The Cat
"Look! there's that cat that Leo doesn't like."
He stood across the street on our neighbor's lawn.
"I wonder who he belongs to?"
"I don't know but he doesn't look skinny. Someone must feed him."
"I saw him eating with her cats a few days ago."
"Funny how her cats let him hang around over there. They don't even seem to mind."
"Yah but if he comes over here Leo goes all schizo on him."
"He came inside the fence last night. I heard a cat fight and when I went out back they separated."
"Yah, I don't know why he keeps coming over here. He knows Leo hates him."
"Leo throws his weight around."
"He's a prick. He even chases him when he runs away."
"That cat is not neutered either. Did you see those things!"
"Leo's neutered and has no front claws and he's STILL a bully."
"OH NO! Look! He's limping!"
"Leo probably bit him in the ass"
"Yup - the vet says that the instigator always gets bit in the head and the more submissive one gets it in the back end."
"I wonder if he'll let me near him...."
I walked outside and slowly crossed the street with some cat food I'd poured into a coffee filter. "here kitty kitty... have a snack... are you hungry?"
He eyed me suspiciously and took a couple steps back.
"It's ok baby. Let me see you. I've got fooooood."
I set the food down on the concrete ledge but he scurried off around the house so I went back inside and watched through the window.
"Oh! Here he comes! He's coming back!"
The cat strolled right past the food -obviously not interested or hungry.
"That's a good sign though - he's not hungry."
"One of his ears is bent down. I hope he doesn't have an ear infection. Maybe we should catch him."
"And then what? Take him to the vet and pay the bills like you did last time??"
"Well, at least check him out to make sure he's ok and maybe ask around the neighborhood to see who owns him. That would be a start."
"I can get a Have a Heart trap if we need to."
"Oh my God! Look! He's crossing the street. Maybe he will let me see him."
Just as I gleefully headed back outdoors I saw the cat back up to Mike's truck and shimmy his tail like a cheerleader's pom pom. A jet of urine sprayed out all over the back tire. Obviously satisfied with his handiwork he swaggered back to his original spot and sat down.
"Well, I guess we know what he thinks about you!"
