Yesterday was filled with weird moments. Apparently, the weird moments weren’t finished. I was awake and yet not, when my son left for work. I heard as he let Bella outside, but drifted back closer to sleep as I heard the front door closing. Between the warm bed and my near dream state, I never realized I didn’t hear his car leave. Trust me when I say you can hear his car a quarter mile away. It was only after I got up and let Molly out when I saw his car still in the drive and mine missing. I knew he had told me his radiator had a small leak so I figured that was the reason. Since I had nowhere I needed to go today, it wasn’t a problem.
Not long after I was up and moving, I heard the dogs barking. I’ll be the very first to admit that my two bark..a lot.. but this was different. The bark was almost frantic. Looking out the door I saw them at the far side of the yard barking through the fence. Trying to see what they were barking at was a bit of a challenge since I hadn’t bothered to put my contacts in yet. Watching carefully I saw what I thought was a cat walking along the edge of the woods. When I finally got their attention and down to the porch I watched the ‘cat’ as it made its way down the road. When I no longer saw it, I went back inside. Within moments, they were barking again, this time even more crazed. Hurrying outside I saw it wasn’t a cat, but a small dog that was now in my drive. My two’s territory and they were not happy. Their frustration at not being able to get to the intruder was reaching a level where if not stopped would soon be taken out on each other. Molly wears a training collar, a couple good beeps of the collar got her attention and I got them inside.
Grabbing my shoes I went out in search of the dog. I had no idea an animal could disappear that quickly but it did. I went out and walked part way up the dirt road but there was no sign of the pup. I can only hope it made its way back to where it belonged.
There are several feral cats that live around here. There is no way to catch them as their instinct of self preservation is too strong. I’ve sat here and watched them through the windows out in my back yard. They are smart enough to stay away from the fence or especially the front of the house. They will however walk along the edge of the woods, close enough to annoy the dogs but far enough away to be safe. A couple of the cats have taken to resting on my back steps. Both are beautiful and fairly young. The black one is at most a year old, but very small. The grey and white is beautiful, less than a year but either getting well fed somewhere or is a mother to be.
That, is a worrisome thing. Not just because it means more stray cats, but because the weather is supposed to be turning bad. I still have a plastic box that someone had designed for cats and had given me several years ago. I had left it in an area where any of the strays could use it should they wish. I’ll check that out tomorrow and make sure there is something warm inside it for them to lay on.
The good thing though is that there are several outside buildings in the area where they can find shelter. They may not be heated, but they are out of the weather and can be somewhat comfortable curled up in a secluded area.
I do worry over them, hating they are so wild, wishing there was more I could do for them. I look at my two dogs, stretched out in a warm house. the crazy cat that takes over where ever she chooses and then I see those outside. My concern for them deepens and I feel somewhat guilty over not being able to do more.
I have seen more feral cats here, a lot more. Over time they disappear. I don’t know how long these will last. Between the main road, stray dogs, coyote, disease. They don’t stand much of a chance.
It is important that we take care of the animals we bring into our homes. Spaying and neutering a must. Making sure we keep them safe, and up to date of vaccinations. We take them into our family, we take on a responsibility. When I look in the eyes of my two girls, I see an intelligence, a love that is real. Sunday when I was preparing to go take that hike, I took a bag out of the cabinet that I always carry. Bella immediately recognized that bag and was ready to go. They want to be close, they want to feel and show love. They are living, breathing, loving intelligent beings that do not understand when they are dumped, neglected or not loved in return as much as they love.
They are calling for possible bad weather here, I think tomorrow I’ll go to the store and get some extra cat food and bird seed..just in case.
Words from The Dirt Road 