A good friend of a good friend of mine used to have a saying that went
“Cats is Where it’s At.” Having lived very few stretches of my life
without a cat around, I had no idea how true this was nor how overrun a
cat-less homestead could get with Rodents. I had hoped to get another
cat when I settled down on my own homestead one day just for the fine
company they provide, but it didn’t take long for us to realized we
actually needed cats on our McKenzie River homestead. Squirrels, mice,
chipmunks and rabbits were frolicking and cavorting all over the yard,
in the garden and in the shop every time we looked out the windows.
Every single strawberry we watched turning red in eager anticipation was
gobbled down just before we could pick it in the morning. All our
marionberries and blueberries were snatched up by the bold little
marauders who just sat there looking at us as if to say “So, what are
you going to do about it?” When half the seedlings mysteriously
disappeared from the garden, we knew it was time to do something about it. As soon as we got
back from our trip to Telluride, it would be rodent reckoning day.
“Cats is Where it’s At.” Having lived very few stretches of my life
without a cat around, I had no idea how true this was nor how overrun a
cat-less homestead could get with Rodents. I had hoped to get another
cat when I settled down on my own homestead one day just for the fine
company they provide, but it didn’t take long for us to realized we
actually needed cats on our McKenzie River homestead. Squirrels, mice,
chipmunks and rabbits were frolicking and cavorting all over the yard,
in the garden and in the shop every time we looked out the windows.
Every single strawberry we watched turning red in eager anticipation was
gobbled down just before we could pick it in the morning. All our
marionberries and blueberries were snatched up by the bold little
marauders who just sat there looking at us as if to say “So, what are
you going to do about it?” When half the seedlings mysteriously
disappeared from the garden, we knew it was time to do something about it. As soon as we got
back from our trip to Telluride, it would be rodent reckoning day.
We decided to start with addressing our
indoor issues where mice were turning the area under the sink to party
central, and some bold varmint was coming in to the pantry while we were
home and stealing every last filbert. We found a sweet little calico
kitten at a shelter up in Salem, gave her the old-time song title of
Della Mae, and brought her home with us to let the mice know that we
meant business.
indoor issues where mice were turning the area under the sink to party
central, and some bold varmint was coming in to the pantry while we were
home and stealing every last filbert. We found a sweet little calico
kitten at a shelter up in Salem, gave her the old-time song title of
Della Mae, and brought her home with us to let the mice know that we
meant business.
We were also lucky to find a Craigslist add for $5 barn cats,
spayed/neutered and vaccinated from a farm up by Coburg. They were
advertised as great mousers, and friendly felines to boot after
growing up around seven children on the farm. We stopped by to get them
on our way home from the animal shelter in Salem, and were given a first
hand demonstration of them being lovingly mauled by children and
purring the entire time. We only intended to take home two, but they
only had one left to find a home for, so we took all three and got on
the road. If you have never had a car ride with four meowing cats in
carriers, I don’t know if I could even describe the ruckus and do it
justice. Let’s just say it was quite an experience, and we were happy to finally arrive home with our passel of cats.
spayed/neutered and vaccinated from a farm up by Coburg. They were
advertised as great mousers, and friendly felines to boot after
growing up around seven children on the farm. We stopped by to get them
on our way home from the animal shelter in Salem, and were given a first
hand demonstration of them being lovingly mauled by children and
purring the entire time. We only intended to take home two, but they
only had one left to find a home for, so we took all three and got on
the road. If you have never had a car ride with four meowing cats in
carriers, I don’t know if I could even describe the ruckus and do it
justice. Let’s just say it was quite an experience, and we were happy to finally arrive home with our passel of cats.
Now, in addition to a flock of chickens, a coop full of quail, a mountain woman, mountain man and a couple of rascally twin children, our homestead is home to a menagerie of cats. This loveable black bundle of fur is Methuselah Surprise. We decided to give her a name that would strike fear into the hears of mice and chipmunks for miles around. They must have caught wind that cats had come to town, because I haven’t seen hide nor hair of a rodent since.
Then we have our striped friend, Swearingen, named for our favorite old west crime boss on Deadwood, and a grey and white furball called What (not pictured) who has only come out of hiding a handful of times since the car ride home. He isn’t quite as cuddly as his feline friends, but prefers to work solo, spending his time prowling the dark recesses of the garage and workshop. Everyone has their part to play around here.
And then, there is little miss Della Mae. It’s a lot of fun having a rascally kitten running around the house, and she is doing quite well hunting down her little catnip mice for practice.
When it’s all said and done, there is nothing quite so relaxing as curling up at the end of the day with a purring cat on your lap, assured in the knowledge that your garden is safe and the fruits of your labor will be yours to enjoy (not the squirrel’s.)
Cats is where it’s at.
How cute is that last picture. 4 cats, how lovely. We could do with one around here as something keeps eating the rhubarb roots? Unfortunately my husband is allergic and I know that my kids would never 'agree' to not letting the kitty's in the house.
Hope your rodent problems will soon be over.
I haven't seen a single one since the cats came! I hope you find a solution for your rhubarb root pest. Maybe a rodent chasing dog with hypo-allergenic fur,like a golden doodle?
🙂 Lovely cats!
Your cats are darling, I imagine you are so happy they are already fixed! Our cat is a big help, well until this week when she killed a bird and drug it into an unreachable part of the deck, in this heat, peeeeew!!! Hoping all is well, love your stories! 🙂
I am hoping these kitties will leave the birds alone, but I know cats will be cats. Hope your deck starts to smell better soon Kimberlie!