Louis Catorze’s friend Donnie now visits on a daily basis, often stopping by multiple times a day.

Cat Daddy and I are ok with this as long as Catorze remains happy to see his friend. We hope it won’t turn into something oppressive or threatening, and that Donnie won’t become that pleasant-but-too-needy friend who pops round unannounced and who doesn’t seem to know when to leave. (If you’ve ever had that friend, you will know how difficult it is to tell someone to get lost when they’re just being friendly and their only crime is no awareness of boundaries.)

It’s always the same routine when Donnie comes over: he sits outside the cat flap and screams, Catorze goes out to join him, then they either sit and stare at each other in our garden or they pitter-patter off into the Zone Libre. If Catorze isn’t available when he arrives, Donnie will sit outside and wait.

When you’re all set to go out on the town but your friend’s still getting ready.

The route from Donnie’s place to ours takes him through many gardens, over many fences and through the Zone Libre, which is Foxy Loxy’s domain. For the moment Catorze is always the one to host Donnie at Le Château but, should Donnie ever decide to return the gesture, I don’t like the thought of Catorze crossing the Zone Libre to get there. The foxes are becoming braver and more aggressive; Dog Mamma caught one cornering Blue the Smoke Bengal in her garden recently, and she had to intervene. I wouldn’t want Catorze or Donnie squaring up to a whole foxy gang in the inaccessible Zone Libre.

Sa Maj is an old boy and we imagined he would be taking it easy in his twilight years, not gallivanting around town with young whippersnappers like Donnie. But we’re glad he’s enjoying himself.

Hangin’ tough in the Zone Libre,
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14 responses to “Dans la Zone Libre, personne ne vous entend crier”

  1. Kate Crimmins avatar

    They are like two peas in a pod. Without the tooth or the collar showing, I can’t tell them apart. I think it’s adorable especially since Louis is…well…Louis!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Yes, we also struggle to tell them apart from afar!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. mmechapeau avatar
    mmechapeau

    I knew foxes were a nuisance to hen breeders. I didn’t know they could be dangerous to cats.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Neither did we until Dog Mamma’s story! 😱

      Like

  3. Charles Huss avatar

    It’s nice he has a friend. If he was a child, I would probably be more comfortable with the friend coming to my house. Since cats are a bit like children, I think it is the same.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Yes, so far they don’t seem to have had the idea of meeting at Donnie’s house (to my knowledge), and I hope it stays that way!

      Like

  4. Sally Goodman avatar
    Sally Goodman

    Let’s hope Donnie continues to be happy commuting!!! xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      I hope so! He does it about 9,983 times a day so he can’t mind that much!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. catladymac avatar
    catladymac

    Purrayers that both the boys stay safe. In fact that all the cats stay safe from Reynard.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Thank you! It’s a bit of a worry, isn’t it, especially having believed that foxes don’t attack cats and then having the contrary proven?

      Like

  6. cat9984 avatar

    It’s good to have nice friends

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      They really are good buddies!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Si je pouvais retourner en arrière - "If I could go back in time" - Katzenworld avatar

    […] his best run of peak health was only just beginning. He was also enjoying hanging out with fellow Chat Noir Donnie who, regretfully, has since moved away, and Catorze’s friend zone has been somewhat […]

    Like

  8. […] well being was solely simply starting. He was additionally having fun with hanging out with fellow Chat Noir Donnie who, regretfully, has since moved away, and Catorze’s pal zone has been considerably […]

    Like

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