Meet Merle...

FULL VIEW PLEASE!

_{I'm not sure that Merle qualifies for the category of "domesticated animals" but, he's not completely wild, either... and I know that orange tabbies are normally considered to be domesticated}

Anyways, my sweet hubby Bob =TThealer and I have been encouraging a new outside cat in recent weeks.... and this afternoon, he really gave us a lift, with this remarkable show of ownership... when he "meatloafed" himself on the rug at the far side of our patio!!

Now, you may not think this is any big deal but for Merle (as we have named him... which is short for Merlin... yes, in honor of the great magician ) this is QUITE a big step!! He was so skittish and frightened the first time we offered to feed him, that he ran at the slightest movement.... and remained in a "ready to run fast" position at all times even while eating

He's still not confident enough to allow us near enough to touch him, but in this morning's 25 degree fahrenheit (-3.88 c) temperature, he found the rug, in the to be to his liking, and actually relaxed enough to meatloaf himself, and wait patiently, hoping for some food He did not run when I approached the door with my and gave both of us the opportunity to take his picture for the first time!!

Be sure to visit Bob's page =TThealer for his "meet Merle" capture!! [link] I the totally cat shadow that he captured!

If Merle manages to survive the rigors of being an on-your-own-neighborhood cat until summer maybe we'll even be able to coax him into letting us pet him!