Animals

Cats, dogs, snakes and other animals that cross your path. 13 signs.

• Bat in the houseA fluttering shape circling the ceiling light on an August night
• Black cat crossing your pathA dark shape darting across the road at dusk, gone into the hedge
• Cat sneezingA tiny, startled achoo from the cat curled on the rug
• Cat washing its faceOne paw licked, swept over the ear, again and again
• Dog barking at nothingHackles up, staring at a blank wall or an empty corner
• Dog howling at nightOne long note from a yard down the street, then another answering
• Frog in the houseA tree frog stuck to the bathroom window, or one in the sink
• Lizard in the houseA pale gecko on the ceiling, chirping softly after dark
• Mouse in the houseA gray streak along the baseboard and scratching inside the wall
• Snake in your yardA striped garter snake by the tomatoes, gone before you shout
• Stray cat at your doorA thin cat on the step at breakfast, back again the next day
• Stray dog following youA dog with no owner in sight, trotting along at your heel
• Toad in the gardenA brown lump under the flowerpot that turns out to be alive