The sun is just coming up and it is -3C this morning.
This tree houses many of our resident grey and black squirrels.
The start of the Christmas season is the time for me to bring out my little lambs and dig through boxes for Christmas lights. I will soon string a few lights in the trees and around the perimeter of the mouse-house. I now have a front gate that will be lit up this year, too. Not just for the beauty of it all but to help us find our driveway easier on those cold, blustery nights.
The lambs have arrived.
The start of the Christmas season has begun here.
Thank you for all your comments and advice on my neighbours' unaltered cats. I can see that, not only will it be difficult to get through to her about the importance of spaying and neutering her cats, but I already feel that she has cats there for one reason and one reason only. They work to keep the mice under control and that is it. They are working cats and not pets at all to her; she can only touch them when they eat. But, she also doesn't allow anyone to try to befriend them as she wants them leery of humans and wild-life.
She has shelter for them in her barns and hopes they will go in before dark but she leaves it totally up to them. If she loses one in the night she feels bad but takes it with a grain of salt. There's no fretting; it is what it is. She feels the same way about her chickens.
On our last visit, she mentioned that she found homes for all the kittens that were born there last year. Most of the neighbours took one or two. She was very proud of that. :(
My statistics on homeless cats in our local shelters fell on deaf ears.
For now, I will pray for their safety and their ability to know when and how to remove themselves from harms' way. And, I hope that some of my words will linger and perhaps change her way of thinking about their existence and numbers. I think if she would form a stronger bond with a few she might think more about their health and safety.
I hope so. And, I won't give up.
hugs, Deb
The start of the Christmas season is the time for me to bring out my little lambs and dig through boxes for Christmas lights. I will soon string a few lights in the trees and around the perimeter of the mouse-house. I now have a front gate that will be lit up this year, too. Not just for the beauty of it all but to help us find our driveway easier on those cold, blustery nights.
The lambs have arrived.
Thank you for all your comments and advice on my neighbours' unaltered cats. I can see that, not only will it be difficult to get through to her about the importance of spaying and neutering her cats, but I already feel that she has cats there for one reason and one reason only. They work to keep the mice under control and that is it. They are working cats and not pets at all to her; she can only touch them when they eat. But, she also doesn't allow anyone to try to befriend them as she wants them leery of humans and wild-life.
She has shelter for them in her barns and hopes they will go in before dark but she leaves it totally up to them. If she loses one in the night she feels bad but takes it with a grain of salt. There's no fretting; it is what it is. She feels the same way about her chickens.
On our last visit, she mentioned that she found homes for all the kittens that were born there last year. Most of the neighbours took one or two. She was very proud of that. :(
My statistics on homeless cats in our local shelters fell on deaf ears.
For now, I will pray for their safety and their ability to know when and how to remove themselves from harms' way. And, I hope that some of my words will linger and perhaps change her way of thinking about their existence and numbers. I think if she would form a stronger bond with a few she might think more about their health and safety.
I hope so. And, I won't give up.
hugs, Deb
These are darling!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard about the cats but I know you will keep trying. I love your lambs, I have a few myself but won't bring them out until Dec! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am such a sucker for lambs! And these are just adorable -- they look perfect in that spot, too!
ReplyDeleteYes, all you can do is pray for the kits and hope that they are safe... but how sad.
If your words fall on deaf ears....
ReplyDeleteThen she must be reported..Do have anything
like we have over here in the UK...The RSPCA...!
Or similar...She is 'being' cruel to those
animals..! Period!
If only we respected all living things. Like you, I would be so worried for those cats. I know all the arguments about them being feral and able to look after themselves, but it still stays like a tiny piece of ice in your heart, doesn't it? On a happier note, I love your lambs (where did you manage to find them?) After cats. sheep are my favourite animals. Blessings
ReplyDeleteQuite a collection, Deb.
ReplyDeleteI think your gentle way will win the way with your elderly neighbout, that & all our thoughts & prayers behind you. Thank you for caring about all the kitties. Our little village had quite a do about some roaming large dogs, that "guard" the farm where no one lives. The owner comes daily to feed & water, they do receive vet care, anyway the entire village rallied, owner is aware that his dogs roam the highway ... he is putting to right (we hope) So yes the old ways can be redirected with love ...
ReplyDeleteDeb, I trust that you will always do the right thing!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the lambs...what a fun thing to collect! So woolly and adorable!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's hard with the neighbor lady....she's old and stuck in her ways. And if she purposefully doesn't get attached, it doesn't hurt so much when one goes missing. Hard.
It's sad to hear about neighbor lady's kitties. I hope your words help her change her mind somehow. Thank you for trying.
ReplyDeleteI love your lambs. Very cute :-)