I'm cross

Livid even.
Yes, I know cats catch wild birds and that's why I didn't want any cats,
because I love birdwatching.
Boyfriend lost his posh tapestry collar the other day, the one he arrived
here with, so I bought him a reflective one yesterday with a bell on as he
fancies himself as quite a hunter of birds, I hoped it would give them a
chance.
It's pitch black here now, 9.50 p.m. and what was he just doing? He was in
the kitchen holding the body of a wren, still warm.

http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/wren.htm

Aargh .sob

Yes, I *know* cats eat birds, I don't like it, and that's why I didn't
want any.

I've picked the wren up a couple of times to warm it to see if it will come
back to life. It isn't going to. It's so small that if I put it on my palm
with it's tail by my thumb, it's long insecting eating beak doesn't reach to
the bottom of my little finger.
Boyfriend has gone out again. If he is starting to search roosts for birds
at night for fun, I shall keep him in from evening until morning. He isn't
hungry.
I know it's in a cat's nature to hunt, but I set up my large garden a few
years ago as a refuge for birds. :-(

Tweed

"Christine Burel" wrote in message
...
I'm sorry, Christina (. I do love the birds, too, and have many feeders
out in my yard but it is easier for me 'cause mine don't go out (although
I
do have plans to eventually build a cat enclosure on my patio -- was
supposed to be a project this summer but other issues took monetary
precedence.) Would this idea be a possibility for you, too?
Christine


I don't think so. Not that I couldn't build a cat enclosure, I could, but I
wouldn't feel happy about it as my two roam around in acres of land (not all
mine, I might add) whenever they want.
It seems like a different culture in America. I don't know anyone here in
the UK that keeps their cats in 24/7, or takes them out on a harness. I
know there can be rules in various states about not letting cats roam but
*really* it's recognised here that "cats have a propensity to roam" and we
aren't expected to keep them in. They are almost above the law.
If I were to look outside right now, I bet in a minute or two I would see a
cat crossing the (quiet) road.
So I had to go and look, didn't I? I think there could well have been one
but there was a chap coming along the road toileting his dog. 1.40 a.m.
Boyfriend went out again, perhaps a little upset that I didn't praise him
for his wren. I didn't tell him off, but he could tell I wasn't thrilled.
So he came in a bit later with a mousie. Just a small one, and wondered if
that was okay. I said it was. Now I have two bodies to deal with in the
morning.
This bell on his new collar works well, doesn't it? sarcasm

Tweed
off to bed

"Christine Burel" wrote in message
...
I'm sorry, Christina (. I do love the birds, too, and have many feeders
out in my yard but it is easier for me 'cause mine don't go out (although
I
do have plans to eventually build a cat enclosure on my patio -- was
supposed to be a project this summer but other issues took monetary
precedence.) Would this idea be a possibility for you, too?
Christine


I don't think so. Not that I couldn't build a cat enclosure, I could, but I
wouldn't feel happy about it as my two roam around in acres of land (not all
mine, I might add) whenever they want.
It seems like a different culture in America. I don't know anyone here in
the UK that keeps their cats in 24/7, or takes them out on a harness. I
know there can be rules in various states about not letting cats roam but
*really* it's recognised here that "cats have a propensity to roam" and we
aren't expected to keep them in. They are almost above the law.
If I were to look outside right now, I bet in a minute or two I would see a
cat crossing the (quiet) road.
So I had to go and look, didn't I? I think there could well have been one
but there was a chap coming along the road toileting his dog. 1.40 a.m.
Boyfriend went out again, perhaps a little upset that I didn't praise him
for his wren. I didn't tell him off, but he could tell I wasn't thrilled.
So he came in a bit later with a mousie. Just a small one, and wondered if
that was okay. I said it was. Now I have two bodies to deal with in the
morning.
This bell on his new collar works well, doesn't it? sarcasm

Tweed
off to bed

"Christina Websell" wrote in message
...

"Christine Burel" wrote in message
...
I'm sorry, Christina (. I do love the birds, too, and have many
feeders
out in my yard but it is easier for me 'cause mine don't go out
(although
I
do have plans to eventually build a cat enclosure on my patio -- was
supposed to be a project this summer but other issues took monetary
precedence.) Would this idea be a possibility for you, too?
Christine


I don't think so. Not that I couldn't build a cat enclosure, I could, but
I
wouldn't feel happy about it as my two roam around in acres of land (not
all
mine, I might add) whenever they want.
It seems like a different culture in America. I don't know anyone here in
the UK that keeps their cats in 24/7, or takes them out on a harness. I
know there can be rules in various states about not letting cats roam but
*really* it's recognised here that "cats have a propensity to roam" and
we
aren't expected to keep them in. They are almost above the law.
If I were to look outside right now, I bet in a minute or two I would see
a
cat crossing the (quiet) road.
So I had to go and look, didn't I? I think there could well have been one
but there was a chap coming along the road toileting his dog. 1.40 a.m.
Boyfriend went out again, perhaps a little upset that I didn't praise him
for his wren. I didn't tell him off, but he could tell I wasn't thrilled.
So he came in a bit later with a mousie. Just a small one, and wondered
if
that was okay. I said it was. Now I have two bodies to deal with in the
morning.
This bell on his new collar works well, doesn't it? sarcasm

Tweed
off to bed


The difference in pet culture in the UK had slipped my mind. I'm sure there
are lots of other folks cats out there hunting in addition to Boyfriend.
Even a warm body brought in isn't necessarily his kill. Since things are
not likely to change, there is really not a lot of point in keeping your cat
in if he really wants OUT. Birds and cats have co-existed in the UK for a
long time and one little cat isn't likely to change the balance of things.
Bet he figures out you don't care for the birds and at least stops bringing
them home for praise.

