we have screwed up.
we get up, pull on our clothes, drag ourselves to the car n go to a place we don't wanna be.
there. we do stuff we don't wanna do, to pay for the house, car n clothes.
then we buck traffic to get home to get ready for another day of earning our living.
but i watch my kitty making her living. she stalks prey, then leaps upon it, to make her living. thing is, i see actual joy in her when she does this.
i never felt the joy she does in my work.
it's not fair.

__________________
susie

HOW DOES A CAT ACT, WHEN SHE OWNS A PLACE?
well, if you insist, i'll tell you.
first, she complains til she gets breakfast. when it is served to her, she gets stroked n loved up, as is her due.
then, if asked nicely, she cuddles a bit.
between cuddles, she patrols.
sometimes inside the garden, sometimes out.
i suppose she's hunting, but it looks like she is defending territory.
much of what she does seems to be for the purpose of defending her turf from all comers.she ocassionally naps, but doesn't sleep as much as indoor cats who have nothing much to do.
she sometimes comes for a cuddle, but only if her schedule permits.
her work is mostly done by supper. it's nice n cool then; time to relax.
she eats her fill over the course of half an hour, a bit a t a time.
when asked if she;d like to cuddle, she ignores me. instead, she hops upon the fence, there are 4''x4'' posts every 4'. the sheathing is 1x6, so
the walkway is only 3/4''.
she does her tight rope walk on this. sometimes sitting on a 4x4, to recon the outside.
finally, she gets to the far end, where the ladder leans on the house.
most of the time, she goes up to the roof, as she can see everything from there.
usually, she spends only 5-10 minutes up there scanning her domain. coming down, she has gotten very good at using the rungs of the ladder.
front legs on rung, followed by rear legs, then front legs on the next lower rung with speed.

once on the ground, she responds to my calls, at least today.
then she comes to me, pretending to want to cuddle. her head on my arm, body pressed against me, but only for a couple minutes. then she acts like she wants to get up. strange it's so quick, but i move to let her up. at that point, she steals my pillow, which is what she had in mind all the time.
since i'm training her to think i'm always nice, i can't grab her n toss her off the deck.
so, she gets to keep the pillow til i go inside.
i think this is how those rumors about cats being in charge get started.

__________________
susie

Sounds like she is turning into the sort of friend that you had in mind, susie, and I think she is going to be just fine!! Glad to hear this news. Keep it coming.

Best Regards, Les

__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS.
last night, drifter didn't eat much supper so, for the first time, i left her food out.
this morn she was nowhere to be seen, until i called n called.
then, i saw why.
i found droppings i couldn't ID.
not coyote or cat, but from a large animal. it was too soft to hold shape n i couldn't find my field guide to animal tracks, so i had to relyon memory.
i think it's a possum, too big for my kitty to handle,
so, i got out the havaheart.
ideally, i would bait it with cat food, but then i'd catch a cat.
my next choice would be peanut butter, but i don't know if
cats like peanut butter.
i couldn't think of anything else so i used an apple.
that might not work, but it won't attract my cat.
even with the right bait, i might not get anything. the trigger on this trap is worthless. i've sanded it, bent it, oiled it but if i get it sensitive enow to work, it won't set at all.
it's set the best i could.
hopefully i'll have something to shoot in the morn.

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susie

well, i got a really poor pic. it's as fuzzy as the cat.
i can't post it tho.
if someone wants to post it for me, please give me your email.
then i can send it to you n you can post it.
very bad quality, but it proves i got a cat hanging out here.

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susie

Here is susie's kitty!!



That is a really nice looking kitty, susie!!!

Thanks for sharing, and hope that everything works out for you and your kitty.

Best Regards, Les

__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

yhanks. les. prople kept acting, so that's my best effort.

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susie

Nice looking kitty. Looks like a long term friend.

Here is a photo of our new cat Molly, now with us for 2 months. Cuddled up to her best friend Amy, our lovable rescue dog with us the past 2 years.

More photos please, whenever you get the chance.....

