The usual morning cat feed - I open the back door to feed Blacky and
Spot and Grey Mystery Cat (GMC - who is shy and stays in the sgadows
until I close the door). This morning, I also have Mrs. Wiggleworm,
and a mama raccoon with her two kits.

On a hunch, I had brought out extra food with me, and sprinkled it
around into separate piles so that no two animals had to eat right
next to each other.

Mama raccoon and her kits approached me, and actually took food from
the food scoop in my hand, as I was putting the food down. Mama and
kits were extremely cute. I just wanted to pet the heck out of them.
Of course, I know better - they ARE wild animals.

I told Senyah about the raccoon kits, and said that they were in her
sock drawer waiting to attack...

I go to the front door, and am confronted with just Baby Kitten (who
I've christened 'BK', and who isn't so little any more). He has a
delightfully loud and rumbly purr motor now, and enjoys letting me pet
him, instead of running off in a panic. I may get this one socialized
after all!

Acqui came swaggering around the corner with a "Hey, whatcha got
there, kid?" and chowed down with BK.

Now it's about 1030, and I see Dulce Mae looking out the window, her
tail twitching. She's watching Mrs. Wiggleworm, who is in the bushes.
BK is nearby, Spot is across the way, near some steps, and Acqui is
lounging in front of the neighbor's door.

I open the door, scoop up BK, and bring him in for a brief cuddle.
Little Feet approaches and gives him the full sniff treatment, to find
out who BK is, and where he's been. BK nervously suffers through this
while I pet him and tell him Little Feet won't hurt him, then stands
up and rubs against Little Feet. BK says he wants back out, so I go to
the door with him.

Mrs. Wiggleworm is waiting, ready to protect her turf from any nasty
indoor cat who pokes his head out. This turns out to be BK, who gets
his nose slapped. He steps back, gives her a "Grandma! Quit it!" look,
then leaps out, over her head.

All four cats are at our door now. As I step outside, Acqui grabs my
leg with his claws out.

I look down at him and tell him, "Well that was just mean. I am NOT
going to feed you now, for being mean to me." (I don't put any more
food out until 6pm, but I don't mention he'll get more food later -
evil grin).

Acqui looks properly sheepish and rubs against the leg he grabbed
(poor baby, he's really TRYING to make up). When I go inside, he sits
on the air conditioner, gives me his saddest look and several silent
meows. He looks absolutely pitiful. I feel rotten, but am still not
giving him another meal until this evening.

Mrs. Wiggleworm has laid down on the concrete outside, and BK stalks
her tail. He pounces and wrestles her tail, getting even for her
slapping him earlier. At least until she glares at him, and he leaves
her alone.

Hugs and Purrs,
Mark