THIS is Why

I carry catfood (and nuts, water, chick feed, cracked corn, towels, plastic bowls, a net, thick gloves and various sized carriers) in my car...

I took my first few boxes of gifts to be mailed off to the post office and when I came out I saw two furry but a bit raggedy cats. Couldn't tell if they were emaciated because they were long haired. I assumed they were feral because they looked quite scared and dodgy, though when I approached them holding a handful of dry cat food they looked at me, wheels turning as to whether or not they could trust it. I figure that spelled hunger. So I got as small as I could and moved very slowly, holding out my palm. When I got too close, both scampered behind the fence but didn't run away. They were too interested in what I might have. I quickly poured the food onto the ground (then was upset with myself that I didn't do it where they could be more hidden while eating), and backed away.

The white cat came more easily but both took a few bites. Meanwhile I searched my trunk for anything that I could put a little fresh water in, since they might be parched after the dry, salty meow mix. When I brought a little blue bowl over with water, the black one leapt up on the fence post mostly hidden behind a wall of leaves. It took a long time before he came down.

I watched until the black one came down, though he stayed quite jumpy the entire time he ate. I took a movie of him jumping down and eating and looking nervously around while the white one sat nearby, licking it's chops and looking satiated. But it won't load -- tried it several times. So for now, a few pictures of the same scene.

I admit, I had many things to do but I sat in my car until they were done. I was parked right in front of them so I could shield them from anyone else coming along before they could eat. Had y been able to view the movie-that-wouldn't-load, you'd see that the white one is more relaxed, compared to the black one who stopped, looked up and around every few seconds. They both sniffed the blue bowl several times, but weren't interested in drinking. But it's there in case they needed to go back to it when I was gone. There was enough food for a second meal, which I hope they got in before the rain came in torrents last night.