The Exalted Pet: You may call him....Mr. Thomas.

Bet you were wondering who that ginger gent is that is pictured with me in my profile? That is none other than the magnificent Mr. Thomas.

Tommy and I have long been best buds:

Tommy came home with us after he woo'd us (me) with his charms at the OC Animal Shelter in September 2002. I was still raw following the loss of my beloved Salem just a few weeks prior, but I must admit, he had me from "meow". Thomas knew how to ease my grief with his sweet face, his ear-popping purr, and his mastery of kung-fu. He loved to challenge the laws of graveeteh, jumping off the second floor balcony without a sound (other than my shrieks of terror) or climbing the window screens to silently kamikaze his people on their beds as they lay sleeping, four feet above their heads. He could also give David Blaine a run for his money, proving to be an expert escape artist and opening up patio doors to explore the great unknown. These days, Mr. Thomas defies his own laws of gravity:

Yep, that's 18 pounds of loving right there, folks. You'd think he was playing with his favorite feather toy, but I'm just giving him his dinner.

Thomas also gets his own spot at the head of the Thanksgiving dinner table. He helps me create a holiday menu every year, as we cuddle in bed watching the Food Channel on Sunday mornings. His favorite is Nigella Lawson, because she shares with him his passion for food (and he thinks she's foxy).

So, Princess and I were rummaging through photos which would best exemplify our plump little cherub and came across this one:

This is Tommy's "Feed Me Mommy" face. Priceless, no? Because he's such a colorful and fun loving spirit, who makes me laugh all day long, I thought I'd celebrate him in brilliant, vibrant complementary shades. Thus we unveil the "Magnificent Mr. Thomas":

"The Magnificent Mr. Thomas", Acrylic on canvas, 18x24, by Natalie Hirshman. Copyright 2007.

Despite his loyalty to the culinary arts, his greatest loyalty lies with me, his mom. He's the ginger love of my life and I'm so grateful for his companionship. He is a true Exalted Pet.

Mr. Thomas returned the gratitude in kind. His opinion of his masterpiece?

"I love it, Mom, but does this angle make me look fat?"