Attached Images

865DAAF4-6D4A-450C-B776-F914FDEB6D74.jpg (80.0 KB, 54 views)

aaarg pics are hard !
molly is cute,

today, it was raining hard n i didn't wanna get soakedfeeding some critter.
so, i filled her bowl n called her in.
she jumped rightinto the house, then looked around in a panic n jumped back out.

i said ''cut it out n get in here'' n she did.
i closed the door n waited for her to eat, but she got that trapped look on her face,
i gave up n let her out.
i
i set the bowl on the steps so the stupid thing could eat in the rain.

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susie

^^ Baby steps.

__________________
NHI, 10-8.

you know, people say cats go in heat 3 times/year.
since i've known her more than 2 months, i should see a heat soon.
what do i look for?
will she become less nice?
she's not all that nice now.
my bitch never went into noticeable heat,. probably
because no males were available.

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susie

90 DAY REPORT
i don't know if anyone is still interested, but i thot i'd tell you about drifter's progress. i have done in 90 days what usually takes years, due to my supine protocol.
i have built up complete trust so i can now drag her to me for a cuddle while flat on the ground.
yesterday, she fell asleep in my arms while i read so, im where i wanted to be, tho there are still problems when i stand up.
for the past 2 weeks i've been getting her used to the house.
it started with feedingher inside when it rained.
she is very food driven, so this was easy, but i had to recreate outdoor conditions. on the floor in the hall were my same pads, same fleece, same bowl, same me. so she ate as i stroked her.
being flat on the ground is getting tiresome, but it's the only way that works.
after she was used to this, she started exploring, room by room.
when she seemed comfy, i got up n went to my couch in the living room.
i'm still flat but raised up n more comfy.
eventually, she galloped past me into the kitchen where she could watch me.
she always goes to the same spot.
i found out she likes cheese.
now, i wanted her to come up on the couch so we could cuddle, but she refused.
i'm a weak person so eventually i'd get down on the floor to cuddle.
one day, she tried to swat me with a paw. i got upset as i will tolerate no aggression.
without thinking, i shouted NO, BAD DOG.
this didn't seem to bother her, but then she left n stayed in the bath room n wouldn't come out til i let her outside.
not good.
the next time, i was angry, so i let her out of the house n ignored her for a whole day.
this bothered her, so this punishment works.
she now depends on me for not only food, but for love.
i can now train her the old fashioned way.
if she misbehaves, i can just throw her out n let her reflect on her sins.

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susie

Sounds like you really have come a long way. One reason she will run when you stand is she is probably afraid of getting stepped on. Keep at it and she'll get used to it in time.

Thanks for the update, susie, I was wondering how things were going. Sounds like you have a pretty nice little kitty now. They make really good companions.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

My garden is protected too

__________________
Buy American
Vote Responsibly

In my sugarhouse I use a method to get rid of mice and it's very sucessful. In weather warm enough that water won't freeze, I fill a bucket about 4-5" deep with water. Then I take any round container that fits the bill, cut a hole in the closed end and put it on a stick or rod over the center of the bucket. Then I smear peanut butter on the outside of the round container and place something next to the bucket that mice can climb. They will climb up, reach out to eat the peanut butter and will drown, since they can't climb out when wet. This is even better than a cat. Just empty the bucket often enough that they don't start to smell bad. In the winter that won't work, because the water freezes and then mice can climb or jump out. I've had times in early fall when I'll get 6-10 mice in 2-3 days. After about 3-4 weeks I see no more mice.

__________________
Certified NRA rifle instructor

great idea maple.
bush, i have guns too.
they are worthless in the dark against mice n rats.
i'm sure not gonna spend all night sitting out there either.
some cat food is a cheap price to pay to avoid that.

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susie

BTW, she may be uncomfortable when you stand just because it makes you a lot bigger, and she has had some unknown difficulties that may make her more sensitive to that.

__________________
NHI, 10-8.

Try announcing that you are standing as you would to a child, and move slowly. I enjoy reading about your progress.

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Front sight and squeeze

I guess if I were having lunch and something about 15 times bigger than me stood up I would probably be all for running myself.

well, yeah, but this critter gets cuddled to pieces by the big animal.
i do notice in the house she doesn't mind me standing. if i have to pass her in the hall, there's not much room.

hoho!
i wasn't able to get heer on the couch, so i gave up. but yesterday, she jumped up by my feet n took a nap there.
cool when she trains herself.
she is no longer feral, but isn't a normal house cat either.

