The lost pigeon

Several years ago, a white pigeon showed up and tried to eat from my wild-bird feeder, which was too small for it. Then a couple of days later I found its body in the lane. At that point it had been run over a few times and I thought it was a seagull. I picked it up to dispose of it and found that it had bands on its legs. So I called someone, maybe the humane society, so they could get the migration information. They took a look at it and told me it had been someone’s homing pigeon that got lost.

They also said I should have called the Racing Pigeon society, whatever it’s called, and reported it, so someone would have come to coax it back into captivity. The bands would identify its owner. If it ever happens again, I will.

Cartoonless cat cartoons

Here’s a novel concept: the Cat Cartoon without the Cartoon.

Dec. 26:

Santa appears to be at the North Pole, sleigh piled with gifts, elves standing in the background looking on. The jolly old elf is holding the reins, looking on at his team of coursers who, this time, are cats.

The cats are in all manner of poses: sleeping, sitting, fighting, and just ignoring their own situation.

The title to the cartoon is: Christmas was a little late this year.

The Rubaiyat of a Persian Kitten

For your amusement: The Rubaiyat of a Persian Kitten.

And that Inverted Bowl of Skyblue Delf
That helpless lies upon the Pantry Shelf—
Lift not your eyes to It for help, for It
Is quite as empty as you are yourself.

Original quatrain:
And that inverted Bowl they call the Sky,
Whereunder crawling coop’d we live and die,
Lift not your hand to It for help—for It
Rolls on impotently as you or I.

Life without a cat door

The other day I noticed that our cat door was broken and letting in cold air–it’s winter here. So I removed the door and closed the window where it had been. The cats rapidly learned that they have to come to the back door or, if it’s late, to the bedroom window and meow for admittance. They aren’t going out much as long as it’s cold.

I need to sling the broken apparatus into the car so that I can see about getting a replacement with the minimum of new parts.

 

Marlowe is back!

Home at last

After two weeks we were still calling and listening. This morning we heard a cat meowing outside, and a while later Marlowe came up the cherry tree and in the porch window, meowing, growling, and very cautious about the other cats. But she needn’t have worried: they still defer to her.

She seems fine, in good health and well groomed but skinnier. Her fur smells of hay and several of her claws are shredded. We don’t know where she got to or how she stayed alive, but we’re very glad she’s back.

My next task is to take down forty or so ‘Missing Cat’ posters.

Marlowe is missing!

Lost cat!

.	Tortoiseshell-tabby: cloudy grey & brown Long haired with plumy tail Spayed female
	No collar but microchipped Very friendly and vocal Likes to roam & visit Lst seen July 13 at Pape & Fulton.
	She may be injured or frightened—please check your garage, shed, or under porch. She may be dehydrated—please put out water near hiding places.
	If you have found her or seen her (alive or dead) please let us know.