It does look like Detente is employing a successful strategy in this negotiation.....

I think you all may be right.  This cat could be very smart!  I tried a can of Fromm salmon again, and it was either not seen, (though Detente was just a couple of houses down when I put it out), or rejected.  I actually didn't find that this can smelled as good as the last.  It seemed more like cat food.  So that was the last $2.50 I was going to spend on that stuff.

Then I caught kitty going potty behind my passionflower.  I very gently stood there and said, "Ah, ah."  He hurried off, but then didn't come back for days.  So I felt bad and also wondered what to do with some more cans of food that I had purchased.

When he showed up today, I hurried out with another can of Tiki can, this one sardine and lobster sauce.  It smelled really good and since he liked the sardine and calamari sauce, I thought he'd go for this.

I haven't wanted him to think I am feeding him, so just being silly as I walked past him to put the food down I quietly said, "This is not for you."  Then after setting it down I turned and saw that he was walking away in a dejected fashion.  So I said, "Here, kitty", and sure enough it turned right around, meowed, and went to the food.

So it is a very sensitive cat with good hearing!

I took these photos from inside through a screen so they are hazy, but you can still see how shiny the fur of this cat is.  He rejected the Tiki cat so is very fussy about what he'll eat.  (Wrong seafood sauce.)

On his way out of the yard, he got into the Halloween Cat posture and I think may have sprayed that bush to show me what he thought of the lobster sauce ruining his sardines. 

Thanks, buddy.  At least it looks like he does have a good home somewhere in the neighborhood.

    

Poor Poco was beside himself when he saw me tossing out that good food!

I love your stories of Detente!   

I enjoyed the Detente story, too. LIke a lot of cats when it comes to food he's picky picky picky. That is a beautiful garden, and he looks very comfortable there.....
But not too comfortable, it's likely he does have a home since he doesn't devour all food that comes his way.

Thanks, JJ.  Poco's vet clips his nails on the long side since his quicks run long, too.  So I guess that is his style.  I'm surprised you don't go in for the long-clawed look.

Now when are we going to see a photo of your dog? 

Poco does look a little long in the nails there, but all the better to get traction in his climb to the top!

I think it is a small dog thing - they don't get out on pavement that much and don't weigh enough to wear them down like big dogs do.  Dutch, my Schipperke, also has long nails & they drive me crazy clicking on the floor, plus I know they aren't good for his toes. 

I saw a new nail clipper that senses the quick & tells you with a green or red light if it's OK to cut.  I don't know if I'd trust it, especially with Dutch's black nails.  I thought about trying a coarse nail file & taking a little off each week.  It's so much easier clipping the cats' claws, believe it or not!

All the better to be able to point at his staff once he's elected!  Hey you, over there! Hey you, come get this! Hey you, take a letter!