I can't remember if I shared this picture on the blog already. This is a stray cat that's been hanging around our house for close to a year now.
During the coldest parts of winter, we put out food now and again for the handful of strays that live around here. This one showed up the most often and would sometimes meow at us when we were bringing out the food. Now that summer's here, we've started making sure there's always fresh water available, too. The cat isn't around every day, but does come through regularly to get a bite or a sip.
A couple of weeks ago, the cat came around one afternoon and brought a surprise.
She's a mama! These are three of her four kittens (the one not pictured is a tuxedo). We think they're living under the porch of the empty house that's for sale behind ours. The four kittens are wild and will run when they see us coming, but the mama just goes still and watches us. She obviously trusts us but is wary of the dogs, as she should be.
And speaking of the dogs!! The other day Poppy saw them and ran up to the fence, barking and jumping around and acting fierce. The kittens ran away, but the mama...get this....ran straight up to the fence and got right up in Poppy's face, nose to nose between the chain links, and stared her down! Poppy was so taken aback she immediately stopped barking. Ha! The cat continued to stare until Poppy turned and went back in the house. Can you believe that?
Anyway, as soon as Poppy was safely inside, Gregg took out a fresh cup of cat food. Mama cat watched him calmly from her spot beside the fence, meowed at him, and then went and gathered her kittens and brought them back for their evening meal. Even though she's half wild herself, I think she'd like to be adopted.
Gregg and I have to keep reminding ourselves that we don't need (and can't afford) another pet. Also, our dogs would never accept it. Also, I'm allergic to cats. Etc. Etc.
But we sure do like her.
21 comments:
Well I can see why you like her, she is a beautiful cat! And apparently it's not to be trifled with. I also think it's funny that two kittens look like her and the other two are completely different. I enjoyed seeing those pictures. I have a feeling mama is going to have her hands full.
Oh, I want them all!!!!!
They're beautiful, Bob! And the mama is so good with them. She'll lay down and let them nurse anytime, and they love playing with her tail. She swishes it for them and they "attack" it! haha
She went nose to nose with a 70 pound hound dog who was raising hell! She had her fur standing straight up and she meant business. And Poppy backed down!
I believe it. That momma was ready to protect her babies.
I adore her for her courage and fierce momma energy!
She and her little ones look in good health, at least from what I can see in the photos. She is obviously a strong character, defending herself and her young, and making sure she and they have what they need.
Maybe someone else in the neighbourhood would like to adopt her?
So hard to resist. Your allergy is a powerful deterrent. So funny that she stared down Poppy. I wonder if Poppy’s demeanor toward her will change.
Yes, maybe you can find a friend who needs cats?
Maybe they belong to someone in the neighborhood that lets them roam.
Remember, kittens are cute, but they grow into cats, and cats like to eat birds.
Listen- you combine a mother and a cat and you get a lioness. That mama ain't playing. I've seen my own never-mother cat hurl her entire body, claws and fangs all bared, at the face of a dog who was in her space. Add that energy to an obviously protective mama and the dog has no choice but to retreat.
I love those kittens but you're right- they're probably wild. Ideally, they should all be trapped and taken in for spaying and neutering, mama too. Otherwise there will soon be more. And you can't feed them all. Well, I guess you could but...
You're absolutely right about the spaying and neutering but I hate the thought of how scared they would be if we trapped them to get it done. I've spoken to some of the neighbors who also feed strays and we've discussed possibly going in together to get it done. We'll see.
I know. Sigh. And I love the birds at our feeders and the baby bluebirds in the nesting box too so it's really a delimma. At least the feeders and b ox are inside the fence and the dogs keep the fence patrolled.
I guess she can be a "sort of" pet, as she is now. Is there a cat rescue organization around that would help you trap and spay/neuter them, then release them back into their territory? (Easy for me to say, right?!) Those kittens sure are cute.
Is the house for sale behind yours the one where the crazy neighbors live, the ones who pointed their camera at you years ago?
No, the mean old man is still there, it's the house beside his. So not directly behind us, sort of catty corner behind us!
Sweet kitties, but I know what you mean. I tell people I love my neighbors pets.
She has cattitude. I 'get' you though. Once you start, you can easily wind up elbow deep in cats. Remember I had 14 at one point. I thought I would lose my mind! But we have two innies and two outies now. Another stray has been coming in. They have a dry garage in wet weather, with insulated beds. In the winter they have heat. They are fed and petted , but they are not indoor cats.
Your stray mama cat needs I name and I am going to suggest Cookie because Americans love cookies. The four kittens could be Eenie, Meenie, Miney and Moe... especially as we do not know their genders.
Jennifer, this melted my heart. I am so glad your feral family has you and Tim for neighbors! 🙂
everyone loves kittens!
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