The Friendly Neighborhood Cat

I don't know her name, but I know she's always there to see me on my walks. There's something special about this cat.

I haven't owned a cat for a long time. Instead, I have a dog that I love, Joey, whose favorite thing is walks. I can whisper "walk" and he'll be up and ready, running around like he can't get outside fast enough. I enjoy taking him on walks purely for the excitement that it brings him, but there is another joy I get on these trips: a visit with my cat friend that lives in the neighborhood.

I've always tried to pet cats that I see outside. I'm one of those people. The thing is, most cats on the streets won't allow you to pet them. They may go into their homes and allow their families to love on them plenty, but when they're outside, they're there to hunt. They don't want to be touched by strangers.

This cat is different. Nearly every time I take my dog for a walk, she's there, in front of her house. She lives in the front yard, but the garage door is typically left cracked open for all the cats they care for. Lately, she isn't just sitting in the yard, unless, like the last time that I walked by, it is too hot out and she's hiding in the shade. I've visited her many times. She knows me, and now, when I walk by her home, she runs towards me, meowing.

I walk down the sidewalk with my dog and this black cat in a pink collar comes running up to us, meowing out her greetings to the both of us. Well, more to me than Joey. I don't think she cares much for him, but she's also never seemed afraid of him, except for the time that he barked at something else. He's never barked at her. Honestly, he doesn't really seem bothered by the cat at all, only at the fact that I won't continue with the walk already.

Several times, I've made the mistake of letting go of his leash, because he's normally a pretty trustworthy dog. He'd never leave us; he gets upset when I leave him alone so that I can take a shower. When I've dropped Joey's leash to pet my cat friend, he hasn't always behaved himself. He gets impatient to walk, and has crossed the street without me while I'm with the cat. So, now I have to make him wait with us.

I enjoy seeing this cat. She's always so happy to be petted by me, and I'm happy to do so. I look forward to seeing her on all my future walks.

#cat #catanddog #animals #neighborhoodcat