Winterberry blossom

Blitzen is back from her walk-about.  Tuesday morning she wasn't sitting on her pillow waiting for a treat after Whip and I came back from our morning constitutional.  She never misses getting a treat.  I went searching through the house and then calling for her outside.  Monday Whip was in and out of the house multiple times.   Whip usually lets me know when she's opened the door to come back inside.  I  then shut the door giving a quick look out to check that the cats aren't exploring where all those lovely plump birds live.   Blitz must have taken the opportunity and done a runner.   I asked Neighbor Anita to let me know if they acquired an additional calico cat.  Blitzen had originally come from their place as a kitten.  This morning while watering the deck plants, Whip ran around checking out the lawn perimeters.  She stuck her nose in an opening under the deck and began to whine.   I heard a hiss/spit as Whip jumped back.  Could be Blitz.  I put Whip in the house and returned w/ the pillow and water dish Blitz likes.  Put both of them a little way from the opening and dropped some treats atop the pillow.  First a grey head came popping out.  It was Blitz alright but she was in a very bad mood.  Patience.  Eventually the familiar pillow and water dish won her over and she came all of the way out to snack on treats.  I waited until she rubbed up against my legs then picked her up and brought her inside.  She doesn't seem any worse for her four day outing - maybe a little fatter.  So glad she's spayed.