Although the classic Backyard Bowl is no more, we continue to maintain the tradition of offering goodies* to the neighbors. The actual food bowl is on the other side of the house, near the catio, but the bird feeders and the free-and-open water bowl are still where they’ve always been.

* Primarily cat food and catnip.

And every so often, somebody new stops by and discovers the offerings.

This handsome individual showed up earlier this week and hung around for half an hour or so, snarfing down the sunflower seeds that had fallen from the bird feeder.

We’ve always said that anyone is welcome, as long as they’re well-behaved. Which is why the coyotes are distinctly unwelcome, the trash pandas get periodic reminders of the rules, and there’s cayenne in the bird feeders for the edification of the squirrels.

This person, however, was minding their own business and performing a useful function–denying the squirrels a free meal–so we made no effort whatsoever to suggest they go elsewhere.

Though, to be fair, Sachiko–as the closest member of the Ooki Brothers Security Service–kept a watchful eye out.

As far as we know, they haven’t been back. But if they continue to comport themself with dignity, we’ll be happy to say hello.

From a safe distance, of course. Welcome only goes so far; 3-methyl-1-butanethiol goes much, much further.