MY GARDEN IS PROTECTED !

[Redbert31]

I think it would be a good idea (neutering drifter- )there are "blanks" available for every caliber for dry firing and nothing comes out of your gun) you also could make noise box by putting coins in a metal box and shaking it and throwing on floor near whoever you want to chase away... Neutering for all of them... First heat is about 6 months, maybe sooner and males spray, which makes a permanent nasty smell wherever it hits. I've never had an intact male past 6 months so I'm not sure when that starts but I think it's about the same time (6 months) See if you can have them done at the same time because then you will have all quietly recovering at the same time. They will be low key for a couple days then back to normal. Keep indoors for a week so they're not splitting their stitches.. See if your vet will give you a "package deal" That way the males won't impregnate the females. Good luck but at least do drifter first. I think she has to not be in heat at the time because her "lady parts" get engorged with blood in heat and you don't want excessive bleeding. If you neuter the kits separately you have to worry about drifter and the others going outside to look for whoever is at the vet.

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road, i haven't seen big cat in a month.
i think he won't come near a house unless the scent of a female calls him.
that means i'll see him soon.
DRIFTER IS IN HEAT!
i can't stand this. she wants out n she's very fast.
somehow, i have to keep her in for 6 days.
i can lock her in a room once, but she is a fast learner n this won't work twice.
can i make a blank out of a 22lr?
noise would drive her from the door.
i'm rethinking spaying for drifter.
somehow, it seems wrong for a wild animal.

natayo may be a boy. he likes climbing up under my skirt.
not just skirts tho. right now, he's under the comforter next to my shins.
his sibs are on top of the comforter jumping on him.
they want to get him out but won't chase him under his cover, so they pounce on him as he bites my legs.
he gets kicked when it hurts but doesn't seem to mind.

i find their relationships interesting. if you saw them fight, you'd think them bitter enemies.
they bite n scratch n seem to be trying to kill each other.
but, when they get sleepy, they all cuddle up to each other.
they act like pack animals.
it would feel like a betrayal, but this is not for my convenience.
i just don't want her to endure another pregnancy.

I think it would be a good idea (neutering drifter-)there are "blanks" available for every caliber for dry firing and nothing comes out of your gun) you also could make noise box by putting coins in a metal box and shaking it hard and throwing on floor near whoever you want to chase away... Neutering for all of them... First heat is about 6 months, maybe sooner and males spray, which makes a permanent nasty smell wherever it hits. I've never had an intact male past 6 months so I'm not sure when that starts but I think it's about the same time (6 months) See if you can have them done at the same time because then you will have all quietly recovering at the same time. They will be low key for a couple days then back to normal. Keep indoors for a week so they're not splitting their stitches.. See if your vet will give you a "package deal" That way the males won't impregnate the females. Good luck but at least do drifter first. I think she has to not be in heat at the time because her "lady parts" get engorged with blood in heat and you don't want excessive bleeding. If you neuter the kits separately you have to worry about drifter and the others going outside to look for whoever is at the vet.

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Good luck!

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[Redbert31]

since i can't keep kits off my bed, i decided to use them as warmers.
i wanted a nap, so i shoved them aside , laid down n pulled them to my chest. they sleep in a pile of squirmy kits, so gentle movements don't wake them.
i woke when they got restive. two were still snuggled to my front, one was on my hip n one was between my legs.
this is what happens when they sleep with drifter, proving the kits see no difference between us.
i've managed to keep drifter in another day, but it's hard. she wants to find a tom.
i'm glad i'm not a cat. i've been in heat n, mostly it just lends a certain urgency to my actions.
but it looks like drifter hurts..
she needs sex very badly n it looks like it's more than just uncomfy.

It doesn't hurt, just the urgency of desire that nature gives animals to ensure the continuing of the species. Don't feel sorry for her, because 1 mating will produce a pregnancy for sure. And then you'll have to start over again! And a male will surely find her!

