I may have a new pet.

I think I might have a cat. I don't know yet if I'm being adopted, or if my presence is just being tolerated.

During the winter, I would occasionally see paw prints in the snow, so I knew there a cat out and about. Yesterday, I was at the computer and looked out the window. At the back of the yard, in the flower bed, sat a black cat. He (she?) wasn't moving - simply resting in the flowerbed. He sat there for at least a good 20-30 minutes. At one point another cat was sitting on top of the fence, looking down at him. I started to wonder then if perhaps the thing was dead - one cat sitting the flowerbed, not moving - the other sitting atop the fence watching him. I ran out to do some errands, the cat still sitting there.

Tonight, I come home from work, look out the window and see the cat lazing about in the grass, in the shade of the shed. Stretching occasionally but otherwise, showing no intention of exerting any energy.

I know his point of entry is under the fence that separates me from the people behind me, but after that, I don't know from where he comes. At first I thought I was being adopted, but then I realized, I'm the new one here. He probably thinks I've entered his playground. I'm interested to see how long this goes on. And just who will prove to be more territorial.

In the meantime, I may have to go buy some mothballs to protect all the flowers I'm planning on planting this weekend.