The cul de sac Cats

 It started with Tanya. She stood out to me when she was a young kitten. Bolder than the others and always watching me with those big eyes.

Tanya as a kitten:

As she got older, she shifted her territory to the east and would meet me at the back gate. I started giving her cat treats at the back gate after feedings. Later I'd sit on the curb of the cul de sac and give both Tanya and Thomas treats.

Treats on the cul de sac evolved into putting out separate food for Tanya and Tom. Bobbie started joining them at feedings. Tanya and Bobbie have some small spats, but no serious fighting. The group has grown to six cats that eat together there now. Tanya, Thomas, Bobbie, Boot, Smokey, and now Fluffy. 

They get along reasonably well, but occasionally swat at each other over position at the food. Bobbie has started using me to secure her place. As I walk to place the food, she stays at my ankles. I kneel down to pour food to the bowl and she stands between me and the bowl. Smokey has only started being social with me in the last few weeks and he is also starting to secure his place by being near me when I put the food down. It's surprising how quickly he went from a dark shape watching from a distance to being right next to me and allowing some physical contact.