Of all the animals I’ve ever had as pets, and I really haven’t had that many, Cat is probably the one that intrigues me the most. I suppose that’s just part of being a cat but he’s so “needy” and yet so standoffish at the same time. Considering that he had been living out in the woods for no telling how long, and then he hung around for over a year before making friends, he’s such a creature of habit now.
He stays on top of my car. When it was so miserably hot, about 10 a.m., probably when the top of the car got really hot, he would get down and get under the car and stay til about dusk and then get back on top of the car.
Cat
It’s awfully generous of us to provide him with an SUV upon which to lounge all day! If I had my way, we’d have a garage and there would be no cat inside the garage.
Cat
She glares at me when I pass as I go in and out of the shop. I cannot reach up and touch her though . . she has to come to me.
I mentioned the other day how she sits in the middle of the driveway and waits for me to go put the chickens up, knowing I’ll come out and sit and pet her.
Here’s the weird thing . . Sunday night I was up really late . . til about 1:30 a.m. When I turned off the living room lights, it looked like a light was on in Vince’s car so I walked over to the door to look out the window but it wasn’t. I don’t know what I saw. But, I noticed Cat . . sitting in the middle of the driveway, staring at the back door. I went to bed and when I got up about 5:30, it was still dark so I looked out again and she wasn’t there.
Then, last night I remembered that UPS had left a package and I never got it off the porch so about midnight, I opened the door to grab the package. There was Cat, sitting out in the driveway staring at the door.
This morning I told Vince about it and he said maybe she thinks as long as there are lights on in the house, she knows I’m still up and maybe she sits there hoping I’ll come out and pet her. That would be sad, huh?
What do y’all think? Would she be sitting out there all night hoping I’ll come out again and pet her?
Dottie N. says
Cats are so unique – I “think” they have a hidden agenda (and, we’ve had cats for almost 50 years, lol) where they “think” of things to make humans wonder what they’re all about….just as soon as you “think” you have something figured out, they change course and have you wondering about their “new” personality. Dogs (which we’ve also had for almost 50 years) are happy to be your bestest buddy forever and always and will do what they can to show you how much they love you.
While cats can/do show love, it’s definitely on their own time schedule.
Pinot and Piecing says
Okay, you’re going to think I’m a crazy cat lady, but you asked for advice, so I’ll offer my take on the situation (disclaimer: I’m a crazy cat lady). Cats very much hone in on what is new in their environment. Lay a new thing on the ground, and a cat will go lay on it, for example. She probably knew that box, delivered by a stranger in a noisy truck, didn’t belong on the porch. She may have been trying to decide if it was a threat. In their own way, cats try and protect their owners by alerting them to dangers in the environment. If I walked into a room and saw my cat sitting or laying by something and staring at it, I knew there was a centipede (the huge horrible painful Hawaiian kind) under that object. He would station himself by the object and wait for me to banish it. He wouldn’t leave it until I discovered it. He’d alert me to feral pigs or roving dogs in the yard…sometimes getting between me and the trespassing animal. I think Cat is starting to protect you! Some people may say that cats are just trying to protect their food source, but I think it’s more than that. You’re Cat’s family now, and she’s trying to protect you both from threats in your mutual territory.
MrsB says
I noticed the tipped ear. Looks like TNR kitty, which is why you’ve seen no sign of kittens.
I found consistency best. Food in the same place, bedding in same place. Do you want to bring her in? Keep on doing good what you’re doing. It took 18 months for my big old white kitty to come inside.
Jean S. says
I have three ferals that someone dumped. Being an animal person I feed them. There were 5 but two have since disappeared. One, we have been able to tame and bring inside, one will allow a quick petting then takes off, one will allow a 5′ radius in order to get her food, but then takes off. They have a routine and anything that upsets that routine is not to be trusted.
Diann says
Love Cat stories and Boots, Rita, and Speck stories especially.
Melissa says
She’s being a watch cat which is sometimes better than any watch dog! Cats are territorial too. They like to protect the area they’ve claimed, which is why you hear cat fights at night. They sleep all day and patrol at night. And she’s gotten a bit lazy! Now that she’s well fed she doesn’t have to hunt at night so she can just hang around and protect her territory. Evenings are when they are most active and loving after napping all day. Also in your case, it’s very hot during the day so the evenings and nights are cool and she’ll be more active. If you went out at night she would be very glad for your company and an extra delicious tidbit of tuna or chicken or canned cat food. Each night when I walk the dog I carry cat treats (which are morsels of leftovers or a bit of canned food) for all of the feline friends we meet.
Toni in TN says
You have made remarkable progress with Cat. You’ve proven that you’re trustworthy. A huge step for a feral cat. Keep up the good work.
Perry says
I agree with all of the above comments. Cats are protective in their own way and they do like to visit sometimes and treats are always good
Dar in MO says
I think she wants you to come out and talk to her with a treat. She is lonesome without you!!
Poor kitty, everyone goes to bed and she is ready to play. lol
Carol c says
Yep she or he was waiting on just you. You broke your routine. I have an outside cat, mine is gray tortie, had 5 kittens, one is a black tortie like yours, wild babies, I caught 2 have them inside in office, tamino or trying too a gold,black and white girl, and a tuxedo. Do keep your routine, look how far you have come.
barbara says
i agree. the change confused her. she was waiting for the usual morning routine to begin. and now that you went to the door early, she thinks a whole new routine may be developing.