So I thought it was about time to introduce you to our cat. But she’s not really our cat, she just uses our couch for her daily nap.
Michael and I truly believe it takes a neighborhood to raise a happy cat. We’re just doing our part.
This cat, Lex, comes over at least twice a day. She’s an indoor-outdoor cat, so she hasn’t lost her true cat spunk and critter-chasing abilities, but she is also a lap whore. Yes, this kitty loves any excuse to hop in anyone’s lap and fall asleep.
She would also be typing out this blog post if I let her.
To come into our house, she sits at our doorstep and politely meows. She never begs for food (and we don’t give her any), and patiently waits at the door when she is ready to be let outside again. We don’t ask her where she’s been, we don’t demand a reason for her departure, and we don’t ask when to expect her back. It’s an ongoing open invitation.
Lex is a lovely morning greeting, a conversation piece whenever we have guests over, and a great stress reliever if you’re ever in need for a good fluff ball cuddle. In short — she’s all the benefits of having a cat, without the burdens of veterinarian appointments, pet food purchasing, and the whole kitty litter situation. We’re happy to have steered clear of these things.
Pet sharing: an old school concept we’re bringing back to life. Imagine the savings if everyone started sharing their pets!
Update: Lex disappeared. The owner thinks someone took her. 
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So sweet!
I just recently read an article about a neighborhood cat that lead many lives for many different people.
Did you make up the name? Or do you know the “real” owners?
We had a neighborhood cat adopt our house. We had an atrium in the middle of the house. He would jump down from the roof and cry to get into the house from the inside. He would also use our other cat’s door to come inside. Unfortunately, it was hard to get him to return to his own house. He ended up living with us instead. Didn’t made the neighbors very happy, but they just couldn’t keep him home. – Margy
At one point this cat had a collar tag that gave us her name, address and phone number. That tag is gone now and we haven’t met the owner yet but I have an idea of who she is. I can’t help but think it will be an awkward meeting.
Cats are always in search of back-up homes. They are smart that way. You are lucky to be one of her choices!
I love to concept of sharing pets. We live in the country so it’s not feasible here but we do have an outside cat with indoor privledges. He comes in for a bit in the mornings and then again in the evenings. Unlike your cat, he’s a begger. ‘Jerry’ has it bad for potato chips. He knows which cabinet they are stored in and will sit in front of it, batting his big green eyes at you, until you give in and get the chip bag out. Once he’s finished his chip he’s ready to be let outside again.
How funny! Cats are great home entertainment.
Oh, I miss our neighborhood cat. His name was Joey. He would always go “home” for dinner when called, but he would also come out and play most of the day. When I would visit my parents from college, he even knew the sound of my truck coming down the street and would come visit. When family/friends came to visit, they had to meet Joey, too.
I do wonder what to do when the neighborhood cat needs to go the vet (abscessed tooth, for instance), and his real parents don’t take him. Joey dealt with this towards the end of his life, and I know he was in pain.
Miss you, Joey.