Cat Lady

I first noticed a kitten was laying in the middle of the roots of the tree in our front yard back in November/December. He would just watch me as I walked to my car every morning. I would try and get near him and he'd run away. Ok bud, no problem. So I kept my distance. Then recently (within the last 3 weeks or so) the black cat started to become friendlier and would make an appearance at all times of the day. I noticed he didn't have a collar and was still pretty young. I figured he was a stray so I decided to go buy cat food. I came home filled up a small tupperware container and brought it outside to him. He hesitated but then he went head first, gobbling up all of the food. I squatted next to him and watched him eat but the minute I stood up he would back up a few paces. I made sure to keep my movements slow so I didn't spook him. I'd try to pet him but he would back up and look at my hand as if to say "We don't know each other THAT well!" and I took the hint. Our little afternoon feedings continued daily until the temperature dropped and I didn't end up seeing him all weekend. I was so scared that he couldn't handle the cold but then one day he came trotting up meowing at me. 

I'd say "Are you hungry?"

He'd respond with "Meooow"

I'd go get his food and set it down and sit on the stoop and watch him eat.

Then an orange cat who we have affectionately named Cheeto started making an appearance during feedings. He was super skittish at first but now he lets Dustin and I pet him while he purrs his little heart out.  He must also be a stray because he doesn't have a collar and is always outside. 

One Friday a few weeks back Dustin said he heard something outside and when he went to investigate, he found both cats playing with their empty bowls tupperware container. He was harder to win over than me. He's not really a cat person. Well, he used to not be a cat person. Then these two little shits showed up and he's now a member of the Cat Dad Club. We'll just be hanging out on the couch and he'll turn to me and say "Let's go check on the cats". We peak out of the blinds together. We go out on our stoop and pet them. And recently we will leave our door open and they will walk very stealthily around our house until they get spooked and then dart back out the door. Dustin and I just stand there and crack up.

Dustin kept calling them "feral" but I didn't think that was right so I did some research on the differences between feral and stray cats. Yeah, I'm fucking invested. Ha! Apparently feral cats have never had human contact, are fearful of humans, and live in colonies. Stray cats on the other hand have had some human socialization and can after an adjustment period can be made into a family pet once again. So yeah, they are strays.

It's just been really nice having them around. They greet me when at the corner of our walkway when they hear my door shut. They greet me when I open the front door. They are sweet and need a little love (and of course food).  I'd love to have them as real pets but Dustin is pretty allergic so the whole outside cat thing is a good compromise.