Penny The Cat

Perhaps you recall my coming home on more than one occasion to fly tying materials strewn far and wide. Predatory release at my tying materials, and mine, expense. Penny the Cat was at it. She is so on alert, hyper vigilant. It is seldom I see her snooze although she disappears for much of the day, beneath the bed or hiding in some cranny snoozing. But, every once in awhile she comes out of hiding to plop down and snooze. My wife captured this shot today…Penny in a trusting, restful pose.

Penny the Cat and Harley the Maltipoo chase each other often. One baits the other into attack. What is interesting is Harley for such a little butt is quite Alpha like. Yet, Penny thinks nothing of rousting Harley out of his high spots.

Photograph of Animal Cruelty

Philippine's Animal Welfare Society

The PAWS posted this photograph of a dog being transported, as such, in the Philippines. Not exactly like riding in the back bed of the pickup. I wonder if that is the driver’s version of a gentle leader around the muzzle & neck? In my estimation, the pup deserves more dignity than depicted.

Pet Loyalty: The Good, Bad & Pending Times

By your side, dogs are often a household barometer of your mood, your family’s well-being. They pick up on the good, bad and pending. Loyalty beyond conditioning or their needs. Pets are a burden in some people’s minds but year in, year out they are comforting during your worst times. Every once in awhile, as you are lost in your own struggle, look up at that sweet face and give it a rub and a few kind words.

Wild Pigs in Upstate New York?

Yet another example of man intro’ing non-native species (animals) into an area (we aren’t talking horses here): private hunting compounds bring in wild Russian boars and then let them escape and multiply. The feral hog problem is just starting in upstate N.Y., but it begs the question of how do such private reserves stand the test of management. Every other damn facet of our lives is managed. But, animals (safety, disease, crops, erosion) seem to fly under the scrutiny of local /state types when it comes to pricey hunting compounds. Maybe the laws/regs are there? 

Feral Pigs

 Carnivora Forum

“Feral swine are breeding in three counties in central New York, according to a federal study done last year with funding from New York’s Invasive Species Council. The wild population statewide is likely in the hundreds , said Gordon Batcheller, head of the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Bureau of Wildlife.

That’s small compared with Texas, where biologists estimate the feral hog population at around 2 million, but Batcheller said any number is bad because they’re certain to multiply. Damage becomes more noticeable when the population reaches the thousands and the hogs stake out home territories rather than wandering widely….”

“We’re not talking about Porky Pig getting loose from the farm,” Rusz said. “These are Russian wild boars. Those animals are Houdini-like escape artists and they breed readily in the wild. We’ve had domestic pigs for centuries and never had a feral hog problem until the game ranches started bringing these in.”    AP ‘Wild Boars’

Cat v. Snake

Was this a “Hey, Betty Jean there’s a snake in the yard. Go get Kitty and let’s see how she fares”?

CAT & THE SNAKE

Fly Tying: Cat Infestation?

Well I have written here at length over the woes of infestation in your fly tying materials. Moths and mice have been my nemesis over the years. But recently another critter has weaseled their way into all manner of fly tying materials: Penelope the Cat. You may recall the rescue of Penelope in early June from a tall tree. Never a dull moment sense then.

Imagine my surprise, as I came down this morning, to Penny intoxicatingly tearing through a scattered pile of hen hackle. My ability to leave materials out, whether on the table or in a bag is compromised. Shouldn’t be surprising as I have chased her and done battle (you should see my forearms) to reclaim strips of rabbit, several hen capes, foam, and yes even a Woolly Bugger. In her best interest, and mine, all materials will have to be secured and protected at the conclusion of each session. My days, weeks, months of scattered materials atop the table are gone….if I want to maintain my materials. 

Penelope the Cat & a scattered pile of hen hackle (SwittersB)

Habitat Lost: Swifts, Coyotes and Teenagers…where will they go?

Habitat Gone...Just LIke That

I awoke to a rumbling on Monday. It was heavy equipment, off in the distance. Must be freeway work I thought. Yet, when I drove down the freeway there were no signs of construction or heavy equipment.

Again, yesterday, I heard the rumbling, but did not pursue further. This morning, when I got up, I looked out the back window and some giant piece of equipment loomed high into the air spewing forth wood chips. A mountain of wood chips.

The holly orchard (top of picture left) was being obliterated. I knew the land had been owned by a 90+ year old gent, whose kids lived somewhere in Washington State. I knew the Nature Conservancy had tried to talk the old man into bequeathing this parcel to them. It was one of the largest, undeveloped areas in my County surrounded as it were by developments.

The area has been home to coyotes, raccoons, hawks, deer, owls, squirrels and experimenting teenagers. In addition, it has been a longtime habitat to an enormous flock of Vaux’s Swifts (every bit the equal or superior to the Chapman Grade School Chimney flock). Now that habitat was leveled in two days with the biggest chippers I have ever laid eyes upon (like semi trailer sized). There now stands a giant pile of chips and a mound of trees yet to be chipped.

I don’t know if the family sold the property or what the intent is for the property now that it has been leveled. I can guess. More houses or apartments in an already overly developed area with little infrastructure to handle the traffic.

I don’t challenge private property rights to level some trees. But, the plans, if they exist, to build a bunch of ‘affordable’ housing has already degraded the area.  More to follow?

