It seems on any given day lately, I come home from work to find a bunch of cats in my garden - none of them mine! Happily, most seem to have homes (collars), and are simply enjoying the spring delights over at Maple Grove Gardens and maybe the odd snack or two. But this little guy has recently shown up and obviously has no home. He is ravenous, unfixed, and when he sleeps, does so very deeply - to the point I wonder if he is not well. The worst is that none of my gang seem to like him. Especially Chesney, who came to us to a fully-formed "family" - and this guy is an interloper, a stranger, and he is told so with a variety of growls and other none-too-subtle warning signs. Very unlike Chesney who is so easy-going and usually such a sweetie. *Sigh*. What to do? We have named him Tristan, as in "triste" meaning sad in french.
He is totally white, a white which could be whiter for sure, and as for the ever so slightly grey tail, we are not sure if it is simply dirty. Poor little sad guy.
Doesn't it break your heart? I look at the little lost ones that have found our house and wonder how someone could have loved them as a kitten and then put them out to starve or worse...
ReplyDeleteThis story is made a bit less sad because I see he is safe and warm now. Hope you can find a solution for him. Or perhaps some anguished owner who has given up searching?
Indeed it does break my heart, sadly here in Quebec, they lose a cat, they just buy another. But I guess other parts of Canada and US might not be that much different. And what puts a chill in my heart is that once I've gone, who will save these little ones? You can be sure there isn't someone like me on every street. If not for the blogosphere and finding other such people, I would be truly depressed.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised when I moved here, there were lots of unfixed wandering cats. I was told by a neighbor they belong to this house or that house. I printed up letters telling the neighbors that any cats found in my yard would be trapped, neutered and if not wearing ID would be re-homed. Why was I surprised, because several neighbors came to me to donate and help! Turns out two houses had people who just moved and left the cats behind! We have no more wanderers that are unfixed and homeless. Just wanderers who know that our house is where to go if your outside playing and need a nap or a bite to eat. They all wear collars and id tags or are microchipped. People can surprise you, given a chance and a little education.~Donna
ReplyDeleteTristan is a pretty white cat. It's so sad to me that he's a sad little guy. Hopefully he is healthy and only needs some rest and food and some love which you are showing him. Look forward to reading about his progress.
ReplyDeleteYou are so kind to take these little waifs in. I hope Tristan is feeling happier soon, with your love and a full belly! Maybe the other cats would feel differently if Tristan were fixed?
ReplyDeleteKnatolee - yes indeed, that is the plan.
ReplyDeleteI think many people just don't appreciate how deep feline emotions go. I have a houseful of previously-owned cats and most of them are very insecure and untrusting. Having been abandoned once, they now know that it is a possibility and it makes it hard for them to ever trust again. So many sad, broken little hearts that people cast away. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteYou can't be everywhere and save every one but you have made a hell of a diiference to Tristan. The quiet gratitude of an abandoned cat, learning to trust again, is quite a reward.
Ah, Tristan. La pauvre.
ReplyDeleteI think you should keep him Anya. The others will learn to accept him. My Snuffly was one such little guy and two years on the others are still wary of him but he has learned his place and he rarely chases the others now. He is sitting on the mat just outside my door right now. Sascha is asleep on my bed and Felix is in his basket. Lillipilli is sitting on the other side of the room, on the mat inside the door (there is a door on either side of my semi hexagon shaped room. All is quiet, all are sleepy. I can't imagine life now without my beautiful cats. You are a good soul dear; keep little Tristan.
Thank you for your input everyone.
ReplyDelete@MmeBenaut - yes, I love it when too when all is quiet, and the cats are deep in slumber.
@Donna - a very interesting story
@Laura - I will never forget the first day I touched Bandito's nose - after 2 years, what a triumph.
@meemsync - his tummy is full now, alas he has the usual stray cat problems - soon to resolve I hope.