The Neighborhood Cats

She was there again, the big, longhaired yellow and white cat, lying under the evergreen then at the edge of the yard, and near the patio, gazing into my face. She was "Daisy" to me. She looked well tended, had a collar on, and at dawn had a route right onto a neighbor's patio.

She was one of the neighborhood cats, maybe just out occasionally, she appeared to have a home, but there were more cats then, and more that came that never find homes. Some may be lost, or abandoned, but most are stray, with very little human contact.

In the cul-de-sac, there were two grey and white spotted cats, so similarly marked, I only knew there were two, seeing them together. There was a bowl at the door. They were "Amelia and Molly" to me. Others came and there was 5 different cats in various stage of repose. Then it seemed, the people moved away. Of the grouping, I only see one around, a smoky cat, lean always hunting, sometimes venturing through yards at early dawn.

Some had came after the hurricanes of 04, as did my cat, Cloe. She was a neighborhood cat, tame, coming right to the front door and into the garage . Before she found her "forever home" a neighbor accused her of damaging the top of his car. He described a "black and white, well fed" cat. There were numerous cats around and many squirrels.

When a trap was chained to a tree on the property line, the city said they were called as a "nuisance report" and "unless an owner claimed a cat within 3 days" it was a death sentence. I kept a watch on the trap fearing any cat being caught, just for trying to get something to eat. Cloe was inside then, only "outside with family." The trap remained, but is gone now, as the neighbor is, gone.

The other day when I came around the cul-de-sac there was Amelia sitting inside, looking outside the window, appearing to have a "home."

A new group of cats came in. They are young, together 4 or 5 of them, mostly black. One ran in front of my car, bolted so frightened and alone. My husband says he "sees a bowl" now on "a patio down the street" and "sees them in repose there." And though it may not be their only destination, for now they have food, and a haven to come to.

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