OT age change

pat sublett · Feb 14, 2014

I'm no PITA person, in fact the only pet that I let in the house is Mama. I have changed a lot over the years though. I don't enjoy killing things anymore like I once did. use to kill Jack Rabbits and varmints of all kind, just for the fun of it. Loved all kind of hunting, not any more.
About 10-12 years ago, I was laying rock on a house that I was building about 100 yards from the house that I was living in. A little half grown cat appeared out of no where. He hung around all day like I belonged to him. It was late fall and kind of cool. The next morning when I started to work, He was asleep in a 5 gallon bucket that was laying on it's side. My wife put an old feed sack in the bucket and brought me another bucket to carry water in. That cat was there to meet me every morning all Fall .He slept in that bucket every night He never got in the way but just hung around. To make a long story short, wherever I was that cat was there, just like a dog. I could holler "Fred" and he would come running no matter where he was around the place. He got big, Ill bet 20 lbs. Again to shorten a long story, I had to put Old Fred down this morning. Wasn't easy. He had urinary tract problems. The last time the vet worked on him, he said if he got down again, wasn't much he could do for him. He was just an animal, a worthless cat, but I sure got attached to that old fella.

tomturkey · Feb 14, 2014

Pat, I know your pain. I also had a cat and dog that would follow me around the place. Baler broke down in the hay field not to far from the house, I'm laying under it along with a dog and a cat, they werent much help, but wherever I was they were also. Lost them both to the highway traffic in front of our place. Broke my heart. The older I get the softer I get.Sorry about Fred. gobble

Bonnan · Feb 14, 2014

Guess you're just getting soft in your old age Pat.
I don't hunt anymore either and I hate to say what I did when young and stupid.

gtractorfan · Feb 14, 2014

You reminded me, I know a mechanic that had a cat always hanging around him, I teased him he had a mobile shop rag. I feel the same way about killing animals like deer, just nice looking animals- until they destroy your plants.

rrlund · Feb 14, 2014

I know what'cha mean. I've got so many cats around here that I'm tempted to knock some in the head myself. My son's girlfriend brought one out here a few years ago because somebody at work was gonna drop it off somewhere because the little devil wanted to bite when you tried to pet her. She was just playful was all. About a year and a half ago she got hit by a car and was crawling,dragging her back half. The wife was going to get the .22 and shoot her. She looked in to my eyes and I could about see her saying she was OK. Her tail moved and she seemed to be able to put a little pressure against my hands when I moved her legs. I told the wife to put her in the laundry room and give her a little time. Next day she was flopping around but trying to walk. Well,she made a full recovery. She uses a litter box without fail and acts like I'm her best friend in the world. We were getting real tired of the way she carries on when she's in heat,so the wife took her and had her fixed Monday. I felt sorry for the little bugger just watching her recover from that. Missed having her sitting on my lap while I watched TV just that one night.
She's bouncing around here now like she owns the place again,but I'd sure miss her if she was gone.

old popper · Feb 14, 2014

You have my condolances. I am not a cat person, but I know how much a person gets attatched to a pet. It is like losing a member of the family. Dale

pete black · Feb 14, 2014

never much cared for cats after I had to hold our momma cat lost her kittens and the vet had to milk her sore swollen teats. scratching, clawing, fur flying, catawalling, sweat pouring and that was just me. that was 30 plus years ago. now, like others years has a way, here's gabbie.

JayinNY · Feb 14, 2014

I know what you mean, I had mine fixed last May, pic 1 is how thin she got after the procdure, then she started to fill out, now she wants to eat all the time! Lol, yep, she also sits on me when we watch tv!

Royse · Feb 14, 2014

No, not soft, just human.
RRLund's story reminded me of a time my sister called me wanting
me to put down a kitten that had frozen nearly to death.
I threw a towel in the drier to warm it for a few minutes and wrapped
the kitten in it. We kept it warm for a few days and fed
it warm milk.
Fast forward 8 years. That tom cat had lost an eye and the use
of one leg from fighting, had scars all over it and apparently got
tangled up with a raccoon that finally won. We ended up having
to put it down anyway.
I often wonder if it was such a scrapper because of the rough start.

