Monday, September 28, 2020

Day 272 : Mandala VI

 

Day 272 : Mandala VI - One Button a Day 2020 by Gina Barrett

Day 272 : Mandala VI


Goodness me what an afternoon!

Turns out almost-cat is at least five - yes she has kittens. Hidden away in a super thick bush at the bottom of the garden - Toby noticed something the other day and to be fair, we just assumed it was her. But he wouldn't let it go when we walked by today (which we do every day at least 4 times...) so we wondered if there was a rat hole - he is a JRT after all. 

And two little ginger faces are staring back at me. And then below a tiger tabby. And I think another ginger. Which means that daddy certainly is the ginger tom we saw a few months back. We wondered then...

I reckon they are about 4 or 5 weeks old. Fast, and not bad at climbing. This tree/bush is so thick you can't just go in, so we are going to have to try to figure out some way of trapping them. But worse of it - who do we see this evening? Daddy. And if they are about 5 weeks, there's every chance he's come round to get her pregnant again. This whole situation does not bear thinking about. Not with that road - a colony of feral cats? She badly needs trapping and neutering. 

Seems advice is to not trap them until they about 8 weeks, unless in immediate danger. hmm. Far enough from the road, but she still crosses it. Unless she's recently brought them here? Three houses and 3 dogs this side. Don't know what Toby would do if a kitten ran away from him, but he didn't bark at her this morning when she walked past the fence. 

And of course we absolutely have to be at work tomorrow, and have a Hochanda show on Thursday, so it's not even as if we can try to keep an eye out. 

And nothing about the button - I suspect tomorrow's might be a mandala too - I need to try to relax!


Size: 30mm / 1 3⁄16" / 48L

4 comments:

  1. I am always sorry that I can't handle the day's button and see the colours and textures close up - you have some fabulous twinkles of colour here (this computer doesn't spell British English!) and I would like to see what is going on behind. Anyhow, nice addition to the series!
    Kittens would certainly explain almost-cat's voracious appetite. And she probably did move them nearer the food source with the thought of ease of feeding the horde. I'd be tempted to set Toby on Ginger Tom but he might come off second best and that would be hideous - JRTs don't take well to losing. Will hold good thoughts for all this week. Take a deep breath, wiggle your shoulders, stay warm and well. Regards to all. C in C xxx

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    1. Also, Toby likes cats, (having come to us while we had two) so I wouldn't want him put off. In fact, he likes cats more than he likes other dogs. At the moment, the thing is to keep them there until we can get advice on catching them. Currently, I'm talking to them - and momma. She was within a metre, think she might not be feral but a stray. She doesn't seem as frightened as a feral would be.

      Traffic calming would be good - no chance of a zebra crossing lol!

      And if I could catch the tom, I would have him done. Even though there weren't as many cats around a month ago as there are now!

      (They are too cute by the way)

      Stay well and safe
      xx

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  2. I just remembered a cat I knew of - she went outside in her first heat, got pregnant, hatched and never, never, never went outside again while in heat! Give almost-cat a safe haven and she might do the same? And if Ginger Tom gets caught and neutered I'm sure cat keepers for miles around will heave a sigh of relief! C xx

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  3. I don't suppose the county council would put in a zebra crossing or a dedicated lollypop lady for the road in front of your three houses - shame.xxx

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