Have I mentioned to you that lately we've had a visitor to the wildlife
feeding stations? This one is especially attracted to the foxes' food
which consists of meat and/or canned dog food.  This little visitor is a
long-haired black cat which recently has been getting its own dish of
food designed for cats.

Tonight I was in the kitchen making dinner with all four cats gathered
around waiting for their food.  I heard this soft meow, meow, meow.  I
looked around but didn't recognize the voice.  I looked out the sliding
glass door of the kitchen and there was little black cat, sitting at the
door crying for its food.  It looks like a young cat, very beautiful and
I suspect a female.  She has golden eyes.  I opened a couple of cans of
cat food and went outside to feed her (before the rest of us ate, I
might add).  She ran off immediately but came back to eat her food when
she thought it was safe.  Later I looked out and found her sitting on
the trampoline in the back yard.  We have a security light in the back
and every time it comes on I search the backyard to see if she set it
off.  So far I've seen 2 raccoons and our baby opossum and I think once
I saw black kittie run past the windows.  She is definitely skittish but
I doubt she's truly feral...afterall, she knew exactly where to go to
find food.  None of our others have done this!

I haven't noticed that she is around in the morning, but now that it
appears she expects food from our house I'll have to put out breakfast
for her as well as dinner. <sigh>  What is wrong with my neighbors that
they allow these cats to wander?  I know why they come here for
handouts.  I put meat out for the foxes and they are attracted to the
meat.  I've also seen a beautiful classic tabby of brownish, gray
coloring.  The classic circles on its side are fascinating.  There is
also a marmalade that comes around periodically although I've seen him
in the neighborhood about 1/2 mile down the road.

Its hard to tell if these are truly strays (ferals) or if they have a
home and are just trying to make me believe they are starving kitties.
Lets face it. I have four (one who weighs 27 lbs) that try to make me
believe they haven't been fed in two weeks.  Why should these outdoor
wanderers be any different?  I do hate that this black cat is out at
12:30 - 2:00 (times I've seen it) at night.  I have opened the garden
shed door and there is a blanket there so that she has somewhere to
sleep out of the wind.

Hello Mothership?!? Please notice that the "Vacancy" sign has been
turned off.  But please Bast if you'll take care of these small
creatures during the night and keep them away from the street during the
day then I'll take care of the food department.

Any purrs you can offer this little black baby would be greatly
appreciated.  I'll let you know if she manages to find her way inside.

Julie, Hobbes, Selena, Lacey, Sam and......hmmmmmm...the begger.