DOMINO THE STREET-SITTER!

Here is Domino doing what she does best -- sitting on the road in front of our house! Thankfully, no cars came by while she was there -- but if they had, she wouldn't have budged an inch. She is fearless that way.

In the last picture, she is taking off suddenly to race back home. She had a real "spring" in her step, so to speak!

THE GREAT SQUIRREL ENCOUNTER

The spruce tree which spans our neighbour's yard and our own is home to this little black squirrel, who has made her nest at the very top of the tree. I watched her while she was making her nest by biting small branches from the deciduous trees and carrying them to her treetop home. She actually dives from the branches of the hardwood tree down into her nest until she disappears.

This is a documentation of the interaction between this little squirrel and her stalker -- my Dante!

The squirrel is very bold, which you see in this series of pictures. She comes very close when she sees me as she knows I am the provider of nuts -- she looks straight into my eyes as if asking me politely to go fetch the food. I complied and these pictures are the result.

At first Dante was ready to chase her, but later on he sat very still and watched her hop to and fro gathering one nut at a time -- then sometimes burying it, and sometimes eating it.

I was amazed at how the distance between the two -- the little black squirrel and my big red kitty -- lessened as time went on. I guess there was a certain amount of trust that had built up, and Dante was satisfied to be a spectator rather than a hunter.

Dante finally says a fond farewell to Squirrely (that's our nickname for her), until the next time they happen to meet -- which could be as soon as tomorrow!

DANTE FUROCIOUS!

Dante looks rather furocious in these pictures, but I actually think it's just due to his neander-brow (tip of the hat to B)!

DANTE WANTS IN -- DYLAN WANTS OUT!

More evidence of the feline's hatred of closed doors! This time Dante wanted to go back in after a good roam around the yard, and Dylan is there waiting to dash out as soon as I open it! We did have a kitty door on the patio screen once, but never again. You never knew what dead thing your mighty hunters were going to bring back inside as gifts for you to step on!

VEILED DYLAN!

This shot turned out to be a happy accident! I was zooming in on Dylan's face while Dante was walking away, and I captured Dylan under the veil of Dante's tail. It has a rather mysterious effect, I think!

DYLAN WANTS IN (DOMINO, TOO)!

When I let Dylan outside all he did was want back in! He is only satisfied to stay out as long as I leave a door open slightly so he can get back inside. Well, I'm sorry, but it's still too chilly to allow him to come and go at will.

Then Domino got in on the act and wanting back in, too!

THE SCENT OF SPRING!

Dante's taking a whiff of all the newly exposed earth and rotting leaves from last fall. Spring -- ya gotta love it!

Then he spies something in the distance and his attention is focussed like the keen hunter he is.