Happiness is...

The (known) feline occupancy of our property doubled in recent weeks.  My husband and I have been "adopted" by two neighborhood strays; one is absolutely feral. We call it "Stunt Double" because when we adopted our duo 5 years ago, it began to come into the yard looking for scraps, and it looked like a version of our #2 cat, only double the size (at that time). The second, I suspect, was abused and abandoned by a family. We called it "Blondie" because, well... it's tan and we lack all imagination on naming things.  Both now wait, patiently, outside our side entrance looking for breakfast, and then hang out until dinner, often getting a hand full of Temptation cookies throughout the day.   

 

 

Blondie and Stunt Double 

This past week, Blondie had taken to sleeping on the rubber mat outside our side door, and Stunt Double under the bushes just off the sidewalk.  With Winter rapidly approaching, my heart began to sink at the thought of them sleeping on the ground, so I went into my wood shop, found some old scrap lumber and built them a sleeping box. I do have enough materials to add a doorway onto the sleeping box, I am just waiting to see if they get used to it first.

 

 

I did not know if they would even consider it, but before the day was over, I saw this:

 

 

This morning, I saw Blondie laying inside until I came out with breakfast.  They do seem to get along well - sharing meals next to one and other, our duo have accepted the interlopers as part of the "family".  Blondie loves to lean on me, to get pet and it's noggin scratched, but not yet ready to be picked up.  

 

We got in late yesterday from the Cape and gave them dinner. As I was heading up to bed a little later, I heard this ruckus outside the side door.  The two of them were sitting at the door, serenading LOUDLY until I came out and talked to them for a few minutes.  Stunt Double just stays out of arms reach; hissing, but not running away.  I suspect that Blondie will be coming inside before long; getting more and more comfortable with wandering into the breezeway and not panicking if the door closes. Blondie also let me apply some topical flea & tick treatment.  If it's going to come in, the extra critters are going to stay outside.  I do not know the genders of the cats; but I suspect either both are female or Blondie is a neutered male.  

 

Happiness is a content kitty.