It was all so tranquil in the back yard. Bonnie was chasing butterflies, Clyde was chasing leaves. I was supervising things. The autumn sun shone down and all was right with a kitty world. Bonnie was doing amazing leaps after a Monarch butterfly and gibbered with frustration when she failed to catch it Clyde caught several leaves and ate them. Then it happened - the serpent entered!

Deo, the large cat who lives next door has been watching the kitties for weeks through the netting of the front and back screen doors. He had also been spraying around the doors, marking his territory. The kitties had long ago ceased to be bothered by him. This morning it was different - there was no screen door. Bonnie & Clyde quickly realised there was no barrier between them and puffed themselves up. I was about to grab them when Deo bounced screaming and spitting onto Clyde. Bonnie decided to be a live coward and bolted into the bushes.

Poor Clyde, he is a big kitten but was no match for a cat three times his size. I kicked Deo away but it was impossible to pick up Clyde. He was in hysterical mode, spitting and clawing at everything. Deo let out a roar and they were away again, clawing and rolling across the lawn. This time I got a stick and whacked Deo across the bottom. He gave a shout of rage and disengaged. I managed to get between them but still couldn't pick up Clyde. He was going to claw anything and everyone to death, including me. I crouched beside him with the stick on hand for Deo, who was prowling around us ferociously. I knew Bonnie was hiding somewhere and was frightened Deo would find her.

Finally I was able to pick up Clyde and take him inside. Bonnie needing a lot of coaxing to come out as Deo was still lurking about.

I found that Clyde has a nasty scratch on his foot so will have to watch that. Will have to keep an eye on him in case there are any further punctures that I haven't noticed. In the meantime I have learned a lesson. I didn't think Deo would attack the kittens but I was wrong. He thinks this is his territory and is prepared to fight intruders. When Ollie was here he gave Deo a thrashing every time he saw him. The poor cat was terrified.

I did notice one thing. Clyde was chewing a large piece of white fur that obviously come from Deo. Knowing the sharpness of kitten claws it's a safe bet that Deo didn't come off unscathed either!

Copyright © Beverley Dunlop
March 5, 2003