#11 arrives early

A bit ahead of schedule ...

Each summer for the last 4 yrs, "someone" in my area has dumped a cat on my driveway. Usually the cat arrives here on the farm in mid-late summer. This year, the cat arrived early. I am hoping this doesn't mean my cat contributor intends to dump another one on me before summer's end.

Several days ago, our eldest feline, Billy, sprouted a nasty looking abscess just under his left eye. Billy does get into occasional spats with the other felines, but nothing that has ever resulted in injury. I've been wondering how he could have gotten this abscess. Now I know.

Yesterday as I was putting one of the dogs out, I heard a cat yowling over by the hayshed. You know that yowl ... the one reserved for intruders. Several of the other cats were by the door and got very nervous, darting inside as soon as I opened the door. I walked down the side of the garage and circled around between the crumbling old sauna and the hayshed where I spied Mr. Bill having a standoff with another white cat. The newcomer ran off when (s)he saw me.

I had Joe stop by U.S. Wildlife Services and borrow a live trap on his way home last night. After I finished up barn chores and put the dogs out for one last runabout, I gathered all the animals into the house for the night and set the trap out by the hayshed.

Sure enough, this morning we've got a new feline kid ... and (s)he's none too happy about it, either! The beast is now cowering in the corner of a large wire crate outfitted with litter box, food, and water in the master bathroom. Tomorrow afternoon, (s)he will visit the vet and be spayed/neutered if necessary and all other routine vet care taken care of.

So far all I know about this cat is that (s)he is tough enough to stand up to Billy, looks to be at a good weight with a healthy coat, and HATES me. After tomorrow's vet visit, I'll know more.

#11 and counting. If I ever catch who keeps dumping these cats ...

Laurie

This message was edited May 20, 2005 1:17 PM