ShadetreeRet · Feb 14, 2014

In summer of '01 an old stray cat took up hanging around, we didn't pet her, but did leave feed out for her because it was obvious she was in a "family way". One morning she left and never returned,I guess she met with some kind of mishap, but next day we heard kittens crying, found them in a bucket under the carport. Well,the wife just HAD to have one, so we bottle fed the little buggers until they were old enough. Found homes for the other three and kept the solid black male. He was mama's kitty, but when she died in 2010, I had to take care of him. His health began to fail, and we had to let him go about six months ago. Yep, you do kinda get attached to them! Sorry for your loss.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 14, 2014

I had a cat that lived in my welding shop. The only thing he'd run from was sparks from the angle grinder. Machines, noise, didn't matter. I had a bar stool with a revolving top. It happened to be sitting with the legs on something when he jumped up on it so it turned. He shifted his weight and made it keep spinning with him on it. I still laugh when I think of it. He eventually got run over in the yard.

fixerupper · Feb 14, 2014

It's getting real hard for me too. Taking a life 'just because' doesn't happen anymore. When I had hogs knocking the runt in the head was part of the routine. I cringed every time I did it but that's what had to be.

We have way too many cats 24 total, and they're all female. I've shot all of the tom cats, not easy but I had to reduce the population somehow. I can't shoot a momma cat. Ever since our daughter passed away, leaving three little girls behind I just can't kill a momma anything. Jim

Ultradog MN · Feb 14, 2014

Pat,
I've never been big on cats but I sure know how attached a guy can get to a pet.
My condolences to you.

MarkWV · Feb 14, 2014

I think as we get older we realize how precious and short life is

PaGlenn · Feb 14, 2014

Hey Pat

I know how you feel. I lost my buddy Jester to kidney failure. They become a part of the family. In his last weeks I gave him IV's to hydrate him. I lost him about 10 years ago and still miss him

rick1 · Feb 14, 2014

Went up to the barn one morning I'm 2012 to feed the horses kept hearing a cat meowing wouldn't stop so I kept calling kitty kitty and here he finally came out from under a stall door. he only has one eye so we named him one eyed jack.every night at 9:00 pm I go back up to the barn to give the horses more hay to get them through the night. and jack is always waiting for me on the seat of our Kawasaki mule.before I Leave I slide in the seat and he jumps in my lap and I will pet him for a while we do that every night. Here is a few pics
Rick

tomturkey · Feb 14, 2014

Yes Mark, You are absoulutely correct. gobble

Janicholson · Feb 14, 2014

Whitney, Newton, Missed"er Box (female), Trouble-Caution (brothers), IO, Peanut, DOG (a Cat), Callista, Keetseel, Xanthia (current) and others.
From the very earliest I can remember, there were cats sometimes many sometimes one. All fit the life they chose and were loved. I feel that pain with you. Jim

JayinNY · Feb 14, 2014

What's with that name ? One eyed jack? We had a cat at the farm in the late 80s who's name was Belmont, he got hit by a car and lost an eye, so they called him one eyed jack! Does that have any meaning? Who was one eyed jack, a pirate or something? Lol, just funny you also have the same situation.

paul · Feb 14, 2014

Just got our 9 month old cat from the vet yesterday, was in for the day to fix up a hernia he had.

Have maybe a couple dozen cats out in the buildings, some wild, some tame, why spend much on this one....

But, you do, ya know.

Paul

notjustair · Feb 14, 2014

We've got an old Tom that must be about 15. He's fat as a tick but he's earned his place on the bed in the garage. About 6 months ago all of the sudden his rearend didn't work right. No pain, just a stroke or something. I about shot him but decided to see what happened. It took a month or so, but Fatty Patty has mostly recovered. He doesn't get up in the work bench anymore, but he happy just being petted. It's the darnedest thing - he loves to be petted really rough. If you beat him around good he will just about chase you down when you try to walk off. He was a scrawny stray, too.

T Whalen · Feb 14, 2014

I understand. I have hunted my whole life- ruffed grouse mainly. I used to lay off of them when their numbers were low but then as if something in my heart changed I started looking at them as distant pets (Doesn't help my neighbor had one that would eat cracked corn out of your hand) Now I have not hunted them in quite a few years. I did like the taste of them but lately I would sooner shoot them with my camera and save my animal instincts for all the d---d deer around here.

pete black · Feb 14, 2014

playing cards; of the 4 jacks, the jack of spade only has one eye showing. the club, diamond and heart shows two eyes.

JayinNY · Feb 14, 2014

Thank you,

pete black · Feb 14, 2014

correction-the jack of hearts also has only one eye showing.

37chief · Feb 14, 2014

I am sorry for the loss of your pal. I have gone through the same thing myself more times than I want to remember. You gave the cat a good home, and care. There is a time when not much more can be done for our furry friends. You still have all the memories of your pal. I would shoot at any wild thing than came around our place growing up. I hate to even trap a gopher now. Stan

Royse · Feb 14, 2014

(quoted from post at 23:42:58 02/14/14) correction-the jack of hearts also has only one eye showing.

One eyed jacks and deuces are wild! LOL

Billy Shafer · Feb 14, 2014

We have an old tom at the feed store. I was told they found him the yard as a kitten. He now rules the warehouse and yard. When trucks do pull up to the loading dock. No dog are allowed out of the bed. The ones that do jump out get a quick lesson from him on who runs the place.

