Killing fields

Country living can sometimes be brutal. There is death and killing all around. We have experienced a little more than our norm in the past day.

Our four kittens, who we got with their momma cat a while back, have defied some of the odds. Their momma took off after only a couple of days here, and they were left with us as their mommas--- mommas who have never had cats. They have lived and are beautiful. The reason we got them, however, was to kill mice. They are outside cats-- barn cats. The problem is that without a momma cat, we were unsure of their ability to learn to hunt. From what we have learned, a momma cat will almost kill a mouse and then bring it in for her kittens to finish off. I am unable to do that for them, so we weren't sure if they would learn.

I am pleased to report that they have learned on their own. They are becoming skilled hunters. We have seen them with birds before but had not seen them actually catch one- until last night. It rained yesterday afternoon and the birds were enjoying a bath in the puddles. Unfortunately, the birds chose the puddle right next to the kittens. We watched Blaze pounce and get the bird in his mouth in one fell swoop. They were all excited and played with the flopping and flailing bird. It died pretty quickly. As Kevin the kitten tossed the bird around, Smokey ran over with a freshly caught mouse in his mouth- YAY!!! They all four were slinking around the yard pouncing on bugs, birds, and mice. I guess it really is instinctual, and I am glad.

As we sat in the living room after dark, we saw a swallow flying right by the window, and then we saw a giant dog face come up behind it and catch it in his jaws. Ranger has gotten tall enough that he can stand on his hind legs and reach the window ledge easily. That poor bird had no warning. Except that it has its nest right above the porch, and it flies around taunting the dogs most of the day. Ranger was pretty pleased with himself. The only thing is, Ranger really cannot stand the feeling of anything moving around in his mouth. Be it a bug, a mouse, or a bird, he tries to stomach it but ends up throwing up every time. He is a giant baby- poor guy.

Those hunting kittens we have would love to be on the prowl at night too, however, there are other predators out at night who would love to have the kittens for dinner. We keep the kittens in a kennel in the stable to keep them safe after dark. The coyotes start their howling and what sounds like screaming as soon as the sun goes down. I would like to think the kittens are glad to be safe. The coyotes make all kind of weird noises and will often attempt to lure animals (particularly dogs) out into the field. They will hide in the grass and only one will make noise. From what I am told, they figure out whether the dog is a boy or girl and make noises that would lure the appropriate opposite sex. When the dog wanders out into the field, it is jumped by an entire pack of coyotes--- crafty creatures. We have heard them make noises much like sirens, sometimes like pigs, and occasionally a more traditional howl. We see them in the early morning out in the field, and they usually have a mouth full of some unfortunate animal.

Death is all around. Survival is not pretty in the animal kingdom. If we were an actual animal farm, it would be on a whole other level. Thankfully we still get our chicken and beef from the grocery store. It is a nice reprieve from the known cycle of life. I am by no means ready to know the cow from which our burgers come. Watching the dogs, cats, birds, mice, snakes, and coyotes is quite enough for me.

Isaiah 65:17,25 " 'Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,' says the Lord."