Pip's near-miss and other animal happenings

This is why my hair is greyer than it was in the days I had not outdoor cats...

Our quasi-barn-cat didn't return to the barn on Wednesday night. Then she didn't return Thursday night. Then she didn't return Friday night either. I was sure she was dead! Once or twice she has stayed out overnight, but never three nights in a row. We lock all the cats in the house or barn every evenin, but Pip has found some new escape route we haven't figured out yet (and nor have the other barn cats!)

So I spent the weekend worried sick and fearing the worst. I drove to the very back of the property in the RTV in the hopes I'd find her back there, but nothing. Usually she does come when called.

Sunday I read an online article that gave me a bit of hope about finding lost cats. I took another stab and things and decided to walk along the far edge of the soybean calling her name. There are over 20 acres of soybeans that are now almost waist-high on me, and a cat, even a cat who is as savvy as Pip, could get lost in there.

So I walked along, calling her name every ten seconds or so. When I was halfway across the field, I hear a meow. Then another. Then another. Then the soybeans started rustling... it was Pip!! I picked her up and brought her back to the house. She seemed okay apart from a swelling on her tail near its base, so I took her to the vet on Sunday. Turns it it was an abscess that needed lancing and draining. I am picking up Pip tomorrow, and she'll be wearing the cone of shame. Our theory is that something grabbed her (coyote? fox?) and she managed to wriggle free but got disoriented in the field, or else was just scared and hiding for three nights. So she'll be okay, but again I am torn about having any outdoor cats. 

Initially Redford showed up and we said he could be a barn cat. And then our rat population grew out of control last summer, so we added more barn cats. Now the vermin situation is well looked after, but I have a bunch of outdoor cats that I spend too much time worrying about. However, we hate using poison on rats, and the traps just weren't doing it. So I don't know what I'm going to do. Pip is particularly independent and hates being in the house for any length of time. I'm thinking I should order up kitty GPS trackers for everyone.

Anyway, I'm just glad I found her this time.

Meanwhile, the cat antics continue...

Annuk taunting Daisy from a tree!

Buttercup in alfalfa.

Me and my boyfriend Saul. He was nibbling my arm, but he's gentle. No teeth! ;)

And meanwhile, Emerson...

...still loves the pigs.

A lot.

Honey and Daisy watching the sunset.

And we got a humane trap and are going to get this guy in for the snip-snip asap:

He's letting me get closer and closer to him but still won't let me touch him! But Keaton does "talk" to me all the time. 

And inside...

Daisy and Archie are having a mad fling!

While Honey looks on. All three are from Greece but Daisy and Honey are sisters and never knew Archie when he was there. But now it's as if they know they are all from the same dump in Syros! Very sweet.

And here's my doofus pony, Finney...

Smiling!

And my HORSE...

Roo, at our riding lesson last Friday. He's a handsome guy.

Don't be jealous Finney! I love you too.

You too Rudy!