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[susieqz]

i can outsmart drifter.
it wasn't sure that i could.
living in the wild for most of her life has not only made her very fast, she's cunning.
she won't respond to NO, when faced with a species survival imperative.

now, i have a vacuum next to all doors leading out.
i turn them on, she flees n i can go out.

i sure wish cats were like dogs. i've never known a dog to go into heat more than once/6 months.
at that rate, i could just keep her in, but it seems like she gets horny all the time. sooner or later i'll make a mistake n she'll get preg.
i hate to do something irriversable.
i have no idea what mortality rate to expect.
i'm teaching SUPPERTIME KITTY, so i may be able to get them in for nights which reduces coyote problems.
i can put up with them living indoors at night.
as long as they go potty outdoors mostly, it won't be the work it is now.

i'm trying not to love them but i do. if they die i'll be crushed, plus i won't get the vermin patrols i want.
but, they may die. if drifter is fixed, there will be no replacements.
we already know drifter will not allow other cats to be fed here.
i think, if it's her own kits, she will allow me to feed them n even allow them in the house.
she is in charge of what cats live here, so my choices are limited.

 

[Warren Sear]

i can outsmart drifter.
it wasn't sure that i could.
living in the wild for most of her life has not only made her very fast, she's cunning.
she won't respond to NO, when faced with a species survival imperative.

now, i have a vacuum next to all doors leading out.
i turn them on, she flees n i can go out.

i sure wish cats were like dogs. i've never known a dog to go into heat more than once/6 months.
at that rate, i could just keep her in, but it seems like she gets horny all the time. sooner or later i'll make a mistake n she'll get preg.
i hate to do something irriversable.
i have no idea what mortality rate to expect.
i'm teaching SUPPERTIME KITTY, so i may be able to get them in for nights which reduces coyote problems.
i can put up with them living indoors at night.
as long as they go potty outdoors mostly, it won't be the work it is now.

i'm trying not to love them but i do. if they die i'll be crushed, plus i won't get the vermin patrols i want.
but, they may die. if drifter is fixed, there will be no replacements.
we already know drifter will not allow other cats to be fed here.
i think, if it's her own kits, she will allow me to feed them n even allow them in the house.
she is in charge of what cats live here, so my choices are limited.

It seems like only a short time ago you were wondering how you might be able to get some cats! Now this! Feast or famine, as they say!

I have had 7 dogs, and had to bury 6 (so far). All of them were "used dogs" when I got them, but all of them needed a home. One only lived for a year and three fourths after I got her. I am not the least bit ashamed to say I cried like a baby for each one when they died, but never did I regret having them. Every day with them was a small slice of heaven for me, and if I could have only had them for a day I would still have taken them.

So what I an advising, is to not be afraid to love those cats! They will die; that much we know. Enjoy them while you can.

 

[snubbyfan]

Susie,
We usta use a device called a "Doggie Dazer" it's an ultrasonic dog deterrent that works on cats too. It fits in a pocket.
Natayo was a feral cat and loves laying in an open window but in the winter all the windows stayed closed. He'd start banging on the bedroom window in the middle of the night. All it took was one quick daze and he'd stop. Eventually, all we'd have to do is show it to him.
Amazon has them for $26.95 free shipping.

 

[susieqz]

i dunno about that thing, snub. it sounds appealing but reviews are VERY mixed.
these guys are running into tons of money so i gotta be careful.

 

[Redbert31]

i can outsmart drifter.
it wasn't sure that i could.
living in the wild for most of her life has not only made her very fast, she's cunning.
she won't respond to NO, when faced with a species survival imperative.

now, i have a vacuum next to all doors leading out.
i turn them on, she flees n i can go out.

i sure wish cats were like dogs. i've never known a dog to go into heat more than once/6 months.
at that rate, i could just keep her in, but it seems like she gets horny all the time. sooner or later i'll make a mistake n she'll get preg.
i hate to do something irriversable.
i have no idea what mortality rate to expect.
i'm teaching SUPPERTIME KITTY, so i may be able to get them in for nights which reduces coyote problems.
i can put up with them living indoors at night.
as long as they go potty outdoors mostly, it won't be the work it is now.

i'm trying not to love them but i do. if they die i'll be crushed, plus i won't get the vermin patrols i want.
but, they may die. if drifter is fixed, there will be no replacements.
we already know drifter will not allow other cats to be fed here.
i think, if it's her own kits, she will allow me to feed them n even allow them in the house.
she is in charge of what cats live here, so my choices are limited.

