Please also look at David's Cat Gallery for more pictures of the cats.
Before we get started, I should tell you a bit more about these two lovely little furballs. They're both shelter cats, and they didn't come into the shelter together, so they were strangers to us and to each other when we brought them home. Ashes is a year older than Miles (she was born in 2000, he in 2001), and she's much more dignified than he is. She has perfected a look of extreme affront which she uses when we, or Miles, do something that infringes on her self-image. Miles, on the other hand, has mannerisms that suggest that he was brought up with dogs, and learned to play with them. He still thinks he's a kitten, always wanting to play.
Ashes doesn't need much affection, nor does she want it. She can be very happy to come and sit in a lap, but it must be on her own terms, and she's likely to abandon ship if she's given too much petting or rubbing. The one thing her dignity deserts her for is cat treats, which she's always willing to beg for. If we aren't careful, she'll end up a chubby little dignified cat.
Miles, on the other hand, likes to sit in a lap- especially if it's mine. He has strongly bonded with me, and if he can do it, will come and nap on or next to me, or will come to keep me company and lick me to get my attention if I haven't given him what he thinks is enough affection.
On to the photos.