Having Mixed Feelings

Once again I fed the stray cat, Kitty.  It has almost become routine and I haven't had to look too hard to have a sighting.  All in all having Kitty around has been a fun experience until tonight.

Tonight, Kitty came to the window and started the usual ruckus with my cat and dog.  I'm getting much better at getting things settled so it wasn't a big deal.  I went out onto the porch to check the food that was available but gosh, it was windy and I could tell the weather was taking a turn for the worse.  I came back inside and consulted with the family.  

I explained the situation.  It was only 54F, the wind was blowing and it felt like rain. They gave me the look. You're familiar with it, aren't you?  Okay, stop laughing at me.  I went and got a box and a spare blanket and took it out onto the porch.  

I placed the blanket in the box, moved the food closer to the box and turned around to pick Kitty up to show her the special little Kitty shelter I had created.  I got her in my arms, hugged her and as I went to gently place her into the warm, snugly bed she jumped out of my arms and raced across the porch!  Complete and absolute rejection. I came back in the house.

I went back outside to see what may have happened but there was no Kitty.  Evidence of her returning can be seen in the photo above because there is a wet paw print close to the dish of food.  

I am not sure why there is only one wet paw print.  I guess she ran into a puddle somewhere in the frantic rush to escape her capture.  Now as I write my cat is sleeping in the chair, my dog is resting on the sofa and I'm wondering where the heck Kitty will bed down tonight.  

Please provide a good home to your pets and if your pet needs to be spayed or neutered there are low cost clinics available nationwide.  You can find one through FixIt-Foundation.org.    

Caught In The Act

You really didn't expect me to ignore the stray cat today, did you?

I was still feeling under the weather today but decided to check up on the cat.  I went out the front door to the porch, looked to the left and to the right, no cat.  I walked to the right side of the porch but no cat.  I walked to the opposite side of the porch and checked on my plants, no cat.

I had already decided that this "porch cat" needed to eat more so I had taken a cup of dry food with me just in case but there was no cat!  Strays come and go.  This isn't the first that has shown up at my house.  I have fond memories of many so my feelings weren't hurt.  I noticed the little bowl that had been left outside yesterday, deftly dumped the cup of food in and came back in the house.

As I closed the door my cat lunged toward the window.  The stray was already on the porch!

As you can see from the photo above, my cat was not happy.  He fussed and whined while the dog carried on so I reassured them both of my love for them with bacon.  It's amazing how bacon can defuse a combative situation!  

Kitty did not get bacon but she did seem to be pleased to have scored on a free, effortless meal.  I can only hope that ham will have the same results tomorrow.