Tonight after the cats' dinner I went to let Smudge out, but when I
opened the door, an orange-and-white kitty was standing there. He
mewed at me. I thought maybe he was my neighbor's cat who had gotten
out, so I went next door and rang their bell. But they weren't missing
a cat. :)

Then the kitty started doing the "Timmy's fallen in the well" thing,
where he kept going back and forth, trying to get me to follow him.
So I did, and he ran down the stairs. When he realized I was following
him, he trotted along excitedly, stopping to mew every few seconds.
I figured he was going to lead me to his door. It's a bit chilly out,
and I thought maybe his humans hadn't gotten home, or didn't hear him
meowing at the door, or whatever he does to let them know he wants to
come in. (Smudge paws at the metal part of the screen door, which
makes enough noise for me to hear her.)

However, we passed the first house. And the second... and the third...
and suddenly I started getting the idea that he wasn't taking me
anyplace special. He just wanted me to take a walk with him! Smudge
has been telling other cats about our walks! Now all the cats in the
neighborhood are going to be bugging me to walk with them!

He definitely seemed like someone's pet, by the way, although he wasn't
wearing a collar. But his fur was nice and clean and his weight seemed
very healthy, plus he was quite friendly. I sure hope he's someone's
pet. He does look vaguely familiar, but he's not any of the cats I
know, and know where they live. Hope he's not a stray! I'll be keeping
an eye out for him.

Joyce