What’s been happening with the outside cats? It’s winter, how are they holding up. All three are doing great.

Zelda’s Christmas present to me was allowing me to pet her. I think she was just as shocked as I was, and that hasn’t happened again. Zelda spends a lot of time on the back porch and under the back steps. She gets her morning can there, and I supplement with dry food later in the day, because Scooter has become ruler of the side porch where the automatic feeder and water tower are located. I added a small water tower on the back porch and I moved the doghouse to the back porch to provide shelter if Zelda is inclined to use it (so far, I don’t think she is — all the outside cats have good, cozy secret places to hole up, so I’m not surprised).

Gray Socks Ghost is also doing well. He was very thin back when he was captured and neutered, but he has filled out comfortably and looks very healthy. I pet both him and Scooter when they are eating their morning cans. I’m able to pet Socks at other times as well, and sometimes I’m even able to pick him up and hold him.

In some ways, I’m most surprised by Scooter. He’s gone from “scooting” away whenever we appear to being always under foot — to the point I’m concerned he’ll trip us and we’ll fall down the back steps. He’s also become the de facto ruler of the side porch. I think Socks is still able to get to the feeder and waterer, but Zelda has not appeared on camera for several months (which is why the separate provisions have been made for her at the back porch). Scooter loves to be petted, and he can sometimes be picked up and held as well. He still gets excited and will swipe with claws or, more rarely, teeth, so we’re still cautious with him. He does like to be “roughed up” a little, so we accommodate him there.

I’m quite pleased with how well Socks and Scooter have socialized since their neutering. Socks is more of a gentle soul, and Scooter is a rough, tough, snuggler. Orange tabbies have a reputation for being affectionate, and Scooter is living up to that reputation. Gray Socks Ghost’s namesake, Gray Socks, once I earned his trust was quite the sweetheart, and Gray Socks Ghost is turning out to be the same.

In a quick update, Walter has just started ignoring me when I walk into the bathroom. That tells me he’s settling into being a housecat quite comfortably. Rossie is tolerating him well. She’s leaning in to being petted, so I’m pleased with that, too.