Why my backyard?

Those who have read my blog “A friendly reminder” here on IL, will be familiar that my home is a warm place to be for everyone. The three cats (white, brown and black) have become regular visitors. I decided to name them the Three Tenors, because of the racket they make especially during nights and early mornings. Sometimes I feel jealous looking at them when they bask in the sun in my backyard and snooze away happily. They do not have to worry about this daily problem that I have – what to cook for dinner? I never used to bother much about them being in my backyard. But one day to my surprise, I found that the cats have littered royally along one side of the house. I was shocked to see. Only a few weeks ago that area was cleaned up and suddenly it was generously filled with cat droppings. I showed my hubby and we were so annoyed. Free basking in sun in my backyard, at what cost?? We spent a whole weekend cleaning up that area. It was disgusting to say the least. We bought all sorts of sprays and gels to keep them from littering in that area. After that sight, I showed no mercy on them and started chasing them out of the backyard as soon as they stepped in. My daily routine now had one more function of chasing the cats every time I saw them.

As it is spring time now, we begin to hear more birds chirping sometimes. I am sorta familiar with some of the noises of the birds I get to hear. I do not know what type of birds they are, but I know that they are birds! One day, I started hearing this peculiar noise coming out just at random. Ignored it the first couple of days and then wondered where exactly was that coming from. It then struck me out of the blue….is there a kitten by any chance in my backyard? I was dreading at that thought of finding a battalion of them in my backyard…..nooooo! noooooo! Please have mercy on us God. I wandered in the direction of that noise and was right. There was a kitten, a pure white kitten. Luckily the mother (the white cat) was not around at that time and I peeped in to see how many were actually hiding in a little bush of daisy, but was surprised to see only one. It is amazing to actually see how the cat had managed to work a neat space within the bush to house herself and the kitten inside. One could never make out at a glance as the tiny branches of daisy flowers would cover the housing quite well.

So obviously I could not shoo the mother and kitten away. But the other two were always trying to attack and eyeing the little one. The mum used to sense danger and was on guard. Now my chasing the cats had a different motive – I had to keep the mother and kitten safe as much as I could. I kept reading a bit about cats on the net, just out of curiosity. Two weeks later, the mother moved the kitten to another spot in the same bush and in the third week they both moved to another section of the backyard. I could see the kitten growing in size every week. It looked more and more sweet like a cotton ball and the kitten’s body was always trembling. Not sure why but wanted to provide it with a quilt to keep it warm. My friend warned me saying that if I started petting the cat, she would never come to my house. Also if the mother cat smells something different on her baby, she would abandon the kitten and go. That is really not something I wanted, so was always careful to keep a distance.

While I was waiting for the kitten to grow up so that I could chase them both away from the house, it used to be a delight to see the kitten trying to take tiny steps and walk around, trying to play with the leaves on a branch and of course the favourite activity being cuddling up against the mum. To see the bond between the mother and the kitten is beautiful. It was quite a delightful experience to see the milestones of the kitten unfolding in front of me. Also, the mother cat is constantly either licking herself or the kitten, to cool down the body and also cleaning up themselves and the surrounding. That is something I liked about the white cat, since I am also a bit particular about cleanliness.

A couple of days back, I noticed that the kitten and mother were not to be seen anywhere. I was relieved in a way, but at the same time had this worry at the back of my head wondering if everything was ok. Then saw the mother cat walk in and wander around the backyard. She was probably looking for her kitten. I am not sure what happened to it and knew straightaway that the kitten was missing and felt bad. All these cats that visit our backyard are stray cats and so maybe one of them decided to take it in the absence of the mother. So cruel their life is isn’t it?

So now I am back again chasing them all out of my backyard. Last weekend we had the delightful job of clearing up cat poo from our front yard! We bought a cat repellent spray and have been generously spraying them all around. I might need a big drum full of it really. This morning after our trip to the gym, I found more additions - another white cat and two other different shades of brown. I thought we were using a cat repellent but it seems to be working in the reverse. I might sue the manufacturers for false advertisement. God, please help me. I do not want to attend any other concerts from home and certainly not interested in 6 or more tenors all performing at the same time!

