I've had two new cats in my life the last couple of months. Jerry (I call him Jericho, just because I like it) is a handsome all-black dude, sweet-natured and cuddly; he and my dog became friends the very first day. I became acquainted with him when his owner had to go south for medical treatments; I visited him in their nearby apartment three times a day, and after the initial period of brushing and talking and cuddling he would curl up on my lap or at my side and snooze while I read for an hour or so. If need be, I will adopt him happily.

The other cat came upon the scene a couple of days before Jericho's person returned home and this one is a cat of a different kind.

Sneakers (should be called Boots; he has two long white feet) is a big bruiser of a cat, tall and wide. A tabby- but that makes him sound much gentler than he is. He is demanding and assertive, and with my little dog, he is aggressive. Ellery has been spending almost all his time in my bedroom (where my computer is, and therefore, I)on my bed. Sneakers comes into the bedroom and stays at my feet; he has not jumped onto the bed. If he did, I would have to intervene; it is the only place that Ellery feels safe.

His owners are on a biking vacation out of state and Sneakers is to be here for a total of about four weeks. He is scheduled to go home this coming Thursday and I have no doubt but that it will be a happy day for him. It will unquestionably be a happy day for Ellery too.

I would still house-sit Sneak again- it's been better for him than to go to a cage at the shelter where he has gone before. But maybe not before next year. :)