Must be visitor season on Planet Earth lately, because we've been getting our share.

Lately, we installed a small window-unit air conditioner in the living room. A few days past that, I look out the window to see what had Presto's and little Feet's curiosity up. Turns out to be a pretty little grey kitty, about three years old.

So I bring her in and introduce her all around. She purrs for me and purrs for Senyah, but gives the boys a "I *know* about you boys" look. Nevertheless, she touches noses with both boys, and much to my surprise, Presto does *not* growl or hiss.

I put out some food and water for her, and she occasionally comes back to cavort with the birds that visit our feeder - sort of a 'dances with sparrows' kind of cavort, not a 'here comes dinner' cavort, though.

I think Little Feet, Mr. 'I hope bird shadows are edible', is vaguely disturbed by this. Unfortunately, no pictures yet, as this visitor seems to sense when I reach for a camera.

Our other visitor is about four or five, and I think she owns humans somewhere nearby. She is white, with black ears a single black spot on one shoulder, and a raccoon tail.

She is very pretty, very friendly, and came right to me, to be picked up and carried around. she has a light purr, but doesn't like the other cats to get too close.

Presto chose to hiss-spit the entire time she was within view, but Little Feet was being friendly and chirpy, and nose-touchy. At which point she stepped back and slapped him (!).

So I took her (and bowls of food and water) outside and sat on the stoop with her while she ate. She kept a close eye out, in case her people came upon her and caught her seducing another neighbor.

For this one, I did manage to get about ten pictures, but she managed to turn her head each time I clicked the button, so I *might* have two passable pictures, if I'm lucky (sigh). Good thing I use a digital, so no film was harmed in the process (grin).

There is another cat, a tortie about five years old, who seems to be a stray, and so won't let anyone approach. I hope it takes notice of the free food on both front and back porches (grin).

In the meantime, Presto has been much more loving and attentive. I think he's afraid I'll adopt another cat...

Copyright © Mark Edwards
April 1, 2001