Today's Pets are Up

[Karen]

Up at last, sorry folks. Busy day.

And Sandra, I have not forgotten your questions, or my promise of pictures!

[tatsxxx11]

Up at last, sorry folks. Busy day.

And Sandra, I have not forgotten your questions, or my promise of pictures!

OK. Thanks, Karen. I'm heart sick about the kittens. RIP precious ones.

[Karen]

OK. Thanks, Karen. I'm heart sick about the kittens. RIP precious ones.

Yes, thank you, we were so sad. I will give each of the kittens a kiss from you before they go to their new home next weekend, okay?

Maybe some little child who recently died because of some senseless war, who always wanted a kitten, has welcomed New Moop as their own in heaven.

[tatsxxx11]

Yes, plenty of kisses for the kittens! Thanks, Karen!

[phesina]

Today's Pets are up. Grey skies, but at least no snow.

Yesterday, the puppy and Dusky (over a year old, but still very puppy like in energy level) were playing with the kittens, and one was tragically killed. It was a freak accident, but still made us all very sad. Rest in peace "New Moop" - she very much resembled one of the first cats we had here, Moop, who went missing and was likely taken by one of the predators around here.

The four remaining kittens are being weaned, soon to go to their new homes, in another week.

I'm so very sorry about little New Moop, the kitten you lost, and about Moop, too. My deepest sympathy to the kitten's siblings and mother and Moop's family and friends too, and all who love them and miss them and grieve them so very much.

We're sending virtual kisses and purrrs to all.

[phesina]

P.S., please keep your cats indoors, so they don't suffer the fate that Moop likely did.

[Karen]

P.S., please keep your cats indoors, so they don't suffer the fate that Moop likely did.

Pat, we are a farm, and while we are keeping Mulligan in particular inside as much as possible, part of their role on the farm is rodent control. With a feed shed, and other stores of hay, straw, etc., rodents - mice and rats - can be a serious issue. The cats have a serious job to do.

The kittens have not been allowed outside, and Mulligan is too friendly, fluffy and white to survive long outside, so is only out hunting during the day, and again, only limited periods of time.

There are many predators here, bobcat, coyotes and coywolves, etc., but most of them would rather kill our birds than bother to hunt rats, and are not of course welcome anyway on the property - the dogs and donkeys and peafowl make sure of that.

[Karen]

Today's Pets are up!

Rain has started falling down, but after sunset, it is supposed to turn to 2-4 inches of snow - yes, snow - overnight.

And phesina, a future plan is basically like "habitrail" structures, so the cats can travel to the barn feed shed, aviaries, etc., without being vulnerable to predators. We look forward to that being in place, trust me.

We take none of this lightly.