I was playing with Mak this afternoon and he was being his normal affectionate self. Then his ears perked up. His head was still. His eyes were glued on one of the trees down below the deck. He took off running after something, down through the trees and across the arroyo.

I saw him standing on the opposite side of the arroyo stalwartly chasing off the big long haired gray cat that lives across the way and whom I often see slinking around the property trying to get at Mak and Fil's food supply. I was shocked that Mak who is normally so mild mannered and silly could be so aggressive, at least towards another cat. I've seen him take swipes at the occasional dog, but almost all cats do that. It was nice to see him so protective of the property.