Charlie Gets Bolder In Cookie’s Absence

Disciples of The Leader Otis,

Brother Henry here.

During the week or two that Cookie has been absent, I have noticed a change in Charlie from across the street. With the exception of one peaceful moment witnessed by Brother Oliver, Charlie used to always be on edge when he came into our yard. Since Cookie left though, it’s like he’s a whole new cat.

Charlie has changed in Cookie’s absence.

Of course, Charlie has always loved catnip, so he’ll take full advantage of it whenever the Guardians make it available.

Charlie has never been one to pass up catnip.

But what has changed about Charlie is he no longer immediately runs off when the Guardians approach. Now he actually stays put or even approaches the Guardians on his own. We always assumed that Charlie, being a big tomcat, was likely bullying any smaller cats he encountered in our yard. We knew he had fights with Big Stanley, after all. But maybe we were wrong. Maybe some of those scars on Charlie’s ears were actually from a smaller cat… the daughter of Mama Cat herself… Cookie.

Charlie is much less on edge than he was when Cookie was around. We all thought the scars on his ears were mostly from Big Stan. Maybe we were wrong.

Whatever the cause for his change in behavior, Charlie definitely seems more relaxed. He even put on a little show for one of the Guardians after she gave him catnip.

Charlie put on a show for the Guardian after she gave him catnip.

Most amazing of all, Charlie is now accepting pets from the Guardians! I never expected to see that. He always used to run away long before the got within arm’s reach.

Charlie actually accepts pets these days!

And he’s really enjoying all of this newly accepted attention. How can I tell? I can see it in his face.

Looks like he’s enjoying himself to me.

So we were simultaneously sad and hopeful when we realized Cookie was gone, but we are now happy that Charlie can get some much deserved loving for himself. I mean, we’d be MUCH happier if Charlie’s guardians would keep him safely confined and give him all the love and attention he needs right there at home, but since that is currently not the case, I’m glad to see him get some comfort where he can. Still, I have to laugh just a little bit at the thought of little Cookie kicking big ‘ole Charlie’s butt. That girl was a total firecracker… just like her mother.

So Says Brother Henry

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