side.
In a rare moment of affection, Bengal cat Moonshine allows Keaton Ray to hold him while Sunshine sneaks into the action in the background.
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Tracey Ray
