A BOBCAT COMES FOR COFFEE

More about pumping gas (see Pumping Gas I and II) because that little debacle is not yet over. But, in the interim, I have had a guest for coffee. Did I mention that I live out in the desert? When I came in from running an errand yesterday I found a bobcat sound asleep on the porch, right in front of the glass door that leads outside. I have seen bobcats before in the wash, but never one just six inches away. I don't know how she got up on the porch because there is a three foot railing around it, but apparently that was no problem. She was very relaxed -stretched out just as a housecat would be.

I got to examine her closely - bobcats are the size of a large cat or a smallish dog. They have sort of fawn colored coats with black spots and very big lynx-like ears. On the back of the ears there is a white spot. The front paws are big and powerful looking. All in all, a beautiful animal who looked at me with total aplomb and who had no thought of leaving. I'm sorry to say I was a bit frightened at firat and tried to get the project manager's office to help me. No help there, since everyone in Arizona is told not to bother the wild animals. After several hours I got up the spirit to make some loud noises and she left - looking back over her shoulder as if to say "Why me?" After all, it is her home and I am intruding.