Thursday, December 22, 2022

The Kitchen is Always Open

My outsider cat, Sable, didn’t show up for food Tuesday or most of Wednesday. There were no paw prints in the snow leading to my outside bowls. The precipitation here was heavy and the temperatures very cold. I think at such times Sable stays in her shelter - wherever and whatever that might be - for as long as possible, to keep warm, and ventures out only when hunger drives her.


She showed up late last night. I watch for her. She has the hard-food bowl to eat from - I always keep that filled - but soft-food, warmed up, is what she enjoys and waits for. But in such temperatures, she won’t wait long, so I keep my eyes open for her. My beasts help: if I see them staring outside or hurrying to the door to the ditch, I know someone is out there.


I believe that in better weather Sable has other sources of food, but I suspect these sources are covered in snow, or on holiday, as she was quite hungry. Though previously I thought to limit her consumption to one small tin of soft-food, I can’t give her only that, especially in this weather, and when I think she has no other restaurant at which to dine. Café Cosy’s favourite customer ate almost three tins of soft-food last night. I had just broken the ice in the heated water-bowl (it’s too cold for the bowl to keep its contents liquid) before she arrived, so she was able to drink, as well, if she wanted.


As Sable ages, I worry about the elements hurting her, particularly in such extremes as last night’s. Life is tough for outsider-cats, ferals who don’t trust humans. There may come a time when Sable comes no more. Until then, though, Café Cosy will be open.


13 comments:

  1. Poor Sable. I hate to think of any animal having to deal with such weather. Bless you for making sure that she at least can get a good meal when she needs it.

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  2. I fret and worry about the outside cats, however I've witnessed them live through some of the nastiest Winters that Mother Nature could create.
    Looking at living outside as a human is different than a cat used to being out there, however, am not as silly to think that any animal out there is simply 'okay'.
    Doing what we can is where humanity shines.

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  3. Poor love. I'm glad she has plentiful food at your home, John. We can't do everything for every Being, but we can help to the best of our ability--and you certainly are doing that.

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  4. Good to have guards watching the back for you. So Sable can have some food and the warmer the food the better. Your temps are already
    15 F less than mine will be tonight. Going from 35 F to -3 tonight with the wind at 70 MPH. What a pre-Christmas gift.

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  5. Poor Sable! I always worry about how outside cats will fare in the winter. Thank goodness you're there to care for her. God bless you, John!

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  6. So good that Sable has your place to go to for food.
    I send purrs that she makes it through another Winter.
    Purrs to you for looking out for her.
    Purrs, Julie

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  7. I feel so bad for ferals. I am glad there are kind folks like you watching out for them.

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  8. Yes, and we understand, we're so worried about our outside ferals too.

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  9. I feel sorry for those cats who have to survive outside, and particularly with hard winters. Sable knows she can rely on you for food when she needs it. It is good to have the help of the Home Guard too who let you know when she arrives.

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  10. This and the stories and depictions of outside cats suffering in the winter really hurts the Soul. Bless them.

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  11. Poor Sable, this weather is "not fit for man nor beast". I'm glad you're able to keep an eye out for her and provide the nutrition she needs.

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  12. That's furry nice to make sure she got her food. It'll help her to have that extra energy she needs in these cold temperatures. xo

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