Cat Saturday #50 -- Survival of the Fittest
Quote de jour
"Cats always seen so wise, when staring with their half-closed eyes. Can they be thinking, "I'll be nice and maybe she'll feed me twice?"
This is an abbreviated version of Cat Saturday this week. My hard drive died this week, and my files have not been recovered yet. I made do with the only two cat photos in my camera. They are of my outdoor feral kitty Domino. I've made him Cat of the Week not only by default but because he's a survivor, like me. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know all about him. If not, there's not much to tell. I know nothing of his early life. On a cold winter day in 2005 he showed up on our porch, claimed it as his new turf and never left. He looked like a gangly teenager, all skinny limbs and a big head with icy blue eyes that trusted no one. His tail is mangled and bent and his left ear has a chunk missing. We fattened him up and at this time of the year he must know winter is coming because he begs non-stop. The formerly starved never forget. We've had limited progress with socialization but he still doesn't trust anyone. Every winter, I feed him inside the entrance hall, but have to leave the door ajar in case he feels the need for hasty retreat.
His favorite spots are a chair by the front door and on the exposed root of a tree in front of the house. These aren't the best shots of him but hey, when life gives you lemons...
News and Mews
My Siamese kitty/muse/soul mate Merlin played nurse to his sister Coco this week. Fortunately, she's recovered from a minor cold. Unfortunately, she's as cantankerous as always.
Cat Link of the Week -
Socializing feral kittens. The key to adoptability with feral cats is socialization. They make good pets if socialized at an early age.
This is a cover from a vintage children's book from my collection.
Regardless of what photos are recovered from my dead hard drive, I envision a few treats for next week's edition. Until then, love a cat.
"Cats always seen so wise, when staring with their half-closed eyes. Can they be thinking, "I'll be nice and maybe she'll feed me twice?"
This is an abbreviated version of Cat Saturday this week. My hard drive died this week, and my files have not been recovered yet. I made do with the only two cat photos in my camera. They are of my outdoor feral kitty Domino. I've made him Cat of the Week not only by default but because he's a survivor, like me. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know all about him. If not, there's not much to tell. I know nothing of his early life. On a cold winter day in 2005 he showed up on our porch, claimed it as his new turf and never left. He looked like a gangly teenager, all skinny limbs and a big head with icy blue eyes that trusted no one. His tail is mangled and bent and his left ear has a chunk missing. We fattened him up and at this time of the year he must know winter is coming because he begs non-stop. The formerly starved never forget. We've had limited progress with socialization but he still doesn't trust anyone. Every winter, I feed him inside the entrance hall, but have to leave the door ajar in case he feels the need for hasty retreat.
His favorite spots are a chair by the front door and on the exposed root of a tree in front of the house. These aren't the best shots of him but hey, when life gives you lemons...
News and Mews
My Siamese kitty/muse/soul mate Merlin played nurse to his sister Coco this week. Fortunately, she's recovered from a minor cold. Unfortunately, she's as cantankerous as always.
Cat Link of the Week -
Socializing feral kittens. The key to adoptability with feral cats is socialization. They make good pets if socialized at an early age.
Week
This is a cover from a vintage children's book from my collection.
Regardless of what photos are recovered from my dead hard drive, I envision a few treats for next week's edition. Until then, love a cat.
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 9/5/2009 10:21 AM 
Categories: Cats
Tags: feral cats survival of the fittest
Categories: Cats
Tags: feral cats survival of the fittest
Cheddar and Mao love Domino as much as I do.
Squeaks and Mews to you.
ANd to Beatrix Potter's kitties, too.
Reply to this
Thanks! That's not Beatrix Potter but an early Louis Wain illustration from the Father Tuck series.
Reply to this
Hi, Layla!
Sorry to hear about your hard drive and hope you get it all back. Been there, done that!
Do you ever stare Domino in the eyes and then squeeze your eyes shut or blink them? I learned about this from a lady friend who is a cat rescuer. It tells the cat that you mean them no harm. It really works. When I go to the pet store, I always look at the cages of rescued cats. A lot of them stay at the back of the cage and won't come to meet you. I do the blink bit and very often the cat will come to me to have it's head scratched. If you aren't familiar with this, try it.
Tinch
Reply to this
Thanks for the good wishes. I do know the blink technique and thanks for sharing. Nice and slow, open and close.
Reply to this
i love illustrations from that era.
oh, then I assume the illustration was based on Potter's book about the three little kittens who lost their mittens...
Reply to this
These kittens don't lose their mittens. Maybe what I'll do is post a couple illustrations with the story in a serial.
Reply to this
Domino is such a handsome boy - and he sure picked the right porch to show up on! I love the second photo - he looks like he has a huge smile on his face.
Reply to this
Even feral cats need love, very true very true. The kittens I helped rescue a couple of weeks are doing well. Seems they must have come from a home where they were petted and loved on and even knew how to use the kitty litter and then they were taken and dumped. I think that is so heartless.I'm so glad you are there for Domino.
Reply to this