The surgery is very safe and every vet does it. The alternative is maybe keep one male and female kitty intact to breed... The two that are the most like drifter in nature and let them have one litter. Drifter will probably help the new mom train the next generation and it should work out but you don't want drifter going out searching for males now. I bet your vet could answer a lot of questions that I can't based on gene pool and whether drifter would guard the new generation. Are you sure you want more right now? I'm not sure it's really good for brothers and sisters to mate either. les b. may have good input because he knows a lot about cats also.. The bigger difference in the gene pool, the more healthy the new litter will be. Or you could get one new kitten about the same age as the kits and bring it home. As long as you add a newcomer as a young animal, it is unlikely that it will be hurt. Before bringing it in rub it's fur with a towel that drifter and her kits have slept on so it smells like family and it should blunt any aggression. Scenting is very important. Then neuter everyone. You should have enough with 6 cats to protect your garden without creating another herd. Periodically you could add another one if it comes up. I like the vacuum idea... Clever!

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[susieqz]

KIT B DAY #9
the kits started as infants, went to toddlers, then little ones.
this week they are clearly teens. they are long n lean n look like the predators they are.
they are fed all they can eat but are losing the baby fat.
you would not want natayo around if she weighed 50 lbs.
she just looks like a killer.

emotionally they have also changed.
they have been handled lots, as training,
but they used to just put up with it.
for the first time, they can enjoy being cuddled, sometimes even purring.
this is pleasant.

the work involved with these kits is not pleasant.
there is constant clean up, but i expected that.
far worse is cleaning litter boxes.
i have 3 big ones n 2 small.
this takes lots of time plus it hurts my back.
i didn't even worry about this. usually, drifter maybe pees once a night. she uses the garden for everything else.
she has been in heat the last 4 days, so i'm keeping her in, forcing her to go inside.
that by itself would be no problem but kits that eat all the time generate lots of waste'
i no longer want any house cats.
indoor/outdoor is the only way.

one hears of crazy cat ladies that have 10-12 indoor cats.
they must have lots of energy because that's a full time job.
litter comes in 40 lb sacks, which are heavy for me.
as soon as drifter is out of heat, the bunch of them will start spending
hours every day outside.
i can't let them out without drifter, because she can protect them better than my gun n i can.
she doesn't care about the size of a threat to her kits.
she will launch herself at anyone who comes near.
stripes is still around n weighs 15 lbs at least, but would have no chance against little drifter.

the problems will only arise when they start scaling the fence.
she can't be everywhere.

 

[Engineer1911]

There is kitty litter that is "Light" or "Lite". It says so on big bold letters on the box. I don't know what is missing, but the stuff works great. Regular litter is ~40#, but the light box only weighs ~18# and has same volume of litter.

Most brands come regular or light in the store. I just scooped out the clumps and added some fresh. If it didn't clump, it didn't get wet.

 

[susieqz]

thanks tons. i'm ordering lite instantly to see if they use it.
when i was 18, 40 lbs would have been nothing, but now it's a pain. heck, i wouldn't be shooting if i couldn't buy online.
i order 5.000 rounds or more. then i open the box where fed ex left it n move it to the house in several trips.

 

[susieqz]

i wanna take a shower, but there is a kit sleeping on my hip n another on my knee, so i can't move.
so i thot i'd confirm something i read but didn't believe.
it is said that female cats can get preg by more than one boy at a time.
it looks like that's true.
i always knew i had 2 sets of twins, but i thot that was just chance.
bear n his bro are all grey, with black spots under.
natayo n her sis have white socks, tummies, chests n have white facial markings.
i can tell everybody apart, but i doubt others could.
this week they have become teens n now i'm sure we have 2 different dads.
the bear tribe are stocky n clumsy. i suspect they will be huge.
the natayos are long thin n very athletic. they have a very predatory look.
these 2 types are so different that if you saw them you would think 2 different moms were involved, but it's just drifter.
they all look like cats, but completely different breeds.
it now looks like big cat n stripes are the ones i should be going after for paternity tests n child support, but drifter isn't talking.

 

[Engineer1911]

Quit complaining, you are not the unwed mother. You are the well-blessed kitty grandmother.

 

[susieqz]

i've kept these guys too long. i don't know how i can let any go.
no matter what i think, they think i'm family.
we are one.
that said, i whacked natayo today. i was cleaning a box n she bit me harder than any dog or cat ever has before.
she drew blood n it really hurt so i thumped her on the nose without thinking.
they are not safe from my reflex actions.

