I think a cat has adopted me -- Day 3

[Muse]

Around 2 months ago I found about 1/2 of a small animal in the center of a mat I have out on the patio, a bird I think. I think there was a hair ball, too. Later in the day the remnants of the animal were gone. This morning I went outside and found this on the same mat (I practice my golf swing over that mat):

This is a pretty big rat. I like cats. Maybe it will repel the squirrels that in years past have ravaged my kabocha squashes.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Well that's disgusting.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

If the cat really killed a rat of that size and didn't just bring you an already dead carcass, that's a bad-ass cat. You better hope it wants to be friends and is not leaving you an intimidation message. If it's claiming the mat for its own, let it go and welcome your new feline overlord.

 

[maddogchen]

he's telling you that you have a rat problem and gave you proof.

For 20 kibbles a day, he will take care of it for you.

 

[Newell Steamer]

This cat wants to make sure you become a better hunter; http://www.livescience.com/34471-cats-dead-animals.html

By leaving a dead animal on the back porch, your cat is acting out its natural role as mother and teacher. You, her loving owner, represent her surrogate family. And frankly, she knows you would never have been able to catch that delicious mouse on your own.

Don't disappoint this cat OP, go out there and catch a few mice of your own.

 

[maddogchen]

This cat wants to make sure you become a better hunter; http://www.livescience.com/34471-cats-dead-animals.html



Don't disappoint this cat OP, go out there and catch a few mice of your own.

Or better yet, catch the Cat, show him who's the alpha!

 

[Childs]

Did you feed this cat or something? I assume you know what cat is doing it. Otherwise, it seems like a threat! Maybe a cat moved into the area and is telling you to pay up in cat food or else. That, or your neighbor hates your guts.

 

[Muse]

Did you feed this cat or something? I assume you know what cat is doing it. Otherwise, it seems like a threat! Maybe a cat moved into the area and is telling you to pay up in cat food or else. That, or your neighbor hates your guts.

No, I just have a bad-ass cat visiting my yard. I don't really know who it is, but I've been seeing a fair-sized black cat with white markings in the yard at times, sometimes sunning itself, relaxing. It's not young, not really very old. It's shy, it's wary, it will get out of the yard if it worries about me at all.

I do like cats, have sometimes left water out for them on a routine basis, even some food, but I haven't done anything to attract this particular cat. I don't know for sure that this black and white cat is what's left those two critters on that mat. I just figure it has to be a cat. It's the kind of thing they sometimes do. My GF used to get all upset because her male black cat used to bring in dead birds and proudly bestow them on her.

 

[Muse]

Don't disappoint this cat OP, go out there and catch a few mice of your own.

Well, the other day I heard what sounded like multiple rodents while I was resting on my bed in my upstairs bedroom. They were scampering around ferociously for a minute or two. I figured they had to either be on the roof (likely squirrels doing a mating dance/ritual) or rats in the attic.

There used to be rats in my attic off and on for a number of years. I went after them with ordinary rat traps baited with peanut butter. I caught and disposed of maybe 2 dozen rats until finally they came no more, they must have sensed that my attic was not a safe place for them to venture, I sure didn't do anything to keep them out. Later, I had a complete roof tear-off and replacement, which resulted in a ton of debris remaining in the attic. After the roofing guys were gone I went in there and cleaned it out completely including all the rat droppings, with a fair sized wet-dry vacuum cleaner. I've never seen another rat dropping up there. I think, maybe, I should go up there and set traps anew.

 

[Naer]

Solid thread

 

[Muse]

That rat is still out there and the sun (and flies) have come out. That's got to be about the biggest rat I've ever seen around here, and I've seen a lot of them.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Can be a cat that really really likes you. We had lots of pets during my childhood, among which 2 cats (brother and sister). The female took a liking to my brother, and kept bringing him 'presents'. He'd find half-eaten spiders, butterflies and even the occassional mouse or bird in his shoes, especially at our vacation home. Once he got tired of that and, seeing we had moles in the garden, told her 'why don't you go catch a mole instead!'. The next morning he heard a muffled meowing outside. He opened the door, and there she sat with a mole between her teeth.

So it could be a cat trying to teach you something, a cat trying to become friends, or a cat that fancies you and wants to be more than just friends

 

[preCRT]

Can be a cat that really really likes you. ...

So it could be a cat trying to teach you something, a cat trying to become friends, or a cat that fancies you and wants to be more than just friends

The kitty wants you

 

[Muse]

The kitty wants you

Later in the day, well into afternoon, the sun was shining on the rat corpse, flies all around. The rat's position had been shifted some, I figured the cat had checked on it, given it a tug. I figured there was a better chance that the corpse would disappear if it didn't get putrid, so I put the yard waste recycling container between it and the soon-setting sun. Later, I went outside to harvest some herbs for dinner, didn't think to glance and see if the rat had been removed. After preparing and eating dinner, I went back out to take down the laundry and, yes, the cat had said "dang, if you aren't going to eat it, I will!" He left nothing but some small part he evidently didn't like, maybe the gizzard. I just gave the mat the hose-off with a nozzled hose and hung it up to dry. I never did lay eyes on that cat all day.

 

[Muse]

Cat's at it again. This morning I took down the washed mat from the clothesline before dawn, placed it in its usual location on my patio and went in the house. 10-15 minutes later I went out the back door to the car (still dark) to drive to the golf course and glanced at the mat absentmindedly, mini-flashlight was in hand. I was OMG, another rat! This has to be a new rat, but it's also rather large, with the head and forefeet bit off. This one's tail was bit off, too. I came home a few minutes ago and took this photo. I'll make sure the rat remains in the shade and assume the cat will remove it before nightfall. Well, it'll help keep the rat population under control, presumably will discourage squirrels too, I hope.

 

[who?]

Zombie cat wants BRAINS! You can have the rest.

 

[who?]

A delusional person may may be trying to cast a spell, I just wonder if the desired outcome is good or bad.

 

[who?]

A dead rat. Did you tell on somebody?

 

[vi edit]

I'm taking applications for an adopted cat that will clear out the 3 billion ground squirrels I have trying to tunnel out the foundation of my house. I had one hanging around and even tossed it a can of tuna as sign on bonus. He took the can and left no dead ground squirrels in return.

 

[SP33Demon]

Awesome cat, can you get a picture of it.

 

[BD231]

I'm taking applications for an adopted cat that will clear out the 3 billion ground squirrels I have trying to tunnel out the foundation of my house. I had one hanging around and even tossed it a can of tuna as sign on bonus. He took the can and left no dead ground squirrels in return.

 

[Imp]

Sounds like you need one of those motion activated game cameras.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Tagged for cuteness

 

[torpid]

We sometimes find body parts from rabbits in our yard. It is the work of foxes.

 

[Muse]

Awesome cat, can you get a picture of it.

TBH I haven't seen it lately, not since it's been placing these rats on the mat. It's been quite the phantom. I will try to keep a camera handy in case I do spot it.