Kittens and Heartbreak

Upsetting weekend, but doing OK.




I have spoken before of the traveling kitties who like to spend part of their days at our neighbor farmer's pastures and the rest hanging around in my yard. As time has gone on though, two of them have more or less taken up residence on my deck or patio.   I usually wake up to see this beautiful Himalayan and her pal, a little grey British short hair, leaning against the French door window waiting for food and some pats on the head. I have grown very attached to them and when they are not there, I become worried as many animals meet their fate on the narrow, winding road by my house.

Big Bucks

 

Vanna Gogh



A few months ago the Himalayan, BB, was in season and became enamoured with a passing handsome black stranger. We watched to see if her girth was getting larger, but with all that hair, it was hard to tell. Then about five weeks ago, she disappeared. After a week or so, she surfaced again, but only for a quick bite to eat and then back in the woods she would go. For the past two weeks , we have seen more and more of her. Friday I went out on my my deck and heard some scurrying going on inside my gazebo. At first I feared raccoons, but then I saw a little tail. Upon investigation, I saw a small grey kitten, then another and later another. BB came up on the deck and quickly went to her babies. Not being sure what to do, I called hubby who told me to get in touch with the farmer across the road because she said she would take them. I then called my daughter, who works nearby, and asked her if she could come over for lunch and help me round them up.

The first one

The first one, a sweet docile kitten, was easy to catch.  The second one, the alpha baby, took a few pieces of my daughter's skin with her.  Finally, the last one, who did not want to be held, was put in the carrier.

Caught, and scared

Oh, but wait a minute, there was a fourth and she did not want to be part of the roundup.  Off the deck and down the rain spouts she ran.  Sarah and I looked all over, but she was not to be found.  A few hours later, I spotted her behind a bush, but decided to leave her there and not frighten her anymore.  I was hoping her mom would find her and bring her back.  Next morning, there they were, mother and daughter together in the gazebo.

Reunion

Sad to say, we were unable to catch the kitten and off she ran again.  We have not seen her since.

The other kitties were delivered to the farmer who has contact with a vet and a cat rescue agency.  Someone has agreed to foster them and they are in good hands now. 

It was a difficult situation and taking the kittens away from the mother who brought them to me was a very sad experience.  Losing the last one though and wondering if BB has found her is heavy on my mind. 

Saying goodbye

When they were taken away, I was assured by our neighbor that this was the best scenario. These kittens now have a chance to be domesticated and have someone to love and care for them.  Most feral cats lives are limited and many of them get hit by cars or succumb to the elements.  I knew she was right, but as I looked at BB, my heart broke for her. 

Doing the right thing does not always make you feel good.