Free at Last!

           Praise the Lord!  Just when I was ready to sell all the cats on Ebay (dirt cheap), cabin fever left  and spring fever moved in.  All the cats except for Biff have resumed their outdoor lives, only coming in occasionally to check the dish for fresh food before quickly returning to their backyard adventures.  

           Biff still hasn’t built up the courage to venture out.  I did toss him onto the patio in an attempt to fumigate him, as he was getting a little musty from inactivity, but he spent the entire time with his  forehead against the door looking completely despondent so I let him back in.  He’s gradually working up his nerve by sitting in the open bedroom window listening to the rustling leaves and chirping birds. 

           Speaking of birds, the robins showed up three and a half weeks later than usual.  I was beginning to worry that this was a harbinger of a really long winter, so it is with much relief that I listen to them sing at sunrise.

           Jersey has returned to her post on the neighbors’ back patio.  Yesterday she stared through the window at them for six hours straight.  For this she was rewarded with ample treats and Frank-free time.  When Frank is out of the house, his reign of terror over the other cats takes a hiatus.  Ruthless Mr. Stalk-and-Hunt-his-Housemates turns into sensitive Mr. Gaze-at-Birds-and-Bugs.  He’ll grow bolder once the novelty of nature wears off and by April he’ll be bringing home prey to thank us for keeping him.  For now, we are all enjoying the reprieve from his bad behavior. 

           Finnegan and Toby head for higher ground whenever they go out.  If I want to track them down, my best bet is to look up.  Sure enough they’ll be perched like owls in the high branches of the crabapple or locust tree.  Those two are also most likely to find mud and track it through the house.   Lately I’ve spotted footprint paths over, under, and around furniture that remind me of a Family Circus comic.

            Peace has settled upon the household now that the clowder can spread out and run off steam.  At night, once we’ve finally rounded them up and the headcount comes out at “five,”  they quickly and soundly fall asleep….There’s nothing like fresh air to tucker out their playful spirits!

Follow the tracks to find the cats