TGIF
Strays, both human and feline, seem to like my company and both pique my curiosity.
How did they end up where they are?
Where are they from?
Why did they leave there?
Those answers answer the question “why won’t they come in”?
We’ve been feeding a large, yellow, coon cat every day and every night for months.
He’s a big fellow and he is a very sweet tempered fellow to boot.
He was dangerously thin when he arrived…he’s not now.
Every morning he sticks his head in the door and lets me know he’s here if I would be kind enough to feed him again today.
As he’s become accustomed to me, he now waits after the meal to be petted a bit before he leaves again.
If I’m not paying attention to him when he’s finished eating, he will stick his head in the door to request the petting as well.
He likes me.
He seems to appreciate me.
He won’t come in.
Any attempt to bring him in, no matter the conditions outside, results in frenzied attempts at freedom.
He’s an adult…he used to live somewhere.
Something went really wrong wherever that was.
Someone, somewhere, taught him that inside is a dangerous place.
Now, he cannot trust, not fully or even much.
He still likes the idea of a home but the wounds received in his last one preclude him from accepting another one.
He will not be brought in by force or persuasion…only by love that is willing to go outside with him.
You may have to count a few scratches as the cost as well.
He may never come in…but I will always be willing to meet him where his is.
Strays, both human and feline…are worth it.
Make your own application…
yep.
Michael
I know quite a few burned Christians who are the same way.. they stand at the church door but won’t come in.
Dude,
That’s exactly what I was getting at…you made the right application. 🙂
I am sorry to inform you, Michael, that the orange cat you are attempting to bring into your household is almost certainly a member of the Assassin Cult, of which my own Mr. Noodles is a novice.
Xenia,
He’s a reluctant killer! 🙂
I told the story here of how Mr. Noodles (who looks exactly like the cat in the photo) tied me up one day and how after I escaped from that peril, he waited til dark and booby-trapped the door?
Xenia,
He loves you…he just needs some accommodation. 🙂
The awful Mr. Noodles:
https://mizmooz.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/noodles.png
Pretty kitty… 🙂
I have a special place in my heart for Orange Tabbies. Tomcats are my preference.
I love him very much.
He just grabbed my watch and ran off with it…..
Another stray here, who enjoys your company, ‘food’ and ‘pets’….Thank you.
Great analogy…and thank you for being so cool to stray cats and ‘sheep”.
well…
i’m betting that cat’s owners have a sad story of their own… desperation that caused them to abandon the cat, most likely left indoors when they departed? perhaps he was chased out by the angry landlord?
our the churches have too many “landlords” IMV … a twisted version of protecting their church? perhaps so, but their standards are skewed in favor of standards that seem to me to be very carnal …
Miss Kitty and the big fellow… interesting contrasts
The cat may never go inside and you may never know why. Knowing that they are cared for outside may be all they want.
I wish I knew how to apply to this to our latest cat adoption. She came to us with behavior issues and continues to make a mess. Honestly, I don’t want to send her back, but if she doesn’t learn how to live in the family, I don’t know if she will be able to stay.
Great post!
Michael, he looks like simba in the Lion King now. Looks like someone has done a good job at feeding him.
We acquired a male orange tabby stray many years ago. As he ate from our household, he became quite accustomed to us, and in fact, like a dog, went on a walk with us every night. He even accompanied my children around the neighborhood on Halloween. He was the best cat that ever had us….really a sweet, wonderful cat. We still miss him.
“The cat may never go inside and you may never know why. Knowing that they are cared for outside may be all they want.”
if the cat is leading a good cat life outdoors, it may be all that Michael wants also as a non-neutered male cat doing what most of them do, could have Michael living outside in a very short time…
just sayin’ (that’s a Dusty quote that i picked up years ago 🙂 )
What Jim said. Great stuff thank you.
Michael,
Is it possible for you to post your personal email address here? I have a very important (To me and hopefully too you and many others on this site) issue I wish to bring up. If you do not wish to do that, please contact me at: paullytton@att.net
God bless you,
Paul
Your story has love, sorrow and hope. I guess life is like that.
Very interesting contrast with our adopted tabby.
We got her at 8 weeks old. Apparently someone found them as babies-mom was dead and they were nursed till old enough to put up for adoption.
We realized early on that she did not like to be pet, ..maybe the top of her head a little and that’s all. She will try and claw us, or run away, although in contrast she is usually near, but at a distance of at least 2 feet away. Never gets too close.
She squints her eyes when we talk to her , and we have come to learn that is her way of affection.
Having her has made me ponder a lot since every other dog/cat I have had was very affectionate, and outwardly returned love.
She is 2 1/2 now.
I learned if nothing else from this cat the selfishness I have had in owning a pet. How much do we all expect a return of our love?
I continue to love her even with nothing given back outwardly in return.
I suspect our heavenly Father does the same with us.
Paul,
phoenixpreacher@gmail.com