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susie

Glad to hear your latest update. I looks like you are doing a fine job of acclimating Drifter to inside life. I'm thinking once it gets colder the wide open spaces won't be so appealing to her. BTW I really like the name you gave her. Good luck with your furry "project".

boy! this cat is ungrateful. i bot her some choice catnip n she ignored it.
i thot she'd like to get stoned, but she ignored it.
she just likes rolling in icky dirt.

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susie

Cats make sure to remind us of their independence -they have their pride, you know.

Andy

My cat Gracie has gotten bad about killing her prey and then dragging it into the house.

She then takes naps on it.

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C & L

Did you get your opossum? I've caught one before using watermelon rind as the bait. Hope that helps.

__________________
Buy American!

there is a huge monster out there.
i used the same trap i have got a possum in before. this thing was so big the trap didn't hold it.
worse, the heavy trap was moved 3'.
that's big.
no sense in buying a bigger trap either.
whatever it is now knows about traps.

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susie

Maybe a badger? Do you have wolverines in your area? Perhaps a bobcat or cougar?

I think maybe you should call in an experienced trapper for this job. Your coyote hunting guy might know someone...

__________________
Buy American!

yow! those are scary!
the problem is it only comes in the night. if i saw it, i'd shoot it. comes seldom. if it came every night i could wait out there one night, but i just can't do a week.
probably can't do a whole night.
it hasn't killed my kitty yet.
drifter has a den someplace.
i'm feeding her in the house now. there are tomatoes n unripe figs out there, but i see nothing eaten.
whatever it was, i think it wants cat food, but there is no more.
the droppings were really big but too soft to ID.

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susie

oh! the dropping was 5-6'' long, 3/4'' thick, straight, not curled like dog or coyote.
the animal had to scale a 6' high wooden fence.

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susie

Sasquatch??

Just kidding, susie! I have no idea what it is, but we have some very knowledgeable folks on here...someone can probably help. I would worry about kitty being out alone though with something that big hanging around.

Hope everything works out for you and drifter.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Hey Suze any update? Ringo’s thread got me wondering how you and Drifter are doing.

i guess this is the 120+ DAY UPDATE.

drifter went into her first heat. since i was sure no male could get within scent of her, i continued our normal schedule. she goes in n out 4-5 times/day. this is nice for both of us. she gets to hunt.
she needs this. plus, she does her violent play outside, swarming up n down the 7' high arbor, or climbing the ladder to the roof.
she knows indoors is for relaxing n cuddling.
so, it was impossible for a male to find her.
there is a house within 3 miles, but that's upwind . the way the wind blows, it's 12-15 miles to the nearest house.
now she was going totally crazy, stomping thru the house n screaming.
lifting her back end to get laid.
so, i didn't mind her going out.
then, near the end of the heat, i got up from a nap.drifter was on the couch. behind her i saw the biggest cat i've ever seen.
since i saw both cats at the same time, i know for sure big cat is at least 4 times the size of drifter.
i have no scale but drifter is a normal size cat, around 10 lbs.
that puts big cat around 40 lbs.
if you guys read my posts you know i found droppings i couldn't ID.
well, now i know what they are. they were cat droppings. they were just too big to be cat droppings.
n, the critter that left the droppings tossed a 20 lb haveahart across the garden.
this cat is beyond my experience. drifter saw it when i did, but didn't say anything. i studied it to look it up, but i can't. around 40 lbs, but it's smokey grey.
i saw the right side n face. it sat like any cat. the forehead is wide n strong.
the ears were house cat ears. i thot this solved it. it's a mutant housecat.
but, it turns out some bobcats have short ears. so do jaguarundis.
the animal is a thing of great beauty.
i'd think wild cat, but smokey grey doesn't fit.
i am now feeding this animal, but i never see it.
he is bad news. i think he's too big to enter drifter, but if he did rape her, she may die.
i don't know what determines the size of a kitten, but if it's the sire, the baby will be too big for her to get it thru the birth canal.
i have helped cows in birthing but i don't know how to restrain a cat so i can pull on a kit's legs.
as you can see, our normal drama continues.

