I mentioned before that we have at least three Outside Cats (OCs). They sit on the front porch or hang out in our carport. I watch them from our windows. Mom had fixed a box with foam as insulation and a layered bag for them to sleep in. Only one has decided to spend 90% of his time here. The other two OCs only come for meals and an occasional pet. Mom arranged a feeding station and tries to make certain they have food every morning and every night. They became OCs when their owner died from COVID. At least they don’t have to survive totally on their own.

Mom says our full time OC is named Poker. He and my late sister Sophia were brother and sister. Mom had considered adopting him when they were tiny kittens. Dad decided on Sophia, and Poker stayed with the neighbor. Unlike Sophia, he never learned how to wear a harness or to behave inside the house. I growl at him when he is rubbing against Missy or flopping down so Mom can pet him. I want him to know he does not belong in our house. Yesterday, Miko and I got to go out on our leads. It was chilly and damp. The snow is still packed in some places, but melting slowly. The grass looks bright green in contrast to the white ice and snow. It is pretty, but much too soggy for us to enjoy. Poker came over to check us out. I didn’t like that, and begged Mom to have us come in. Missy said we should feel sorry for Poker when the door closed. I’m not so sure. If Mom ever would let him in, I’ll bet he would try to take all of my favorite nap sites. I don’t want to beat him up, but I will if I have to. He needs to stay an OC, but even better would be if it were at someone else’s house. Can I advertise for him to find a new home? I’ll need to look into that. This is Poker.