To Rescue a Cat or Not

Several times I have barged in to my garage, yes barged because I never go anywhere slowly, and something skittered around. I'm not particularly afraid of some small thing hiding in our garage, I kinda figure if it can squeeze it to the garage it really isn't big enough to hurt me. Umm yeah we have a 4 car garage and park outside, another post I promise, lets just say it has issues, uhhh hoarding issues? Regardless something skittered around and all I ever say was a greyish white flash, and gone.

One day I drove past the driveway to our cell tower, ok another long but fortuitous story, and there was a skinny grey and white Siamese-ish cat sunning itself. It saw me slow down and bolted. Into our woods. Curious. We have birds about 25 or so and I was SURE it was after a free meal.

The third sighting of the thin sad looking cat came 2 weeks later while he skipped across the garden.
Heading for the bird pens, but the riotous flock remained calm. Curious.

Then while the birds were out, free ranging I took some leftovers out and streaking out of the pen, yes the cat. Through the birds, who didn't seem to notice him. Past the rooster, who regularly kicks the turkey's ass, and he didn't even bat an eye. And he stopped and watched me, warily, while I threw the bread to the birds who set up a horrid squawking fuss. I watched him, he watched me.

I advanced, he retreated. And we played that game for a bit. Finally we just stopped and watched each other. I talked to him telling him he was a good cat and he was ok. He seemed to know I meant no harm and came forward. At the first contact with my hand he hurled himself into a petting with great gusto. And then along came the dog who also reacts positively to coaxing. There was a stand-off, the dog ever sheltered was curious and got a good swipe for her sniff. Even then he stayed, with the dog watching intently. Then he bolted.
Once I saw him climb the fence out of the coop. We haven't lost a bird since the middle of winter so I have to assume he is simply hunting the voles and shrews which enjoy chicken food too.

Tonight my husband saw him and picked him up, which earned him a pretty good shredding. My husband countered with leftover steak from dinner and the cat was ecstatic, so much so that he tried to carry my steak smelling finger off with him. My yelp sent him running.

Looking out before the sun set around 11pm we saw him sleeping atop the compost pile. Happy and fed. Ladies and gentleman, I think we have a cat. Or we will soon, depends on if he can stand our screeching kids, quasi stupid dog and rules, like being neutered and no eating small birds we are raising for us. I'm assuming he already gets the rules and has adopted us, we just hadn't been informed until tonight.

Thoughts?

Peace and Love-