The new cat, now known as Dandy (Short for Dandelion as he kind of blew in one day, like a little seed from a dandelion.), is back.

He's quite a bit thinner than when he disappeared. And, he was looking for food this morning when we put Mamou and Uhura out.

Why did he stop coming here when he was being fed? Good question. I have had only one experience to compare it to; something which happened more than 20 years ago.

I had an adult Siamese cat, and a chocolate point kitten named Kayak. They hung out together, even though they were not related. One day, both disappeared for about a week.

Then, the adult came home without Kayak. He was dry and dusty, even though it was, and had been, raining. I think that someone took Kayak, but didn't want to fool with a large adult who probably wasn't happy with the situation. Maybe he got locked into a shed, or something of that nature?

I'm thinking something similar about Dandy. What would keep him away, when he's so clearly likes it here? When he has lots of food here? Someone may have tried to take him in. But, why is he so thin? Surely someone who takes in a cat would feed it.

If he got locked into a garage or shed accidentally, he could have caught a few mice, but obviously not enough food to keep his weight up. Then, when the person next went into the garage/shed, he would have run out and come back here. I'm not sure, but it had to be something of that nature to keep him away?

Mind you, he may be a terrible hunter, as I've suspected, because he was, in my opinion, a pet until recently. I've had a couple that were just not cut out for hunting. But, there was always food here...

He ran up to Dh within' a foot this morning, wanting food. Then, he and Mamou laid in a sunny spot about 6" apart.

When they eat, they switch bowls periodically. But, when Mamou went into Dandy's bowl to eat from it (cats!), and Dandy walked up to take it back, Mamou just looked at him, their faces nearly nose to nose, until Dandy sat, and Mamou finished his meal. Dandy finally went and ate Mamou's food, which is the same food.

This evening, Dandy launched himself at Dh's feet, meowing, and sat almost on them, waiting for dinner; which he got, of course.

Also, when Krypto went out for a walk, he and Dandy looked at one another for a long while, with Krypto whining. He's used to 'playing' with the cats, or at least annoying them, until Dandy decided that he wasn't interested in the annoying big dog, and he walked away. But, it went better than it could have.

So, Dandy's back!