spatch

I believe I know exactly which couple you mean; I've seen them walking down our street with their kids and have heard snippets of French. And it sounds like the cat may very well be theirs, too. What clinches it for me is the whole shaving-in-summer thing. If the cat's been around for several years, muffyjo may be right; the cat may just be built that way. I'd love to see the pictures, though and confirm.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who thought the feller was a stray!