It has not stopped raining here for weeks, which makes life a bit dull, but is filling the dams nicely for the coming year which will no doubt feature another scorching summer. We will need those dams full for the aerobatic planes and helicopters to gather up their water to dump on fires. Whilst we’re on meteorological matters, I noticed that the peach trees are budding, in December, which is not right at all. And there are mosquitoes! So much rain and so little cold.
There is a segue here to the cats as my colleague from Miau Lemos was telling me that they are noticing that cats are coming into heat – and having kittens - all year round these days, because it does not get cold enough to send their reproduction instincts into dormancy.
Was it really this year that Husky had his outer ear removed? Yes, it was. He is doing so well. He and his bosom buddy Clem Fandango are thriving and may need a controlled calorie regime in the new year. Here they are in the window of the utility room which is where the inside cats are fed, watched by Clem and Husky who cavort around endearingly in an effort to have what everyone else is having. Which is usually the same as what they are having!!
There is a segue here to the cats as my colleague from Miau Lemos was telling me that they are noticing that cats are coming into heat – and having kittens - all year round these days, because it does not get cold enough to send their reproduction instincts into dormancy.
Was it really this year that Husky had his outer ear removed? Yes, it was. He is doing so well. He and his bosom buddy Clem Fandango are thriving and may need a controlled calorie regime in the new year. Here they are in the window of the utility room which is where the inside cats are fed, watched by Clem and Husky who cavort around endearingly in an effort to have what everyone else is having. Which is usually the same as what they are having!!
We said goodbye to Lola during the summer. You may remember she was the ancient little cat from the local town who we adopted for her retirement from living on the streets. She had many health problems and the one that killed her in the end was lymphoma. This is what FIV positive cats often die from and she was FIV positive. It was a very sad and difficult time, in the worst heat we’d ever seen here. She was on a synthetic morphine at the end but her kidneys stopped working and we had to put her down. She is buried between two olive trees in the garden. She made a big impression on us with her sweet and happy nature, despite what life had thrown at her. Which was essentially neglect. She lived to around 20 we think, which is not bad going for a cat who must have had oodles of litters living on the street. The project described below is in her honour.
Unfortunately, Clara Belle, who I wrote about in the last blog, went AWOL some time in October. Up to that time we saw her regularly on the wildlife camera coming for her dinner at the back of the house. I still put food in the storage room there – and it disappears, although at least some of the time it was a hedgehog tucking in! Here is proof! Apologies for the not great pic.
I have blocked the door with something that should only allow a cat the size of Clara Belle to get in (and/or a hedgehog!), but I have seen the two feral fatties squeezing their way in there too.
So, what has happened to Clara Belle? I think they did bully her as on the wildlife camera she appeared increasingly furtive. There are various possibilities and I am hoping she has moved to the Ruined Street, very nearby, where some other cats are fed by our neighbours. Or to the village across the way, where there are also some colonies of cats. I have seen a couple of possible sightings of her on the wildlife camera and I hope one day she comes back. Stranger things have happened, and cats are very resourceful. Here she is in the camera a couple of months ago. Note the clipped ear which identifies her as being spayed.
So, what has happened to Clara Belle? I think they did bully her as on the wildlife camera she appeared increasingly furtive. There are various possibilities and I am hoping she has moved to the Ruined Street, very nearby, where some other cats are fed by our neighbours. Or to the village across the way, where there are also some colonies of cats. I have seen a couple of possible sightings of her on the wildlife camera and I hope one day she comes back. Stranger things have happened, and cats are very resourceful. Here she is in the camera a couple of months ago. Note the clipped ear which identifies her as being spayed.
Finally, there has been some huge success with Project Lola . One of the town councillors has been brilliant in taking our proposal to the full council meetings, and we have now had a commitment from the mayor that the council will provide resources for cat food, sterilizations, and even wooden cat houses!! From where we were a few months ago when I was so upset about seeing kittens in the middle of the road, and feeling completely helpless about the obvious population explosion in the town, we have now got these commitments which is the first time in the whole area of the Ribeira Sacra. In parallel with getting the agreements from the mayor, we have been trapping and neutering and have already neutered 12 cats, with the crowdfunding funds from those who kindly supported the project. Here is a cat we eventually trapped and neutered taking advantage of an insulated box on a cold night.
And here is a recent visitor feeding some happy cats in town.
The Butterfly Cat project continues alongside Project Lola and I wanted also to say thank you to those who regularly help with that. Whilst we don’t need to neuter cats anymore in this village (success!!), your help means we can feed a lot of feral cats in the village, in the local town, and in Monforte de Lemos. Speaking of which here are some of those cats in Monforte de Lemos who benefit from your help. One of them is called El Hijo del Arbol (son of the tree), because he is the son of a female cat who we called the Christmas Tree Cat. He inherited her facial markings, and that seems appropriate for now.
Seasons Greetings All!!
If you can donate please do so here
Seasons Greetings All!!
If you can donate please do so here
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