Glen K. writes to ask…
I just read your update about your ankle and it occurred to me that you have not posted about your backyard cats in a while. I imagine you are in no position to feed them. How are they doing? Hope they are OK.
Sorry to say, Glen, they're not OK. They're probably all deceased…though it's not as sad as that probably sounds. I'm fairly sure that all the feral cats that ever found their way to the AYCE buffet that used to be in my backyard lived much longer lives than most strays do. Of the four in the photo below, three passed away on the premises and Max just stopped coming around a few years ago and I think it's safe to assume he's gone too. Max is the large grey one on the right and he ate so much, I was thinking we might have to get him a gastric bypass.
I fed a succession of ferals in my backyard for years and every time one disappeared or died, there were still others showing up for food so I kept putting food out for them and that attracted more cats…and possums…and raccoons…and some neighbors told me they spotted the occasional coyote. Finally in 2021, there was an extended period with only one cat and when that one died, I decided it was the right time to stop putting out chow. It would only attract raccoons and raccoons tended to relieve themselves a lot in my backyard and pee in the pool. It smells so much better out there now.
And that decision had the added value of relieving me of the responsibility. They would get fed if I still had that hungry menagerie out there. I do get around and I have lots of folks visiting me — and two cleaning ladies — but I don't have to worry about feeding felines if there's a moment when it's not possible. And yes, I do miss them…but I think it's better to not attract them here if I can't be as consistent as I used to be. I'd sometimes feel guilty when I was away from home for a while and when I returned, they were sitting on the porch with that "We've been here an awful lot time waiting for dinner" look.