as to more mundane matters, drifter now spends 16 hours/day inside.
sometimes she's loving, sometimes she's not.
sometimes she's insane, sometimes not.
she now loves me but remains feral.
she acts like a pack animal. she likes to be around me. sometimes on top of me, sometimes on the floor near me. or on the back of the couch, watching me.
she has the run of the house n i'm a cat doorman, letting her in n out.
i'm now keeping her in at night because coyotes are most bold then.
not sure i ned worry aboutcoyotes anymore, because big cat probably eats them.
i'll be coming around shortly so you guys can teach me trail cams.
i'm hoping for a black friday sale, but have no idea how they are used.
i just wanna post pics of big cat so somebody can tell me what it is.
i think drifter is hanging out with him, so he doesn't eat house cats.

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susie

Yeah, I was wondering about that big critter you talked about. 40 lbs? Now that's a big cat. If you don't leave enough food out at night that thing might just eat you.

if anyone sees a good sale on trail cams, it would be nice to tell me.
i don't need a great one, just one to use a couple times that i can understand.

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susie

Good grief, susie!!! Sure is a lot of strange goings on out there on the high plains!! We gotta get to the bottom of this!! You need one of those reality TV shows film crews out there..,

I can hardly wait to hear how this turns out...

Keep us in the loop.

Best Regards, Les

__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

suzieqz,

My money is on that big 'un being a bobcat. They are seldom seen critters within their range, and I'd say it would be likely that where you live is in the correct range for a bobcat. Size wise, that could sure be about right. Now I dunno whether bobcats and regular cats can have kits or not. I wouldn't be surprised but maybe not. I also am not surprised that the bobcat would be very interested in the smells and sounds he's been hearing (if it is a he, and it likely is). I'm a bit surprised he was bold enough to come inside and that he didn't scat quick when he saw you. But what drew him inside is a powerful thing, and besides that, he's probably been living right around you for a good while without you ever seeing him or knowing it. Doubt it there is much you can do about it outside of locking your cat up till the period passes. Still no telling what the two cat's relationship might already be! It will be interesting to see what, if anything, transpires!!!

__________________
So long ... Ken

oh, i was sloppy in my language. when i got up, drifter was on the couch. big cat was sitting on top of the a/c that was in a window. if he was inside, i might have panicked n shot him.
it was kinda bob cat ish, but it was definitely grey.
i never heard of a grey bobcat.
i bet i could tame it, but drifter complicates things. no matter how much she eats inside, she figures it's her garden so the food is hers.
i'd like to call BIG CAT SUPPER but if i do that drifter will claw thru the door.
the most endearing thing about her is that she comes to call 100% of the time.
i'm pretty good training dogs, but they don't come every time.maybe 90%.
so, to train big cat, i gotta get around drifter.
she does like me better than him. she spends more time with me, in my comfy house.

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susie

Most of the bobcats I've ever seen in NM tended to be more grey. I've also seen a few that were a bit more brown, but mostly in pictures. I think where they live has something to do with that, but who knows. I still think from the size you describe and the color that you definitely had a bobcat peeking in your window! For me, not really any other logical explanation.

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So long ... Ken

if big cat is a bob cat, i have problems.
his babies will be too big for drifter to easily birth.
also, i intend to keep any kitties.
i know that coyote n wolf crosses tend to be dangerous.
never heard of bobcat crosses.
i like having big cat around.
he will protect drifter from coyotes.
i leave out feed, but he doesn't seem to be here every day.
i won't shoot him unless he attacks.
there is a breed of cat that looks like big cat. it's english short hair.
i can't drag a pic here, but you can see pics online.
the problem is they only go 16 lbs.
plus, they cost $1,000.
not likely to go feral around here.
whatever it is, i think a coyote would decline combat.

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susie

I just asked Google this question.

"Can you breed a house cat with a bobcat?
Attempted or unconfirmed hybrids. Domestic cat × bobcat (Lynx rufus): There are reports of bobcats breeding with domestic cats, but evidence of offspring remains circumstantial and anecdotal. Their interfertility is yet to be proven scientifically."

