selauk wrote on Nov 20, ’10

he will be fine, i had a little feral puss called molly for years she ended up with one ear one eye and half a tail but she turned in to a lovely little puss dispite being quite old when i rescued her..any cat can be tamed through i would try and keep him seperate from your moggies until hes calmed down a bit and trusts you chicken is the ultimate cat taming tool!good luck

greenwytch wrote on Nov 20, ’10

sending lots of love, light and healing thoughts to the little guy and to your kits, too….i know they worry as well. HUGS, hun.

sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 20, ’10

he will be fine, i had a little feral puss called molly for years she ended up with one ear one eye and half a tail but she turned in to a lovely little puss dispite being quite old when i rescued her..any cat can be tamed through i would try and keep him seperate from your moggies until hes calmed down a bit and trusts you chicken is the ultimate cat taming tool!good luck

Samantha, nice to meet you, you are so kind! Thank you.

lunarechoes wrote on Nov 20, ’10

Sending positive vibes right now.Your heart may be even bigger than that cat is adorable.

vickiecollins wrote on Nov 20, ’10, edited on Nov 20, ’10

Your concern and dedication to helping the little guy is impressive, and speaks volumes about who you are.By the way, he is a very handsome fella.

sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 20, ’10

Hi Vickie, isn’t he sweet. My neighbor and I have been taking care of him for about 3 years. He really is sweet. Sometimes we open the door and there he is in the sun on the mat. I think his position was usurped by the other cats and he is docile having been neutered. Poor little guy.

astranavigo08 wrote on Nov 20, ’10

Having been the home-father of a foundling, I can tell you that you’ve (1) given Little Arnold a better life than he would have had otherwise, and that (2) regardless; you are a good woman, and have done the right thing, no matter the outcome.Now, Sis – all good thoughts for Arnold. Let’s hope.(HUGS)

jadedruid wrote on Nov 20, ’10

Good luck in catching him. Hopefully i will go smoothly and you can get him help

esoterika713 wrote on Nov 20, ’10, edited on Nov 20, ’10

With the right care hopefully he will get better. It would be nice if you could get him fixed to then maybe he’ll be a better pet. I can see how you could become attached. He is beautiful.
If your other cats are boys and you get him fixed they might even all get along.
🙂

sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 20, ’10

With the right care hopefully he will get better. It would be nice if you could get him fixed to then maybe he’ll be a better pet. I can see how you could become attached. He is beautiful.
If your other cats are boys and you get him fixed they might even all get along.
🙂

Hi! I had Arnold trapped and “fixed” and vaccinated last year, then returned. I have a mother cat and 2 sons, all fixed, all domesticated, a long process having been feral. Thanks for the response.
Nice to meet you!

sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 20, ’10

Hi, bro…I know, I know, but I still feel bad!! 🙁

skeezicks1957 wrote on Nov 21, ’10

When I was growing up the barn cats would have kittens and if the kittens had gooey eyes they usually died. I hope you catch him and get him treated for his issues. But if unable then it was not meant to be. Not your fault.

gileson wrote on Nov 21, ’10

As a child on the farm in South Dakota the cats were a part of our environment much the same as a cow, horse, pig or chicken. The cats and the horses had special immunity in that they were safe from our dinner table, but neither the horses nor the cats were allowed in the house. The horses earned their keep by helping with the other livestock, the cats by keeping the barn mice and gophers under control.

There cats were not feral in the strictest sense, some were approachable, others preferred not to share their affection with the human population and simply hid out or ran off at the approach of the humans.

My father always insisted that cats could not be domesticated and to confine them was cruel. He said, “A dog becomes a member of the family. With a cat you become a member of his staff”.
.He didn’t dislike cats, nor do I, but like my Dad I have never allowed a cat in my home since I feel it would be be unjust to try to incarcerate one.
I hope your friend survives, but if he doesn’t it’s “survival of the fittest.”
Cats and other animals are designed to be able to survive the elements without our help.
I wonder if the same thing holds true for the humans sleeping on steam vents in our cities?

sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 21, ’10

Hi Tim and Mary Ellen,
Well, my little family has come such a long way and it is a pleasure to see their growth and the connection to us. Even Little Arnold is connected. I saw him in the back yard today and called to him. Sorbet was eating at the feeding station on my porch and so I moved Arnold’s food to the back deck where he had a bit and went off into the sun. His sick eye appeared to be at least partly open so I am encouraged that he has a good chance.

sousonne wrote on Nov 21, ’10

You are only expected to do what you are able, in ANY given situation. Your heart and intentions are certainly in the positive light. The winter is going to be very severe this year, from what I’ve read. If you are able to catch him and take him in to have him checked and healed, you can certainly try to integrate him into the family, inside….the worst that could happen in that scenerio, is that it doesn’t work, and you’ll have to let him back outside. I know that you have to be strong and consistant when it comes to getting an otherwise free spirited cat to learn to be an inside cat…but I’m sure that you’ll know what to do. In any case, the way I see it, you’re doing above and beyond what anyone would do in this case. There’s no need to emotionally beat yourself black and blue because nature’s intention differs from your own!

sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 21, ’10

Oh, Sous, thanks! My friend the trapper just lent me a trap and taught me how to use it. I am setting it out tomorrow and he will go in and he will go to the vet.
I saw him earlier and he came to the back and ate, he groomed himself, and then sunned himself on my neighbor’s front porch. When the sun moved, so did he to the next porch, he curled up in a chair like he lived there. His eye is half closed and I hope it can be saved. I also hope that he doesn’t have a virus that can’t be cured. Hoping for the best. Thanks again!

moniquemkk wrote on Nov 21, ’10

Good luck.

sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 21, ’10

Thanks, Monique!

gileson wrote on Nov 21, ’10

One of our neighbors on the next farm called the vet one day to tell him his cat was sick and acting all out of sorts.
The vet said, probably just something she ate. I’m going to be on the opposite side of the county today, so I may not make it out there. I suggest you feed her a bottle of castor oil and keep her under observation. I will call you this evening.My neighbor was one of these people who never questioned authority under any circumstances (while I always have questioned authority under all circumstances) and he did as he was directed.Later on that evening, the Vet called to check on progress. He said, “How’s your sick calf?”

My friend said, “Not a calf, a CAT.”

The vet said, “OMNIGOD, did you give her the bottle of castor oil?”

My neighbor allowed as how since those were his instructions, he carried them out.

The vet said, “So, what is the condition of your cat now?”

My neighbor said, “I haven’t seen her in awhile. The last time I saw her she was with three friends. One was digging holes, one was covering them up and the third was searching for new land.”

sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 21, ’10

Oh Gawd!!! I am going to post an Arnold update in a minute…

shoppingdreams wrote on Nov 21, ’10

I’ve always been terrified when I have done this, and that is normal. You love him. I think little Arnold has some good Karma going on in finding an angel who will help him. Please keep us posted!

lauritasita wrote on Nov 21, ’10

You have a wonderful heart. I hope it works out.