A New Cat

@msiduri (5687)
United States
April 26, 2016 6:58pm CST
A stray calico cat has decided to adopt us. The first I saw of her was a rear end disappearing over the backyard fence. That cat we already have is only have aware of her. As long as she stays about ten feet away from him, he doesn’t seem to pay her too much attention. She even helps herself to Gremlin’s food without him bothering her as long as he’s not too close. Gremlin lets her know she’s crossed the invisible boundary by hissing and crying at her. Once she back away, he ignores her. Of course, if the dearly beloved or I get too close to a window or a door, the little cat stops, shifts into reverse gear and disappears over the backyard fence. Yet, if we don’t move, she’ll walk right by the patio door. I’ve seen her in the front yard. She apparently regards the front yard as a bathroom. She seems gentle and as long as there are no fights between the two cats, I don’t mind. It will be while (if ever) before she allows human presence. Nevertheless, she’ll be safe in our yard.
7 people like this
9 responses
@JudyEv (341709)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Apr 16
Certainly sounds like she is moving in. It is interesting that they choose a family. It is good of you - and Gremlin - to accept her.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
I assume she makes the rounds, mooching where she can. She'll just be safe here. I'm thinking of setting up a box for her to sleep in.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341709)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Apr 16
@msiduri I'm sure if you're nice to her she'll decide it's a good place to stay.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
@JudyEv That's my intention. Even if I end up sharing her with a couple of nice neighbors.
1 person likes this
@Chellezhere (5741)
• United States
27 Apr 16
My Henry was born and then spend his first five months in a barn, so getting him to warm up to indoor city life was a chore, but now, he had settled right in.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
He took to people? Good for him. And you.
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
@Chellezhere That's worked out nicely then.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Apr 16
@msiduri My friend is very attentive to all of the animals on her farm.
1 person likes this
@srisahara (4508)
• Indonesia
27 Apr 16
I don't like cat, I prefer rabbit. Now I have one. She still young. She likes eat grass and kale. I like see it eating plants...it is very funny...
1 person likes this
@srisahara (4508)
• Indonesia
27 Apr 16
@msiduri Yes,my rabbit also very nice. She walk and jump in the yard and eat grass on it. I love her action. So funny...She looks gentle...
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
@srisahara She sounds like a fun companion. My nieces liked their rabbit as well.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
Rabbits are nice, too. I've never owned one, but my nieces have. This stray just wanders into the yard. I won't chase her away and I'll let her eat my cat's food. They don't fight, so I'm happy.
• United States
6 May 16
Poor little kitty. It's so nice you're offering your yard as a safe sanctuary. Hopefully, she will become less fearful as time goes by.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
6 May 16
@LindaCPearson I hope so. I've seen mostly her rear end as she jumps the fence. But when she thinks no one is watching, she's quite bold, even lying down in my cat's dog house. (I refuse to call it a cat house.)
1 person likes this
• United States
6 May 16
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
27 Apr 16
My ex-girlfriend and I once took in a stray. We had her about a month or so when she got hit by a car.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
Oh, how awful.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
27 Apr 16
@msiduri - We were pretty bummed, but she was an outside cat. It probably would have happened anyway at some point.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
@teamfreak16 That's sadly the way it goes. Gremlin is an outside cat because my husband is allergic to cats, but we have an enclosure for him. He sleeps in the yard during the day, but has a dog house (I refuse to call it a cat house), a box, food and water in the enclosure for night and for times we're gone during the day.
1 person likes this
27 Apr 16
You will have to see if she starts getting more comfortable around the site of you over time. After enough time she might let you pet her. Be curios to see if Gremlin eventually lets his guard down around her.
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@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
Gremlin seems mostly oblivious. He has his boundary, but if she doesn't cross that boundary, he doesn't seem to care what she does. If he's snoozes in the bushes, she can walk into the enclosure and scarf down on his lunch. It's quite odd.
@Teep11 (7673)
• United States
27 Apr 16
A visitation isn't bad. Perhaps she will get use to you and will stay for good. I'm sure she's quite welcomed at your home. Cats can find their way to a comfy setting.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
We haven't named her yet. I might call her Phantom, the way she comes and goes. We already have a Gremlin. Cats are easy.
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
27 Apr 16
I'm surprised that Gremlin tolerates her as much as he does, as cats can be very territorial, can't they? Perhaps it would be different if she was a tom cat.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
I'm surprised he tolerates her, too. I would have thought he'd go nuclear when she dipped into his food, in particular. He seems to think it's a failing on the part of the human/provider. The food disappears sooner than it should.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Apr 16
All our cats have all been strays. They are very affectionate and grateful to be taken in.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
27 Apr 16
That's great. It's nice to create a little happiness and affection where you can.