"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands........" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Sunday, October 16, 2016

There are two reasons I named a feral cat Houdini

One, because I tried to trap him............because he was fighting
my other outside cat, Homer. 
(I had plans to take him to the local humane society. )
When I actually trapped  this wild grey striped tabby,
he broke my trap and escaped.........
earning the name Houdini.
Reason two,  I have never been able to get
a photo of Houdini, 
every time I aim my camera at him,
he hurries away, disappearing.

But as the months  rolled by, I slightly earned his trust by feeding him, 
and he stopped being so aggressive to Homer.
Still not trusting me enough to pet him.
These past few days, however, he has not shown up for his meals.
I found him yesterday,,,,, dead in my flower garden.
It made me so sad. This cat has had such a hard life to be dumped out 
into the predator filled woods and then to live out in the elements.
How I wish everyone would think twice before dropping off
 a cat or dog, hoping someone would give it a good home.

Also this week, my old rooster Norman died........
He had taken care of his hens very well.......even losing one eye in a rooster fight for them.
Over the past year, he acted a little wobbly now and then,
and in a few days be running with his hens.......
and a few weeks later, be wobbly again.
Now.......although I still have a handful of hens,
the grounds are quite and absent of the sound
 of a rooster crowing.
I knew I would miss that sound ...........
and I do


17 comments:

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

I'm sorry to hear about the feral cat, Houdini. You are right about people dropping off animals. So selfish of them to decide they don't want to care for them anymore, but that you would be perfectly happy to do it for them.
It is funny how you can become attached to a chicken. We had a nice big black and white rooster named Pepper. He was essentially blind, but got around o.k. He was gentle and had a fabulous crow. He was killed by a skunk and we were incredibly sad. Do you think you will get another rooster or just stick with the hens? -Jenn

Sandra said...

Blessings to you and your good heart. It is so kind of you to care for and love these animals. I am sorry that you have lost not one but two, that were a part of your daily life. Hugs!

Henny Penny said...

I am so sorry to hear about the cat. We live in the country on a dirt path, the perfect spot for idiots to drive down and drop off unwanted animals. I have shed many a tear over these animals. Once someone dropped off a mother cat with new born kittens. How horrible is that. A neighbor discovered two dead kittens, the mother cat had left, and one of the tiny kittens made it to our yard. We already had three rescued cats so we found that kitten a good home and it turned out to be a beautiful cat. I just hope that one day these mean people get what they deserve. So sorry to hear about your rooster too.

Terra said...

Sad about Houdini and Norman. We have a cat that visits us and won't let us touch him/her. We would like to tame him and adopt him.

Nancy J said...

I am so sure Houdini called your place " MY Home", as he chose to lie there for his last moments. An honour bestowed on you by a stray feral boy, who was given food,lodgings and so much love, even if he did not show he appreciated it all. And Norman, a grand old man who was loved and no doubt also loved well. Take heart in knowing they both had the best place to live with you. The gap will be huge.

Granny Marigold said...

I'm sorry you lost not one but two of your buddies. Houdini sounds like quite an adventurous type and because of you he had really good care for his last weeks. And Norman probably had a good rooster life too. Maybe once you feel you can replace him you will do so if for no other reason than to hear that old familiar crowing. My BIL rescued two gorgeous roosters and they live on his country yard and crow all the livelong day. Unfortunately they are quite apt to attack him so he makes sure to take along some defense when he goes in their enclosure to feed them.

Bev C said...

Hello Kathleen,

Oh how sad, I hope another cat comes into your life. Your rooster will be remembered for looking after his girls.

We saw the biggest rooster at a open garden on Saturday, unfortunately I couldn't get a photo of him. I think he was a little traumatized by all the visitors.

Happy days.
Bev.

lil red hen said...

I guess this is all just part of the circle of life. But it is sad. My daughter told me tonight about a hawk swooping down and snatching up a little bird. (She loves her birds!) And what made it even worse, the little bird was crying out and there was nothing she could do. I understand all too well about animals being dumped. I think when people see out chicken houses, they think the animals they dump will be well fed. lol They don't stop to think maybe we don't need any more dogs!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

My SIL cares for feral cats. Catches them to be neutered then feeds them. She got to get 3 to live in her home. I have only seen one...a HUGE black long hair..Mister. He is so pretty. The other two will never let any stranger see them. Though I am a dog person, I appreciate the beauty of cats. Sorry you lost two of your critters. they grab our hearts, don't they.
xx, Carol

Karen said...

Kathleen, I'm so sorry about your dear kitty and rooster. Finding a kitty that has passed away is one of the saddest things. We had a rooster named Elvis many years ago and will never forget him as I'm sure you will never forget Norman. You're such a caring person with animals but that just makes it so difficult when you lose them, doesn't it?

Connie said...

Kathleen, I am so sorry to hear of the deaths of Houdini and Norman. It is sad that Houdini had to live such a difficult life. I'm sure it does seem very quiet now without his crowing. Sending you hugs and thinking of you.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

I'm sorry about your pets. I know you will really miss Houdini and Norman. Animals are just like part of the family. I'll be thinking of you.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Sorry to read about Houdini and Norman, Kathleen. You gave them both a loving home and knowing that may be of some comfort.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

I am so sorry for your losses. It is funny how attached we can get to those little darlings, isn't it?

Debra said...

Oh my dear friend....I'm so sorry-it's making me cry too. The sounds we miss when our beloved pets go-it can be deafening. Such a hole their loss leaves in our hearts. My prayers are with you...
We are still feeding our feral cat-it's amazing how he survives. he will not let us get any closer than about 2 feet. We have a little house for him that he uses sometimes. he does love his food, and I think he loves me in a far off way...

A Colorful World said...

How sad about Houdini and Norman! I can at last have pets again with this move...we plan to get a dog again after almost six years since our Penny died. And I want chickens! We have an acre of land with our new house! I can't wait!

letslearnembroidery said...

RIP, Norman.Animals around the farm are like our own family members, aren't they/