I think I've created a monster.

[Ocelot II]

I've posted before about Mr. Cat, the young, feral-ish tabby who has taken up residence on my front porch, which has been his base of operations since last March. I feed him every day, and when the weather got cold I put a heating pad on the comfy chair which now serves as his throne. I also got him a little heated shelter, which he doesn't seem to use - probably because he can survey his domain more easily from the chair - and a heated food and water bowl. The other day I noticed that he didn't like to walk on the cold porch floor to get to his food bowl, and was traversing the other porch furniture to get to it, so I put down a rug for him. Even though it's been below zero regularly since December he seems to be comfortable, and he looks sleek and healthy, probably weighs about 10 lbs. And he knows exactly where the food comes from. Every morning when I bring food out to him, he looks up from his place on his throne and meows at me. Since cats only meow to people, I take this as a positive step toward domesticating him, or at least civilizing him enough to catch him and get him neutered and vaccinated.

But today he progressed another step, if you want to call it that. Earlier in the day I'd already fed him two cans of cat food, a half-cup of kibble and the leftover chicken I was planning to eat myself, when I heard some cat howling from outside. I went to the front door and there he was, looking right through the door window and howling. He wanted even more food. So of course I gave him another can of cat food. Now, instead of waiting for food, he comes to the door and asks for it. Cats meow at me and I give them food. It's kind of like Pavlov's dog, only I'm the dog.

[elleng]

1. LOLOLOLOL!

You sure have created a monster, Ocelot = Pavlov!

[crim son]

2. You're going a good thing!

Laughing at the fact that you put down a rug. I live in Maine and one of my cats, when I open the door to let her out in winter, will do this funny thing with her paws before going out. She shakes them, as if gearing up for the cold. Your Mr. Cat is a lucky boi to have found you.

Edited for typo

[hippywife]

3. Congratulations!

You've passed your training.

[SheltieLover]

4. Lol same here.

They have me well trained.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

5. All Othello has to do

Is look at me that way and the food is there .lol.

[Rebl2]

6. He's got

you trained I guess. My cat has me very well trained 😐.

[Mr.Bill]

7. Dogs have owners.

Cats have staff.

[niyad]

8. M. CT has you very well trained indeed. But look at the rewards!