Some l'il creatures take to bath time better than others. But, as with many things, timing can be crucial. Fortunately, no bird was lolling away in the bird bath when George the Porch Cat came along looking for a drink. He got up on his tippy toes, hung his front paws over the top edge, and drank.

At the time, I happened to be sitting here at the computer and snapped this photo from my desk through the window.

The blue jays seem to make more use of the bird bath than our other visitors, both for drinking and bathing. I enjoy watching them jump in and flutter their wings, splashing themselves and fluffing up their feathers in the process.

George has a water bowl on the porch but I probably let it dry up without refilling it. Fortunately, he's smart enough to make due under the circumstances. On days when I'm out and about in the yard, George is usually nearby, following my progress, keeping me company.

He's the "Porch Cat" because that's where he lives, in a small pet carrier, and we try to keep him out of the house, as the house cats get hostile towards him. In the winter, my wife puts a heating pad with a timer in the carrier and he's quite comfy. Cats, after all, can adapt, sometimes better than the rest of us...

Comments:

George almost makes me sorry I gave up my complimentary kitten.

Gosh, Steve, your prolific output is the reason my answering is here and there and all over... I like George a lot! We all need a George in our lives!

comment by jerms on Aug 19, 2008 12:10 PM ()

Not a bad idea. My recommendation would be a domestic shorthair, which I suspect are better ratters than the more expensive breeds. Mine catch mice and chipmunks all the time. I'd also recommend getting a cat from a shelter. You'll likely save its life in the process.

reply by looserobes on Aug 19, 2008 1:17 PM ()

Look at Geore~ I'm surprised the Blue Jays let him anywhere close... they are a mean bird sometimes.

comment by cindy on Aug 18, 2008 6:43 PM ()

Yes, jays are aggressive, and noisy too.

reply by looserobes on Aug 19, 2008 5:58 AM ()

Great shot! And George looks like he's one for independent thinking! (But, then again, I've never known a cat that wasn't!)

comment by hayduke on Aug 18, 2008 5:43 PM ()

George once said "Meow, meow, meow." Translation: "I didn't cut down the cherry tree, but I did use it as a scratching post."

reply by looserobes on Aug 19, 2008 5:59 AM ()

I take care of my parents,at their house,during the day.I also clean,do laundry,vacuum,etc...My "favorite" thing is to feed the birds each morning.
The big Black crows take over the bird bath and won't let any other birds near it.I feel so bad for the other birds.We have about 100 birds that come to feed and a few squirrels.That really is a cute picture of George.How sweet of your wife to give him a heating pad during the winter.Laurie

comment by dogsalot on Aug 18, 2008 4:15 PM ()

Birds are as territorial as people...

reply by looserobes on Aug 19, 2008 5:56 AM ()

George is one smart kitty, we have a wheel barrow on the side of the garage, and the cats love to drink out of it, it doesn't matter that they have a clean bowl in the carport, they like the water out of the wheel barrow...go figure..Your George looks like my Adrianna...and about 4 of her kittens...if you didn't live so far away, I'd think George had been visiting..

comment by elfie33 on Aug 18, 2008 12:31 PM ()

George has been fixed...

reply by looserobes on Aug 18, 2008 1:09 PM ()