Stew Leonard's had sea scallops on sale for $12.99 a pound and I was going to have some in garlic and butter with a salad. I didn't go to ShopRite and Stew Leonard's doesn't open until 8 a.m. so I fed the cats outside before I went.

When I got back and pulled into the driveway the street cat Sad Face was sitting on the walkway in front of my home with a full belly. Instead of grabbing the groceries I walked over to him slowly. He stared at me and as usual winced when I began to pet his head and rub his shoulders. I trapped him to get neutered more than two years ago and have his festering tomcat wounds from fighting treated.

And that's when he did the "flop drop". Sad Face dropped onto his right side, stretched out as far as he could and blew out his front paws and claws. One rake of those claws on your arm and you're bleeding through lunch and into dinner time. He was stiff as a board when I got into him with the back and belly rubs. I knew that this street cat could turn on me with claws and fangs in less than a second but there is a trust involved and I never feared. Sad Face catches a lot of meals here and I've always been kind to him.

Aw....he luvs you!