I tend to believe the above, yet I'd never say never for sure. What I do say fairly certainly (till proven wrong) is that the bobcat certainly might attempt to mate with your cat if she is in heat. She might even allow it. The mating (unless violent) should not harm your cat (if it can actually be done). If she takes exception, she could get mauled.

But if the mating was to be successful, I highly doubt if conception would occur. That would mean there would be no kits to large for birth. No guarantees here, of course, but that's my take on the situation. Absent keeping her locked up till she gets out of the mood is about the only way to prevent any possible attempts.

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So long ... Ken

thanks, kthom. that makes me feel better.
a litter in feburary would be a pain, but no big deal.i don't need many house cats, but i've got lots of room for outside cats.
i justdon't want kittens that would endanger her life delivering.
big cat is solid grey, no spots.
still could be a mutant house cat.
who knows what these critters are doing on the plains, far from human interference. since i have now found 2 cats where there should be none, i'm thinking there is a huge network of cats roaming the plains that are never seen.
an invisible cat community that is reestablishing itself since the drought.
i know they weren't here til this year, because i was shooting a bunny every month, til drifter got here.
or, maybe drifter n big cat.
i know he was around since i found the huge droppings but he may have been here for months prior to that.
i've seenhim twice now, but the food i leave out is not always eaten, suggesting this is just part of his range.

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susie

With no spots, it's certainly possible that your big cat is a BIG feral cat. I agree that due to where you live, it's highly unlikely that it's a visitor from a neighboring homestead. Still, when it comes to animals in heat, I've definitely seen some very interesting events surrounding such. Sometimes a bobcat is not very spotted on the upper parts of the body, but more so on the flanks and underparts. It sure would be interesting to me if you might be able to capture a photo of that critter!

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So long ... Ken

Here's one from Arizona... Most are tan tabby... But this one seems to be sort of gray:



I'll try to find a better picture.

Best Regards, Les

__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

if not for size, i'd know big cat is a house cat.
but i can't be too far off in estimating size.
drifter was standing right in front of him n she'a a normal neurotic kitty
if big cat was a girl, she could easily birth something the size of drifter.
i got this all figured out. as long as drifter isn't preg.
when she goes into heat,
i won't let her out of the house, but i'll take the litter box stuff n scatter it around, so the heat scent is calling him. i'll leave out food n aim a cheap game cam at it. i bet i get a pic where i can measure all the back ground for scale.
the big problem will be getting a pic into my comp n to this site

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susie

If the big kitty is in fact a bobcat, I'd more concerned about him wanting a meal than about him wanting a mate. (Even though I am willing to acknowledge that the stereotypes most women have about most men are at least valid and often understate the case ... predatory wild critters are different.)

I would not be too concerned if there were in fact Bobcat X domestic kittens - it used to be lawful in WA to have a pet bobcat and they were apparently just fine if raised from the start and not taken in from feral. Coydogs/Coywolves are a different problem and can in fact be very dangerous in the wild; dunno about what happens when raised in captivity. There is a blog about an orphan coyote raised from pup-hood; it is different from a dog, but very tame and lives with the owner and her cat.

As I recall, it is possible to breed a Serval with a domestic, but it's not my wheelhouse.

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NHI, 10-8.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

thanks, rusty.
h***zz to you.
drifter has been helping me celebrate, by not being
mean n nasty.
let me tell you, a feral cat that you tame does not stop being feral.
i have known other cats. they act like kitties.
drifter pretends to be civilized, but the wild is always there.
after 4 months of training, she is very confident. she never hides.
now that she never goes hungry, her fear of finding no food is gone n this changes her.
she seems to love me, but is not what i think of as domestic.

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susie

Yes...Happy Birthday, susie!!! As I noted on Snubbyfan's thread, he, you and I share the same birthday, but not, I fear, the same birth year!!

Best Wishes and I hope that you and drifter have a long and happy relationship!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Happy Birthday Susie, Les, and Snubby. Hope this is a good one an next year's is even better.

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Eccentric old coot