Freeloader! / myLot

Belews Creek, North Carolina

July 13, 2019 11:35am CST

I tried to get a photo of this dwarf, grey tiger (a nickname he earned while still a kitten) taking a nap on the deck but I was unable to creep up on him unnoticed. He has been a bit of a disappointment recently. He has always been our “mighty hunter” cat with the local squirrel population being his most consistent target. Apparently, he is losing his edge. Yesterday, while he snoozed on the deck, I watched a squirrel drag a tennis-ball-sized green tomato across the front yard. I had been blaming the fowl flock for the partially gnawed tomatoes that have been scattered around my yard in recent weeks until I found half a tomato sitting on top of the firewood waiting to be unloaded from my husband’s utility trailer. I wasn’t entirely sure who was responsible until I saw Mr. Squirrel struggling with his burden yesterday. The time has come to have a heart-to-heart talk with Smoky about his lazy habits. I don’t expect a lot from the cat herd, but I would appreciate the rodent population being kept under control! Are your pets freeloaders or do they earn their keep?

5 people like this

5 responses

Suzanne

@Morethanamom (1948)

• Canada

14 Jul 19

Diesel caught at least one mouse during his tenure here, but the mousetraps did most of the work. Cinder has only been here 2 months(what started as catsitting, ended up with her staying permanently) and we have not found any catches. She is earning her keep in another way. My husband’s sudden extreme anxiety has been greatly reduced by having the fur ball in the house.

1 person likes this

MrsJ

@SophiaMorros (5044)

• Belews Creek, North Carolina

15 Jul 19

Smoky is probably still taking out squirrels it's just been a while since he's felt it necessary to bring his kill to the front door and eat it in front of us. I've lost count of how many squirrels I've seen him eat (and moles, chipmunks, flying squirrels...I don't think I've ever seen him with a rat or a mouse). It sounds like Cinder is definitely doing her part.