Jo

"Christina Websell" wrote in message
...

"Christine Burel" wrote in message
...
I'm sorry, Christina (. I do love the birds, too, and have many
feeders
out in my yard but it is easier for me 'cause mine don't go out
(although
I
do have plans to eventually build a cat enclosure on my patio -- was
supposed to be a project this summer but other issues took monetary
precedence.) Would this idea be a possibility for you, too?
Christine


I don't think so. Not that I couldn't build a cat enclosure, I could, but
I
wouldn't feel happy about it as my two roam around in acres of land (not
all
mine, I might add) whenever they want.
It seems like a different culture in America. I don't know anyone here in
the UK that keeps their cats in 24/7, or takes them out on a harness. I
know there can be rules in various states about not letting cats roam but
*really* it's recognised here that "cats have a propensity to roam" and
we
aren't expected to keep them in. They are almost above the law.
If I were to look outside right now, I bet in a minute or two I would see
a
cat crossing the (quiet) road.
So I had to go and look, didn't I? I think there could well have been one
but there was a chap coming along the road toileting his dog. 1.40 a.m.
Boyfriend went out again, perhaps a little upset that I didn't praise him
for his wren. I didn't tell him off, but he could tell I wasn't thrilled.
So he came in a bit later with a mousie. Just a small one, and wondered
if
that was okay. I said it was. Now I have two bodies to deal with in the
morning.
This bell on his new collar works well, doesn't it? sarcasm

Tweed
off to bed


The difference in pet culture in the UK had slipped my mind. I'm sure there
are lots of other folks cats out there hunting in addition to Boyfriend.
Even a warm body brought in isn't necessarily his kill. Since things are
not likely to change, there is really not a lot of point in keeping your cat
in if he really wants OUT. Birds and cats have co-existed in the UK for a
long time and one little cat isn't likely to change the balance of things.
Bet he figures out you don't care for the birds and at least stops bringing
them home for praise.

Jo

On Fri, 1 Oct 2004 22:07:15 +0100, "Christina Websell"
snip
I know it's in a cat's nature to hunt, but I set up my large garden a few
years ago as a refuge for birds. :-(
Ah, I know exactly what you mean. I've been feeding the birds much
longer than the cats, and went almost stopped feeding the cats.
Instead, I moved the feeders around until I found a spot where the
cats couldn't ambush them. I only found one casuality this summer, but
don't know who killed it.
--
Steve Touchstone,
faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky

[remove Junk for email]
Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html
Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html

On Fri, 1 Oct 2004 22:07:15 +0100, "Christina Websell"
snip
I know it's in a cat's nature to hunt, but I set up my large garden a few
years ago as a refuge for birds. :-(
Ah, I know exactly what you mean. I've been feeding the birds much
longer than the cats, and went almost stopped feeding the cats.
Instead, I moved the feeders around until I found a spot where the
cats couldn't ambush them. I only found one casuality this summer, but
don't know who killed it.
--
Steve Touchstone,
faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky

[remove Junk for email]
Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html
Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html

"Steve Touchstone" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 1 Oct 2004 22:07:15 +0100, "Christina Websell"
snip
I know it's in a cat's nature to hunt, but I set up my large garden a few
years ago as a refuge for birds. :-(
Ah, I know exactly what you mean. I've been feeding the birds much
longer than the cats, and went almost stopped feeding the cats.
Instead, I moved the feeders around until I found a spot where the
cats couldn't ambush them. I only found one casuality this summer, but
don't know who killed it.
--
Steve Touchstone,
faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky

[remove Junk for email]
Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html
Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html

Actually, feeding the birds also has attracted strays to my yard (i.e.,
Tucker, Robin, Pirate and others) but what has helped keep down the
casualties is also what Steve has suggested here and I also started using
more suet cakes so there aren't so many birds actually on the ground. What
also attracted the strays to my yard (besides my "sucker" label) is that
mice came around also for the birdseed; I've tried to be more careful to
limit the seed on the ground.

Christine

"Steve Touchstone" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 1 Oct 2004 22:07:15 +0100, "Christina Websell"
snip
I know it's in a cat's nature to hunt, but I set up my large garden a few
years ago as a refuge for birds. :-(
Ah, I know exactly what you mean. I've been feeding the birds much
longer than the cats, and went almost stopped feeding the cats.
Instead, I moved the feeders around until I found a spot where the
cats couldn't ambush them. I only found one casuality this summer, but
don't know who killed it.
--
Steve Touchstone,
faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky

[remove Junk for email]
Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html
Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html

Actually, feeding the birds also has attracted strays to my yard (i.e.,
Tucker, Robin, Pirate and others) but what has helped keep down the
casualties is also what Steve has suggested here and I also started using
more suet cakes so there aren't so many birds actually on the ground. What
also attracted the strays to my yard (besides my "sucker" label) is that
mice came around also for the birdseed; I've tried to be more careful to
limit the seed on the ground.

Christine

Jo Firey wrote:

The difference in pet culture in the UK had slipped my mind. I'm sure there
are lots of other folks cats out there hunting in addition to Boyfriend.
Even a warm body brought in isn't necessarily his kill. Since things are
not likely to change, there is really not a lot of point in keeping your cat
in if he really wants OUT. Birds and cats have co-existed in the UK for a
long time and one little cat isn't likely to change the balance of things.
Bet he figures out you don't care for the birds and at least stops bringing
them home for praise.

Nikki has learned that it's not a good idea to bring home birds. I'm
pretty sure she does kill some every summer on the island, though. She
just eats them somewhere else.

--
Marina, Frank and Nikki
marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi
Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/
and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki