Sunday, September 30, 2007
Henry
My new roommate and I are adjusting. I can hardly believe Henry's been with me almost six months. Bringing a serial killer into your home is no small feat, but I think I have finally gotten the killing sprees under control, by way of the catbib!
A remarkable invention (made in the USA) coming to us from Springfield, Oregon for $8.95, (and get this, free postage!) this little piece of humiliation hung around the neck of a killer cat subdues the pounce just enough that the bird, bunny or chipmunk has a fighting chance.
CAT BIB!
I have actually been accused of cruelty, of interrupting nature's plan, of wounding the poor kitty's ego. I wish I had photos (for those people) of all the little critters Henry's brought home in the past six months. (actually he didn't hit his hunting stride until late this summer).
1 baby bunny, badly wounded (rescued & released, probably died)
1 baby bunny, dead
1 mourning dove, maimed (rescued & released, probably died)
1 sparrow, dead
1 wren, dead
1 chipmunk, brought inside, terrified, (rescued & released)
1 mouse, dead
1 vole, dead (and bleeding atop a pair of slacks on the floor of the closet, and not discovered until my nose led me to it. ugh, ugh, ugh.
1 bird (largish? unknown type?) trapped inside (rescued & released)
There's a terrible story with each of these rescues...chasing the poor terrified
critters and managing to get them outdoors. I have no sympathy for Henry. He has no right to kill. His nature doesn't make it right. He eats well here at home. I am bringing an additional predator into the lives of these wild creatures who have every right to live. So I am stopping Henry instead!
So far it is working. Henry waits now at the door while I affix the velcro tab to his collar, and out he goes. I won't take a picture of him in it (yet) as he still feels a bit of shame, but to prove he's not too traumatized, here is is without it! The lord of his domain. And a very happy former-killer.
##
A remarkable invention (made in the USA) coming to us from Springfield, Oregon for $8.95, (and get this, free postage!) this little piece of humiliation hung around the neck of a killer cat subdues the pounce just enough that the bird, bunny or chipmunk has a fighting chance.
CAT BIB!
I have actually been accused of cruelty, of interrupting nature's plan, of wounding the poor kitty's ego. I wish I had photos (for those people) of all the little critters Henry's brought home in the past six months. (actually he didn't hit his hunting stride until late this summer).
1 baby bunny, badly wounded (rescued & released, probably died)
1 baby bunny, dead
1 mourning dove, maimed (rescued & released, probably died)
1 sparrow, dead
1 wren, dead
1 chipmunk, brought inside, terrified, (rescued & released)
1 mouse, dead
1 vole, dead (and bleeding atop a pair of slacks on the floor of the closet, and not discovered until my nose led me to it. ugh, ugh, ugh.
1 bird (largish? unknown type?) trapped inside (rescued & released)
There's a terrible story with each of these rescues...chasing the poor terrified
critters and managing to get them outdoors. I have no sympathy for Henry. He has no right to kill. His nature doesn't make it right. He eats well here at home. I am bringing an additional predator into the lives of these wild creatures who have every right to live. So I am stopping Henry instead!
So far it is working. Henry waits now at the door while I affix the velcro tab to his collar, and out he goes. I won't take a picture of him in it (yet) as he still feels a bit of shame, but to prove he's not too traumatized, here is is without it! The lord of his domain. And a very happy former-killer.
##
Comments:
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I for one applaud you doing that. I love cats, and many of my best friends are cats, but they aren't natural anywhere but where they originated, which it's believed was somewhere in north Africa or elsewhere in the Middle East. (Persia? Turkey? opinions vary.) So yes, he's just doing what comes naturally, but he's not in your area naturally.
Domestic cats that are either allowed outdoors or are feral sometimes threaten already endangered native species, such as the California Quail. I'm trying to encourage some native species in my yard, such as wild birds and lizards. I like them here, because they kill bugs that I don't want in the house, without me having to use poisons. But the neighbor cats have decided my yard is a fantastic hunting ground. I don't have any quail, but what if I did? We had a rare visit by a California Thrasher this summer. If anyone is going to hunt them, I'd rather it be a native owl, hawk, fox (also endangered), or bobcat.
Besides, the bib may also protect Henry (and you) from diseases he could catch from the wild prey.
So, hurray for Henry and hurray for Henry's bib! I'd like to hand a few out to my neighbors.
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Domestic cats that are either allowed outdoors or are feral sometimes threaten already endangered native species, such as the California Quail. I'm trying to encourage some native species in my yard, such as wild birds and lizards. I like them here, because they kill bugs that I don't want in the house, without me having to use poisons. But the neighbor cats have decided my yard is a fantastic hunting ground. I don't have any quail, but what if I did? We had a rare visit by a California Thrasher this summer. If anyone is going to hunt them, I'd rather it be a native owl, hawk, fox (also endangered), or bobcat.
Besides, the bib may also protect Henry (and you) from diseases he could catch from the wild prey.
So, hurray for Henry and hurray for Henry's bib! I'd like to hand a few out to my neighbors.
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