Sunday, February 2, 2014

The cat's meow

On this Super Bowl Sunday while most privileged Americans are consumed with consuming beverages and endless snacks, I discovered that there is something for those of us not so interested in football. The Puppy and Kitten Bowls. Oh my! And I saw the cutest video on Facebook of a family cat calming a fussy infant.  Too cute!
 
That reminded me that I hadn't been to the park in a couple days to feed the family of feral cats. I've been watching the litter since their mama brought them out of the woods to wean them. They're about seven months now. A gentleman brings food almost everyday, and I supplement every couple of days.
Today there were three, two black and white and the calico who were very hungry. I have reported them to Stray Rescue, but they are still there. I feel bad for them in this bitter cold. I wish I could capture and keep all three, but I know it is not possible. Since they are God's creatures, I do what I feel is right and provide sweet talk and nourishment. 
So I came home and went downstairs to do a long overdue task: sort through clothing that had piled up over the winter. I grouped according to season: winter sweaters and jackets, spring jackets and blouses, short sleeve summer shirts, and... sleeveless, one-day-I-will-get-to-the-beach-tops. As I was hanging the items on hangers, beating myself up for outgrowing a few things, I heard "Hisss!" from overhead in the rafters.

I looked around and listened. Okay, probably just my mind on cats. I ignored it and went about my business. A few minutes later, Pssst! I spun around expecting you-know-who to be pranking me. This went on for about an hour. THEN, I discovered the source of the Psst-hissing!

You-know-who purchased motion-activated lavender scented deodorizers for the basement and positioned them in the rafters above the laundry line. Thank goodness. For a moment I thought I had a ghost cat.

NO! I did not take my used clothing to the park for the cats. I could only imagine being classified as a weirdo. Actually I made them a shelter box, and several other people did, too. Because they are feral, they prefer the underbrush or a pipe down the hill, because that is where they come from when I call. 

14 comments:

Sioux Roslawski said...

AGAIN he startled you. Shame on him.

Tell him that Valentine's Day is coming. And your "revenge" might get delivered to him...via the mail.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

It's interesting how are minds jump to conclusions - usually inaccurate!

Aww, I'd feel sorry for the kitties as well, but wouldn't bring them home either.

River said...

For a minute I thought one of the feral cats had got into your basement.

BECKY said...

At first, I thought you were going through your old clothes that you were going to throw out anyway, and then you were going to take them for the cats to cuddle up in!

Anonymous said...

Nice to hear from you that you are feeling the chillness of the cats and thinking to help them by sharing your old clothes. Good work...

jabblog said...

It's sad to think of so many animals trying to survive in bitter conditions. Thank goodness for kind-hearted people like you.
SquirrelQueen at 'Through Squirrel Eyes' volunteers with a neutering programme for feral cats.

Pat Wahler said...

Poor kitties. Ferals live a very difficult (and usually short) life. Here's hoping that someone does the humane thing and traps them so they can have a warm and loving home.

Pat
Critter Alley

Shelly said...

I love that you have such a heart for the kitties. I take care of several that live in the brush near us. Fun post~

Connie said...

It's sad about the feral cats. I used to see some near one of our parks a few years ago.
Your "ghost cat" made me smile. :)

Susan said...

That was very thoughtful of you, Linda.

I thought you-know-who was being a prankster again. Bet that lavender smells nice!

Thanks for all your faithful visits to my blog. Susan

Val said...

I have five cats. Only two of them were planned. The rest we picked up from the road along our mailboxes as kittens, having been abandoned and left to become coyote snacks.

Julia Gordon-Bramer said...

You know I love this post. :-)

Stray Rescue is mostly for dogs, it seems. They help some cats, but they are about 90% dogs. I would contact a group like Alley Cat Allies or St. Louis Feral Cat Outreach. They will get traps out and at least get them spayed and neutered to slow down the breeding, as well as see if some are tameable.

Lynn said...

The one looks like my little Smeagol. You're so sweet to take care of them.

Tammy said...

I laughed at hubby's booby-trap. I too was sure a stray had somehow stowed away in your clothing. And as someone who is currently having a hard time typing for the formerly-stray kitty in my lap (who gives my petting hand a gentle tap when it dares to type instead), I thank you for doing what you can do.