Pippin

When I was visiting with and getting to know Gabby last month, the audience was interrupted after a time by the appearance of a shorthaired tabby who sidled up to him, threw a few loving looks his way (which he didn't notice), started washing his face (which he did notice), then settled down next to him for a snuggle.

I believe  -- if the photo I sent her allowed Leslie to play "name that tabby" with her usual accuracy --  that the tabby in question is Pippin, another one of the cats from Princess Street in Steveston (others include Prince, Maddy, and Niblet).

Pippin & Niblet

Seeing sanctuary cats cuddling and generally enjoying each other's company always makes me smile. They may have been lost, surrendered, abandoned, or unwanted, but they can still find and enjoy friendship at the sanctuary. We try to make friends with as many as will let us (and a few who need a bit of convincing), but it's always so nice to see them making their own connections as well.

Niblet

Niblet was one of a number of cats trapped by Princess Street in Steveston (others include Prince and Maddy).

I first noticed Niblet because of her tiny size. Then Gaye told me an anecdote about her that makes her even more memorable.

Gaye described being at the sanctuary one night and hearing a high "meow meow meow" coming from somewhere. Worried that one of the cats was in distress, she followed the sound to the source and found Niblet sitting with her mouth all puffed up and what appeared to be two streams of slimy drool dripping out. Before Gaye could do anything to help, Niblet dropped her mouthful at her feet. The mouthful turned out to be a live frog (the two streams of drool had in fact been its back legs), and it didn't waste any time leaping off to complete its escape. Gaye is still amazed that Niblet had let her come so close without running away.

These days, Niblet's still quite shy, but Leslie says she's getting tamer all the time. When I met Niblet last week, she wasn't quite up to letting me touch her, but was curious enough to sit and stare while I visited her cat friends. I haven't heard any more tales of her playing frog catcher.