Saturday, December 31, 2022

An Early New Year's Visitor

There was an early New Year’s Eve guest at Café Cosy last night.

I had seen Arliss with Sable a few nights ago but, as usual, he kept his distance. I had recently bought some new cat-food and no one inside liked it, so I have been leaving it outside over-night for any late patron at the café. The temperatures have been bordering on freezing but the food stayed edibly soft during the dark hours, and was always gone by morning. Before dawn today, I was retrieving the empty bowl and saw Arliss over by the property’s fence.

I tapped the bowl and he appeared interested. Unusually, he was without Sable and, just as unusually, he did not run away when I wanted to talk to him. I wondered if it had been he who had been consuming the bowl’s contents in the night, and was now thinking he would be given more. If so, I wasn’t about to disappoint him.

I hurried to put some food in the bowl, and saw that he was waiting, another unprecedented act. He stayed put, a few yards off, while I placed the bowl on the concrete floor of the ditch, and retreated inside. He came right up to the food, which I’d put near the door, and ate it without sign of trepidation (even while being observed by Zofia). After his meal was done, he moved away, apparently satisfied.

I am pleased at this, as this is the first time I have been able to give Arliss soft-food, barring the possibility that he’s been eating from the over-night buffet; in any case, it was the first time he had remained, waiting, for a meal. I would like to get to know him better. From his girth and the condition of his coat, I can’t judge him homeless, though that is not impossible; the fact that he comes around rarely also suggests another, and on-going, source of food, and certainly shelter. But I would like to win his trust, nonetheless. He’s seen that I provide his friend Sable with food; now, he’s had it personally from my hand.

I hope to see more of handsome Arliss in the new year.

14 comments:

  1. Arliss is a bit like a late Christmas gift to you. Nice you could feed him so well and Miss Zofia watched. Happy New Year to all in the Cosy Apartment. Lynn and Precious

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  2. I'm so glad that Arliss is taking advantage of the Cosy Cafe Buffet. With the cold weather we've been having, I'm sure he appreciates having dinner available. I wish you and your fur-family a Happy and Healthy New Year, John, and thank you for all you do for the animals.

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  3. He is a handsome boy. I am glad he waited for his food. A Happy New Year to you.

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  4. I'm glad he stuck around for some food. All of us at Brian’s Home wish you a most Happy New Year!

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  5. You are very kind to take care of the outside kitties. Happy New Year!

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  6. I am extremely pleased to read that Arliss has been there and ate with no fear. VERY glad.

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  7. It's great that Arliss stayed and enjoyed whatever was on the menu.

    Happy New Year, John. I hope 2023 will be kind to you and your fur family--those with you now and those to come.

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  8. You haven't mentioned Arliss for some time, so I feared something had happened to him. It's nice to see him make a reappearance on the blog, and that he was able to enjoy a good meal.

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  9. So good to know outdoor cats have a place to go to and have food even if they might have a home ;) Nice too that any cat can find shelter there as well :)
    Happy New Year!
    Purrs, Julie

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  10. Happy 'Mew' Year!
    It's a good feeling to know a kitty has a full belly.

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  11. Good news about Arliss. I was like Undine and wondered if something had happened to him.
    Happy New Year to you and all the residents and exterior kitties.

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  12. Oh what a wonderful feeling knowing you gave Arliss a nice meal! Happy New Year to all at the cozy cottage.

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  13. Thank you for caring so well for Arliss and the other outside kitties. We are glad we got enough to eat by waiting patiently for you to fill his bowl again. Happy New Year!

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