On the nature of loss. Back in August we had to lay to rest, our cat, Drusilla. She was 16 and had led a satisfying, secure, and adventurous life. For 16 years she lived with us, walked beside us and fulfilled her role admirably. Dru was never a cuddly kitty. She was often cranky and demanding, sometimes... scratchy and bitey. We had to warn visitors not to 'pet' her when she appeared and purred at them while rubbing herself on their legs and giving them her 'come hither' big eyes. "Its a trap!" we would exclaim as they would attempt to reciprocate her 'affection'. Those who heeded our warnings were safe , those who did not... required topical antibiotic cream and bandaids. Her tolerance of other people in her space was limited. Her tolerance of other animals ...zero. Even though I told him not too, one of the neighbors brought his well trained Lab to the house for a visit. Drusilla tolerated that for all of five minutes before she sliced his nose open. Dogs , other cats, random visitors, rats, mice, birds...she was deadly.
When the gods deposited a second cat in our lives ( a teeny weeny 4 week old, abandoned baby of a feral wood cat) , I was determined that he would be a sweet , gentle addition to our household. He is. He is gentle and kind . He is sweet beyond words. He is the best companion any one could ever hope for. There is not a violent bone in his body. We socialized all the predator out of him. And... he is useless. Let me explain.
Our Drusilla passed in the middle of August. Over the holidays I discovered mice had moved in under the kitchen stove and had used the insulation from said stove to build a lovely soft bed in preparation for starting a family. It was quite the mouse mcmansion and I was horrified. I spent one entire day stripping and sterilizing the stove and the rest of the kitchen. I pulled everything from every cabinet looking for mouse sign. I didn't find any sign of vermin activity anywhere except under the nice warm stove but, I scrubbed everything anyway. I put out those boxy, safety mouse traps and waited. Two nights later I finally heard the snap. I looked over at the sweetest cat in the world who was completely unconcerned and content to keep dozing on the couch. He barely acknowledged the snapping of the trap. That kind of S#%* would never be tolerated on Drusillas watch.
I will be buying a new stove this week or next. I was already looking at replacing the ancient appliance, that came with the house, sometime over 2017. The discovery that the insulation has been disturbed and some of it removed has simply moved the timeline up...considerably.
Along with the new stove I will looking for a new cat. The sweet cat gets to stay but he will have to accept a new addition. Because we live on a swamp, out in the woods (sort of) we are always going to be challenged with keeping vermin out of the house and barn. I will be keeping an eye on the spring crop of kittens. I will not be looking for a sweet cuddly companion. I will be looking for a rowdy, scratchy, bitey, killing machine. The first female badass, bad attitude, warrior queen that crosses my path will get a grateful forever home with me. She doesn't need to love me. She just needs to do her job.
And before you get all animal rights, no animal slavery ....on me. Every soul on the property has a job. No one gets a free ride. Jimmy and I pay the mortgage, the chickens lay eggs, the duck decimates the slugs so the lettuce will grow unimpeded, the sweet cat is the mediator and the dog is in charge of security. Everyone contributes in exchange for food and nice warm shelter.
When the gods deposited a second cat in our lives ( a teeny weeny 4 week old, abandoned baby of a feral wood cat) , I was determined that he would be a sweet , gentle addition to our household. He is. He is gentle and kind . He is sweet beyond words. He is the best companion any one could ever hope for. There is not a violent bone in his body. We socialized all the predator out of him. And... he is useless. Let me explain.
Our Drusilla passed in the middle of August. Over the holidays I discovered mice had moved in under the kitchen stove and had used the insulation from said stove to build a lovely soft bed in preparation for starting a family. It was quite the mouse mcmansion and I was horrified. I spent one entire day stripping and sterilizing the stove and the rest of the kitchen. I pulled everything from every cabinet looking for mouse sign. I didn't find any sign of vermin activity anywhere except under the nice warm stove but, I scrubbed everything anyway. I put out those boxy, safety mouse traps and waited. Two nights later I finally heard the snap. I looked over at the sweetest cat in the world who was completely unconcerned and content to keep dozing on the couch. He barely acknowledged the snapping of the trap. That kind of S#%* would never be tolerated on Drusillas watch.
I will be buying a new stove this week or next. I was already looking at replacing the ancient appliance, that came with the house, sometime over 2017. The discovery that the insulation has been disturbed and some of it removed has simply moved the timeline up...considerably.
Along with the new stove I will looking for a new cat. The sweet cat gets to stay but he will have to accept a new addition. Because we live on a swamp, out in the woods (sort of) we are always going to be challenged with keeping vermin out of the house and barn. I will be keeping an eye on the spring crop of kittens. I will not be looking for a sweet cuddly companion. I will be looking for a rowdy, scratchy, bitey, killing machine. The first female badass, bad attitude, warrior queen that crosses my path will get a grateful forever home with me. She doesn't need to love me. She just needs to do her job.
And before you get all animal rights, no animal slavery ....on me. Every soul on the property has a job. No one gets a free ride. Jimmy and I pay the mortgage, the chickens lay eggs, the duck decimates the slugs so the lettuce will grow unimpeded, the sweet cat is the mediator and the dog is in charge of security. Everyone contributes in exchange for food and nice warm shelter.
