Every day when I get home from work, I let Shylock and Falstaff out to run round and play for a few hours before it gets dark. Two days ago, I did this, and decided to do some work at the computer in the conservatory with the door open, as the weather was warm. After a while, I can hear a bird squawking like crazy somewhere outside. When this continued for several minutes, I decided to investigate, just in case the fellas are up to mischief. As soon as I got outside, I spot both cats by the flower bed at the side of the patio, Shylock was hanging back a bit, and Falstaff is in the flower bed, batting at a blackbird with his paw. The poor bird was squawking hoping someone would come to help. I yell at the cats, telling Falstaff to "Leave it", at which point he grabs the poor bird in his mouth and shoots off down the side of the house. I follow in hot pursuit, yelling to him to "Put it down now" - No idea what the neighbours must think. He manages to shoot past me, still carrying the bird, closely followed by Shylock and not so closely followed by me. Luckily at the top of the garden, he drops the bird into a small bush, which gives me chance to grab him and carry him inside. Then I spend five minutes trying to catch Shylock, as I don't want him to play with the poor bird now Falstaff has been removed from the scene.

When both cats are locked inside, I go to inspect the bird - it was still alive, but breathing rapidly and lying on its tummy. Most of its tail feathers have gone, but the rest of it looks okay. After ringing other half, we decide to give the bird a chance to recover, rather than putting it out of its misery. Just before it got dark, we went out to check on it, and its now stood up in the flower bed looking a bit better.

Yesterday, I checked the garden before letting the cats out. I had decided not to let them out, if the bird was still there and alive. The bird was quite happily bouncing round the garden, but not flying away when I got too close, just swearing at me. After consulting other half, we decide to give the bird a bit more time to recover, by keeping the cats in for another evening. I have explained to them that they are grounded, and I have discussed with them that it is only natural for them to hunt and kill things. I have also explained to Falstaff that I don't mind him killing things, but would he mind being humane about it, by being quick about it and making sure that they don't suffer. I have also chatted with Shylock and told him that there is no shame in Falstaff being 3-1 up in the bird catching competition, so he doesn't have to feel that he has to catch up in any way, we will still love him.

Copyright © Rachel Craddock
July 28, 2004