On 18 Dec, a very large cat showed up at our house. It was late and cold, and he looked in the door and made it clear he wanted inside. Well, since we have two cats already and he was a stranger, we could not let him in the house. WLToo walked out and the cat ran to him, so he walked the cat into the garage and into the climate controlled room out there.
He was extremely hungry and thirsty, but in otherwise good condition and very clean. We fixed up a bed for him, set up the feeding and elimination stations, and went to bed.
Next day, we worked in the garage all day, while the big guy slept or supervised. We found him to be an intact male, no sign he's ever worn a collar, and he has a strong need to be in the general vicinity of humans. For an intact male, he's remarkably mellow - I don't think he was the alpha cat in his previous home.
Have had zero responses to the "found cat" notices around the area and online, so we'll be working with the local rescues to get him neutered and all his shots, then find him a home. We can't keep him because he's just too big for our two cats to share our small house. Alex would have another emotional meltdown, and I don't want to go through that mess again (long, ugly story).
For now, we're calling him Spot, not that he answers to it (does answer to "Kitty, Kitty"). No idea how he travels; we'll find out when we take him to the vet on Tuesday.
If anyone knows of someone who would like a large (about 15-18 pounds) cat who needs to be with people, please let me know. No cat novices, please; this cat needs someone who knows exactly how to handle an adult cat of this size, especially when he's feeling frisky.
We're at Canyon Lake, TX, so if there are any Winter Texans nearby who would like to meet him and maybe give him a home, that would be great.
He was extremely hungry and thirsty, but in otherwise good condition and very clean. We fixed up a bed for him, set up the feeding and elimination stations, and went to bed.
Next day, we worked in the garage all day, while the big guy slept or supervised. We found him to be an intact male, no sign he's ever worn a collar, and he has a strong need to be in the general vicinity of humans. For an intact male, he's remarkably mellow - I don't think he was the alpha cat in his previous home.
Have had zero responses to the "found cat" notices around the area and online, so we'll be working with the local rescues to get him neutered and all his shots, then find him a home. We can't keep him because he's just too big for our two cats to share our small house. Alex would have another emotional meltdown, and I don't want to go through that mess again (long, ugly story).
For now, we're calling him Spot, not that he answers to it (does answer to "Kitty, Kitty"). No idea how he travels; we'll find out when we take him to the vet on Tuesday.
If anyone knows of someone who would like a large (about 15-18 pounds) cat who needs to be with people, please let me know. No cat novices, please; this cat needs someone who knows exactly how to handle an adult cat of this size, especially when he's feeling frisky.
We're at Canyon Lake, TX, so if there are any Winter Texans nearby who would like to meet him and maybe give him a home, that would be great.
I wouldn't say we have an outbreak of black widow spiders; so far, I've just seen the one.
Spot tried to catch a lizard yesterday, but I caught him and took him back inside. We want all our lizards to stay around. A small, pinkish gecko waits most nights outside on the window just above WLToo's table lamp, so it can dine on all the bugs attracted to the light. When Spot sees it, he goes a little nuts -- he's knocked over the lamp twice, trying to get to the gecko. So we put museum putty under the lamp and hope it will work. Here's Mr. Lizard:
One of our lawn hydrants sprang a huge leak, and there is no cut off valve, so we are basically without water until the plumber gets here Monday. We go down to the road and turn on the water at mealtimes, then go back down to shut it off the rest of the time. Except for the fact that it's seriously hot, we're only mildly inconvenienced and getting a lot of up and down exercise on the 800+ foot driveway (downhill to the road, uphill to the house). Meanwhile, we're going to have a huge water bill from before we found the leak. At least that part of our vegetation will stay nicely green for quite a while -- if it didn't drown.
My best friend (more like a brother) arrives for a visit next week, and he's allergic to yellow jackets. We don't have any this year. It appears that killing off a nest and then leaving the dead nest in place really works -- the new wasps see a nest and move on. We still have mud daubers and red wasps, neither of which are aggressive in the slightest, so they're welcome to stay and eat all the bugs they want.
My nephew has arrived to discuss changing from Infantry Branch to what I did in the Army for 28 years, so must go. Later, y'all.
Spot tried to catch a lizard yesterday, but I caught him and took him back inside. We want all our lizards to stay around. A small, pinkish gecko waits most nights outside on the window just above WLToo's table lamp, so it can dine on all the bugs attracted to the light. When Spot sees it, he goes a little nuts -- he's knocked over the lamp twice, trying to get to the gecko. So we put museum putty under the lamp and hope it will work. Here's Mr. Lizard:
One of our lawn hydrants sprang a huge leak, and there is no cut off valve, so we are basically without water until the plumber gets here Monday. We go down to the road and turn on the water at mealtimes, then go back down to shut it off the rest of the time. Except for the fact that it's seriously hot, we're only mildly inconvenienced and getting a lot of up and down exercise on the 800+ foot driveway (downhill to the road, uphill to the house). Meanwhile, we're going to have a huge water bill from before we found the leak. At least that part of our vegetation will stay nicely green for quite a while -- if it didn't drown.
My best friend (more like a brother) arrives for a visit next week, and he's allergic to yellow jackets. We don't have any this year. It appears that killing off a nest and then leaving the dead nest in place really works -- the new wasps see a nest and move on. We still have mud daubers and red wasps, neither of which are aggressive in the slightest, so they're welcome to stay and eat all the bugs they want.
My nephew has arrived to discuss changing from Infantry Branch to what I did in the Army for 28 years, so must go. Later, y'all.
Goodness. Things got so hectic around here that I plumb forgot to keep this updated. Sorry about that, folks.
