and the beat goes on ...

Yep, #12 is here, and by here I mean in the bedroom. I was just out in the iris beds again and heard a cat calling from the tall grass in the direction opposite that where I had just left Billy and Somer. It was that mournful call that a tom makes when looking for love. He yodeled a few times then trilled like NC had been doing in the bedroom, so of course I thought it was him. I walked slowly in the direction of the calling, not wanting to spook him, but he kept talking to me and holding his ground. I got so close I figured he had to be just feet away from me in the tall grass when a charming ginger tabby (ALL boy) emerged and approached. In typical feline fashion, he stayed just out of hand's reach, rolling around on the ground and teasing me with his obvious friendliness. I followed him for a couple of minutes before he started following me. He finally relented and came within petting distance. Several head butts later, and he's in my bedroom. There's NO shyness in this guy.

Now I'll have to whisk him off to the vet for neutering and other assorted maintenance. He needs a few pounds and looks to be somewhat older than scaredy boy. He was having a lovely time marking territory outside when I caught up to him. I do hope he isn't inclined to do so inside (but I expect he will be). He's a handsome fellow. I hope he's the one who looked black to me from a distance this morning. If not, that means we have a third stray wandering around here somewhere, causing trouble.

I still want my scaredy boy back. Such a tender psyche shouldn't be out there on his own. I haven't caught sight of him all day. I hope ginger boy didn't chase him off.

Laurie