 

[Redbert31]

KIT B DAY #9
the kits started as infants, went to toddlers, then little ones.
this week they are clearly teens. they are long n lean n look like the predators they are.
they are fed all they can eat but are losing the baby fat.
you would not want natayo around if she weighed 50 lbs.
she just looks like a killer.

emotionally they have also changed.
they have been handled lots, as training,
but they used to just put up with it.
for the first time, they can enjoy being cuddled, sometimes even purring.
this is pleasant.

the work involved with these kits is not pleasant.
there is constant clean up, but i expected that.
far worse is cleaning litter boxes.
i have 3 big ones n 2 small.
this takes lots of time plus it hurts my back.
i didn't even worry about this. usually, drifter maybe pees once a night. she uses the garden for everything else.
she has been in heat the last 4 days, so i'm keeping her in, forcing her to go inside.
that by itself would be no problem but kits that eat all the time generate lots of waste'
i no longer want any house cats.
indoor/outdoor is the only way.

one hears of crazy cat ladies that have 10-12 indoor cats.
they must have lots of energy because that's a full time job.
litter comes in 40 lb sacks, which are heavy for me.
as soon as drifter is out of heat, the bunch of them will start spending
hours every day outside.
i can't let them out without drifter, because she can protect them better than my gun n i can.
she doesn't care about the size of a threat to her kits.
she will launch herself at anyone who comes near.
stripes is still around n weighs 15 lbs at least, but would have no chance against little drifter.

the problems will only arise when they start scaling the fence.
she can't be everywhere.

How old are the kits now? If they're fertile, "teenage look" could be a tip off. You may want to wait till they're neutered before there's a chance that they'll go past the fence. Drifter can't protect from that because the moment they go into heat they'll "want" that! There is a new light weight litter that is much better for your back. Also with litter, the more you scoop, the less you have to do a full box change. Just top it off when you scoop. There is a brand called "ever clean" that if you scoop regularly and top off you may get up to a month of use out of a litter change. A little more expensive but oh so worth it. I had 4 kitties when I found that brand and stayed with it as long as I had kitties. I miss mine a lot but I've got dogs now and one just had herniated disc surgery, so he'll keep me busy for the next few months going to PT. There's a company called "chewy" that delivers animal food and litter and stuff right to your door. I'll look up their website so you can see if they deliver to your neck of the woods. There are sometimes 15% coupons that get sent to your house! There's also a litter called "slide" that allows used litter to slide out of the litter box like Teflon! That's a great feature if you've got 5 boxes. You are doing the right thing by having that many boxes. Keep them at least halfway up to the top with fresh litter topped off. Litter boxes are a pain, but a necessary evil if you want to keep your house fresh. Good luck [emoji2] You can pm me if you have any ?s

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[Redbert31]

Susieqz, I have chewy's phone# (800) 672-4399. If you want the coupon for$15 off, pm me your address (and your name) and I will mail it to you.. You will need the code for checkout if you do it online... Actually I don't think you need the actual coupon just the code. Anyway pm me if you want it. You have to buy$49 or more and you get$15 off which is almost 30% it is good till 5/31/18 and it's for new customers also it is free 1-2 day shipping. You will need the code when you place your order.

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[sousana]

What you need to do is PM me your home address and I will come out and protect your fig tree from all other poachers.

 

[susieqz]

bert, pm sent. i could use 15% off.
sous, in fall i can send you cuttings so you can grow your own figs.
since figs don't ship well, growing your own, in ots or tress, works best.

 

[Redbert31]

bert, pm sent. i could use 15% off.
sous, in fall i can send you cuttings so you can grow your own figs.
since figs don't ship well, growing your own, in ots or tress, works best.

Would the figs grow in CT? Send me some too[emoji176]. Somehow I got your PM and I can't make your screen name stay in the line where it should so I'll send you a pic of the coupon front and back. I presume we don't have to worry about someone else using this code because it should only work once.. And that's Logan, my Papillon.

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Oh and it's actually $15 off of a $49 order. So that's even better

 

[Redbert31]

PS Papillons get along with cats as a breed characteristic according to a friend who helped me choose the breed when I had 4 grown kitties. I had lost Bailey, my lab mix, to cancer 11 years ago. I have an other Papillon, Jackson who is 11 and a wonderful cat buddy. I recently lost the last of my 4 kitties after a very long and beloved life. She was in her twenties.

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[susieqz]

papillons are beautiful.
i was brushing a kit. drifter thot i was attacking it, even tho she gets brushed every day.
she actually scratched me on purpose.
she is now hiding somewhere.
i threw the brush at her, but would do more if i see her.