Do you remember a recent post where I showed a picture of a Tiny House that was being built locally? Well, I was at a local political function last night and I heard a young man talking about living in a Tiny House and I was intrigued. I introduced myself and asked about it and it turns out he lives in that house! He and his girlfriend built in and they love it. Small world! Maybe someday I can finagle a tour?
This little cat has been hanging around our property. She’s skinny and beautiful and I presumed she was a stray. Don spotted her, too, and I put out a bowl of milk. Then I bought some cat food and put that out. They remained undisturbed. In the meantime, if I came to the front door and she saw me, she started meowing and walked right up the steps in my direction. Or, like in this photo, she immediately knew if I was at the window and, again, walked in my direction, making lots of noise.
So, yesterday, right after I took this photo, I grabbed some food and milk and walked around the side of the house with them. She walked right up to me and was rubbing against my leg, rubbing her body on the grass obsessively…but not at all interested in food. Something was up.
I finally made a sensible move and called my neighbor. When I uttered the words, “There’s this orange tabby cat hanging around our house, have you seen her?” she immediately responded with “Yes, she’s ours.” Ah. A sense of relief – she was being fed and taken care of, especially since I had already been worrying about trying to feed her in the winter – where would she find shelter?
Reminder: I’m allergic to cats.
The problem? She’s in heat. They’ve been trying to get her into the vet but it’s been tricky because her ‘heat’ has been erratic. All I know is that she was either on our porch or sneaking into the corral or right outside the kitchen window, constantly rubbing all day long. And this morning, she’s back again, announcing her presence with a very loud howl.
She’s beautiful, but she’s becoming a wee bit of a pain in the tush. Her name is Amber. As Don says, “Why can’t she be in heat over on their property?” For some reason, she’s picked us.
I worked on the Top Secret Project yesterday, only it’s not quite Top Secret at the moment because I let Don see the basic shape of the dollhouse. But that’s all he’ll be allowed to see. He’s excited.
The basic structure is in place. The walls and opening in the front haven’t been added yet. I was just dry fitting them to see if they would work. I’ll do a bit more today or on the weekend. Don is going away for a singing gig this weekend, so I should have plenty of time to play around with this and start painting the various elements.
Thank you for your wonderful comments yesterday. I take heart that there are so many of us that feel strongly about this issue. I just wish everyone felt that way.
And to close, another bee drinking in the delights of the liatris:
Happy Thursday.
What you’re building a new doll house? I’m excited and can’t wait to see it.
It’s a one room house – a project for Don.
Your visiting kitty is a pretty girl and glad she has a home. OH when in heat they are loud! I’m sure they will get her fixed when they can, meanwhile it would be nice if she returned home! LOL!! The dollhouse is coming along nicely!
hugs,
Linda
I would think they would want her inside – but maybe she is impossible to catch at this point?
Don’t you have cat mint in your garden? Does that attract cats or deter them? I know nothing of this plant. Sweet kitty– hope they’re able to get her in– you may have more hanging around if not!
The tiny house is pretty neat, glad you met the man… Maybe he’d let you photograph it for us! That would be fun.
Oh and you could submit them for publishing… A little freelancing on the side?! Notice how I just took over with my imagination there? It runs away at times like a train… ;)
I think you tiny tiny house for Don is going to be fun for both of you!
We do have catmint, but I don’t think it attracts cats. I just called my neighbor to come get her as another big old male cat was approaching her. For now, she’s in their house.
Maybe since they caught her, they will get her to the vet to be spayed. We are overrun in the summertime with the neighborhood cats. Our silly old male cat loves kittens and brings them home with him! Strange fellow, our Mojo!
Well, they will likely have a batch of kittens soon. The world doesn’t need more kittens…there are more than enough rescue kittens already. If she comes up to you rubbing your legs she shouldn’t be that hard to catch. I think they are being irresponsible about this…..one of my pet peeves. Unless they just got this cat recently there is no excuse not to have gotten her spayed.
Its fun to see your project taking shape.
You’ll get no argument from me on that one. I don’t even think cats should be allowed outside! We’re on a busy road here. There are predators. The cats kill birds. It’s endless. I just had to call her because Don saw another cat approaching her. Then I had to keep watch on her until my neighbor came over and got her. Oy.
Oh Claudia. I have a neighbor who are actually ones that we call friends. They have two cats that are just absolute sweethearts. They leave those cats outside all of the time. In the horrid heat. In the freezing cold. It makes me furious with them.
They moved into our neighborhood about five years ago with four cats. Well guess what has happened to the other two cats? Those beautiful, sweet cats have lost their lives because of their irresponsible parents. And yes you are their parents. If you choose to bring a pet into your lives you ARE their parents. Accept that responsibility or don’t bring them into your lives.
I have made comments to them before about their being out all of the time. The last cat they lost just last Fall was due to a coyote that had been in our neighborhood. And would you believe after that attack and loss they still put the other two back outside?! Oh dear Lord it makes me so furious I can hardly stand it.
