Not every cat covets a cushy lifestyle. Take Sherman for example. He showed up in our neighborhood about six months ago. My neighborhood is very pet-friendly and a number of households leave out feeding stations for the feral cats. We even have a vet in the neighborhood who has volunteered to spay or neuter any homeless cat we bring into his clinic. While big on the free food (and not so big on the surgical procedures), the stray cats are very attracted to my neighborhood.
Sherman resembled a cat that my across-the-street neighbor once had, and she decided to adopt him. I was thrilled that this little guy would finally have a permanent home. Sandra and I went through the whole ordeal of trapping Sherman and taking him to the vet to be vaccinated and neutered. Sandra even bought a plush new pet bed, toys, and tempting treats for Sherman. On his first night "home", he was miserable. He growled and tried to escape every chance he had. Sherman finally slipped out the door, but of course he didn't go far. Who would leave such a great set-up? My street is like a resort experience for stray cats. In the morning, there is breakfast on my porch, sunbathing on another neighbor's porch, a bowl of half-and-half in the afternoon at Sandra's porch, and back for dinner on my porch. Plus there is an igloo in the hedges stuffed with a cozy fleece bed and blanket for those nights that warm shelter is needed. What's not to like about this set-up?
Like people, animals may choose a lifestyle that is counter to what most others would choose, but it seems to work for Sherman.
