Thanks
Urchin and Fester update:
Urchin is doing really well at his new school. Much better. He is doing some good work and has been 'star of the week' and has gotten himself some awards. It is not all sunshine and roses though as yesterday he couldn't go on his school trip to the cinema because of his use of the 'f' word
Ironically he picked the word up at school.
Fester is the best cat ever. I adore him. I have made a controversial decision about him - I AM NOT HAVING HIM 'DONE' BY THE VET! I have to accept that may be viewed by some as irresponsible but I have given it lots of thought. He has not put a paw wrong so far. He quickly learned to use his litter tray. Then I moved his litter tray outside (but still under the gazebo so protected from the weather) and he has not 'been' in the house at all. In fact I have never had to clean up after him. No poop, no pee and no spray. He remains partly feral but is very affectionate towards us, very playful but not really happy to go to strangers. He hurt his paw the other week and the vet had to sedate him just to look at him!
The vet is very pushy about neutering. I think it is some kind of 'Vet hobby'
If Fester had been a girly cat then I realise I would have to take responsibility. Fester is no girly cat, however and is enjoying his testosterone teenage years!
I decided to have him checked for FIV (AIDS) and he is not a carrier. If he had been then I would have to re evaluate as i wouldn't want him to spread it to others in any likely cat fights. That's as far as my responsibility for him goes. I do not see myself as his owner. More like a guardian. He is free to come and go and I provide him with food and shelter and veterinary help if he needs it. When I am sat at the computer he often sneaks into the space between myself and the back of the chair and snoozes. I watch him from the bedroom window and he patrols the perimeter of our 200ft long garden. He ventures out in the neighbourhood too and comes hurtling along the garage tops stopping only briefly to tease the yappy west highland terrier next door then he clears the fence and is back on home ground. Life is good for Fester. He has also delivered several mice and a couple of rats (gee thanks for the gift Fester) so Fester is also a hunter cat.
I never went out to buy a cat but we found each other and it is mutually agreeable. I hate the thought of a manufactured pet. You know the vet's perspective of
'let's make animals easy to own and more agreeable by a simple operation' - well I have a feeling the world will still turn quite nicely with Fester
intactico and it may be true that his life will not be as long as an 'indoor' cat, but I believe his quality of life to be very good. LEAVE FESTER'S KNACKERS ALONE.
