Speck was awake at 4 a.m. with a tummy ache. Between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., I was outside with him 6 times. There wasn’t much sleeping going on. A little after 6, Vince got up and stayed up with him and I went back to bed . . til about 6:45 when I was awakened by the sound of machine guns. No, may neighborhood isn’t that bad . . it’s the military practicing behind us. As I lay in bed thinking about the day, I wondered to myself how interesting a day could be that has already had this much excitement before 7 a.m.
About mid-morning, I needed to make a run to the mail box and asked Vince if he wanted to ride with me. We hopped in the RTV, which is completely open . .
RTV
Before Vince even had the key in the ignition, we both looked at each other and said “CAT!”. We heard meowing. Vince got out to find the source of the meowing, mostly to be sure he wasn’t under the hood. He was hiding behind “stuff” . . believe me, there are plenty of hiding places in and around the shop. We called him and eventually he poked his head from behind some boards.
Kitty
Vince opened a bag of cat food, which we bought because we are on a list to get barn cats through the feral cat program at the local animal shelter. We gave him water too. He was happy to get both.
Kitty
The chickens were out yesterday and they hang out in this area so I know he wasn’t here yesterday.
We went on our little ride to the mail box and took the scenic route back. We weren’t gone long but when we got back, we had to find the kitty.
Where’s Kitty?
I said “Oh good! Kitty has taken up residence in the Highlander. Not a problem since we never use it!” 🙂
Kitty
Nice! There are so many hiding places under the hood! Now we’ll have to be sure we know where kitty is before we start any of our vehicles.
Kitty
I’m explaining to kitty that she will have a lot better chance of surviving around here if she chooses a different vehicle in which to roost! Vince is kinda picky about the Highlander!
Kitty
But, she seems to really like it under the hood of the Highlander. I was waiting for Vince’s reaction but he appears to be liking kitty!
Making Friends with Kitty
He’s even holding out his hand to see if kitty bites.
Vince and Kitty are Friends
Not only does kitty not bite, but kitty loves people! Mr. People loves kitty . . Mrs. People (me) does not like cats! I will not be unkind to kitty but I will not pet kitty and the purring makes my tummy do weird things. I do not like cats! Kitty wants to come and rub on my legs. No way!
Kitty Loves Vince
Kitty seems to think that as long as he positions himself right between someone’s feet, there’s a good chance that someone will reach down and pet kitty.
Kitty and Vince
Vince came in a while ago and said “JUDY! I cannot walk. I cannot get anything done with a cat constantly between my feet!” Hmm . . what do you think I’m going to do about that?
Kitty has already learned to come when Vince whistles. We went to the neighbor’s for a minute and when we returned, Vince began whistling. I said “I don’t think you whistle for a cat!” but he assured me that kitty comes when he whistles and sure enough, kitty came running. Only problem is . . the chickens come when he whistles too but the chickens are penned up because it’s the weekend and the shop doors are open.
Kitty
Yep, I think we have a kitty. I think his name will be Boots because he has little white boots on his feet. Monday, if he’s still here, he will go to the vet, see if he has a microchip and get checked. If he isn’t microchipped, we’ll get his shots and get him “fixed” if he’s old enough. Sure would be nice if he’s already fixed but I don’t think we’re that lucky.
I’m afraid he was someone’s house cat because he wants to come in when the door opens. We live far enough away from people that I doubt he wandered over here on his own and he was pretty scared, but I’m also a little baffled that he made it all the way down the driveway if he was dumped at the gate.
Every farm needs a cat. This one is cute and friendly so I can live with it. If he’s used to being fed, he probably won’t be much of a hunter but you never know. We’ll fix him a place to sleep in the shop so he’ll be safe and he’ll learn to go in there at night before we close it up. That way, the coyotes won’t get him and hopefully he won’t sleep on top of our cars!
Esther F. says
Great story! Loving the name of the Kitty!
Erin says
You are a fabulous writer JUDY! the stories always flow, pop like magic at times and are interesting!
Oh is Boots cute! I hope he gets to live with you and he doesn’t belong to someone else!
Vince is funny too! I wonder if Boots will start hopping in the Kaboota when you go out to the mailbox once Vince trains him as he gets older (I can see that too)!
JudyL says
Who knows what Boots’ future holds. I just keep thinking . . what if we have to move again? It’s easy moving with a small dog but adding a cat to the mix . might not be so easy. I’ve checked with the neighbor who might would have a cat and she said no . . not theirs so I’m guessing he got dumped here.
Linda H says
We have always had barn cats. They hunt just to hunt, they don’t have to be hungry. Although females are better hunters, the toms usually just wait and steal from the hard working mamas. Boots is the perfect name for him 🙂
Teresa in Music City says
Awwww, Boots is really cute! And how lucky he is to find a home with people who are willing to let him come live there and be treated well. My cats have always been fed from little kittens, but that certainly does not stop Miss Gypsy from taking down the moles and any other creature that dares to come into her yard. I think it depends more on whether they like to hunt or not. Gypsy will hunt on a full stomach – no problem for her!
carolyn says
I’m not a cat person either, mostly due to allergies. Which I found out about when I had a cat that looked like yours and we named him Ziggy, as in Ziggy.
Krista says
He’s a cute kitty. I do hope he stays – and learns to leave Judy alone 🙂 I don’t recall if you ever said what happened to the cat/kittens you found a while back. I guess they didn’t hang around?
Judy Wolf says
Vince might have brought Kitty home from work since it likes to get under the hood of the car. We have one that appeared and we know he had to have ridden in the pickup to get here.
Sheri says
What a pretty kitty! I’m glad you’re keeping him!
Helen Koenig1 says
He’s adorable!
FWIW – I have 4 kitties – and although all are fed (frequently! and a lot!) they love to catch mice. My only problem is that they will also give me a “gift” of dead mouse which is not my favorite kind of gift!
Lee Ann L. says
Looks like a beautiful tuxedo (black and white) cat. Sounds like he’s more a stray than feral which is in your favor as ferals will have nothing to do with humans.
AngieG9 says
We started out with one white cat and ended up with so many we couldn’t count them. Hubby always had one riding on his shoulder. Don’t know where they came from, but when you live in the country you get lots of cats and dogs, and if you have young kids, they all find a home–yours!
Joanna says
Judy,
So glad this kitty found you, er, Vince! He looks like a real sweetheart. Since I love, love cats (feline veterinarian in my work life), I’m so happy he has found a good home.
But I’m sorry to hear that your Speck is having problems. I hope nothing serious.
Joanna
Kathie says
Tuxedo cats have more personality than any others I’ve ever known. I think you’ve been blessed. But as someone else asked, what happened to all those kittens?
Betty says
I have two kitties that were gifted to me by a feral mama cat. They are very well fed, but she had taught them to hunt and they are very good at it! I get gifts of mice, moles, birds and chipmunks on the doorstep. I tell them I really appreciate it and then when they aren’t looking, I toss the “gifts” in the trash!
Pat Hathaway says
Most of my friends who lived on farms when I grew up in Nebraska had animals, both dogs and cats, that people from the city would drive out into the country and drop off thinking the animals would take care of themselves with hunting. They would find their way to nearby farms seeking food and shelter. You are lucky you only got one cat instead of a whole litter. I hope the kitty leaves the baby chicks alone–we took in a half feral kitten we found under out car during a thunderstorm and she is an adult now and brings live birds and baby rabbits into the house all the time. She loves to let them go and try to catch them again, then she makes a mess ripping them apart. And they aren’t always small birds, some are starlings. And it has nothing to do with hunger, she just likes to catch things. I’d keep an eye on the chicks.
Deb says
I don’t think this is a feral kitty based on your description of its behavior with Vince and the affection it shows. This kitty needs a chance to be rt of your quilting motivation. :). Let him in to your quilting tulip. Every quilt is better with a lite cat fur quilted into it.
Deb says
I hate spellchecker… Let him into your quilt studio/ room. I’ve downsized and everything is more than cozy but I still have room for the kitties on my quilts.
Deb says
I hate spellchecker… Let him into your quilt studio/ room. I’ve downsized and everything is more than cozy but I still have room for the kitties on my quilts.
EagleKnits says
It looks like Vince has been adopted!
Marie Gilkey says
Not that it would make much difference, but if a cat comes to your home and stays it use to be a sign of good luck. Hope that this kitty brings Good Luck to your day!!
Terri says
Cute kitty. Cats also will also keep rattlesnakes away. They will corner them and eventually run them off or kill them. So that’s a good thing!
Mary in VA says
Tux cats make good hunters. Ours is only 9 months old but she is a champion grass-hopper hunter, and is getting better with the 4 legged critters. Our tux who passed away earlier this year would bring us a mouse every day. I’m glad Vince speaks cat.