Thread by @CherylRofer

Close call this morning.

I was out with Ric and heard an animal call in the next yard. It was a soft semi-bark. I tried to see what was making it, thought it might be a fox.

And then I saw a bobcat. Looking at me. I grabbed for Ric.

Ric, as he sometimes does, decided that I was the Anti-Cat and performed his defensive maneuvers. Both cats know how to wriggle out of their harnesses, and I knew that preventing that was essential.

The bobcat came closer, sat on the wall. I shouted and waved my hands, and the cat retreated. This upset Ric even more, and Zooey howled from the window.

Ric by now was un-pick-uppable. He sat in a place closer to the door (fortunately) and occasionally hissed and growled at me. The bobcat returned to the wall. I shouted and threw a trowel at them. They ran.

I opened the door and urged Ric in. He hissed at me.

Zooey howled some more. I messed with Ric's leash, and he jumped closer to the door and looked at it. (yay) I opened the door, and he ran in.

He still has his leash and harness on, but he has come out from behind the sofa, and Zooey is sitting with him.

The most worrisome scenario I've envisioned has been that a bobcat or coyote would run toward one of the cats and take it when we're out.

It looks like the bobcat has another ploy. Sound like a relatively innocuous animal and lure your prey. Smart.

I think we won't do our outdoors walk for another week or so.

The bobcat is still out there, making those noises. I was going to clean the birdbaths, but not now.

Ric is still upset and not letting me remove his leash and harness. I'm not sure he was ever aware of the bobcat.

Naturecam photos from yesterday and early this morning. I think the camera is turned off, but I also think I won't go out for a while. The bobcat is afraid of me, particularly when I shout and make myself big, but not taking chances.

Don't forget - the photos have alt-text.

Might have been the mother cat talking to her kitten. "Now wait here, and mama will bring you a delicious brunch."

Zooey and Ric are sitting together. Zooey is a good buddy.

I dispensed treats at the eating area, although the cats were not there, and I managed to get the leash off Ric with only a little hiss. He just came into the office and allowed me to pet him, but he is still wearing the harness.

Ric let me take off his harness. I gave him coming-in treats, and he was pleased. Zooey is still looking out the window, but I didn't see or hear anything.

All's well that ends well.

Update: The bobcats were very active overnight and this morning. Probably stirred up by yesterday's encounter. Didn't see any when I went out to get the memory chip and this morning's paper.

Naturecam photos from last night:
5:33
8:16
9:04
This morning:
1:52
6:18
7:50
8:03

No walk outdoors for Zooey and Ric this morning, and they were okay with that.