I have been saying for the last few years that I am "in training" to be the "crazy cat lady". There are few who would question the "crazy" part. I was raised by a lady, but I can't say it "tok" all that much; but I do try. Usually. But cats ... ahhhhhh. I do love cats. Even when they infuriate me, which they often do.
When we lived at the beach, I was given an adorable "tiger" kitten. He was very sweet, but like all cats he was curious. So when an obnoxious houseguest left the door open, he went out. Outdoor cat, no problem. Outdoor cat when there's a pen with several large dogs ... major problem. Suffice to say he did not survive the experience.
Later I was given another kitten. She was pure white .. and purely mean. I was the only one who was ever able to handle her, and even I had to be cautious. Later I was given yet another kitten, a 3-legged refugee. I thought the 2 would be comppany, but they never bonded. Eventually the mean cat was allowed to be an outside cat, and she was actually much happier - and nicer - until she got into the cow pasture.
The 3-legged cat survived several moves, and eventually succombed to natural causes.
About a year or so after the last cat died, a neighbor's cat had a litter. I claimed one, the prettiest little female ever. As it turned out, she was the only survivor of that litter (due to roaming evil dogs). Her name is Maggie, and she is quite aware that she is a beautiful princess. She's now about 3 1/2 years old.
A friend had to move out of state and couldn't take her cat, so I said I would take him. I thought he would be company for Maggie. You'd think I'd have learned that doesn't work! LOL! Anyway, he's a big yellow cat named Butter. He's now a bit over 2 years, and they tolerate each other. Mostly. He does prefer to be outside, so most days I let him out in the morning. He comes to the door at night when he's ready to come in!
Last summer a stray cat showed up in the yard. She was very scrawney, but friendly. So I started feeding her. Butter was afraid of her, so he stayed inside for a few months. One day I went out to feed the stray .. and to my very great surprise, kittens began to come out from under the porch!
Naturally I began feeding the kittens. My thought was that I needed to get them "tamed" so I could catch them and take to a shelter. Well, part of the problem with that is that I have no way to actually either catch them or get them to a shelter. In any case, they are coming around, gradually, one at a time.
The little gray one was the first to accept me. I tried picking him up once, and he tried to bite me. Fortunately, his little baby teeth weren't strong enough. Now, some months later, I can pick him up and ;et him. He won't accept being held long at a time, but he doesn't bite or scratch; he purrs!
Several of the others (there are 5!) will now come rub around my feet and purr; and one is just starting to let me reach down and pet it.
Two days ago one of the little brats found a way to climb in a window. I'm now really sure that's what he meant to do, but nevertheless he got in. I didn't find him until much later; but then the big cats discovered him .. and he ended up in the attic! Last night I finally had the big cats shut in the kitchen, so I took a small dish of food and some water upstairs, and shut the door. This morning the kitten kept crying, so I gook a bowl of milk (watered down, that's what I give them outside) to him. I sat on the stes in the doorway, and he came right up to the bowl .. and slurped down the milk so fast he choked himself! The food and water was gone. I went back and got a small dish of food, and put in down several steps. Then I sat on the landing near the bottom of the steps. It took a few minutes, but the kitten came on down. When he got near me, he started "exploring". He circled around me. A time or two when he got close, I reached out and rubbed or scratched him. He ducked away, but ot far; and he was purring the whole time. He kept getting braver, letting me touch and rub him. Finally when he was close and not darting away, I got hold of him by the back of the neck. I was then able to pick him up .. still purring .. and carry him to the door to go out.
And the little brat, as soon as his feet hit the porch, immediately stood up against the door crying again!! Seems he liked being inside! Oh, it is SO tempting. But 3 cats? And with Miss Maggie not likeing "intruders" into her kingdom? Sigh. I guess not.
I'm really OK with the outside cats. After all, we live out in the country .. and have mice! Maggie and Butter are turning into pretty good mousers. I'd like to think the outside ones would be also. But .. carzy or not, I don't really need or want more litters. So I need to catch the females at the very least and have them spayed.
Hmmm. First I need someone with good vision (which I do NOT have) to determine which are the females. Then I need to borrow one or two large "live traps". And then I'll need someone to actually take them to the vet, or shelter, whichever I need to do.
So. I have the cat part well in hand. The crazy part is not in question. I guess I need to work harder on being a lady. Well, sometimes anyway. :)
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