Not knowing which preditor is involved, I have taken the perimeter collars off of the two miniature pinschers and they only go outside on leash now.
Good thing. This morning, twice, a golden eagle has swooped over the lawn between the house and the pond. I went into the game room to tell Ross, and that's when I saw Dustin, the other cat, on the patio. Ross did the math quickly and got Dustin inside pronto.
With it's seven foot wingspan, a golden eagle can carry away about three times it's own weight. When they're really hungry, they are known to attack deer and goats (although they can't carry them).
Ross sits in a reclining chair with Dustin in his arms as I write this.
He remembers when we got each cat. Dustin first around five years ago at the Skagit Humane Society, and Willie three years ago at South Whidbey Humane Society.
The animals you buy at shelters are microchipped and usually named by the volunteers. It was especially important to these people that Willie keep his name. He'd been received the first time as a six day old kitten that they bottle-fed, then as a one year old given up because of allergies in the family.
"That usually means they got a new kitten," said the young girl who presented him. "This is such a nice cat. I've seen one so well-adjusted."
Well-adjusted? That's a description I hadn't heard before.
"Let's Free Willie then," I said. Money was exchanged and he came home us. The first thing he did was get stuck on the roof. Apparently he had no experience with two-story explorations. I have a photo of him I've posted here. He looks like a gargoyle, doesn't he? Two teenaged boys managed to pull him in through a window, but not without shedding some blood.
Cats are very good rodent control, as well as clean pets. We have never had a mouse enter the house with these two guys on the job. Both of them were declawed, but could still pull a bird out of mid-flight (we have discouraged this practice, but no amount of lecturing seems to be effective).
Some people are going to tell me I sent Willie to his death because I let the cats outside. It's nearly impossible to keep them in, even if it was my intent. They are animals and preditors by nature and design. We will try very hard to keep Dustin inside during the daylight hours eagles navigate in.
Coyotes have not been a problem, I think because our house site is open space without much cover. Tough for coyotes to sneak around in, but great touch and go landing strips for eagles, apparently.
So, I feel a little sad today. Can't feel as sad as I would if I knew that eagle or other preditor took Willie, because I didn't see it happen. There's always hope he'll show up at the patio door any minute.
Willie is free again, I think. Free of his cat suit. Not the kind of freedom he'd want. I hope it was quick.
It'll be a little while before I buy another cat. They serve a purpose, but they are affectionate and friendly companions. Willie deserves a mourning period, and I have to think about whether a box of Decon is a better replacement.
I miss you, Willie.
