Charlie has never seen another cat. I know they’re in the area because Eli has come home with another cat’s claw sticking straight out of his forehead (I have faith the other guy looked worse), but they never come around here, and Charlie and I have never crossed paths with other cats on our walks.

I have no idea if Eli has directly encountered any coyote besides Charlie, I’ve never been witness to it. I’m sure Eli knows Charlie’s individual scent and I would assume he would steer clear of coyotes while he’s roaming the countryside like the star of an old Western, but who knows. Maybe they’re his posse.

What strikes me as so amazing is how loyal Charlie is becoming. When he was younger, Charlie was always very sweet, but very independent in what he wanted. Now it seems that a sense of teamwork is in play. That he wants to be there for me (and make the sacrifices that come with that) as much as I want to be there for him. A quintessential- archetypal dog loyalty is emerging and becoming so strong in him. It’s an honor, really. If a dog is a man’s best friend, then a coyote is a woman’s.