Buddy in the brush
As soon as I get up in the morning, if it is light out, Buddy goes outside for his morning hunt. He stayed out a long time one morning last week. I was already upstairs doing chores when he returned. I found him eating something on the kitchen floor, making a mess. John explained the mess to me. Don't read any further if you are squeamish. I'm not especially squeamish about cat hunts, but this story was just outrageous.
Buddy found a nest of newborn mice. They were perhaps an inch long without any fur. Apparently he gathered up a mouthful of them and proudly brought them home, as he does with many of his kills. He came into the kitchen, making his proud hunter yowl, because John was there. (Remember: we keep the doors open when it is daylight so that we aren't the cat door openers.) Buddy dropped his mouthful of still living baby mice on the kitchen floor, got his praise from John, and settled down to eat them all up. He was on his last bite when I entered the room, heard the story, began to gag, and quickly left. It was over twenty-four hours before I was able to put the situation in the proper perspective and could be affectionate with Buddy again.
It's that mother / baby thing that got to me. I visualized the mother mouse grieving over her lost pinkies (that is what baby mice are called) and identified way too much with the entire situation.
Buddy and I are tight again and he continues to accompany me wherever I go, whatever I do.
_/\_/\_
I completely understand! My cat is always bringing in animals, mostly birds that are still alive but have been wounded. It completely breaks my heart seeing these baby animals like this. I try to keep in mind that it is the natural life cycle and also that my kitty is just trying to please me, but it can be hard! That is such a cute picture!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa Steffes- CoolProducts.com
Thank you, Alyssa. Yes, Buddy looks so sweet in this photograph. Deception in photography. John was saying that baby mice must be the ultimate in kitty gourmet food. Sort of like veal is to us. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteAww, luckily I've never had to see my kitty bring in baby mice (knock on wood). When he brings in birds it is still a big deal, so hard to catch a flying bird!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa Steffes- CoolProducts.com
A nice story you wrote, Andrée, even if it is a little gory. Amber, our cat is an inside cat because our duaghter had her front claws clipped. Last night she sneaked outside when Adi (beagle dog) came in and left the door open.
ReplyDeleteKatrin, the toy poodle, is the problem at our house. I didn't take a picture but she made a mess out of my 'junk corner' looking for candy.
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Happy Tau-Day! The link below goes to my attempt at writing a math poem. Now I don't know what to do with it. ;) I posted a link on OSI so far.
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Yikes, Jim! How did it get to be June 28 already! I just got it up and I thank you for reminding me. And I also see that I have to re-link the photo for this post! I'm sighing deeply.
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