Monday, November 7, 2022

The Broken Resolution

That didn’t last long.

Readers may recall that, almost a month ago, I resolved to limit the soft-food I would give to my outsider-cat, Sable, to one small tin a day. That was before our recent fall of both snow and temperatures.

This evening, the thermometer reads -14° C (6.8° F), while what we used to call the wind-chill factor (now, it seems, encompassed by the phrase “it feels like”) puts the cold at -24° C (-11.2° F). Undisturbed snow stands on the ground at about six inches’ depth, covering what might be a feral cat’s food supply.

Sable of course has practically unlimited hard-food at Café Cosy, but soft-food digests more easily and contains a much greater proportion of moisture, necessary in such weather. Therefore, when she came by this evening, I gave her a full tin, then half of another tin. That seemed to satisfy her, and she ran back to her shelter – whatever and wherever that is – after cleaning the bowl a second time. (I feed her a full tin first, in case something spooks her and she doesn’t want to stay further.)

It may cost more, but I don’t feel that I can deny Sable food that may mean the difference between life and death on wintery nights. As I’ve written before, I’m sure she has other sources of nutrition, but I am also sure that some may be lost to her with the effects of a snowstorm. While this inclemency endures, Café Cosy’s most valued customer can have as much food as she wishes.

I hope she reciprocates with a good review in the Michelin Guide…

8 comments:

  1. Ahh...Bless you, John, for taking such great care of your outdoor cats. I'm sure Sable appreciates her meal at the Cosy Cafe. My goodness - already you've had temperatures of -14ᴼ C and 6 inches of snow! I enjoy winter, but...

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  2. Wow, that is really cold already! Right now we must feel warm at 32F (0C)

    You are a good cat 'dad' to the needy ones.

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  3. Thank you for looking after Sable. Wow we think its cold when it drops to 0 deg C. Keep warm friends.

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  4. You take wonderful care of the ferals and strays, John. Bless you indeed.

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  5. She will. She will...I know she will give full marks to the Cafe Cozy each time her considered opinion is sought. And your heart is big, so no surprise that you have reconsidered your resolution. We and certainly Sable are happy for that.

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  6. Sable may not want to give a review; she's keeping your restaurant all to herself!

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  7. I, too, thank you so much for doing what you can for Sable. A Canadian winter is a hard thing for a feral cat, even if she has other resources. Having a full stomach on a night like that helps a lot.

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  8. Thanks for helping her out, she sure appreciates it!

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