Someone's been peeing...

Chucky

...outside of the litter box!  More like vertical peeing, but some of it sprinkles over the edge instead of inside on the litter.  Am trying to NOT FREAK OUT, but think that's not going so well.  Pretty sure it's the Tax Man, Chucky-My-Chucky, The B.B.C. (Big Black Cat), His Blackness. 

Seems to be marking behavior, so now we have to figure out how to destress the boy so he feels safe in his own house again.  It's kind of hard to figure out what is the problem:

1. a new feral (there's an orange cat that I've seen recently...but that cat has been around for a couple of years off and on)
2. the new renters across the street who have a REALLY NOISY car that they start up every evening (sends Angel and Chuck flying around the house every time)
3. something else outside or inside the house that hubby and I haven't been figured out yet
4. could be medical; we'll take him to the vet if the behavior continues

Really do NOT want to put up plastic all over the house, but we'll do it to save the woodwork.  Again, not the time to FREAK OUT, but to start looking at life from Chuck's point of view to help him regain his calm.  Anyone know Kitty Zen?

Chuck asleep in his cup bed, only ears showing!

In the meantime, a few days ago, Sammy was asleep inside his favorite shelter, and I got the bright idea to sneak up (yeah, you know where this is going...) silently and swiftly with a trap to close off the entrance, and catch him!  First, I had to walk back around the house and get the key to the garage.  Then, I had to pull the trap out of it's storage spot, so I had to find something to stand on.  Pulled over an old milk crate, yanked the trap down, then stealthily tip-toed to the deck.

Trap

I lightly walked up the steps, and silently snuck up on the shelter...and whoosh!  Sammy went flying out of there when I was still six feet away.  The score now has to be about Sammy 15 Me 0!  I swear, I did not make a jiggle or any kind of metal trap noise; these traps are renowned for being very quiet!  Did I telegraph my intentions in my thoughts?  Is Sammy a mind-reader?

Obviously, Sammy is just smarter than me, so I'm still wondering how I'll ever catch him again.  But I'm not giving up!  Just so you know, I did catch him twice: the first time when I had him neutered in 2011, and again that same year when he had suffered a bite wound.  So maybe it's really Sammy 15 Me 2, but I've had ZERO success in the last two years.

Smart Sammy

Neighbor Cat and Flowers

While on a walk in the 'hood, I came upon this friendly fellow, who loved chin scritches and belly rubs!  I know he lives down the street, and he was basking in the last of the day's sunshine when I strode up.  I must discover his name!  Before I left him, I cautioned him carefully about crossing the street.

Some of our tulips are tuliping!  How great it that?  Maybe Old Man Winter has finally checked out for the season?  I'm not putting the snow shovel away yet...just in case.

Chucky's Ducky Gets Around Some More

On the bedroom floor

Snuggled with Chuck on the Rocking Chair

We just never know where Ducky will end up!  

And some pics taken during the delightful warm weather!

The Cat Hotel is almost ready for business!

Mama Mia taking a selfie

Napping Sammy

Fatty Patty getting comfy
Love that tail curl, and the ears shadow!