meet grey cat

This is Grey Cat.

Grey Cat used to belong to the neighbors two doors down from us. Then one day, the neighbors got two miniature chihuahuas (yes, miniature ones- they look like rats) and promptly kicked Grey Cat out of the house. So Grey Cat is basically a stray now, and it's really sad because he's always hanging around someone's door just wanting to go in somewhere. He's a beautiful cat and friendly with people. There's only one problem. Grey Cat is the arch nemesis of our cats, Izzy:

And China:

Now, Izzy and China are gentleman cats: cats of leisure, if you will. They spend their days lounging in sunny spots of carpet, reclined in their beds, rubbing appreciatively against an accommodating leg. During the warmer months they also enjoy outdoor activity such as dozing on the deck, hunting the odd bird or mouse, or climbing a tree. Here's where the big problem comes in. Every time Izzy or China steps outside our door, Grey Cat is lying in wait. He takes every opportunity he can to attack our cats and he has even injured them. We're talking nasty, scary cat fights. Oh, and Grey Cat doesn't just attack them outside. He sometimes comes onto our deck and attacks the slider, trying to get inside to kill or maim Izzy and China! This is not only quite distressing to my little gentlemen, but Grey Cat has actually damaged our screen door doing it. So now we're constantly worried about letting the cats outside, and I won't let them out anymore unless I'm outside next to them or watching out the window the whole time. Plus, they're terrified! It's not a good situation.

We don't think there's much we can do about this, but we have to try something before the warm weather comes. I'm too chicken to confront the neighbors but Chris says he's willing to try. They've seen Grey Cat attack our cats, but I don't think they know the extent of it (or care). Our other option would be to seek advice from the SPCA or animal control. We don't want anything bad to happen to Grey Cat, but we have to do something to protect our pets! I know we could just keep them inside, but we really only let them out when we're with them and they behave themselves. They love the outdoors and I don't want to take that away from them. It's unfair that they can't go out because others don't take responsibility for their pets. I'm sure I'll be writing more about this as spring nears and more drama unfolds...