When we got Jameson he was used to go outdoors, and this is where he is the happiest. We installed a catflap and he has since then come and gone as he pleases. His previous owner used to lock him out if she went away (sometimes 3 days in a row) and I think this is the reason he is extremely independent. When he was a kitten (before we had him) he was involved in a car accident which resulted in him breaking his knee cap. He fully recovered and was healthy when we got him. Still I sometimes see him cross the road, it worries me, but I know in my heart that he is happiest when he can go outside, explore and discover. I have also mentioned that I sometimes suspect he is being fed elsewhere, as he can be away 11 hours in a row and when he gets back he isn't hungry. I said if that's the case I would prefer people not feeding him.
Anyway to get to my point - earlier this evening we played in the garden and he got extremely fired up and starting running around like a lunatic. He headed towards the road (but didn't cross) but I tried to catch him when he sneaked into a neighbours garden (a few houses away from ours). The neighbour was a friendly gentleman (who we never met before) and I apologised for being on his property but that ''I'm just getting my cat''. When he says ''OH is that your cat?? We have been wondering for ages who she belongs to''. Me and OH explained it's a he, he is much loved, microchipped and neutered - and he said he knew Jameson is a much looked after cat. He said him and his wife feeds him everyday!!! THEN he said that another 2 gentlemen down the road feeds him too!!! No wonder he only goes through a pouch a day!! He said Jameson is a well known character in the neighbourhood (not surprising) and I actually felt it was a relief to know that people look out for him, incase anything would happen. I told the man to tell his neighbours aswell. I thought I was going to be upset and ask him to stop feeding Jameson. But Jameson has been coming to his house everyday for 2 years (which is way before we got him), so it would just be natural for him to go back there. Apparently it's part of a daily routine. The gentleman told me about his favourite food (prawns) and what times he appears on his doorstep. He said his neighbour once took a salmon out, Jameson turned up and when this neighbour turned around Jameson finished the whole fish. He said the cat has a heartly appetite - which now makes sense cos I was always baffled why such a big active cat needed so little food!!
I now have the answers. They won't let him inside though, and it's nice for me to know he knows where his home is. And here I was thinking I know my puddy cat inside out! He's got himself sorted. While I thought it was upsetting to hear other people are feeding him, it's taken a big weight off my shoulder knowing he is looked out for, which makes it easier for me when he is outside on his daily adventures. Of course, the times in the past before we got him, when Jameson was locked outside with no food he has been coming to these people and been fed there. It's now a daily routine for him.
I'm baffled!! But relieved. Both me and OH felt slightly cheated - but this neighbour has known Jameson long before we did. Am I being a terrible meowmy for thinking it's ok he is being fed elsewhere?? It's been going on for all his life so don't know if trying to change it would do any good or if I even would get any results?!!
