Goldie

This cat . . . Golden Boy or Golden Girl, I still don't know which . . . has taken to one of our chairs virtually every morning for his/her cat nap. This morning when I arose I looked out and there he/she was. So I carefully went out and walked down the ramp, right past the cat's chair and sat down in an adjoining one, just a couple of feet away. Goldie . . . as I have taken to calling him/her . . . watched me but showed no fear and didn't move from his/her spot. After a bit I reached out one hand slowly and let him/her take a sniff, then touched him/her briefly on the forehead. Goldie then lay his/her head down and closed his/her eyes. After a little more sitting quietly, I got up. Goldie watched me as I approached, again put my hand down for a sniff, then lightly scratched the top of his/her head and finally petted him/her on the back several times and touched his/her cheeks (where their sense organs are located). Goldie again showed no fear or alarm, closing his/her eyes and stretching his/her neck. I guess now we are pals.

The next step is a careful examination to determine the gender. This he/she, him/her, his/hers bit is becoming tiresome!