The Great Stare-Down

Neighbors down the street have a very fat, very friendly cat. This cat has lately taken to letting himself into our back yard. I've tried to shoo him away, but when I go out there, he runs up to me meowing for attention. Same thing if I try banging on the window. If this cat had hands and could speak English, he'd be waving furiously and shouting, "Hi! Hello! I'm so excited to see you! Please come pet me!"

Calvin is pretty ticked about the whole affair. The back yard is his, and he doesn't get why I won't let him out to defend his turf. One glimpse of this cat, and Calvin is all riled up and ready to kick some kitty butt.

I have the living room windows open today. The cats have been enjoying the fresh air, but they are not enjoying the presence of the neighbor's cat, who just showed up. Calvin and Doogie were both in the window staring down this interloping cat, when the cat decided he needed to come closer. I think he's taunting my boys. Calvin started his "I'm so gonna kick your butt!" wail that he reserves for other cats, and Doogie fluffed up and freaked out. I think Doogie is now under the bed, and Calvin is having a serious stare-down with the interloper.



I'm not sure who is going to win this round. Calvin is tougher, but the other cat has a special power, otherwise known as apathy. He just doesn't care that Calvin is all angry and upset. That laid-back attitude just might be what wins the match.