The Thief Returns

Aries, is back to his old tricks...

...which means waiting for food in my yard!



Aries, our backyard neighbor's cat, all but disappeared this Winter.  But he's popped up like crocus shoots, and he's back to his old tricks!  He waits for Sweetie and Patty to finish their meals, then he licks up any leftovers.  Actually, if I'm not standing there, he'll walk up and try to bully them off of their bowls with growls and hisses!  The hubby and I keep an eye on things, making sure 'our' cats get enough and then whisking the bowls away so no other cat, skunk, raccoon, opossum, squirrel, stray dog, groundhog...well, you get the idea...gets a free handout from us by accident.  But, let's face it...cats are smart, and Aries is certainly a smooth character.  He's good at hiding behind trees, so when I scan the yard, I don't see him if I stand still.  I know he has a home; he isn't a lost waif desperate for food.  Last year, I tried distracting Aries by giving him little bits of kibble, but he's too bold and will meow and cry for more when I walk away.  So, no food for him...he'll just have to outwit me and grab some crumbs.  I am, however, glad to see him because he's an older boy and no one loves cats like I do...even a cat that lives with the neighbors!   

Thief

I rarely eat popcorn, but when I do, it's air-popped and low-sodium. Angel apparently enjoys the same thing!  She only had a few kernels, just so you know.  But she stole 'em, and here's the evidence.

Thief

This little missy steals food from Mama Mia and Patty O' daily!  She belongs to our neighbor's, and they let her out to roam.  She ends up in our yard, and she watches when I put out food for the 'o' cats.  If they don't eat it all, or if they take too long, she'll walk right up and growl until they back away from the bowls.  She's also chased Chuck a few times in the yard, and she growls when I get near.  I try to be nice, but she hisses and growls, and then steals the food!  Therefore, when I see her hangin' around, I chase her off.  I hate doing it, because I'm a lover, not a fighter.  But she always comes back.  Persistent little minx!