The kindness of strangers

I didn't ask, but she chased all the mice and possums from my house. Something I've never been able to do by myself.



And yet, she won't let me thank her. Oh, she'll take a dish of milk and a bowl of kibble in return.



When she grooms, it's always on the alert. And I tell her, "It's ok, I won't let anything hurt you." Well, maybe, she says,



but keep your distance.



There are teeth-marks on her head, from some battle or other. And I'd like to take her to the vet. But she has made it very clear, that though we may have a relationship of a sort




and a certain reciprocity can be expected


we are not friends. Yet.