The benefit of being "feral"
Things are weird here at Joseph's Dream as they are everywhere in the world. Everyone pretty much staying inside and little or no contact with each other. (except by phone). Some of us are very fortunate to have food boxes delivered by the local Christian Ministry. Those caring volunteers have made certain we have plenty
to keep us going for many weeks.
I order food and litter for Hannah, Susie and Ginger from Chewy. I got extra this past month. So they are set for the duration.
Very warm weather has been a blessing this week, even though, until today, the sky was gloomy. Apparently the small wild critters have been coming to life, for Ginger has spent much time off in the field during the day and "guarding" the dumpster at night. The tree frogs have been caroling for several weeks. Ginger has little interest in them.
Don't misunderstand--Ginger is well fed. She comes in morning and evening to munch on a bowl of Meow Mix. If she gets a chance, she will steal some of Susie's Purina One Indoor cat food. She is also very partial to Hannah's canned food. She will push her way right under the dog's nose to get a nibble. Hannah, gentle gal that she is,
backs away and lets Ginger have all she wants.
But now that Spring is definitely here, Ginger has other food sources.
For the past three evenings she has brought a very deceased mouse to the door, meowing for me to come and praise her, which I do. Ginger
is a good hunter. She never plays with or tortures her victims, as many cats do. I had a Siamese who took great pleasure in tossing, re-leasing and recatching a poor mouse. Each time Nikamew grabbed the mouse he inflicted a bit more damage. I hated that. My Aussie, Heather, was always very interested in this activity. One evening when I could stand watching no longer I told Heather "get a mouse".
Well the moment Nikamew tossed the mouse, Heather snatched it. One quick snap and the mouse suffered no more.
None of that torture/ toying with Ginger. She is a good hunter. She will not starve if the cat food supply should run out during this uncertain time of COVID-19. I feel quite certain there will always be mice. I just wish she would choose to disembowel her meal somewhere other than on my porch!
to keep us going for many weeks.
I order food and litter for Hannah, Susie and Ginger from Chewy. I got extra this past month. So they are set for the duration.
Very warm weather has been a blessing this week, even though, until today, the sky was gloomy. Apparently the small wild critters have been coming to life, for Ginger has spent much time off in the field during the day and "guarding" the dumpster at night. The tree frogs have been caroling for several weeks. Ginger has little interest in them.
Don't misunderstand--Ginger is well fed. She comes in morning and evening to munch on a bowl of Meow Mix. If she gets a chance, she will steal some of Susie's Purina One Indoor cat food. She is also very partial to Hannah's canned food. She will push her way right under the dog's nose to get a nibble. Hannah, gentle gal that she is,
backs away and lets Ginger have all she wants.
But now that Spring is definitely here, Ginger has other food sources.
For the past three evenings she has brought a very deceased mouse to the door, meowing for me to come and praise her, which I do. Ginger
is a good hunter. She never plays with or tortures her victims, as many cats do. I had a Siamese who took great pleasure in tossing, re-leasing and recatching a poor mouse. Each time Nikamew grabbed the mouse he inflicted a bit more damage. I hated that. My Aussie, Heather, was always very interested in this activity. One evening when I could stand watching no longer I told Heather "get a mouse".
Well the moment Nikamew tossed the mouse, Heather snatched it. One quick snap and the mouse suffered no more.
None of that torture/ toying with Ginger. She is a good hunter. She will not starve if the cat food supply should run out during this uncertain time of COVID-19. I feel quite certain there will always be mice. I just wish she would choose to disembowel her meal somewhere other than on my porch!
We had a cat visitor all last winter who'd bring poor small dead things. We
ReplyDeletebelieve it was because we left food out for her. Very polite creature but never
would come inside to the warm.