I’m sorry to rant but this is just one of the things I cannot bear. So many pets are mistreated and just left outside. Here in this horrible 110 heat we are having right now. It breaks my heart and just makes me livid.
I apologize again for the rant. I wish I could save them all but it’s just not realistic. We have rescued so many animals here that I cannot even begin to give you a number.
I hope you and yours have a blessed day!
I agree. I don’t understand it. My neighbors are nice people, but leaving the cats outside? Insane. Especially since they’ve had at least one hit by a car.
Try not to be too hard on those of us who have outside cats. My Mojo absolutely will fight tooth and nail to NOT be brought inside. He hates being inside; he will yowl and scream and claw the door to be outside. We do, however, provide him food, water, and shelter in our big barn shed that we leave open at all times for him. He has a couple of entrances/exits so that he never feels hemmed in. He is the only cat I have ever had that simply refused the comforts of home and hearth.
not sure if anyone mentioned it, but milk is not at all good for cats, it’s hard for them to digest…just fyi…
Hope your neighbors can catch her and get her fixed. Otherwise, kittens in your garden? Have fun this weekend with your build. Do you have written plans hidden away or are they all in your head?
Oh, no there are plans! I’m not talented enough to construct a house on my own!
I don’t construct, but I do love sewing purses and wallets and tote bags with lots of pockets. Even though there are tutorials and patterns out there, I always am tweaking or making up my own patterns, and love nothing better than to get out my graph paper, rulers and pencils. Sometimes I love the designing aspect more than the sewing aspect…
Good for you, Wendy!
Why in the world would your neighbors let their cat outside – much less when she’s in heat?! Aaack, people! Just FYI for the future – if you ever see another stray cat on your property – don’t give them milk. It makes them very sick, as they are lactose intolerant!
You’re building a new dollhouse? Wow, you are very talented! :-)
I don’t get it either. I never have. Thanks for the tip about milk – not being a cat owner, I didn’t know!
Just what you don’t need…a kitty in heat! We let our cat out on our deck…but it is a two-story deck….and he’s under adult supervision the entire time! And he’s fixed! Bowser enjoys his outdoor time…he likes to smell the flowers! Looks like your ” project” is coming along…I would imagine it’s difficult to keep it a total secret! ;)
If he’s under adult supervision…perfect. Unfortunately, our neighbors let them roam. They also kill birds, which makes me very angry!
Not a good idea to let critters roam. We have had a lot of coyotes around our area. Just lately there were two shelties (Misty and Teddy) missing for almost a week that had gotten loose and not familiar with the area. Misty was found Monday at a house and had been attacked, not in good shape and Teddy was finally found I believe it was Tuesday but not harmed. Misty is hanging in there and has had one of many operations. We get updates on our Damascus Md. lost and found pets fb page. All prayers are welcome. It is so scary. Can’t wait to see Don’s studio. I know it is going to be great! Have a great day!
hugs
Prayers are being sent to Misty. How awful. I keep an eagle eye on Scout when she’s outside. I’ve always done that with all my dogs – and they are always in an enclosed area. But here in the country, that could still be dangerous. So we watch her do her thing and get her back inside.
Yes, I know it’s not this way with every pet owner, but in all the years I’ve had dogs, they’re never out without supervision, even in a fenced yard. One time, right in front of me, my dog got her head stuck between fence slats; it was a horrifying situation because she went into a panic and her companion dog began to attack her. I felt like I was in an alternate universe til I could release her head and get the other dog off of her…and they loved each other but, you know, they’re still animals, they can’t reason like a human and I don’t know what kicks in with certain instincts/scenarios. Also, they seem to always find some gnarly thing to eat in the yard which can then upset their tummies.
When I was new to dog caring/keeping as an adult…Mom and Dad had always done that when I was a kid…I didn’t anticipate things which could go wrong with our three dogs; I was inexperienced. We were newlyweds with a big corner lot in a housing tract, all fenced in. Our dogs were house dogs but I left them out while we were both at work all day. Can’t believe now I did that (young and stupid/naive) but, you know, you learn; it had all seemed safe. We’d just moved in; I thought we lived in a pretty decent neighborhood. I couldn’t figure out why one dog’s nose was injured…until a neighbor thankfully came over, introduced herself and said that kids were poking the dog with sticks where he’d push his nose thru a small hole in the base of the fence when they were walking home from school. She hadn’t at first realized what they were doing; I mean, you don’t expect it. He was a gentle, sweet soul; loved children and was just trying to say hello. I asked her if my dogs were barking at the kids (although that was neither here nor there), and she said ‘no.’ I was furious. We obviously went over the fence with a fine-toothed comb afterward…and I never left any dog of mine out ever again. I worked in another town, would race home on my lunch hour to let them out to peepee, then race back to work with not a minute to spare. And I did that with any job in any place we ever lived thereafter. Some people have the philosophy that a dog is there to protect people but I learned the hard way that you have an obligation as a person to also protect the dog. Or any animal. In fact, I had an Animal Control Officer tell me something similar…that, yes, it’s their official job to protect people from animals but, often as not, they also wind up protecting animals from people.
