Kittens and animals in general
Aug. 6th, 2009 10:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ostarellaI have a kitten in my yard. We generally have 1-2 cats who take up abode in the out buildings for whatever length of time, but this one is a kitten, and on its own. I generally try not to get "involved" with the feral cats (or other animals without collars or known "other residence"). The last time I did that we started out with an abandoned mama cat and two kittens, which I fed because they were obviously starving. Two years later, we had 27 cats 
prowling the yard and neighborhood, all very friendly (climbing on our shoulders as we worked in the gardens, following us into the house, etc). Eventually between inbreeding, disease and the highway we lost them all and I vowed that was the last time! Nature, however cruel, should take its course.
Now I have The Kitten.
It's around 8-10 inches long, with a long tail, huge feet, and is, I guess, a silver tabby with rust blended in (I thought at first it was called a tortoise shell but that's something different - and yeah, I looked it up
). I can't tell for sure whether it's a boy or a girl yet, but it's very shy and very verbose. And loves trying to catch butterflies. 
And also loves the dog food I've set out for it.
Yes, I've done it again.
Only because it appeared to be very hungry, very young, and alone. If I had evidence of a mama around, I probably wouldn't have done anything. I swear I wouldn't have. But in the course of a couple of days, it's gone from running at the first sight of me, to coming within a couple feet (if I stand still and talk softy).
I'd try to tame it for myself, but with two rather obnoxious (ie, spoiled) dogs and a brother who is severely allergic to cat dander, bringing it in the house is out of the question. And I'm worrying how it will make it through the winter, being so young now and without other "family" to help stay warm. So now the plan is to get it tamed so it feels comfortable being held, and then I'll take it to the local animal adoption place and see if they will take it. I'll pay for the neutering/spaying if necessary.
I should've just ignored the little bugger. I really should have...
prowling the yard and neighborhood, all very friendly (climbing on our shoulders as we worked in the gardens, following us into the house, etc). Eventually between inbreeding, disease and the highway we lost them all and I vowed that was the last time! Nature, however cruel, should take its course. Now I have The Kitten.
It's around 8-10 inches long, with a long tail, huge feet, and is, I guess, a silver tabby with rust blended in (I thought at first it was called a tortoise shell but that's something different - and yeah, I looked it up
). I can't tell for sure whether it's a boy or a girl yet, but it's very shy and very verbose. And loves trying to catch butterflies. And also loves the dog food I've set out for it.
Yes, I've done it again.
Only because it appeared to be very hungry, very young, and alone. If I had evidence of a mama around, I probably wouldn't have done anything. I swear I wouldn't have. But in the course of a couple of days, it's gone from running at the first sight of me, to coming within a couple feet (if I stand still and talk softy).
I'd try to tame it for myself, but with two rather obnoxious (ie, spoiled) dogs and a brother who is severely allergic to cat dander, bringing it in the house is out of the question. And I'm worrying how it will make it through the winter, being so young now and without other "family" to help stay warm.
So now the plan is to get it tamed so it feels comfortable being held, and then I'll take it to the local animal adoption place and see if they will take it. I'll pay for the neutering/spaying if necessary. I should've just ignored the little bugger. I really should have...
no subject
Date: 2009-08-06 08:21 pm (UTC)I think dog food tends to have more stuff like cereals etc in it, since dogs are omnivores, where cats are pretty much totally carnivores and their food is just meat and fish. But a couple of dog food meals won't do the kitty any harm!