Of sunshine and cowardly cats

Nikita the Cat was perched on her porch rail in the morning rays, solar collector cat in the subfreezing air.  Over on our side of the fence, Muggsy the Lardbucket Cat (same household) sniffed around and skulked.  I offered to scritch an ear or two, he looked over at Nikita with the obvious appearance of a cat who knows who's boss, and declined.  He then slunk off with numerous further glances at She Who Must Be Obeyed.

She has herded him off on several occasions.  Apparently, Wife and I are stamped "Property of Nikita" and lesser cats may not infringe.

Further on cat politics

This thing between Nikita and Muggsy is not unique.  We have had other cats claim us as territory, in no uncertain terms.  I recall a case over in Elm Street where we had stopped to pet and scritch a tortoise-shell of our acquaintance.  The coal-black jaguar of that particular pride stalked over, swatted Torty between the ears, and preempted all human attention.  One hesitates, or at least any One dealing with cats on a regular basis, to talk about "pecking order" among cats, with the avian reference and all, but...

I think Diane Duane left a few bits out of her narrative about The Game.

Bats in the belfry...

...squirrels in the attic.

We need to talk with our neighbor southwards.  Saw a squirrel run confidently along a branch of our maple, leap to her roof, and head straight for the eave where the side chimney pokes up through.  And disappear within.

Wildlife in the house!  Alert!