I am allergic to cats.

why do I mention this? well, it's a funny story that really isn't funny at all.

Meet Artemis.

Artemis has adopted us, I guess. He showed up in the yard last week and he just wont go home. after about 4 days of him just being there and playing with the kids and begging for the kids to come out and play in the middle of the night, it became clear that he had no intention of returning from whence he came.
under the strictest instructions not to feed him, the kids gave him treats.
he is a really friendly guy. he isn't skittish or crazy like so many stray pets can be. he's overly affectionate. and I am a sap.

looking at that poor guy the other day I accepted the fact that he is going to be around a lot and if he's going to be here he'd better have a name. I am a firm believer in naming your pets human names. generally I try to make sure it is an unusual name. so I took one good look at him. he is always trying to sneak his way into the house. he's a right criminal mastermind.
so black hair, criminal mastermind, and we irish folk here. Well that could only mean one thing.
his name is Artemis (after Artemis Fowl)
at least that is who he is when he is in our yard.

it's been so hot we set a water dish out for him and I - being the sucker that I am - gave him some scraps this morning

but being a tom cat, he'll probably get bored of us and just up and leave. that's alright, that's how he got here - got bored of someone else and here he is.

but until then I suppose I'd better get him a flea collar so he doesn't get them and give them to the kids