Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Garden cat

Meet my new friend...
I know he looks big, and well-fed, but we are 99% sure he's a stray. I first started seeing him last year, just before winter. Part of the reason he's so big, is he's still intact. Those big jowls and thick neck are the signs of a true Tom cat.
At first, he'd run when he saw me, so I never thought too much about him. But one night a couple weeks ago, I went to turn off the backyard light, and there he was, eating some food Ollie had left behind (and I'd forgotten to bring in). He ran when he saw me, but only to the edge of the yard. So I went out, sat down, shook the food dish, and called him back over.

He came, finished up the food and hesitantly let me pet him, before heading off. But he was back the next night, sitting patiently on the patio stones. I brought him another bowl of food which he gobbled right down. Since then he's shown up at least every other night, staying longer and letting me pet him more.
I decided he needed a name, and that he looked a little like a Stan. Dave didn't like that though... he called him Relic (yes... after the Beachcombers....) So... Relic he is.
He was coming around so often, I made him a little make-shift shelter out of a rubbermaid tub and an old flannel sheet). Soon after, Relic started coming during the day.
He always wanders off at some point, but he's usually back the next day, or the night after...
As much as I'd like to bring him in, I can't do it until he's seen a vet (and he's not fond of being picked up, so getting him in a carrier at the moment isn't going to happen.) And the fact that he's an intact adult means he might not be an ideal house cat anyway... even after neutering, he may still have a tendency to spray.
But for now, he can be my garden cat. He can come for food, and a safe place to sleep, and come the cold weather, we'll see if he trusts us enough to let us help him to a better situation.

9 comments:

The Well Fed Wheel said...

He's very handsome and extremely healthy looking for a stray. He's no dummy either because he knows a kitty savior when he sees one. ;-)

Araignee said...

He is a beauty, poor thing. I've got a new outside one too and Hoover is not having it. Lots of hissing and yowling going on. He forgets that not that long ago he was homeless too. They just keep coming.

Delighted Hands said...

Oh, he is a beauty! I think slow actions will get him to trust you eventually. You will win him over!

Vera said...

Oh he is so handsome! And, I am sure he will grow to trust you.

Bridget said...

What a sweet looking boy! Give him a pat from me next time he lets you around him.

Anonymous said...

You have such a big heart! I'm sure he appreciates some good chow and a soft place to rest.

bittenbyknittin said...

Both my cats are strays. The adult one Finn had been neutered and is quite the gentleman inside, but when he wants to go out, he wants OUT NOW. Finn keeps the rabbit, mouse, and vole population in check, but seems to ignore the birds. The other stray was a kitten and is a full time indoor kitty; if let out, I'm sure Beau would decimate the bird population. I hope you can get Relic to the vet sometime - some strays discover they like indoor life very, very much.

elns said...

I love the story of your garden cat. :) Aww. He's a handsome boy, but your natural instinct of knowing how to befriend animals is really lovely.

Rachelle said...

The last unneutered tom in our area used to come into our house and spray so he wasn't welcome. I got the cat rescue place to trap him so they could fix him and release him back here. He didn't come back though, he escaped where they were based and hasn't shown up again. He's the reason we have a super expensive cat door though, so only my microchip girls get in.
Btw, even fixed cats who have been done as kittens sometimes spray. The neighbour's fixed boy does and so does my Star in order to cover up what he's done. Our garage can be quite fragrant at times