COME AND GONE

Two nights ago a small black kitty showed up in our yard.  If I were a fan of kitties, which I'm not (most of the time), I would have to say that it was really cute.  He's a kitten, but not teeny-tiny, with white socks and a white face and chest.

The kids' impulse was to throw Pumpkin in the house because she was playing 'this is my territory (and my people are watching), so I have to act aggressive and hiss at you.'  My impulse was to let Pumpkin chase small, black kitty back from whence he came.  At one point, Buddy started crying because he was concerned for the safety of black kitty, so I relented and let them throw Pumpkin in the house.  Everyone spent the evening playing outside with the very friendly, black kitty.  He came like a dog when called and let the kids carry him around.  I was thinking, "SURELY someone owns this collarless, skinny kitty, because it's so good-natured and tame.". . .Wishful thinking, perhaps.

The next morning Bananna found black kitty in the garage; he'd slept in there with Pumpkin (garage door usually stays open).  She came in to tell us that he was sniffing around like he was hungry (food stays inside b/c of blasted ants).  Papa Bear, who is a total softie for animals, told her to give him a little food.  I've never owned a cat before Pumpkin, but as I understand it, if you feed a cat who shows up, you may just have yourself a new cat.

Today black kitty came in the house for a few minutes (mostly only to eat --ants got in the other food, of course).  He made himself at home.  The kids started calling him Oreo.  They also like Sneaker, but mostly Oreo.  "Oreo Sneaker White" was what Bananna said.

We've had plans all along to put up "FOUND" signs at the two entrances of the neighborhood.  I plan to buy the stuff to make them tomorrow AM, when I can get out and shop all by myself. . .Only thing is, tonight we ran to Food Lion to get frozen pizzas and grapes for dinner, and when we got home, the kitty was no where to be found.  Bananna looked under the deck, in the woods, all over. . .Poor Bananna looks very somber.  If he doesn't come back, PART of me will be relieved to not have to spend some of our precious tax return money to get another cat fixed, but I have to say, I was kinda getting used to him.  I'll let you know if he shows up again.