I don't know if you've met Callie, my oldest cat. She lives outside, in one shed or another, just wherever she prefers on any given day. She's very affectionate, as long as she's not in my arms, then she squirms until I put her down. These are her kittens from early fall;
just take your pick of which color you like best. It's been several years since we've had a yellow cat, so I was thrilled, although I knew I'd never get to keep one. They were born in between some big, extra chicken house fans and bags of animal bedding on the back of a truck. The weather was getting cooler and they cried a lot. Whenever Callie realized I knew where they were, she moved them. About this time we were selling a bull and the farmer had taken the stock trailer to the barn to load him. Something told me to look inside the trailer, and there were the kittens, huddled up in a corner at the front of the trailer. All I had to put them in was my bucket of cat food (picture) so they took a ride back to the shed. On the way I stopped and picked up a little hay to make a bed for them. The first thing Callie did was jump into the tub they were in, grab up the white one and jump to the ground. I put it back in the tub and she got another one and just disappeared. The next time I went to feed her, I found the kittens in the seat of the BobCat, then they were gone again. I didn't expect to ever see any of them again because the dogs here have killed all the kittens born on this farm this summer.
Now I know some of you adore dogs, I understand that, but I hate dogs for this very reason. The dogs here are the results of two "dumped" dogs, one of which had seven puppies and two are still with us, making four, useless, annoying animals. Almost every time they kill a kitten, they bring it to the back door!
Well, back to the kittens; last week Callie brought the gray and white kitten and one yellow kitten back to the shed and put them up high on the back of a truck. They were safe there, and I told her so, but again, once she realized I knew where they were, she moved them to the ground. Two days, and the yellow one is found at the back door. So yesterday I put the other one back up on the truck, and when I went back for the afternoon feeding, it was gone, but I heard it meowing. With much sound-searching I found it ~ on top of the stock trailer! I couldn't reach it; last night was very cold and windy and this morning I didn't see it or hear it, so...I'm just expecting to see it at the back door any time now.
I hope I didn't offend those of you who have loving dogs as pets. Forgive me?
Charlotte
How awful and my heart aches at the loss of these little ones. The dogs will just keep doing that now that they have a 'taste for the kill'.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs to you ~ FlowerLady
I'm saying this with all the kindness I can muster, but wouldn't it be better to have the cat spade? There are lowcost programs available thru the county extension office, and it seems cruel to allow these kittens to be born knowing they will be cruelly killed. I hate to see any animal hurt.
ReplyDeleteRespectfully,
I love cats - dogs can be ok but I don't have any, they need more care. I used to have cats all the time but both son in laws are allergic (one severely) so we decided to get rid of the cats so the son in laws feel free to visit and stay overnight when they visit. Cats can pretty much care for themselves and keep the mouse population down on a farm - the strongest survive - just a fact of life. Because they are outside cats I can't see spending the money on having them fixed - I did that a couple times with ours and sure enough they disappeared with in a couple months or were hit by cars on the highway. People that have only inside pets do not always understand the facts of life of outside animals on a farm.
ReplyDeleteBless your heart. So sad, I wish i could say something to help Charlotte. Love and hugs, xo
ReplyDeleteOh, this is so sad. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your kittens, Charlotte. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteWe lived In the country for 11 years, outside a college town, we knew too well the troubles of dumped dogs.
ReplyDeleteWe took in at least of 7 over the years, saw too many others that turned to the dog pack life and ended up being shot by a farmer to protect his stock. It is really sad.
Oh, that is so sad Charlotte. They look so sweet. I don't blame you for being angry with the dogs. It seems so senseless.
ReplyDeleteI hope the little one is safe somewhere. The poor mama did her best.
I feel so sad for your cat & kitten situation. I've always hoped that you would have one to snuggle and spoil, I haven't given up yet on that. I admire you and Callie for keeping the kittens safe. I sure wish she'd keep the kittens in one place where you could watch or even pet them.
ReplyDeleteAs for the dogs, that's dreadful they kill cats. I totally understand why you feel anger toward them.
Callie is a lovely cat. I like her name too. The tub of kittens is adorable. Keep us updated on their progress.
I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to give you an update on my redwork. I've been working real hard on it. I enjoy it. It's so relaxing and just using the one color is the best.
Thank you so much for inspiring my new obsession. :)
I've been posting a redwork block a day on my new blog. You're welcome to come take a gander at them. I finally got my link to work right on my profile here.
I love dogs, but I wouldn't like it if they were killing the kittens. You should go to the animal shelter and adopt you a little yellow kitten and keep it in the house. It would make a great little friend, yes?
ReplyDeleteIt seems you really are missing an inside kitty, one to keep you company while you stitch. I had hoped one of the little yellow ones could be that special kitty.
ReplyDeleteCallie sure is a beautiful cat and the kittens are pretty. I am sorry about the dogs. I hate to see any animal hurt.
ReplyDeleteI am a dog lover but don't think it is right when people dump their dogs off somewhere. I wouldn't want my dog killing kittens either. I don't have a kitten but think they are cute. Sorry this is happening to you. Nancy
ReplyDeleteOh my, how sad. I don't understand why the mama keeps moving them because you know where they are. I've never heard of dogs killing kittens before.I hope they survived.
ReplyDeleteI just had to pop back over and thank you for the sweet words on mine. I'm so happy we share the same memories. I just wish we lived more close. Oh the stories we could tell and we'd talk till the cows come home. Hugs, xo
ReplyDeleteIf I were you, I would get rid of those dogs. I have a dog, Sophie, she has never tried to hurt any of our cats. She actually shares her bed with our cat Salem. I think these kind of dogs......especially if they bring you so much frustration, are the wrong kind of dogs. I would give them to some ranchers or cowboys. They love these kinds of dogs. So sorry for your problem. Take care.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. I kick those dogs off of the property!
ReplyDeleteOh dear, what a sad dilemma. I love dogs but I love little kitty cats too. Sometimes nature is a hard thing to understand.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog, and oh, what a sad post. I am a cat lover, too, and I'm not all that crazy about dogs. We have one we got for the grandsons when we adopted them, the boys are raised and gone and we still have the dog. Every year I kind of hope it will be his last year and I'm terrible, I know.
ReplyDeleteI have a female Siamese, I don't know if she's full blood or not. The vet wrote "Sealpoint" on her card. She adopted me, and she is my constant companion. It gets tiresome sometimes but I do love her. She bullies the dog, I discourage it, but he leaves her alone. He was a cat-chaser before she came to live with us. I believe if I had a cat-killer on my place I could not tolerate that. I had a kitten die in my hands from an attack by a male cat and I know how sad that can be.
Oh, those kittens are so adorable! So sorry to hear about the dogs. This is probably common on farms and in rural areas. I've had a lot of cats through the years, many of them strays.
ReplyDeleteIt's okay, Charlotte... I forgive you. *wink*
ReplyDeleteI have a problem with strays (or dump) dogs here too... I am always fearful of them killing my chickens (has happened before) or running the sheep to death. So, even though I love dogs, I'm right there with ya on that. :)