I learned upon my return from a road trip today that Tatum had become
deceased while I was out. Unfortunately, this appears to have been my doing.
When I arrived back at home terminal and was post trip inspecting the truck,
I found Tatum embedded deeply in the grille and partially pressed through
into the radiator screen. Tatum was a known night traveler and it seems this
contributed to the misfortune. Tatum is the name I bestowed upon this ugly
moth that was careless enough to try to be close to me. She will be deeply
missed by the children of West Central Wisconsin where that species is
from.....

Ah well, enough of that sh.t. Looking back on some of the replies to my post
about Elvis, I am certainly amused at some of the responses. One actually
suggested I deter the colony cats from risky behavior with a spray bottle.
This caused me to question how much some of you - most of you *really* know
about feline behavior as opposed to what you think you know.

In response to that bit of ludicrous sh.t - these are feral and semi feral
outdoor, colony animals, not Buffy and Fluffy who spend their lives entirely
indoors. Their number varies between 6 to 10 animals on any given day. Of
that number, 2 are openly affectionate and human socialized - one because he
was born here, the other because he was abandoned here, having come from a
domesticated existence. The fact that he was already castrated  (deal with
it, his balls were cut off in a ritualistic mutilation surgery, benefits
aside, precisely what it is) was a pretty good indicator. Three more are
totally feral, taking the widest line possible to avoid ANY human
interaction, taking the food only when any human has retreated to a
comfortable distance. The others have some degree of comfort with being in
close proximity to people. A few will actually venture up the steps and peek
in the front door. These will also stand by and circle about while food is
being placed, but balk at being touched. The exception to this is Ellis, who
seems to have very recently taken a strong interest in my wife. We've
noticed that he finds her voice interesting.

Now considering that these critters run free, go different directions at any
and all hours of the day, and do precisely as God intended - i.e. exactly
what they damned well please, what would being blasted with a spray bottle
by someone who is gone two to four days a week accomplish? Feline behavior
modification enjoys limited success at best, even in carefully controlled
situations with well socialized pets. What do ya reckon colony animals would
make of such tactics? Talk about ignorant, ill informed, knee jerk
reactions...

And cyber - you worthless c.nt... I recall lurking as you engaged in a flame
war recently in which you were the primary antagonist - simply because you
enjoy it. It was pointless and pathetic. I presume you to be female since
the dialog you present has overtones of the sort of female bitterness that
sets in once one's eggs have gone stale and your years have moved beyond
your primary mission as a brood sow. Tough deal when gravity has its way
with you, isn't it?

A few others seem not to be able to read well enough to grasp that there was
*nothing* to HEAR that would have *prevented* Elvis from being injured. I
pity your lack of total literacy. Considering that similar accidents have
occurred involving HUMAN children, much larger, more visible, and certainly
creatures whose whereabouts are more controlled than a stray animal's, I
find any assertion that it was completely avoidable to be pure horseshit.
With the overwhelming majority of those drivers held blameless for the
unpredictable actions of small children, I simply will not kowtow to the
demented vitriol of a few who lurk here with more time and hate to disburse
than any sane person should have.

How many of you have actually managed the care and feeding of a colony of
undomesticated felines? I'm not talking about putting a little food out for
a few days to help out a wandering stray who soon leaves. I mean feeding
them all the time, trapping when possible to treat illnesses or injuries,
taking part in TNR roundups of them to control population. Well, how many?
How many times have you gone outside in the early hours of a cold winter day
to try trapping a sick feral with nasal discharge and his eyes almost welded
shut from secretions - not just once but for four or five days in a row,
administering meds? How many of you put up with constant sh.t from your
neighbors (who don't like cats) in order to place dunction on the form of
yur idea that the feline companions are far more worthy than the humans that
surround them? Yet those of you here who claim such knowledge of these
animals would purport to have some sort of all seeing, all knowing moral
superiority? f.ck you - accidents happen.

Cats in a colony setting tend to come and go, live and die, according to
their ability to manage life in the wild. Apparently the pecking order
changed after the mass TNR. 'Guess I shouldn't be suprised. Group dynamics
change when the hormones are adjusted.  A few of the males left a short
while after the release. One relocated to a less cat populated area. 'Don't
know about the other. Coyotes maybe? Oh yes, that happens too. Coyotes tend
to thin out the population from time time. Is that just a bit too real for
some of the overly sensitive here to wrap their minds around?  A few of the
neighborhood kids have told me of two instances where large hawks have
snatched up kittens. I've never personally seen it happen, but did find
partial remains near a stand of trees where some of these raptors hang out.
Maybe I should get that spray bottle and position myself to drive the night
roaming cats - nocturnal hunters, ya know - away from the fields where the
coyotes hunt, maybe show them a short storyboard of sketches on the dangers
of going near the fields and the woods. 'Maybe a primer on how some birds
may actually eat *you*!!

You've convinced me that in order to prevent any future instance where fate
might deal one of the colony a bad outcome, I should no longer participate
in any activity involving the welfare of these animals. Nature would take
its course. The colony will dissolve as they move to locate another food
source. A few will bond together, most will go separate ways. The responses
about Elvis have accomplished what all my neighbors have wanted for years -
to make the crazy cat man stop letting them hang around.
If they could, I'm sure they would thank you with the deepest of
appreciation - the cats I mean... <sarcasm for those too ignorant to get it

being very limited. I'll depart this group and not ever return, nor will I
respond to those who have dealt out their venom. No need to - your mission
is accomplished. Free cats - catch 'em and you keep 'em. Name it and you
claim it.

Now regarding the feral stray a few years back who was hell bent on tearing
in through my living room screen to get at the kittens despite having been
driven off twice previously within the previous hour... If I had it to do
over again.... I wouldn't change a thing. The value of mine inside my
residence trumps the madness of a deranged interloper. Doesn't matter if it
was pit bull, 'possum or stray feral tom. Two attempts to drive his hard
headed a.s off and this time he was gonna tear his way in. Although my
kittens were his intended target, I know very well that my son or wife could
have been injured by this creature as well. I needn't risk ANY of  them to
be justified, so if this is still a focal point for some of you after this
period of time, once again - go f.ck yourselves.

R.I.P. Elvis.... We know how it was. To Spook, Barbie, Mum Cat, CopyCat,
Mr.Jingles and others who have moved on or passed without me ever knowing
your destiny, Thank You for the love and joy you left us with memories of. I
can no longer do this.......