After being abandoned sometime in the summer, Bob wandered around the neighbourhood looking for hand-outs. He was only partially successful as he was very thin when he found us. We began to feed him in late August or early September and within weeks he realized that he could depend on us.
He has proven himself to be nearly un-flappable. He's calm even when my dogs bark at him and he is never nervous around new people even when they make quick movements. His personality is the definition of cool. He is a very affectionate boy and doesn't mind being cradled. The neighbourhood children are familiar with him and he looks forward to greeting them when they get home from school. The mother of some of the children has told me that he is very gentle with them.
Bob is well known in this neighbourhood as the cat who makes himself at home. He's been known to attend area BBQ's and family gatherings where he'll sit in a lawn chair like he's one of the family. He's the most sociable cat I've ever met. Bob has been in my house once or twice and he showed a lot of interest in my cat. He was not aggressive towards her, but she was afraid of him, so I didn't push the issue. He is not afraid of dogs but if they get too rowdy, he'll respond with a swift scratch. So long as the dogs are behaving, he'll leave them alone. However, herein lies the problem. My dogs are crazy and think Bob is a challenge. They need to be kept apart.
Bob is a big grey male, possibly a Russian Blue cross. He doesn't appear to be very old. I would guess 2 years. He has a quiet meow and seems to be a man of few words. He appears to be un-neutered. I would have to guess that his delinquent owner didn't bother to give him any medical care or shots for any feline diseases. Poor Bob didn't deserve to be abandoned.
In spite of this lousy treatment, he is trusting and approaches humans with hope and friendship.