At present, Spot is bathing in his rocking chair. He's been feeling a little punky the last few days. He came inside after morning patrol with tufts of hair coming out. I checked him over and couldn't find anything, but he chose to be the lazy kitty the rest of that day. Yesterday was Advantage Multi and it make both guys feel crappy for a while. Then this morning I found a few dings, so I guess Spot had a minor altercation with someone - perhaps the young black cat with the Siamese face. Spot's fine, though he was a bit upset with me getting out of bed this morning, since I definitely spoiled his relax...
Alex is doing so well on his three meals a day. I do worry that the vet won't be able to keep that schedule up when we're gone, and he'll lose weight again. So I'll type out very detailed feeding instructions and hope they follow them.
We started feeding Mama Doe about three hands full of deer corn in a dog dish every few days. She doesn't come up to the house much right now, since we got enough rain for everything to go green again. Last year's fawn, Solo, got into the meadow when the gate was open day before yesterday, and was afraid to jump the fence, so he was hanging around the house yesterday, trying to avoid the other does and fawns. He's almost the same size as the twins, who have beautiful racks already.
Killed a small black widow spider on the garage access door. Thank goodness for that flip flop o'doom.
The swimming pool filter was full of flying ant bits today. The barn swallows didn't get them all, although they sure tried.
Speaking of barn swallows, they are so funny. We have a couple of wind chimes on the north porch, and they like to perch on the top. We had a strong wind and rain come in, and six of the young ones all tried to land on one wind chime at the same time. There's only room for two, maybe three, but they were all determined to be there. Naturally, we didn't get the video out in time for the fun. Sigh.
Here's why they all wanted on the wind chime (WLToo playing with his new camera):
Time for another swim. Later, y'all.
At present, Spot is bathing in his rocking chair. He's been feeling a little punky the last few days. He came inside after morning patrol with tufts of hair coming out. I checked him over and couldn't find anything, but he chose to be the lazy kitty the rest of that day. Yesterday was Advantage Multi and it make both guys feel crappy for a while. Then this morning I found a few dings, so I guess Spot had a minor altercation with someone - perhaps the young black cat with the Siamese face. Spot's fine, though he was a bit upset with me getting out of bed this morning, since I definitely spoiled his relax...
Alex is doing so well on his three meals a day. I do worry that the vet won't be able to keep that schedule up when we're gone, and he'll lose weight again. So I'll type out very detailed feeding instructions and hope they follow them.
We started feeding Mama Doe about three hands full of deer corn in a dog dish every few days. She doesn't come up to the house much right now, since we got enough rain for everything to go green again. Last year's fawn, Solo, got into the meadow when the gate was open day before yesterday, and was afraid to jump the fence, so he was hanging around the house yesterday, trying to avoid the other does and fawns. He's almost the same size as the twins, who have beautiful racks already.
Killed a small black widow spider on the garage access door. Thank goodness for that flip flop o'doom.
The swimming pool filter was full of flying ant bits today. The barn swallows didn't get them all, although they sure tried.
Speaking of barn swallows, they are so funny. We have a couple of wind chimes on the north porch, and they like to perch on the top. We had a strong wind and rain come in, and six of the young ones all tried to land on one wind chime at the same time. There's only room for two, maybe three, but they were all determined to be there. Naturally, we didn't get the video out in time for the fun. Sigh.
Here's why they all wanted on the wind chime (WLToo playing with his new camera):
Time for another swim. Later, y'all.
We missed a photo op yesterday. Mama Doe was on the north porch, looking in the windows. A hummingbird flew up to the feeder, then realized Mama Doe was under it. A doe-hummingbird staring contest ensued for several minutes.
We couldn't get to a camera, as any movement on our part would have broken the stare. It was really cute.
WLToo did get a great photo of Saturn through the telescope last night, just before clouds covered the sky:
Alex stopped eating the KD, so we're back to normal food. We decided that at his age, if he is miserable and not eating the food he's supposed to eat to prolong his life, then what's the point in trying to prolong it? We'll see about getting a prescription for some other renal foods based in rabbit and venison that Petsmart sells, and see if we can get him back on those foods (I think he just objected to having no variety), but if not, we're prepared to let him go earlier, as long as he's happy.
Spot was laying on a porch chair this morning, when another black cat strolled up. This one is younger than black kitty, sleeker, and with a pointed face like a Siamese. The stranger walked across the grass and down the hill past the pool, while Spot just watched, without spoiling his relaxation. Luckily, Alex was inside...
The barn swallows are feeding four new babies on the north porch, and are sitting on eggs in two other nests. I hope those all make it.
Well, it's hot. I'm going swimming. Later, y'all.
We couldn't get to a camera, as any movement on our part would have broken the stare. It was really cute.
WLToo did get a great photo of Saturn through the telescope last night, just before clouds covered the sky:
Alex stopped eating the KD, so we're back to normal food. We decided that at his age, if he is miserable and not eating the food he's supposed to eat to prolong his life, then what's the point in trying to prolong it? We'll see about getting a prescription for some other renal foods based in rabbit and venison that Petsmart sells, and see if we can get him back on those foods (I think he just objected to having no variety), but if not, we're prepared to let him go earlier, as long as he's happy.
Spot was laying on a porch chair this morning, when another black cat strolled up. This one is younger than black kitty, sleeker, and with a pointed face like a Siamese. The stranger walked across the grass and down the hill past the pool, while Spot just watched, without spoiling his relaxation. Luckily, Alex was inside...
The barn swallows are feeding four new babies on the north porch, and are sitting on eggs in two other nests. I hope those all make it.
Well, it's hot. I'm going swimming. Later, y'all.
