That Old Cat and Bird Game
Almost identical to the more familiar Cat and Mouse version, Star is adept at both having brought in frequent offerings over the years, very rarely killing them, but bringing them inside and releasing them...sending me scurrying like a crazy person in pursuit while she sits carefully cleaning her paws. I really had no idea of the variety of rodent species surrounding us until the cat enlightened me. Actually they're all pretty cute and, in fact, one has spent the entire winter scampering about providing Star recreational activities while housebound. I long ago gave up thoughts of trying to catch it and I'm sure it will find it's way out as the doors are opened more regularly soon.
As for our avian friends, just a few days ago I left the door cracked to allow Star to get out on a relatively nice day, went on a walk, and returned to find her sitting calmly watching a chickadee not so calmly flying around unhappily from window to window in the house. I easily caught it, calmed it, and it flew gratefully away. While never very interested in the larger birds (probably for good reason as she is just over 5 pounds), she is keenly alert when smaller species arrive and I have been amazed at her "birding" abilities and the gentleness with which she handles them. While "mistakes" have been made on rare occasion with mice, never has she damaged a bird.
The junco here seems comfortable behind the glass in (yes, friends) our latest snow, but is one of the species on Star's "got 'em" list.
That Old Cat and Bird Game
Almost identical to the more familiar Cat and Mouse version, Star is adept at both having brought in frequent offerings over the years, very rarely killing them, but bringing them inside and releasing them...sending me scurrying like a crazy person in pursuit while she sits carefully cleaning her paws. I really had no idea of the variety of rodent species surrounding us until the cat enlightened me. Actually they're all pretty cute and, in fact, one has spent the entire winter scampering about providing Star recreational activities while housebound. I long ago gave up thoughts of trying to catch it and I'm sure it will find it's way out as the doors are opened more regularly soon.
As for our avian friends, just a few days ago I left the door cracked to allow Star to get out on a relatively nice day, went on a walk, and returned to find her sitting calmly watching a chickadee not so calmly flying around unhappily from window to window in the house. I easily caught it, calmed it, and it flew gratefully away. While never very interested in the larger birds (probably for good reason as she is just over 5 pounds), she is keenly alert when smaller species arrive and I have been amazed at her "birding" abilities and the gentleness with which she handles them. While "mistakes" have been made on rare occasion with mice, never has she damaged a bird.
The junco here seems comfortable behind the glass in (yes, friends) our latest snow, but is one of the species on Star's "got 'em" list.