I’ve never been a cat person, but I think I’m heading in that direction. A major sign is when I can spend too much time at the pet supply store mulling over the cat merchandise. They really suck you in with the cat toys and the feeding systems and the fresher-then-air litter boxes. O.k….back to the real cat issue.
Snow Flower
In April one of the barn cats, Puff, had a litter of four kittens. Two survived and in May they made their way to the top of the hay bales and watched the new world around them. Mom would eat with the rest of the cat gang then go to her two kittens and let them nurse. She was very thin but took good care of her two girls.
Ling Ling (she still a bit frightened)
Because I don’t want the barns to become a cat brothel, we need to end the cycle. See, after Puff was born we had her mom fixed, but could never catch Puff to get her fixed. We tried but almost lost our eyes. And before you know it…yep, Puff, had her first litter.
Now, catching a feral barn cat and her two kittens was no easy feat. It took many days and many covert operations to catch these girls so that they can eventually be taken in and fixed. Puff, and now her two girls, are the last ones that need fixin’, then all should calm down in the barns.
Puff is in the bottom kennel. Snow Flower and Ling Ling are in the top kennel.
Initially I caught Puff and one of the kittens. The other one was always very careful and very quick. But last week dear hubby was able to plop a basket over her and put her in the kennel. The secret…gain their trust with food for a couple months, then spring a basket or net on them. You quickly find out, though, how spazzoid berserk an animal can become. But after a few catch-me-if-you-can episodes the sisters are together again.
Soon after I caught the first kitty a few months back I discovered that she had major issues with her eyes. At first I couldn’t get close to her so I couldn’t get a good look at her eyes. But when I did, I discovered she only had one eye and the other one was very clouded over. That’s why she acted a bit off…the poor thing is blind. At best she may be able to see shadows.
My little Snow Flower
Now that we rearranged the kennels and set them up in a better spot in the barn, they will live comfortably until we can handle them or get them to the vet without getting mauled in the process.
We finally named the kittens. The blind one is Snow Flower (yes, I just saw the movie) and her sister is Ling Ling. Once Puff and Ling Ling are fixed they will go back into the barn cat population (now at 10). But Snow Flower really can’t. I mean there’s no way we could let a blind cat fend for herself in the barn and pastures. Realistically she’d get hurt or worse. So she will be fixed and live out her life between the kennel and our arms. I can already pet her and she’s purring up a storm so it won’t he long until she’s resting comfortably on our shoulders or in our coat pocket. She’ll have to spend her nights in the kennel though for her own safety.
This is a huge decision and a long commitment, but the alternative is not an option. So she’ll live a pampered life and become the farm mascot. I know the mascot should probably be a sheep but I think Snow Flower will do a fine job.
Sisters -- Snow Flower and Ling Ling
This is how we ended up with Monkey. His sire, Jack, would turn up once a week in the barn to eat and be made over. Then one day Jack brought a lady friend, who promptly had kittens. We could never get close to her, but eventually live trapped 2 of the 4 kittens. The others were hit on the road. We kept them in a kennel to tame them. Monkey got his name for his ability to hang from the top wires of the kennel and swing. Although the other kitten, Fred, eventually disappeared – we think coyote got him – Monkey has settled in and made the barn his home. He is a very affectionate cat like his father, Jack.
I too have never been one to that holds a love for cats. Although after reading about the farms new mascot and how she came to hold that title…..well, I’m not saying cats will become my new pet but I can certainly see how you could easily come to love and care for the two sisters!
The funny this is; I read the blog early a.m. while sipping my first cup of coffee. When I first laid eyes on Snow Flower’s picture, I thought something must be wrong with my eyes or I am not awake yet ’cause she wasn’t looking just right! For a split second I thought, it’s a little to early but that’s when I am most energetic so I had to revisit that quickly. She’s a doll and what a nice home she will have to live her days out at. Welcome Snow Flower!