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| Tux |
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| Ghost |
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| Julie |
Our inside cats! These 3 are the ones remaining from the picture at the top of my blog. All were feral kittens. The black and whites are both 14 now, siblings (of a litter of 5 we took in when the mama cat brought them to our back porch and promptly left. They were about 4 weeks old at the time - barely walking and had to be bottle fed for a short time).
The grey we took in when she was possibly a few weeks older. Her mama and siblings came by one day when the kittens were about 6 weeks old (they could move quite fast). However, when they all darted off - the little grey kitten just sat there looking around. The others never came back... and we finally decided that we'd better take her in... as she seemed a bit lost and confused.
She did have some genetic problems - neurological and physical. The Vet didn't think she would make it past a year as she was seemingly a bit retarded and has genetic kidney probs (she hears OK, but I don't believe she sees well).
However, she is now 12 and although she does have some flare-ups (both neurologically and physically) from time to time, she has done exceptionally well. We call her our little psycho kitty as she is a bit unpredictable. But we accept her as she is... as do Tux and Julie.
But they are all getting up there in age (as are we) so we don't allow ourselves to take any more inside. Since most of our cats live to be 19-23, we feel that fits into the 10 years we have left to give them. Not to say that we might live longer than that... but it just seems practical. And besides, since retirement... keeping up with vaccinations and occasional Veterinary bills for 3 is about all we can handle.
However, we do provide food, water, and a safe environment for the feral cat families that do show up in our back yard. Truth be known, we would probably still vaccinate them (like the catch and release programs advocate) if we could. We used to do this when we were younger, but don't anymore... can't catch them.
And besides, it got a bit expensive as we used to keep them upstairs in a closed off room for weeks to get them friendly enough to go to the adoption room at the nearby Animal Shelter. They knew us there and our feral kittens came in clean, flea-free, vaccinated, and friendly. But despite our best efforts to keep our own cats separate, the ferals always brought in fleas and we had to de-flea the house and our cats after each litter.
But all in all, we do love cats. And it's difficult sometimes not to want to take them all in. But like with everything else in life, you simply do what you can... and hope its helpful... even in some small way.
Other outside ferals:
Have a great week!
It's great to see your 3 sweeties; that pic of Tux is particularly adorable. And the rest of your feral family -- lol! You do have quite the variety of species. (Plus turtles, as I recall.)
ReplyDeleteCheck this news link to CTV News--last week they ran an article and video on a Toronto woman who had a night-time visit from 3 raccoons, one with serious attitude:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/woman-has-close-encounter-of-the-cute-kind-as-hungry-raccoons-invade-her-kitchen-1.4102291
Take care, I hope things are back to normal and that you're feeling 100% again.
Oh yes, box turtles too! And we've seen quite a few this spring and summer coming to eat the cat food. I checked the link... too funny. We've never had raccoons in the house - although they do come to the french doors and look in. I'm sure they'd like to come inside.
DeleteYes, needing to outlive the pets is a problem.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely something we think about...
DeleteGhost looks scary in that picture! I understand you not bringing in new ones, but you provide a safe haven for so many critters. I love visiting and smiling at them all. You enrich my days with your beauties. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey enrich our days, DJan. I can't imagine not having them around. Ghost does look scary or grumpy a lot of the time... but she is a sweet cat (when she's not having a bad day).
DeleteHandsome lot you have. You are smart about not taking new in as house pets.. I know my cats all lived into their 20's so there is no way I could take in a kitten now. I worry about not outliving my pets I have.
ReplyDeleteIt is a worry. They have spent their whole lives being a part of our family and even if my kids took them in, it's not the same. It's been my experience that cats don't take to change well.
DeleteDear Rian, like you, I live with three cats: Ellie, who wears brindle fur; Maggie, who's a long-haired calico; and Matthew, who's a gray tiger. All came to me from the Shelter along with Raissa, who got out one day and was killed by a car beyond my driveway. I, too, wish I could live with more cats, but as you have said so well, we are aging and it's not fair to them if we die and they are left behind. Who will care for them. Also, it is expensive on a fixed income. But oh the delight of the purr and the grace of the slumber. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThey do make us smile a lot... laugh (and sometimes cry), but in general they are a great comfort.
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