The Front Stoop Gang

For those that follow my Facebook postings, you already know a little bit about the front stoop gang.  For those who don't, here's a bit of history.

We started by feeding a beautiful calico stray girl we eventually named Delilah.  Delilah was a shy little feral girl who was moderately pregnant when we first saw her and, eventually, had her litter somewhere and we don't know if any survived.  She showed back up for a few weeks after she was obviously no longer pregnant and now has disappeared completely.  We checked Animal Services for a couple of weeks, but were only able to see the cats that were up for adoption on the days that we stopped in.  We're hopeful that our interaction with her (always verbal, never physical) gave her the opportunity for a forever home.  Regardless, Delilah touched our hearts.

The second of the front stoop gang is Henry.  Henry is a small, beautiful, long haired black male that once graced our stoop in the company of Delilah.  Paul and I are relatively certain that Henry is the brother of our own Lucy Talulah Lulabelle (we call her Lu) as he is small of stature and has the same beautiful orb eyes of Lou.

On the weekends when we sleep in late, Henry burrows down in my front flowerbed beneath the ever spreading yarrow, the potentilla, and the sundry bird seed "weeds" that I don't pull so he has shelter, and waits for us to fill the endless plate of dry kibble on my front stoop.  Henry always greets me with a soft mew but has yet to let me touch him.  I've stuck my finger out in attempt but he simply stares up at me.  Never with fear, but never with complete trust.  Someday.

The third of the front stoop gang is Edward.  Edward is a long haired, tiger striped, grey boy that is absolutely feral.  If we are looking out the front window and he sees us, Edward is gone.  I take great solace that this boy knows where to get a meal and a drink of Rockford's best.

The fourth of the gang has been lovingly named Mikey.  Mikey is a polydactyl (yes, he has opposable thumbs, as did Delilah!!) that has been spotted several times over the past couple of months.  Obviously a feral boy (or girl), Mikey is a long haired white with black spots kitty of about 5 months of age.  As you can see, he/she is beautiful.  Tonight, Paul saw Mikey and Mikey saw Paul - and did not take off.  I'm hoping that's a sign of progress.

At seven cats strong, I have no room for any of the front stoop gang, but that doesn't keep me from the hope that, some day, I will capture at least one of them and find them a loving home.  In the interim, I'm happy to provide them with a meal, water, and shelter, if they want it.

The background

I've been a cat fan for years.  Growing up, there were always at least two cats in the house at any given point, as well as several dogs.  I always gravitated towards the cats.

I got my first "very own" cat when I was 17 and lived behind my parents in their "mother-in-law" house.  I purchased Elmer from A1 Pet Shop in Rockford for the sum of $5.00.  The kittens and puppies at A1 generally came from local people who didn't know where to take accidental litters and the only other option was "the pound."

Over the years, my living quarters have always housed at least one cat and generally two to three.  Before owning my own home, apartment choices were always limited to those that welcomed cats.  That generally meant higher deposits and a $10 monthly "per cat" surcharge at one complex, but to me it was always worth it.

As the years have progressed, cats have come and gone in my life and Elmer became the only cat I purchased from a pet store.  The brood that currently occupies the humble abode are all rescues in one way, shape, or form.  From Noah and Molly, who were found underneath a boat cover at the boat dealership next to our family business at 5 weeks of age, to Lucy Talulah Lulabelle (we call her Lou), the 7 month old neighborhood stray that finally picked the right flowerbed to hang in, they all have amazing stories.

At the urging of a coworker, I've decided to record their stories as well as my stories about what an awesome place they make my little corner of the world.

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