The stray at our door.

by William Dumond
(Waldoboro Maine)

We live in a wooded area, and for the past few months I had been getting a glimps of a stray cat trying to get in our garbage, and walking around just outside our property. A few nights ago we had a snow storm and though I didn't see the cat, we noticed tracks all over the place. Last night as my son was leaving, He noticed a cat on the back deck and told us about it. Being that it was extremely cold outside, I told him to let the cat in, warm it up feed it and then get her to a shelter when they opened again. It didn't take much convincing to get that little kitty to come in, nor melt her way into our hearts. She has made herself at home and is extreamy loving. Even our dogs acccepted her without any fuss. My wife and I took care in removing the ticks, sticks and other woody objects out of her fur, got her all cleaned up without a single battle scar, and then after a nice meal and fresh water she settled down to a nap on my wife's lap. and they have been best of buddies all day. After the holidays we will take her in for a vet visit. I think she has made us her humans by the way she has taken over. I have never seen a more loving, and greatful cat. if we can't find her owners, we will give her the love and care she disserves.