Old Moleskins - Pussy Magnet

[oldmoleskins]

Just lately I've become aware of an increasing number of cats around the place - maybe simply because of the seasonal lack of leaves/nettles, I guess they're more obvious.
Anyoldhow, a couple of weeks ago, a Siamese turned up. When it appeared to stay, I rang the family of the Old Girl Who Used To Live here to see if it might be hers (she lives 2 miles away, I thought maybe the cat was visiting its old haunts) but was told it had recently died.

Then the postman told me he'd heard there was a Siamese missing from a house in the village, and that there was a 'missing poster' down there - so I tracked that down and rang the number. The bloke that answered seemed very pleased to hear about the cat as it was his daughter's, entrusted to him while she was in hospital having a baby... and of course he'd promptly lost it (the cat, that is, not the baby).

He came up pretty smartish but failed to catch the cat despite following it around for an hour or two and asked if he could return with said daughter who might stand a better chance. He said its name was Lulu and it liked tuna in brine, and would normally respond to an encouraging call of "Lulu...fishhhhh".

Grandad, daughter and baby duly arrived the next day and spent some time trying to get reaquainted with Lulu - who shunned them and evaded capture, to the point where (a bit prematurely, I thought) the daughter said "well, she obviously doesn't want to know, we may as well leave her here"

I was so stunned, I must have temporarily lost my senses, becuse I allowed them to leave without the bloody thing.

I now 'have' a cat I don't want, it eats my pheasants, and I am through compassion reduced to standing at my back door calling sweetly "Lulu...fishhhhh" with a tray of choice tuna. Here it is having tea tonight:



Now, Gentle Reader, my dilemma is this: if I could be sure that by overfeeding it it wouldn't eat my pheasants, I might, might just consider allowing it to stay - but of course that's a non-starter: it likes killing pheasants. It's amply demonstrated its indifference to humans and the comfort of home life. It's probably close to cat-heaven.

But, if I catch it and give it to a cat-rescue place, it might end up in a town environment. I am stangely concerned about that. I know millions of cats are loved and love being in towns - but this one seems to have made a choice not to conform.

I know nothing of cats. Never had one. Don't want one. I can't not feed it.

Any cat owners out there with words of wisdom?

OM.

ps, the slightly barmy daughter of the Old Girl Who Used To Live Here is convinced Lulu's arrival is a sign from her recently departed father, coinciding as it did with the death of the family cat. His 'pet' name for his wife was...Lulu.

[Plocket]

Well there's no doubt she's a very pretty cat and well fed too. But if you aren't a cat lover and are worried about your pheasants then I don't think you should feel obliged to keep it.

I think the original owners are a disgrace for relinquishing their pet so quickly.

I think you are right to feed it, partly to try and protect your pheasants, but at the same time it will come to rely on you. I think you should talk to the Cat Protection League as soon as possible, explaining that it's not your cat and that the owners don't want it. They will probably ask you to make a donation, in return for them taking the cat, but they are usually very good at finding homes. I don't think you'll get much say in it being a country cat though.

[Amo]

Is your feeding it a bit of 'better the devil you know'? I'd stop feeding it and let it go elsewhere. Or.... Keep feeding it and make it a house type cat. Which isn't very likely coz they are the most stubbornest b*g*ers out there and you're not a catty person.

Go to CPL or RSPCA like Plo said.

[nightowl]

It's a beautiful thing OM, shame you can't bring yourself to like it (are you sure?)

I don't think feeding will stop the pheasant destruction if it enjoys killing so it looks like you'll have to get it taken away...

That PS is a bit spooky! Love the name of the thread - made me look! ;D

[MamIDdau]

Dabs used to kill baby rabbits but after I started feeding her something tastier she eventually stopped.

I'd contact the CPL or RSPCA. They wouldn't let a cat go to a home that isn't suitable so if you feel you really can't keep it then they'll take it away. Failing that you could sort of "foster" it until they find someone to take it. I'm sure with such a beautiful cat they'll have no problem with finding people to give it a home.

