My God Richard, that sounds like the Porch Cats and I!
They sit there and wait for the food to be placed down, and as you say wait for the Big Oaf to go back into the house!!!

They are friendlier with Janice the Meals on Wheels Lady , who has little parcels of goodies for them, and they love her Scottish Burr!
Maybe I should be Mc Catmandu and serve Haggis!!!

And yesterday we had Deli Chicken which just vanished!!!
We love to refill empty dishes!!!