THE NORWEGIAN FOREST CAT

After supper yesterday evening as Artie was throwing out the trash, he saw the Norwegian Forest Cat dart across the street and scoot through the chain link fence near the corner that gives the strays and the possum access to all our backyards.

Artie was really excited when he came in, telling me the cat was back as he rushed around preparing fresh water and food to put out for him. We watched but didn't see him. Our back light didn't come on until very late at night; we checked from time to time but never saw any strays come through the yard.

Bedtime came and the food was still untouched. Wednesday morning found an empty food dish sitting next to the water dish smack in the middle of the yard. Unfortunately, we never did get to see who benefited from the meal. We hope it was the Norwegian Forest Cat but are happy for anyone of the strays who had the food.

So now we know that Annie's big mouth didn't scare him away. We can't wait to see what develops next.

ANOTHER WEEKEND CLOSER TO SUMMER

Summer starts officially this Wednesday, June 20th and I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure Annie is as well. It's been pretty quiet, not much traffic through the backyard. We've only seen the Norwegian Forest Cat and one or two of the usual strays. No possum either.

Our yard has turned into a jungle but we've been so busy there hasn't been time to clear it. We did make a couple of false starts but never followed through. Within the next few weeks I want to get all the weeds cleared, the tree branches cut and bundled and the debris of winter swept up from the cement.

Frankly, I'm looking forward to utilizing the yard for more than exercising Annie. Weeding and gardening (hopefully) here we come!

THE END OF POSSUM WATCH

Well, I'm officially ending our Possum Watch. It's been weeks and we've not seen hide nor hair of Pat Possumwaithe.

Yes, we've had spotty weather and quite a bit of evening showers but I suspect Pat was travelling from somewhere else to scavenge our yards and a new development I spied yesterday evening might be preventing him from coming through at his regular time.

I came home from the City Monday evening at around 9:30 and I noticed one of the yards near the chain-link fence Pat would climb for access to the collective yards had been cleared. There were lights on and a new table with an umbrella set up.  Most importantly of all there were voices. Artie heard loud voices over the weekend and we figure they were coming from this yard.

So I guess Pat won't be back because of all the new activity. I'm sad but I hope he (or she) is doing fine. The only other reason why we haven't spied him would be his demise and that's really too sad to contemplate.

Goodbye, Pat - I hope we do see you again. I miss seeing you in the White Raspberry Tree. And of course, we only have a photographic record of our encounter - no video.

Bye, Pat - hope to see you again - soon!