[Tig]

How many pheasants can a cat eat OM?
I got adopted by the Cat which now co-exists with us
She is a bird killer, mouse killer and has the voice of the devil before first light!!
She scratches my borders up - and occassionally my veg plots
If you don't want it to stay you need to shift it quick - the longer you dawdle the more attached you will become - and end up with a new member of the family like us Tig

[4pygmies]

I think it's Fate OM....I don't think you've got any choice but to learn to love it..unless you take it to a cat rehoming place sharpish.... Can you not spend some time on a cat/pheasant re orientation programme instead? Or maybe try to switch the cat's killer instincts to another, more slinking and verminous foe? Offer it a challenge and a straight choice between staying there and being offered succulent tins of tuna daily in return for more useful targets. You know where I'm going with this don't you? ;D

[oldmoleskins]

Well, thank you all for your contributions... I fear I should have acted upon them sooner, as The Cat's absense most of yesterday and this morning (Noodle the Labradoodle was here for the day, yesterday) actually had me concerned. I was to be found crooning Lulufishhhh at the back door at breakfast, and just a touch worried there was no eager response. Thought I'd been abandoned.

Then, later I realised it/she was following me about the garden, waiting while I pottered in the Winter Ruins:



I think I've been had.

OM.

Sorry, 4P - but I think you've got my share of rats. Is catboarding justified to keep them away?

[Plocket]

I think you've been adopted OM! ;D

[MamIDdau]

It is a very beautiful cat though OM. And they are very choosy about who they hook up with so you should feel honoured ;D

If I was allowed and lived anywhere near you, I would gladly come and relieve you of your cat troubles but I ain't so I can't ;D

You could change the name from Lulu fish if you wanted though. I'm sure she will learn to associate whatever you shout from the back door with being fed.

[Shrubrose]

I feel a bond developing here OM!

Cats are like that. They often choose you (like us girlies) and you end up not having much of a say in the matter! She is a beauty though and I'm sorry she targets the pheasants but there is a chance she'll get bored with that once she becomes used to 'convenience' food i.e. placed nicely in a bowl and takes no work, sort of food. ;D

[Amo]

Have you thought of using a powerful water pistol on her when she goes near the phesants? Is she getting into rearing pens or just after residue ones?

[Dutchy]

;D
You're had OM.
No escaping.
I don't have a cat but could I have a bigger animal than my two goldfish I would choose a cat.
She is very pretty but indeed calling her Lullufish is too much ;D
Would you like suggestions for a new name now she is apparently staying?
Pheasants can be pretty clever, once they know there is a killer out there they will be doubly wary.

[nightowl]

You have been "gotcha'ed" OM ;D And why not call her Lulufish, if she responds to it ;D She's a beauty, and she likes you - how bad can that be?

Have you not got a big old grumpy cock pheasant with HUGE spurs you can set on her to give her a scare?? Or does Oley-moley not want to upset his lickle Lulu now? ;D ;D ;D

[Susie Snowdrop]

Sorry OM but I laughed my socks off at your tale

I'm afraid cats seem to choose their owners, not the other way round ;D

She's a beauty

S x

[oldmoleskins]

Look, you lot - I was hoping for encouragement to be masterful. Somehow I've become all fluffy. I've turned down several offers to rehome it/her because I don't approve. I've even turned down an exchange for an 18month old l/w springer because it/she/Lulu would be consigned to a household full of dogs and I'm fearful for her...

Hopeless.

OM.

[Shrubrose]

Aww, there you go! Smitten ;D

[Ruthie]

Ooh I use to have Siamese cats. They were my babies. The first one was a Seal point (bit like "yours" although that may be a dark chocolate point). She followed me around the house and used to leap on my shoulders and go to sleep there while I was preparing veg (not very hygenic I know but I wasn't selling the food to anyone).

In our youthful ignorance we thought we could make a bit of money by breeding from her so we did. She had 6 gorgeous kittens and we had trouble selling them and all the time they were eating us out of house and home. We made absolutely nothing but it was a great experience. We kept one of the kittens, my boy Sammy, and both cats lived to be over 20 years before they succumbed to kidney failure.

They are great cats! OK they make a bit of a noise but they have a lot of character and can be very affectionate and playful.

Now we have the DEVIL cat, only 1/2 Siamese. She has the voice but she also has vicious claws and teeth which she uses on us indiscriminately!

