lions at the gate

As you can see, just outside the gate, dandelion season is in full swing, but, this year, we have also attracted a dandy lion. In a harrowing ordeal, I crouched behind the flower pots, tucking myself safely out of view. Against my better judgment, slowly, silently, I lifted my camera, bringing the newcomer into focus. No one would ever believe me. Perilous as my predicament was, I knew I had to capture photographic evidence of my encounter with this wild and dangerous apex predator. The beast would not be fooled by my camouflage. Perhaps it heard the click of the lens cover. Perhaps it caught the sweet scent of my conditioner. Perhaps it merely spotted me as I had spotted it. With terrifyingly admirable stealth, that dandy lion slinked its sinewy form through the bars, then readied itself for the pounce. With no shortage of gratitude, I must add that, despite its brazen approach and mighty mew, I have stroked its fuzzy head and lived to tell the tale.

The photo above shows our resident feral cat, Miss Malcolm, but there would be other lions at the gate on Mother's Day. This kitty's brother, Mr. Mooney also joined us, as well as another cat who is not a littermate. We call this one Bombas, after the sock brand, because, let's face it, the name Socks, itself, has been seriously overdone. This moniker, for reasons unknown, frequently morphs into La Bamba, which has nothing at all to do with hosiery of any kind. Bombas La Bamba here is exceptionally skittish. He or she--we really have no idea--waltzed through the gate expecting to steal a little nosh from the cat bowls on the deck. Spotting the three of us in the yard instead, Bombas stood there, frozen, for a few moments, then skedaddled before risking the wrath of the giant shepherd sentinel watching from the grass. Beautiful cat. Like a lion from a rival pride, however, this big baby does not play well with others.