Letting the Cat Out of the Bag
May 15, 2012 
Due to a recent influx of mice around our farm -- probably due to the mild winter we had -- we decided that it was time to let our cats, Charlotte and Paula Deen, become 'outdoor girls'. This is not without a little bit of angst, as we do like our cats, and allowing them a life of adventure and intrigue in the great outdoors may very well put them on the fast track to an early demise, but duty calls. There are mice to be annihilated.
And anyway, shouldn't they be allowed to live their little kitty lives to the fullest?
Yet it's a real possibility that a 'full' life may also end up being a shorter life. There are many perils for an unsuspecting kitty here on the farm, mostly in the form of vehicles both here on our yard, and speeding down our gravel road. And then, there's this...
When I look at this photo, I can't help but think it should be titled 'Death Becomes Her'.
Even though Burley has accepted Charlotte and Paula Deen as part of his pack when they are inside the confines of the house together, he is very conflicted when he sees them outside. He is conflicted because his usual m.o. is to kill any cats that have the misfortune of wandering onto our farm. Even though he knows he's not supposed to kill these cats, he can't help but stalk them intensely, no doubt hoping they will take off running, or lash out and scratch him, giving him an excuse to unleash his farm dog fury.
So right now we're maintaining a delicate balance, and it hasn't been without some strategic planning. Last night, the first time we let the cats out, we made sure to only have Burley loose, and put Henry in the kennel, because they're more likely to go into 'hunt' and 'kill' mode if they feed off one another's energy. We also let the cats out in the heat of the late afternoon, when Burley was feeling quite lethargic.
It worked out pretty well...
...although we're not out of the woods yet.
I'm not entirely convinced, however, that our cats are going to do their job. They seem to be in the same mindset as the goats when it comes to their farm duties. They spent most of their time laying under the truck...
On top of the truck...
And inside the truck...
I'm thinking about hiring a seeing-eye dog to come here and give our farm animals a motivational seminar on what it means to have a purpose in life.
Burley may be a bit aggressive in his approach, but at least he sets goals and achieves them.
So, that's what's going on with our cats these days.
And, speaking of letting the cat out of the bag...
I'm pregnant.
Have a nice day!
Reader Comments (2)
Holy smokes!!!! Congratulations!!!!!! I am so thrilled for you! *happy dancing* You sure did catch me by surprise with that one... hahaha!
AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so excited for you!!!!!
Congrats on being pregnant!
You are the best little mommy.
While your busy making lungs and brain cells and stuff, you should probably train the kitties to get out of the drivers seat and start micing.