Joe never had the chance to have his own kids and always adored cats! Snookie is a neutered Russian Blue. Like other "blues" Snookie devotedly follows him as his master around the house and his backyard in the shadows of Joe's footsteps. Snookie is about 4-1/2 years old as of when I am writing this (September 2004). Joe took him in as a stray in July 2001 and loves him more than words can describe. The two have bonded ever since and he is a family member to us!