We Don't Need The Pitter-Patter Of Any New Feet Around The Mansion

At one time, we had five cats. They were all outdoor pets. Two of them came from a teaching colleague, and a year later, three were "adopted" from strays dumped out at the mailboxes. We only intended to take one, upon approval from Farmer H. Genius had spotted the kittens, and his tender heart (back then!) couldn't stand to leave them.

We took some food to dump out, and Genius selected a kitten. Once home with it, he persuaded Farmer H that it would be unfair to leave The Pony without his OWN second kitten. So we went back for another. At that time, we saw only one left, which Genius decreed would be cruel to leave alone. So we had three new kittens in one day. From then on, Genius would put down his window as we approached the mailboxes, explaining that he was "cat-listening" in case there were other strays possible new pets.

Only one is left. The other cats have died of old age. Except for my favorite, the hateful Snuggles, whose picture is on my other blog. She was stolen taken lured in adopted by some neighbors. Farmer H accidentally saw her when he was helping them with something. They kept her indoors. A captive. I assume she has passed away by now, but one of her mailbox cronies still lingers.

Anyhoo... last week, I encountered the county side-mower on my way to town. It's a big yellow vehicle with what looks like a riding lawnmower deck mounted on an arm on the side away from traffic. As it drives slowly along, that deck can be lifted and turned sideways to "mow" tree limbs. Or set down flat to mow weeds along the edge of the road. It was going down Mailbox Hill when I returned with my magical elixir. I could see to get around it.

Right after I cut back to my side of the road, I noticed movement in the weeds at the edge. Whoa! It was a cat coming out. A BIG cat. Looked like a gray and black tabby, with its back arched, as if ready to wind around someone's legs.

"Wow! That's a fat cat for being a stray. I wonder if it belongs to someone along here. Haven't seen it before. We sure don't need another cat! Better not let The Pony know about it."

I squinted to get a better look at this healthy specimen. All at once, it jumped straight in the air! You know how cats do. Straight up, legs still in a standing position. Then in one motion, it spun around (seemingly in mid-air) and dashed into the woods.

When that big healthy cat spun around, I saw that

IT WAS A RACCOON!

We don't need one of those at the Mansion, either.