- Joined
- Oct 20, 2017
- Messages
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- Purraise
- 9
She came to me on a summers day. I knew what I had to do. I fed her. And within two days she brought her four kittens.
And I accepted a fact of her life that TNR was now part of it.
Trapping the mother cat, whose name was preciptoiusly given to be "Hiss" for being such a "hissy" cat - went off rather easily, along with the first of her brood. It is noteworthy, that the last kitten to catch, and took a few days - earned the name, "Dillinger", for his unexpected skill in evading the traps. Not only could Dill take the bait, he could also undermine the trap - using his talented paws to move the food closer to the outside of the trap for a tasty snack.
All of the kittens, and the mother, were spay/neutered, and I promised to accept them back into a feral colony. My backyard would be their life long staging area. The kittens, thru our local rescue group, were acclimatized and I presume homes were found for them. They were so CUTE !
Hiss, staid with us, in the backyard - with ample shelter and twice daily feedings and fresh water. Over time she allowed me to pet, and even groom. She would come into the house, temporarily, while her bowl was being refilled, and then would flee to the outdoors - her "crib". In only a few short weeks, "Hiss", became "Priss". I was hooked.
I knew the risks of heart break. I always put it to the side, and enjoyed my time with Priss.
and now my heart aches. You never know if your feral was trapped, given a home, or had to wander off, or leave. It doesn't matter. My heart is broken.
Reading some of the stories, here, helped. And I am very appreciative that there are others that feel the same way. That through TNR, we help reduce what appears to be an insurmountable circle of suffering.
And in the time it took me to write this essay - she appears. And eats. And lives in her territory, on HER terms, for another day, week, or years to come.
Bless all of you for what you bring to this world.
And I accepted a fact of her life that TNR was now part of it.
Trapping the mother cat, whose name was preciptoiusly given to be "Hiss" for being such a "hissy" cat - went off rather easily, along with the first of her brood. It is noteworthy, that the last kitten to catch, and took a few days - earned the name, "Dillinger", for his unexpected skill in evading the traps. Not only could Dill take the bait, he could also undermine the trap - using his talented paws to move the food closer to the outside of the trap for a tasty snack.
All of the kittens, and the mother, were spay/neutered, and I promised to accept them back into a feral colony. My backyard would be their life long staging area. The kittens, thru our local rescue group, were acclimatized and I presume homes were found for them. They were so CUTE !
Hiss, staid with us, in the backyard - with ample shelter and twice daily feedings and fresh water. Over time she allowed me to pet, and even groom. She would come into the house, temporarily, while her bowl was being refilled, and then would flee to the outdoors - her "crib". In only a few short weeks, "Hiss", became "Priss". I was hooked.
I knew the risks of heart break. I always put it to the side, and enjoyed my time with Priss.
and now my heart aches. You never know if your feral was trapped, given a home, or had to wander off, or leave. It doesn't matter. My heart is broken.
Reading some of the stories, here, helped. And I am very appreciative that there are others that feel the same way. That through TNR, we help reduce what appears to be an insurmountable circle of suffering.
And in the time it took me to write this essay - she appears. And eats. And lives in her territory, on HER terms, for another day, week, or years to come.
Bless all of you for what you bring to this world.
