Last summer, a couple of weird things happened.

First, I turned on the backyard light one night and saw an orange and white cat patiently sitting under a shrub by the bird feeders.

Then, a few weeks later, as I walked across the side yard, I spotted a black and white cat carrying something.

I ran toward the cat assuming it was holding a bird. The cat dropped its prize, a partially eaten roll, and ran.

I felt like a heel after that.

I Leave Food for Cats

In elementary school, perhaps fourth or fifth grade, I spotted a cat under one of the cars. I investigated and saw a white and grey cat that looked down on its luck.

The cat’s white fur had a yellowish tinge in some spots on its legs. While the cat wasn’t well groomed it wasn’t overly scruffy either.

I remember looking under the car at the cat, and it looking back at me. Neither of us moving. Neither of us sure what to do next.

I ran into the house to get something to feed the cat. All I could find was a piece of American cheese. When I returned the cat was gone so I left the cheese.

When I got off the school bus the next day, the cat followed me to the house door. From that day on, he was part of our family.

Cyrano was a feral cat who decided it was time to live the good life. I hope we gave it to him.

Back to this Century

Getting back to where the story started.

After chasing the black and white cat away, I put some dry food on a paper plate and left it for the cat.

Although I never saw who was eating it, the food was gone daily, so I kept putting it out.

Eventually, I was refilling the plate two to three times a day.

I don’t remember exactly when or how, but over time I had two cats showing up daily for meals. Every time I fed our indoor cats, I brought food to the outdoor cats.

Phantom

Eventually, I named the black and white cat “Phantom” because he’s a master at not being seen. He hides in shadows and under plants to avoid detection.

In this picture, I caught Phantom at a bad time, so he looks a little irritated. He’s keenly aware I’m encroaching on his space and taking his picture.

Initially, Phantom was the more timid of the two cats. He wouldn’t touch the food until I was at least 50 feet away. He would watch me while eating, and if I moved toward him, he would back away.

As a matter of fact, I told my children Phantom is a wild animal and will never be interested in people.

I’m not sure when it happened, but gradually Phantom let me get closer and closer.

Phantom learned his name and started coming when called.

He ‘lived’ under an abandoned shade canopy in my neighbor’s yard and slept on an old lawn tractor seat with some plywood remnants overhead.

Below is Phantom lying in catnip, looking at Chloe, our rescue cat.

Phantom’s go-to body language is rolling on his back and side looking for attention. Generally, he follows me daily while I feed the birds.

Snowball

Initially, Snowball was the more friendly of the two cats and more comfortable with people.

Snowball has a left ear tip, meaning they have been spayed or neutered.

Further, Snowball spent most of last summer sleeping next to our shed. If you walked by the shed, Snowball watched you go by. Things are fine if you don’t get too close or walk directly at them.

Snowball enjoys sleeping in the catnip growing on the side of the house.

Last summer, as I was working in the garage, Snowball kept meowing, hoping for a snack. Snowball knew the exact tone that sounded the most helpless. I’m sure it worked!

Snowball has a very calm personality and is quite content to sleep and eat with some hunting mixed in. Snowball is a master at finding warm places to sleep.

Lastly, Snowball’s go-to body language is a long, slow blink. I have learned that means a cat feels comfortable.

I’m fairly certain Snowball was a monk in a previous life.

The Irony

I occasionally wonder what brought these two beautiful creatures to me. The answer is quite hilarious.

Two winters ago we had an overpopulation of mice and I purchased catch-and-release mouse traps.

For this purpose, I emptied the traps in the yard away from the house. I believe the abundance of mice attracted the cats.

There is no evidence of mice these days.

Below Snowball and Phantom are sleeping on the covered bed I made for them. Subsequently, I purchased a K&H Pet Products Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Dog and Cat Bed when the weather got cold.