Here kitty,kitty? Not this 'cat.

I love animals.

Dogs. Cats. All kinds of critters.

Pet them. Play with them.

I can't resist.

But I did Monday.

There was something about the bobcat getting rehab at Wildlife, Inc., that told me to keep my hands to myself.

Keep my distance, too.

The bobcat was in a secure kennel, of course, but I wasn't taking chances.

He had a growl about him that served as a fair warning.

The look in his eyes said, do not mess with me.

So I didn't.

"He's wild and we want to keep him wild," said Gail Straight, who has run Wildlife, Inc., on Bradenton Beach for 23 years with husband Ed.

I didn't argue.