Update 7/28/11: A City Park. Land donated by old timer. Nice, better than homes. But, there is a park not 100 yards away. The street is at least partially occupied by the type that don’t move out of the way as you drive up. You know, on their sorry ass terms. The picnic benches are occupied by saggy pants thugs who sit atop the bench and put their feet on the seats. I don’t see many families except early in the day near the small play ground. Moms come early while the players sleep. So another park. Hmmm, ‘community’ (love that damn word) hearings are being held in a week. Sounds like with the rapidity with which the land is being cleared they already have their plan. Public input? Seeing as how I seldom see a cruiser at the park a block away, not much to say except roust the MFer’s. Keep them moving. Introduce yourself blue suit. Keep them moving like the Swifts and Coyotes.

Habitat Gone. The future of the land is unknown, but suspected. The picture is not very inspiring...just a scraped piece of land now. SwittersB

Maybe the critters have headed South toward the tall trees and the freeway beyond. My point to post this simply to note the loss of  a buffer zone, a natural area (granted a man made holly orchard) has disappeared. We always read about these disappearing wild areas. Here’s one in my own backyard. Neighbor tells me those Swifts had roosted in that orchard for over 25 years. Guess they roosted someplace else before the orchard. 

Rural America Declines

Outdoor News: Grizzly roams free after fatal Yellowstone mauling

100 Yard Gap Closed by Protective Mama Grizzly. What if”s didn’t help here. Grizzly Chases Down Hikers   Offered up as a reminder only. I have only had one random, fairly uneventful incident with a bear out by Stargaven Creek near Sitka. Yes, we knew there were bears. Yes, they were nearby. But, when you hear that nearby people are running in a panic to get to the ‘safety’ of their cars, you do start looking over your shoulder. Then you realize you are cut off from the car. Gives you pause and you do see your vulnerability. Time to exit.    

Frankly some of this stuff plays out so quickly. Last week I was working along the shoreline with an overgrown area behind me. I suddenly heard this rapid, snorting sound behind me and rocks being displaced. I turned and as I did a large German Shepard was powerfully moving toward me. Any gap would have been quickly closed. I squared up. No conscious plan on my part. Frozen, tightening. Had that sudden gut check of ok here it comes and just as quickly the fierce face stopped and the dog turned away running back up river toward an angler 50 yards up stream that I had not seen. The incident struck me at the time as no place to run; didn’t occur to me to run and as usual I self critiqued of what if’s. What would you do? During and after? 

Water Dogs (Yes & No)

Emma Loves The Water (SwittersB)

Harley is Not a Water Dog! (SwittersB)

 

Cat In a Tree on a Windy Day (Cat Rescue’s Self)

Finally, a sunny day. Often in Portland, Oregon when the wind blows out of the Columbia River Gorge on a Spring/Summer day the temperatures rise and the trees sway. I was sitting on the back deck gaining some Vitamin D when I opened my eyes and gazed upwards to the tops of the swaying Alders. Imagine my surprise when I viewed a dark shape nearly at the top of the tree. Probably 60+’ up was an animal. A raccoon ? A cat? I grabbed the telephoto lens and shot away as I could see it was a cat. A domesticated cat? A pregnant domesticated cat? A fat cat? Regardless, of its origins, it was a cat holding on as the tree swung several feet in either direction in the strong East wind.

Cat in a Tree 1 SwittersB

Cat in a Tree 2 SwittersB

Cat in a Tree 3 SwittersB

Cat in a Tree 4 SwittersB

On this particular day, I do indeed hope the cat has 9 lives. My back yard has been visited by Coyotes, Hawks and Raccoons. I hope this cat makes it down. The wind will blow for several more hours as temps rise. Hold on Kitty. I have to leave for the afternoon/evening in the midst of this wild life-domesticated pet drama. I will have faith that in any lulls with the wind, Penelope (yes I named her) will move downward toward safety.

Penelope the Cat: Down & Out (SwittersB)

Well now….I arrive home from a family gathering and bit of a drive, tired and ready to hit it. Oh yeah…the cat in the tree? It is pitch black out back, so I get a flash light and shine it to the top of the tree. Bouncing back are the reflective eyes at the top of the tree. And, a non-stop of woeful ‘meows’. The wind had stopped by now. What the hell now? I walk over into the area of the tree, with a small spring separating the tree from myself. The tree is oddly swayed and rotten branches extend up a good 40′ up into the flourishing area where the cat pleads for help. 

A few neighbors gather and a discussion ensues with the options of ‘let’s go to bed’; ‘it’s a cat, it will be ok’; ‘let’s cut the tree down’; ‘now?’; ‘would the fire department come out?’; ‘really?’. ‘Here kitty kitty’s’ are offered upward and ‘meows’ respond downward.

Our flashlights point upward, and suddenly as if either drawn to our summons or thinking ‘finally, I can see were I am going!’…Penelope the Cat commences a harrowing, claw clinging, upside down descent from on high. This little drama results in a bunch of ‘oh my God’s’ and ‘I can’t watch’s’. The cat is silent. Every ounce of that cat’s being is clutching that tree’s trunk as it slides inch by inch, sometimes a rapid foot all at once, down that tree trunk. This draws out until, we are certain there cannot be any energy left to continue. Yet that cat did, until the final five feet. It swung around tail (half tail missing) downward and after hanging by the claws it let go into the brush below, beside the small stream. I met Penelope and she was immediately drawn to me.

Well this resulted in a rather sleepless night of my two dogs, annoyed as hell, testing the lightning quick paws of Penelope. Not a relaxing night. And, the cat was/is badly dehydrated and starving. Who knows how long it had been up there? It is now open to debate within the family of how to proceed. I will be dutiful to scour the area for wanted posters.

For now, I need to make a litter box or decide if this is a house cat or outside cat…should Penelope decide to stay awhile.     zzxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx   mmmmmmmmmmmmm,,,,,  (I do know the cat is fascinated by the cursor moving on the screen here).