Cat and zoo

We don't know her name, but we've always called her "Marshall's Cat" because she lives with this pug called... well, Marshall.

She'd always been extremely hostile -- running away the moment we came within a two-metre radius of her -- and was a major cause of trauma for Rocky; she'd saunter just outside our front gate, or on the ledge at the backyard, where she knew was out of Rocky's reach. Rocky mostly ignored her, but would occasionally muster a macho barking episode, after which she would arch her back and hiss at him, sending him running away with his tail firmly tucked between his hind legs.

In the past couple of months, she's been perching herself atop our mailbox, sometimes spending the night there, much to Rocky's disbelief and annoyance. Not that he could do anything about it, of course.

For a while, we joked that we might have to start calling her "Rocky's Cat" instead. Rocky was not amused.

***



Yesterday, I met her on my way home. As I've done for many years now, I made another attempt to befriend her. She glared at me as I lowered my body slowly, and sat on the ground beside her; she didn't run away. Unlike with Crescent the last time, I was in no hurry to get home; I had no reason. (Yes, she does look like she dipped one leg in ink!)



I guess there's a first for everything, and to my surprise, she stretched lazily, and then came over to rub herself all over me. And on the ground, yes.



I looked down at the dark top that I was wearing, and noticed that it was covered with white fur. It used to be that I had to avoid white tops because they'd be covered with black fur even before I left the house. The thought of that made me smile and tear all at the same time.



I don't know why she chose to warm up now, after all these years. Perhaps I no longer carry dog scent on me -- that was the first thing that came to mind -- and the thought of that made me cry.

***



Lemme guess: the bear is Jerry Yan, right? I totally see the resemblance.

(Picture courtesy of Z.)