Cattail

My darling Cattail, the Mole Slayer, has accomplished the near-impossible in our front yard. At least one large mole found its way into our lawn several weeks ago and has created considerable damage with a myriad of tunnels under the grass and dozens of piles of dirt in a widely spreading area.

The exterminators won't guarantee their work, so it looked like the perfect job for Cattail. This proved to be a good deal more challenging than catching rats, however, because the mole doesn't ever seem to actually come out of the ground.

Cattail has persistently and patiently been in pursuit, but a lot of waiting, listening, pouncing and digging has proved fruitless. I encouraged and praised him and he knew what the goal was, but if it wasn't for bad luck, he wouldn't have had any luck at all.

Until last night....

I missed the actual capture and kill, but spotted something strange lying in the grass this afternoon and upon closer inspection, discovered a huge mole on its back, stiffly dead! My boy's luck turned and his skills were ready!

The Mole Is No More!!!

When he came home to check in this afternoon, I about hugged and kissed him to pieces and he's being rather nonchalant about his success...all in a day's work (but I know he's secretly quite pleased with himself).

This calls for a reward...what do I do for the cat who has it ALL?? I think a piece of fresh fish from the seafood display at the market sounds tempting. I wonder if he'd prefer Halibut or Salmon....

Copyright © Karen Anderson
September 17, 1999