Cats are beautiful creatures genetically altered for centuries until individuals in many breeds cannot take care of themselves. Oh they can lick themselves and they can most definitely dig and cover up evidence of their passing. I think of Cleopatra and the cats shown in ancient carvings of Egypt. How regal they appear. At one time cats probably earned their keep catching and eating mice and rats. But not in this century. Sweet kitties will bring dead birds to your door but they give you the evil eye if you expect them to eat it for lunch. Then they pout if you don't pony up the Meow Mix. Do cats beg to go outdoors before going to bed? In my neighborhood I see cats when I look out at 5am. Are they going to the "necessary" for morning relief?

I just came in from cleaning the community cat box so I know whereof I speak. At least 13 cats - I've documented that number but there may be others unseen - that freely use my yard. One neighbor puts cat food out on her back porch - the poor strays have to eat, don't they? But no one ever puts out a cat box so it is left to the helpless old lady down the block. You see the neighbors all have thick lawns or driveways of concrete so my carefully tended flower beds and gravel driveway are like the wide open prairie free for the squatting.

Tiny little weeds are coming up through the gravel and I went out to round them up and sanitize the prairie for tomorrow. What a sweet old lady!