Have I convinced you Moley?

[jean]

OM

You are the chosen one ;D so you will just have to accept everything that goes with it. Tuna is fine for a treat but Lulu is getting thoroughly spoiled already - who's training who I love cats btw and they can be great company, I have a black shadow who chose me and who follows me everywhere

[Susie Snowdrop]

Feb 12, 2008 18:06:32 GMT oldmoleskins said:

Look, you lot - I was hoping for encouragement to be masterful. Somehow I've become all fluffy. I've turned down several offers to rehome it/her because I don't approve. I've even turned down an exchange for an 18month old l/w springer because it/she/Lulu would be consigned to a household full of dogs and I'm fearful for her...

Hopeless.

OM.

OOH, I'll take the springer OM ;D

S x

[Tig]

There are some things in life which are just meant to be OM - obviously Lulufish has made her choice - and you don't really have a say in the matter!!

ps I had the same problem with offers to rehome the one that chose us - there was always something not quite good enough with the people who wanted to take her on - plus I always thought she would make her way back here! Tig

[snowowl]

I am sorry OM but if it was killing my pheasants i would not have let it stay.
I am not a cat person im not saying i would harm or hurt one in any way but i love dogs better.
My neighbours have beggerd of to live in Sri Lanka for 2 years and they left their cat with a relative on another street in the village but the stupid things doesnt understand he comes back home everyday.
It upsets me because i want to feed it but i will not encourage it to stay especially when it kills little birds and eats them on my front garden
I think you are in for a lot of upset birdwise now you have addopted this cat and shame on the owners for giving up on it so easy.

[JennyWrenn]

What a lovely cat - so regal I think OM (are yu still a cylinder by the way - I dont think that thread has made me laugh so much since FA posted his Toilet humour in Funnies ;D )
that you should be honoured to have such a regal and noble visitor

Where are your phesants by the way, do they have the run of your garden or come in from the field - I thought they could fly anway

[nightowl]

What's the latest on our ex-cat-hater and his ickle Lulu?

[oldmoleskins]

Feb 20, 2008 13:48:28 GMT nightowl said:

What's the latest on our ex-cat-hater and his ickle Lulu?

Yeah yeah yeah... look, cat-hosting has to be the most infuriatingly unrewarding thing... it will take food from within three feet if you keep perfectly still. It was curious/confident enough to get in my car through an open window, but fled the same way as I approached. It endearingly appears from nowhere at a call but isn't as fawningly grateful/trusting as I would like. I don't do subtle. I like an animal that rolls on its back to have its tummy tickled (well, up to something the size of a horse anyway - bit cumbersome beyond that).

Blimey, even the pheasants will take food from my hand - and they have a very good reason to be suspicious. I've never eaten a cat in my life... yet.

OM.

[Tig]

Patience OM - these oriental cats are very choosy and suspicious!! We fed the 'stray' for over a year before it chose to come inside the kitchen door, but woe betide if you should close it!! She now comes in every evening for a few hours, has her own cushion, will not stay in if we have visitors, and deigned to jump on my lap for a few minutes only in the last few months. OH opened the front door for her this afternoon because I was cooking - no way was she coming in through that door!!! Who knows what goes on in those tiny minds!!! Tig

I should mention she first came calling in 2004 I think it was!

[oldmoleskins]

We seem to have settled down to a routine... I feed Lulu twice a day ( chicken and beef acceptable as well as tuna) and she follows me about the place, but still won't come very near.

She will just about tolerate my sitting very still nearby when she's eating. I did touch her ear once, but she made it plain she doesn't like that sort of easy intimacy, and I've promised not to do it again.

Waiting to be fed, tonight:



OM.

[Shrubrose]

Oh those eyes! Gorgeous! I think she's got you well and truly 'sussed' OM. ;D

I'm sure she'll allow you to get closer in time! She's obviously a very well brought up laydee

[Susie Snowdrop]

I think she's starting to fall head over heels with you OM ;D

Bide your time and she will, in time, come to you when she's ready! Looks to me that she's well worth the wait

S x

[MamIDdau]

She is absolutely gorgeous!

I was telling one of the ladies at the RSPCA the other day about you and Lulu fissssssssssssh.