So nice post, so well written Dear.
Visitors like dogs and cats though entertaining & we also learn their habits, at times it doubles up the chores.
Once these animals comes in they make their home, either we got to enjoy it or really have to chase them away. Iam not sure abt cats, but the dogs do eat one of their own puppies. One day i witnessed it, I felt so repulsive, but i consoled that it is it is one of the natures way.
Now i have birds making nests in my garden, i have stopped tracking them, but as you said, don't touch them till they are fully grown. I made a mistake of touching the bird's egg and the mother bird never came back to hatch it.
Why your backyard? because it is suits their needs.
Lovely post, i like posts that are general in nature.
Jaya

Hmm...Intially it was Veeru now Three Tenors...so you are really busy with those kitty cats.I couldnt help but laugh at the tough time you are having chasing those cats.Seems they simply love your backyard which they entitled as their animal kingdom.Wondering who might be your next visitor...maybe

Nice post Sree...



Ammu

Dear K2S,

As Ammu mentioned, after Veeru, its the turns of the kitties to see if they can survive in your place

Back home in India, I have been a witness to 4 generations(or maybe many more ) of cats in our backyard.
We try our best to keep them away, but they royally ignore it. They seem to fear only monkeys that arrive most of the time..Yes, my home (after marriage), is just 2km from Courtallam waterfalls which has huge army of monkeys.
Now this monkeys too are not innocent. It would take hell lot of time to clean up after they have made a visit to our backyard...scanning and throwing away everything from the trashbin, or the odd food packets that they would have stolen from some of our neighbours house . And the clothes that are put to dry is convenient for them to take and run away . I have seen one little fellow spreading down one of my newest towel and sleeping away peacefully

But let me tell you, there are times, I have admired the antics of these cats and monkeys and I rush and click my cameras

Let me stop now, I can keep going on....Loved your narration, as always.
Bye

Ha ha hilarious post dear. May be you accidently bought CAT attractant instead of repellent? I admire you for taking out time in your life daily to watch the kitten, how it takes each small tiny step into this world. Not everyone really care to do so. Hope your kitten crèche can be closed soon;)

My dear Knots2share,

it seems that the cats must have heard about how you saved veeru so they decided to camp at your backyard, i can imgaine what you are going through, why don't you call the pound people they can take them away and take care of them.
Hope they go away soon.

love
alpa

Hi

Can't stop laughing...sorry..dear..

Just check the label on your cat repellent spray. As Ami said, it would be attractant.

At times, it is nice to watch these kittens and cats. but cleaning up their mess is really horrible. Now i know why you are not online as before ( chasing and cleaning).

Maybe they are trying their luck to get a pet lover.

Dear Jayshree,
Very nice blog. Beautifully pictured backyard, seems like i was just there looking under the bush... nice flow to your writings. I guess veeru must have whispered something to the cats..
Aparna

Nice to see you here Jaya. Actually even the cats are supposed to eat one of their kittens as soon as they deliver. I am still surprised that this white cat ended up with only one kitten. Hoping all is well and she probably has moved the little one to another place. No matter how much trouble they cause, the sight of the kitten is such a delight.

Ammu please do not wish for more . Animal sanctuary in my backyard very soon..hahaha......I will not be surprised.

I have been to Coutrallam many many times Saraswathi, during my school days. It was not that far for us to travel. First time when we had visited, many of us lost our dresses to the monkeys. From then on, one person is always on guard and we used to take turns. You will have more to write than me from the looks of it . Actually I too managed to take a few shots of the kitten. I am going to attach them here, since you brought up the topic of taking photos. Not sure if it will be allowed, but hopefully you can view them.

Ami, you know what? After reading your comment, I still went ahead to read the label on that spray bottle . It is a repellent. Several applications are needed especially for those cats who are used to visiting the area more frequently. It takes them a while to register that they are not welcome anymore in my backyard. So I have a long way to go.

ALPA dear, looks like all animals are conspiring something here with me in their minds! I did call our council but they will not send any ranger to catch the cats. I can hire a cat trap and once the cat or cats (not sure how big each trap is) is/are trapped, I then take it to the hound. I really do not see how I will be able to do this on my own. The idea is not to harm the animals.

I am so glad Bindhu, that finally somebody understands what is keeping me busy these days . Yes cleaning up the poos is not a pleasant thing to do. The more I say that I do not like pets, more I am having to deal with them. I am really not a pet person. Love to watch them from a distance, but that is all I will do.

Aparna, you too think so that Veeru is the reason behind all this ??

Thank you all lovely ladies. Appreciate you coming by.

Sree
I liked those snaps. The the innocent face of the pussy. Feel like cuddling it though I may not do it.

See the positive side of things. cats will certainly keep you in good shape.;)