Maybe they think the animal kingdom could use a little more PR, or perhaps they're just jealous that the Prowler has a weekly column and they don't, but it seems like many of this cat's furry and feathered friends have been trying to get some publicity for themselves around here.
Have you read this paper's police report lately? The Prowler has noticed a variety of animal-related incidents turning up. Last week someone called the cops because he or she heard late-night knocking noises around the house and suspected a prowler. A reasonable fear, albeit unfounded, seeing as when the boys in blue arrived, they discovered a visiting deer.
The week before that, someone's wandering horse turned up under the heading of "found property." It was certainly nice of some passing good samaritan to detain the horse, but to call it "found property" has a funny sort of ring. No doubt the headstrong horse didn't believe it was anyone's property!
While walking by one of N. Santa Cruz Avenue's banks recently, this cat's ears perked up at what sounded like a bird in distress.
A quick glance to some nearby trees revealed the source of the loud cries: a brown squirrel, straddling a tree trunk while squawking at regular intervals. The chubby rodent appeared to be staring at a security guard across the lot, so perhaps it was imitating the friendly wake-up calls of a drill sergeant.
Speaking of imitation, has anyone heard from the mockingbirds yet? The Prowler may have heard one singing--as is often their habit--in the dark before the dawn, but hopefully it was only a dream. Even if it was, those gray-and-white mimics will be flying in sooner or later to entertain at all hours and do their little hop-flops from their perches. This cat has even heard them mock car alarms and school bells!
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, February 19, 1997.
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