I was just idly looking out of the window across the paddock when I saw Ban sat in the grass. I called her name. She ignored me. I called louder. I tapped on the glass. Still no response, so I began to drop the sash window, and at the noise she looked at me, and I saw it WASN'T Ban at all, but a tabby with a white bib - just like our late much lamented Timmy, who died about 8 or so years back now.
I went outside and stood by the apple tree at the edge of the paddock. The stranger looked at me and sank lower in the grass, and lower . . . I came inside and left him to it - I presume it's a tom, they usually are at this time of year, looking for a territory of their own.
D, who claims to have noticed him first, wants to call him Snarf (from Thundercats). I have banned him from doing so! Timmy2 (my choice) will probably move on anyway, especially when Tom, the resident stray tom cat who "thinks" we feed him (he is mistaken - we feed Miffy and Amber) will knock 7 bells out of him, I don't doubt, as he does that with any cat he meets. He is close to being trapped, neutered and rehomed somewhere else . . .
I have never lived anywhere where so many stray cats turn up in my garden. Like my good friend in America (Morning's Minion), I am sure they are drawn as if by magnet - though in her case they are actively DUMPED).
A stray has shown up in our neighborhood too, but it's mainly hanging out at the next door neighbor's house as she feeds her cat outside. Nice looking cat though. Every time I eye it Mac says NO!
ReplyDeleteI think these waifs and strays instinctively know that you will care for them.
ReplyDeleteI get the distinct impression BB that you adore cats. If this is so then I am afraid any cat within a radius of twenty miles will be there - they are nothing if not sensitive to a bit of home comfort.
ReplyDeleteI think Snarf is a great name (I too know Thundercats) You must give off great nice lady cat vibes.
ReplyDeleteDaughter works for the Humane Society and they have an out reach program where feral cats are caught brought to the shelter they neuter, check for problems, give them all their shots then they release them back where they where found. Anyone can bring a feral cat in for no charge.
cheers, parsnip
Reading this and nodding, "Yes, oh dear, yes!" We know that several of the toms who have lunched and hung about here have met a sad end in the road--obviously since we never run short of 'free' kittens, they are 'hooking up' with willing females before they pass to their reward. Several of them have been personable--likely if they'd been neutered and cared for they would have been good pets.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had some here, although I fear Snippet would have them for breakfast. One of our neighbours breeds Bengals, another has two and another nine or ten, so at least I get a fix now and then.
ReplyDeleteI prefer Timmy Two if he stays around. My aunt had a second Toby cat , called Toby Two, who apparently looked very much like the first one. Hoping for a good outcome for your newest "stranger".
ReplyDeletePussy cat, pussy cat where have you been? This reminds me of Titus's mother in Gormenghast, she is followed by a great tide of cats, swishing their tails behind her. Sorry ;) But if one day you move, can you take all these cats with you?
ReplyDeletethelma - that's me alright! We will take the house-cats with us, and Miffy (the boys' mother), though she is strictly speaking an outside cat. Amber will have to stay as she is very nervous, wouldn't travel (can't even be picked up), and is hefted to this area.
ReplyDeleteparsnip - if we can get in the queue for the live-catch cat trap, we can do the same, but the problem is trapping the one you WANT and not one of OUR cats!
Weaver - you have my number!