I agree. Too many things can happen to dogs and cats (or any pet) when they’re unsupervised. They depend on us for their security and safety. I wish everyone felt that way!
Seriously?? “We can’t catch her”?? Unreal. That makes me absolutely crazy. So many cats in shelters and too many being put to sleep….and people still let their cats out to roam like that. I wish someone could explain the WHY of that to me. And people who leave their dogs out in the elements….I can’t even start on that. If you are a pet owner, then please act like one. It isn’t a part-time job from which you can simply check in and out when it is convenient. ugh.
Well, I had to call over there this morning, because Don saw a male cat headed toward her (she was on our porch.) I shooed him away, and he came back again, so I called next door and told them what was happening and then I proceeded to keep her on the porch until they could come over and get her and take her inside.
The darned male cat came back twice calling for her.
Yikes.
And yes, to everything you said. I agree. I’ve never understood it. If you’re going to have a pet keep them indoors. They’re a PET. Not something to keep outside, away from the family.
Oh Claudia I couldn’t agree more. Kitties belong indoors. I know many don’t agree but if you let a cat outside it should be neutered is my belief. My kitty is neutered and indoors
You are so kind to be concerned about her!
I am so excited to see what you do with the surprise
I ordered my first piece of furniture online a couple days ago. For now I have a half scale house so the furniture and accessories are harder to find. I sure am having fun searching out the list you gave us though.
Hope Scout is feeling better today. You all take care
Yes, half scale pieces are definitely harder to find – but the houses take up much less space! Good luck, Sue!
Claudia its been a long time since I’ve left a comment and I haven’t read your blog every day like before but play catch up when I can . Like you, sometimes I go into a tailspin when sad things happen. The aunt my husband and I helped care for passed away 2 months ago. Then a beloved church friend, a precious 76 yr old lady, was run over in the grocery store parking lot crosswalk and passed away. It’s been rough but hopefully things will stay calm for awhile. Hope you have a great day!
Janie, I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your aunt. I know how much you loved her and how devoted you and your husband were to her. And then, to lost a beloved friend, as well – dear friend, please accept my sympathy. Sending you a big hug. xo
I agree so much with all of the ladies above..She is a beautiful kitty..Female orange tabby cats are rare…it’s a genetic thing…Melanie is right…cats are lactose intolerant…Catnip and catmint are in the same family..from my observations cats do like catmint..I gave up planting it because I would find it rolled in and chewed on..I have one cat that I take into the garden with me at times..she loves to smell everything…she would also roll in it and eat it…Unfortunately..your neighbor kitty is probably already pregnant…male cats can smell females in heat for miles…a cat’s sense of smell is fourteen times stronger than a human’s..There are so so many kittens and older cats in shelters….If you can’t afford to have a pet fixed..please don’t get one…If you can’t give your love to a pet for a lifetime..Please don’t get one..OK…I got that off my chest now…I am so much looking forward to seeing the progression of Don’s mini studio…I hope you get a picture of him when you give him the finished product…Happy creating Claudia!
This cat has never been in the catmint, that I can tell. I’ve found her in the daylilies, but not in the catmint!
I hope the heat ends soon so that they can take her to the vet and have it taken care of. Why they didn’t do it earlier, I have no way of knowing.
Yes..you would know if she was in the catmint for sure…..some cats are not affected by catnip or mint…she could be one of them…all types of lilies are very poisonous to cats…maybe if you tell them that fact and that you have seen her in the lilies they will keep her home…poor little girl….
A female in heat can be spayed but it is more dangerous. The owners of this cat should keep her inside (it may be a challenge- she will want to get out) until this cycle is over and then take her immediately to the vet. I zero tolerance for irresponsible pet parents who contribute to over population of pets.
I’m sure she’ll want to get out, but they’ll have to deal with that! If I see her again, I’m going to call them again. That male cat is just lying in wait…
Nothing worse than a cat in heat! Well except when they are mating…sounds like something being killed. I hear them in the woods behind my house sometimes…..pretty startling. Hopefully they will take her in and get her fixed….poor kitty, she can’t help herself. My vet won’t neuter or spay until the animal goes thru it’s first cycle, and since she looks so young maybe this is her first and she escaped to answer natures call.
I was going to tell you about milk being bad for cats/dogs but see that someone already mentioned it.
Love seeing your new build….make sure you keep sharing pictures of it for us!
I’m like you – highly allergic to cats. So, I totally understand. They are pretty – I just don’t want them touching me. Things are busy here so I haven’t been around blogs much lately. But, things are beginning to wind down.
Have a great weekend dear friend.
Judy
There is a cat the same color that roams my backyard too. It has a collar on so belongs to someone. I worry about her getting any of the baby bunnies next door.