willy on porch 2007-06-30, originally uploaded by Phil Youngholm.

Willy gets more outgoing all the time. He now insists on being brushed every day, and he usually comes over during breakfast and sits on the newspaper I’m reading in order to be petted. But today was a real breakthrough. We were right outside the porch cleaning Kai’s ears after a trip to the beach, and the front door was open. Willy walked out onto the porch and started to investigate. He stayed about five minutes before going back inside. The closest he’s ever gotten to the outdoors before this was to stand at the open door about a foot behind the threshold and stare out. Not that we want him to be an outdoor cat, but he’s never shown the curiosity that Sophie has. She waits in the window when Kai goes for walks, then when we come back she dashes out, eats a little grass, looks around, and comes back in.