Another Cow Cat Family Portrait

[Guest]

"One day we'll Be together again...but it just won't be the same when I'm spayed and you're neutered."

[Pat S.]

Oh, shoot! I forgot that when I switch to Netscape, I am not automatically logged in. It's me. Pat.

[Traci]

I love these pictures!

So Pat, you going to adopt Norman? Huh? Huh?

[Pat S.]

NO WAY am I adopting Norman! However, if I can catch him and get him to the vet, I am going to get him tested and neutered. I'll be doing the county cat population a favor!

I assume he belongs to somebody in the neighborhood, probably another of my across the street neighbors' brood. He's not ferral, but I only see him about once a day, and not at a predictable time. Of course, I leave food and water out for him, and all the other cats and possums!

[oconnorjoy]

How sweet...Will you let Norman in to visit after he is tested and neutered? They really look like they are bonded.

[Susan and the girls]

I had to laugh when I read the part of your post when you said you left food out for Norman and all the possums....

When I leave food out for SweetPea, apparently I'm also feeding another kitty (a yellow stray), and any number of vermin. Of course, the possums usually end up in the road across from my house.

Of late, I seem to be feeding a colony of ants, as well. Eeek! I don't know how to situate the bowl to keep them out! I tried putting the bowl up on the swing, but the wind blew the bowl across the porch, scattering cat chow everywhere. I swept a few million ants off the porch this afternoon...they were firmly attached to all the kibbles spread from hither to yon......

[Traci]

LOL!! Don't feel bad, Susan, I feed everything, and I mean any critter who can spot my house from miles away. Of course, it was just the ferals, then it was the squirrels. The squirrels were wintering and I didn't think they'd take to cat food, but was I ever wrong. Then I thought ok, they need something nutritious, so naturally, they get mixed nuts, and sweets in the winter. But I never thought the birds would steal all the squirrel's marshmallows, so now I had to divide for the birds what the squirrels couldn't get to and vice versa. Naturally, squirrels love bird seed, so then I had to build squirrel perches just to protect the bird feeders. But, not to be outdone, the skunks decided that the fallen marshmallows from the squirrel perches were tasty items. What's left, the birds make a mess of on the ground, and therefore the pheasants get easy choice. See, if I feed everthing, no one gets hurt. LOL

[Pat S.]

For ant control I've been putting water and dish washing detergent in a pie pan, and then putting the food bowl in the middle, surrounded by a moat. That helps, but it's amazing how determined ants can be!

I always know the possums have visited, because the water bowl is all ucky! They get dry cat food on their snouts and wash it off in the bowl.
In my old house, I had a baby possum who came to visit every night and would look in the patio doors so I'd know he was there. I fed him Tender Vittles because he couldn't get the hang of the dry food. He loved bananas. I started getting a little nervous when he started climbing into my lap...those guys have a lot of teeth!

The other night, I looked out and there was a HUGE raccoon eating the cat food! When he went past my back door, I waved to him, and he was quite startled.

[Auntie Debbie]

What sweeties...but I'd love to see more of their faces...any chance?
And bless you for feeding all those critters and for taking responsibility (even if it's not really yours) for Norman's (soon to be obliterated) manhood! You'll also be doing him a favor by reducing his chances of possible related health problems. Thanks for caring and for taking such sweet pics!

[Pat S.]

I've got new pictures and "bios" posted on this page:
http://www.patsabin.com/Felines.html

Some of these guys are really hard to photograph...buncha monkies!

I know my other cats will be soooooooo glad to get back to normal so they can have the run of the house again. We haven't had our nightly playtime since the kittens were born, since I'm irresistably drawn to these little punkins!