Big Head's Return

December 12, 2004

On December 29, 2003, a large, friendly striped cat arrived on our porch and began nighly visits. You can read about it in more detail here. In the period of time he visited, I had him neutered, and eventually he stopped visiting us, almost 6 months to the day he began.

Figuring his neuter destroyed his 'need to roam,' I didn't think he'd make his way to visit. Early morning and late night walks my husband or I would take would find him parked in front of his house, 1/4 mile up the road from us. He still recognized us and would greet us warmly. His owner and I wave when we pass by each other's houses; it's funny how a large, striped cat should bring neighbors on opposite ends of the block into acquaintance.

Dateline: Early December, 2004I heard meowing on the porch one evening, around 8:30. I was on the phone and the meowing grew more and more insistant. This is characteristic of our cat, Kimba, so I opened the door, and sitting on the porch rail was Kimba, and Big Head!!! I couldn't believe my eyes! Both dashed in and Big Head hit the food dish immediately. In fact, I think Big Head has hit a LOT of food dishes in the last 6 months. He weighed in at 13 lbs last year when I had him neutered, and he was a very healthy, muscular, lean cat. Now, he is quite the butterball. His head is no longer disproportionate with his body; so 'Big Head' doesn't suit him anymore, but out of habit, that's what we call him. (Big Head Barrel Body). He comes over fairly regularly once again, and stays anywhere from 20 minutes to hours at a time.

I'm really pleased that he has returned; his night visits were missed. I have heard that some cultures consider a cat visiting you that isn't your cat a good luck symbol. We shall see!