As a kid, cats would always pick on me. I could walk into any house, one I have never been to before and instantly know there was a cat lurking somewhere inside. My uncontrollable sneezes told me about the cat. Everyone knew I had a massive reaction and for a kid, this was unwanted attention. Cats seemed to seek me out after that first sneeze. They would try to curl up around my neck and face and anywhere they would find it most devastating to my health. I am sure to this day it was intentional. The adverse physical reactions have since subsided but cats to this day still run to my neck as soon as they sense something in me. I find it odd as most creatures, if they do not like you, they head for the opposite direction.
I have rats. Well I had rats. I tried poison. I did not put a lot of thought into this but acted more out of urgency and limited experience with rat control. I regret the poison. I had a scare with an animal I loved. I just didn't like placing the poison around. It did not feel right. If anyone can tell me what to do with the now unwanted poison as I have no idea how to properly dispose of it.
I was at my favorite local vet. I brought in a rat terrier that had a terror for rats. It was not a psychotherapy session, just a routine shots update. Trying to take my mind off the obvious resistance the little fellow had for this visit I began talking about my rat situation. Oddly the vet just happened to have several amazing and beautiful kittens to give away. He also had a plan to get them off to a wonderful start in life, or at least one of them. His plan was for me to give up my past bad experience and start fresh. Give the sweet little kitten a home, a start in my rat infested area, and he would return the favor with neutering and deworming and the essential health plan at very affordable pricing. The kitten would work hard also in return and bring me much relief and I could do away with the rat posion forever. It would have been a sweet deal for a cat lover, but that was not me and I anguished in the ensuing debate.
As it turns out this vet was not only a great vet but a great salesperson. Over the course of treatment of this little patient I brought to him, he smoothly talked me into something I would never otherwise do, by breaking down every objection I had systematically even though I was a confirmed anti cat person from a young age. The kitten, one in particular, was also working his magic (and lies as it turned out later) and in a twenty minute period I was convinced that the problem was with me not the cats and I would be rather foolish unless I gave this a good try.
The kitten comes home. Adorable until one of his innocent claw marks swells into a red and disproportionately large scratch on your chest and arms or legs. Georgeous until he starts kneading on your chest just as you are drifting off to sleep. Cutest thing ever until he purrs so loud deep in your ear canal you have to resist the temptation to .........
Now I have a kitten killing machine and I do not miss the cockroaches, I do not miss the mice and I do not miss the rats my resident snake missed. I miss my most favorite geckos that paraded and mate danced on my patio rail and walls. The geckos are all gone within the range of the little ferocious kitty. I see him hiding close to my hummingbird feeder. Those little hummers that made my breakfasts on the deck so much more endearing are now becoming potential enjoyment for my resident killing machine and simply a target. I will break down and cry I know the first time she brings a captured and mangled hummer to my deck chair as a proudly earned prize. Life is not fair and why are cats so obnoxious and untrainable. I find I hate cats more than ever. How could one hate a creature so well crafted and beautiful. It is the stealth and lack of empathy that makes me wonder now if poison is not the lessor of two evils. Why would anyone domestiCATe a cat in the first place?
I have rats. Well I had rats. I tried poison. I did not put a lot of thought into this but acted more out of urgency and limited experience with rat control. I regret the poison. I had a scare with an animal I loved. I just didn't like placing the poison around. It did not feel right. If anyone can tell me what to do with the now unwanted poison as I have no idea how to properly dispose of it.
I was at my favorite local vet. I brought in a rat terrier that had a terror for rats. It was not a psychotherapy session, just a routine shots update. Trying to take my mind off the obvious resistance the little fellow had for this visit I began talking about my rat situation. Oddly the vet just happened to have several amazing and beautiful kittens to give away. He also had a plan to get them off to a wonderful start in life, or at least one of them. His plan was for me to give up my past bad experience and start fresh. Give the sweet little kitten a home, a start in my rat infested area, and he would return the favor with neutering and deworming and the essential health plan at very affordable pricing. The kitten would work hard also in return and bring me much relief and I could do away with the rat posion forever. It would have been a sweet deal for a cat lover, but that was not me and I anguished in the ensuing debate.
As it turns out this vet was not only a great vet but a great salesperson. Over the course of treatment of this little patient I brought to him, he smoothly talked me into something I would never otherwise do, by breaking down every objection I had systematically even though I was a confirmed anti cat person from a young age. The kitten, one in particular, was also working his magic (and lies as it turned out later) and in a twenty minute period I was convinced that the problem was with me not the cats and I would be rather foolish unless I gave this a good try.
The kitten comes home. Adorable until one of his innocent claw marks swells into a red and disproportionately large scratch on your chest and arms or legs. Georgeous until he starts kneading on your chest just as you are drifting off to sleep. Cutest thing ever until he purrs so loud deep in your ear canal you have to resist the temptation to .........
Now I have a kitten killing machine and I do not miss the cockroaches, I do not miss the mice and I do not miss the rats my resident snake missed. I miss my most favorite geckos that paraded and mate danced on my patio rail and walls. The geckos are all gone within the range of the little ferocious kitty. I see him hiding close to my hummingbird feeder. Those little hummers that made my breakfasts on the deck so much more endearing are now becoming potential enjoyment for my resident killing machine and simply a target. I will break down and cry I know the first time she brings a captured and mangled hummer to my deck chair as a proudly earned prize. Life is not fair and why are cats so obnoxious and untrainable. I find I hate cats more than ever. How could one hate a creature so well crafted and beautiful. It is the stealth and lack of empathy that makes me wonder now if poison is not the lessor of two evils. Why would anyone domestiCATe a cat in the first place?