If he climbs up on a stack of feed bags. That means not in a good mood leave me alone. If he wants to be petted he will come to you.

JayinNY · Feb 14, 2014

Just found it! Lol thanks

johnlobb · Feb 14, 2014

Pat, I agree. For years I hunted, deer and pheasants but about 10 years ago I just lost the desire to hunt. I like to shoot, but now my twice a week hockey is all the battle I seem to do. I need the exercise, and hockey forces that. I always liked cats, but I suddenly developed severe allergies to them so, no cats.

howdy1960 · Feb 15, 2014

Got outa bed a couple months ago and one the inside kitties didn't look right the way she was laying. She passed sometime in the night. This would have been her 2nd winter of life. The 1st winter SWMBO brought her and her brother inside cause was cold out there. I can tell her brother still misses her at dinner time as they shared a bowl.

John Fulton · Feb 15, 2014

When I was growing up in the 40"- 50"s it was not "cool" for a boy to like cats. I struggled with that concept since my Dad loved them and always had at least 2 or 3 in and out of the house. They loved him and would always lay on his lap when he was reading. It really upset me when guys would brag about torturing cats by setting them on fire, tying them by tail on clothesline, or deliberately running them over on the road. I often wondered how these guys developed in later life, if they became perverse bullies or maladjusted sociopaths ( or perhaps NJ politicians)LOL!!

sms · Feb 15, 2014

Not a big hunter anymore either(but they are tasty) Brother loves to hunt and shares. Grew up hunting,fishing, trapping after a while I found just being in the woods was all I needed, enjoy seeing and watching critters. Don't have any cats just some little dogs that are lap cats, oldest is 16 it will be tough when its his time. I think sometimes it takes one special critter to make a change in us.

Chris(WA) · Feb 15, 2014

Some of our best cats are ones that adopted us. Miss Kitty was waiting at the door of the shop my ex worked at one day wanting to be let in. She came home with her from work after she fell thru the suspended ceiling there... Penny just showed up one day standing on the fender of the car I was working under the hood of. I looked up and there she was acting like just like she belonged there. She hung around for the better part of 15 year... I do miss her, but Elsie and Lexi are holding down the fort these days. I do like my cats. And they like us! Elsie picked my wife. We were looking at kittens at a shelter when all of a sudden something was tugging at her sholder. Elsie was reaching thru the bars of her cage and tugging on her sleeve as if to say excuse me...and Lexi just comes a running when you call her!
Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. There is another one out there looking for you!

Bill(Wis) · Feb 15, 2014

Cats and dogs were considered "working animals" when I was growing up. Big old collie dog would round up cattle all by himself and bring them right up the lane for us. We needed at least 5 cats to keep the vermin count down to where you just didn't see any. We had a lot of grain in storage and hay and straw in storage which made a perfect set up for mice. I got a kick out of someone a while back wanting advice for his mouse problem He said he didn't want to put out poison because the cats would eat it. ???????? There's a major disconnect in that equation. (;>))

Rick Kr · Feb 15, 2014

Pat,
Not sure it is old age. I appreciate all things living around here.

I do shot all the vermin I need to maintain the place, but I never kill anything just because. Love to hunt, but I won't shoot anything I won't eat.

Over the years, I truly believe stray animals make the best pets. Its their way of thanking you for putting out a little food and water for them.

My two cents.
Rick

danmcdonald · Feb 15, 2014

Sorry for your loss. I feel bad any time I loss a barn cat.

jon f mn · Feb 15, 2014

I'm not much on pets or cats either, but we had to put our 14 year old dog down last fall. That was not a good day.

wjytexas · Feb 15, 2014

similar story. a yellow tabby showed up one day and stayed. he and the dog were best friends and the two followed me everywhere. when I took a break in the shop with some Cheetoes and a beer they'd sit on either side and share the Cheetoes with me. still have the dog but the cat died a couple of years ago. miss him in the shop.

nybadlybent · Feb 15, 2014

You are just another " good man". I don't know you but I like you.

NEbobcat · Feb 16, 2014

cats like old farmers won't ask for help but rember if ya do

Stumpy(NH) · Feb 16, 2014

We had to put our cast down last summer. After 22 years of being an absolute sweetheart, loving cat. I was torn apart, my wife devastated. A couple of months ago we got a rescue puppy.

Henry is a wonderful dog, Coocoo was a wonderful cat. I still miss that little black house cat. She was a real sweetie.

Funny thing is Coocoo was all black except for a patch of white on her chest.....Henry(a black lab mix) has the same markings.......life is a wonderful mystery.

Sorry for your loss.....I hope you find a way to fill the void.

Stumpy

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