Foxy (II)

When I went to introduce myself to Foxy, brother of shy, shed-hiding Butch, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Leslie had tried to point him out to me so I could photograph him the week before, but he took one look at the two of us and made a run for it. This Monday night I found him curled up on a chair in the covered area behind the singlewide, eyeing me suspiciously, and I wondered if this was going to be as close as I could get.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that, while still skittish, he's much more comfortable with the idea of a human getting close than his brother is.

He let me come within arm's reach for a number of photos, and even let me present a fingertip for him to inspect.

Any closer than this, though, and any attempt to give him so much as a light tickle behind the ear or under the chin, would have him shying away, ready to bolt. Not wanting to force him out of his comfy bed, I didn't push him further.

Cheetah

Cheetah came to RAPS some years ago with his tabby mother and two black siblings. Mom and siblings were all friendly but Cheetah was a big chicken when it came to humans, so they got adopted while he remained at RAPS.

Cheetah is now around eight or nine years old. He's turned into a friendly boy, though he can still be scared if startled. He is quite fond of treats, as Brigid demonstrates:

He's also got a good friend in Foxy, so even in his less brave moments he doesn't have to worry about being lonely.

Cheetah and Foxy (centre)

photo by Barbara