Ahoy new readers: You’ll see the phrase “elf leg” scattered throughout this site.  It is not a typo.  Well, it is a typo but an intentional one.  Months and months ago, when I had reader comments on this site, someone left a particularly nasty message wherein they accidentally misspelled “elk leg.” Since then, it’s been a standing joke that Charlie’s favorite treats are referred to as elf legs.

The cat is tolerant but not pleased. Charlie is only a quarter the size of Eli and can hardly even walk – it’s more like tottering – but the first time Eli caught the scent of coyote he froze, and his eyes dilated immediately and he hid behind the woodstove.

It’s gotten better, and Eli now sleeps on the bed when Charlie is in the bed, too. But Eli will not let the coyote touch him – he hisses and runs away. Seriously ingrained instincts.