The cat that treats my house like a hotel

United Kingdom
November 21, 2021 1:27pm CST
There she is, curled up fast asleep on a cushion in my living room. Not a care in the world, and obviously feeling totally at home. The thing is, this isn't her home. She's not my cat, I don't even know her name. She lives up the road from me. It started about three years ago, I think. It was a cold night with heavy rain, and I heard this plaintiff meowing out front. So I opened the front door to see what was going on. There she was, sheltering from the rain under my car. She sees my front door open and bolts down the garden path into my house. Well I wasn't going to throw her back out into the rain, was I? I wouldn't do that to a dog, and I like cats. The trouble is, cats are like vampires - if you let one into your house one time they feel like they can come round any time they want. So she often follows me in when I come home from work or shopping. Sometimes she'll have a bit of a nose round the place and then leave again, but sometimes she finds a comfortable spot and goes to sleep for a few hours - sometimes even overnight. I don't mind that much, she's a well-behaved animal, clean and she's obviously not neglected by her owners - she never mithers me for food or makes a mess. It wasn't a problem during the lockdowns, since I was home most of the time anyway, but a few weeks ago I started going out to work again - and then I have to be careful, because sometimes she's waiting outside ready to bolt into the house as soon as I open the door. Sometimes she'll even scratch on the door, demanding admission. She can't seem to understand that I can't let her in if I'm going out. As I said, she doesn't appear neglected, she just doesn't seem to spend a lot of time in her own house. I don't know the people up the road, but I think they've got small children, so my guess is that the cat thinks of my house as a quiet place to get some sleep, where she won't be bothered. Has anyone else got a furry neighbour that comes round?
7 people like this
6 responses
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
22 Nov 21
Your post was recommended by Marybelle. I know why. It's a piece of good literature. Yup, there are cats that roam around the neighborhood but don't come to my premises. I have two doggies that automatically growl on the Jellicle on sight. Why not adopt the feline, she seems to take a liking on you and your abode. By the way, my canines has a litter of puppies today.
3 people like this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
22 Nov 21
I feed a lot of stray cats at my parent's place. They seem to know if I'm around. They loiter in front of the house. Sometimes they go to the porch and wait there.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (171295)
• United States
21 Nov 21
Regardless if they are permanent residents or visitors they all do that. You are there to serve them, and better know your place..
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86976)
• United States
21 Nov 21
You have a lovely friend that welcomes you home now. I hope she stays around with you. She is a dolly kitty. I do, there is one that comes around, however I am not allowed to have pets here.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247216)
• United States
27 Nov 21
You are kind to let her snooze in your house. I’d give anything to have my cats back. They were my life. Take good care of her while she hangs out at your house.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99386)
• Canada
21 Nov 21
It is good that she has a quiet place to sleep and get away from it all. We got our last cat because we opened the door and he came in. He hasn't left since. We found out later that our neighbour threw him outside because she decided she no longer wanted a cat. We love him to pieces.
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
21 Nov 21
That's terrible, I don't know how some people can treat animals that way. Having a pet is like having a child - it's a lifetime commitment. I'm glad your cat found a decent human to live with.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99386)
• Canada
21 Nov 21
@VictorFrankenstein I hope she was a better mother then a pet owner. I don't understand how people can be so cruel to animals.
1 person likes this