10. He's no longer afraid of me and likes to be brushed and loved on.
9. He's predictable. His daily routine does not vary. Breakfast at 6, sleeps until noon, greets me at lunchtime, sleeps until dinnertime, eats, sleeps until the sun sets, hunts all night long, returns to his room in time for breakfast, then we start all over again.
8. He's easy to find in the dark. He limits his territory – so far – to the immediate vicinity of the house and barn. With my headlamp on, I can always spot him.
7. Once we join up in the dark, he follows me around, weaving in and out of my feet for as long as I stay outside.
6. He's afraid of Lucy and the boys. He won't leave the feed room if they are nearby, so I don't have to worry about him
getting stepped on.
5. He doesn't harass Smooch...yet.
4. The feed room is rodent free and the packrats have not returned to the chicken coop!
3. He hasn't acquired a taste for the birds who water at the stock tank, probably because they're only around during the day when he's busy sleeping. We won't talk about his penchant for baby rabbits and squirrels.
2. He feeds the chickens. Every morning when I let the girls into the front yard, they race around the bushes looking for Johnny's hunting trophies, which they proceed to eat and/or carry around for the rest of the day.
1. He understands the importance of having his picture taken for this blog and doesn't seem to mind.
p.s. I haven't seen June since she left the feed room two weeks ago. That darned cat.
It was just a matter of time. Cats worm their way into our hearts, whether we plan it or not. What a sweet boy! The look on his face says it all. (BTW, love the mental image of chickens scurrying to find their morning treats ... eewwww.)
ReplyDeleteJCC is a very handsome gentleman cat.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think he knows on which side his bread is buttered.
i have a theory that orange cats are the friendliest. for a semi-wild cat, he sure isn't: ) i want one like him!
ReplyDeleteA great story. I love cats!
ReplyDeleteBest always,
Who wouldn't become gentler with such a sweet life?
ReplyDeleteTry and not love such a face and friendly disposition!
ReplyDeleteDarn it June girl :(
i am glad he stays close to home, i go through the what if of the wild critters that might get him... he is beautiful... hope June is ok
ReplyDeletewhat a real sweetie. My first kitty cat was an orange tiger and guess what his name was??? I was only 10 and I named him Tiger (of course).
ReplyDeletepeace,
CheyAnne
Wow, he sounds like the perfect cat for the job. Especially the part about limiting his territory to the immediate vicinity. Fingers crossed that his affection for you keeps him from wanting to explore any further!
ReplyDeleteHe's adorable. We had a big orange cat called Tigger and he was a total lover-- finally died of old age. He had come to us as a stray but he became a house cat and didn't live outdoors. Our cats are out days and in nights. The foxes are what are keeping our critter population more in balance here ;)
ReplyDeleteMy current kitty is a Calico - a former alley cat who was rescued, moved from NYC to Atlanta, adopted by me and moved to Iowa. She craves attention, but on her terms. I did have an orange cat years ago who glued himself to my lap. He slept by my head, and as a kitten liked to ride around on my shoulder. Yay for the orange kitties!!!
ReplyDeleteNancy in Iowa
What's not to love, :) He is a sunshine kitty! I hope he continues to stick to the immediate home area....for the heart's sake....
ReplyDeleteTara
I don't blame you he's very sweet.
ReplyDeleteThought maybe Johnny Cat would earn his keep and your heart. It was in the Cards. I feel badly for June cat. I have a Siamese cat, that runs away from home for periods of time when something new shows up. Last weekend had a get together at my house. A friend brought her Golden Retriever. Cat Friendly too. Simon at first thought it was Sydney. When he realized it wasn't he packed his bags and left for a vacation. That was last weekend. I am hoping he shows back up soon. Usually a week, but he has been known to be gone for three weeks. So maybe there is hope yet. Who knows, maybe Johnny and meeting up with June cat at night when all is quiet. ummmm?
ReplyDeleteHe is a very handsome fella. I figured he'd worm his way into your heart...orange cats always do. Sure hope he continues to confine his hunting close to your house and barn. I won't be surprised to hear next winter that he is sleeping in the sun porch. :)
ReplyDeleteMust Have Photo of chickens with Trophies!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteWE have a big (20 pound) orange and white male who loves my granddaughter. She carries him around like a baby. I am so happy Johnny Cat stayed and he is fitting right in. He is doing a great job. Too bad about June, she was more wild than they thought.
ReplyDeleteHe looks just like my Hobbes kitty. He too, is very predictable. Unlike JC, he does not like to be brushed or loved on when it's not his idea first. :)
ReplyDeleteI am assuming you are not going to show us pictures of the girls playing with JC2's leftovers.
ReplyDeletewhat a good boy he is!
Oh! I love him...what a good boy! He fits right in at 7MSN...although I did crinkle my nose at the thought of the flock carrying around his trophies (ick) (Eugenia!!)
ReplyDelete:-)
Oh how fantastic that Johny is such a great cat....I love him and I have never met him....But then again, I love cats, I have three and the 4th.(Maggie) is buried next to the bird feeder under the kitchen window....June was cute but you could tell from her picture that she was going to be trouble and run away...Oh well..Johnny more than makes up for her bad behavior...
ReplyDeleteLove from NC
I had an orange tabby named Tiger who lived to be 22 years old. She was like my third child. I knew you'd finally admit to falling for Johnny. Sounds like he's adapted to ranch living and is earning his keep. Look at him. How could you not love that boy.
ReplyDeleteLife is good at the 7MSN, Johnny Cash Cat approved.
ReplyDeleteHappy and wonderful boy.
No more rodents...yay!
ReplyDeletehow sweet,, you are both in good company. and sepaking about worms, he will need regular treatment as he eats fresh meat...
ReplyDeleteI figured this would happen when you first posted his photo! :)
ReplyDeleteI recently lost my little orange and white tabby, Daisy Mae. She was 16 years old. She lost a lot of muscle and soon was just bones...poor little thing. I found her expired out in our back yard...I knew it was just a matter of time. I wanted her to pass at home, in her yard. She hunted EVERYTHING and brought me back trophies, but she DID keep the yard free of rats and mice...(and baby birds, baby lizards, baby rabbits...)
ReplyDeleteHe IS a very handsome cat!
ReplyDeleteYou both hit the jackpot! Such a beautiful boy!
ReplyDeleteJCC is a very lucky ginger marmalade tabby, he has a very good life and he seems to appreciate the inn keeper. Wish June had been able to do the same. Maybe she'll stop back again, since you left the light on for her. You know I'm not the biggest chicken fan but I'm sure they do appreciate the help in the "little bits" department. ewwwwwwww. Oma Linda
ReplyDeleteResistance is futile...just go with destiny's flow and love the little furball!
ReplyDeleteYou lasted longer than I did! He had my heart with the picture of him coming out of his carrier. I could tell he was a sweetheart. Cats love being comfort and being free. Johnny has the best of both. I'm with the rest of them though, must see a pic of the chicken "treats."
ReplyDeleteWe all KNEW what was going to happen, and its a good thing, Johnny's doing a great job and has some time left over for you!
ReplyDelete(I got my Johnny Cash stamps at the PO today. I will use them until there is one left which I will save forever.)
Cheers,
Jo, Stella and Zkhat
Orange tabbies are the best cats in the world. I've never met one who wasn't sweet, funny and good natured. He is handsome!
ReplyDeleteOrange boys are the best. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a darling. So glad to hear he's earning his keep and a well deserved siesta, every now and then. Too bad about June. That surprises me. I was sure she would come around and be a sweetheart of a cat. Maybe she's jealous of all the attention the young boy is getting. I do hope she returns soon.
ReplyDelete