This is Killer.
Her real name is Lily, befitting her sparkly collar – but belying her murderous manners. She moved into the neighborhood about a year ago, along with a once-feral cat named Turbo.
He comes by his name rightly, don’t you think? They live across the street, but they have made my garden their home.
Don’t let the cute act fool you. These cats are bird lover’s nightmare. I’m still too devastated to relay the story of the baby Mourning Dove massacre. They are tight-lipped about which one was the actual assassin.
And a gardener’s nemesis, leaving their little stink bomb surprises in the beds to be uncovered by unsuspecting weeders – or poop-loving Goldens. Yes, Jackson. We’re talking about you.
Bonus: in the middle of the night, they jump off the tree onto the roof to test our dog barking alarm. Yup. Works like a charm.
Cats.
How in the world do you teach them: “GO HOME!”
Gardens For Goldens 
Oh, yes. My very first golden, Shelby, loved to race out the front door and bank a hard left, right into the flower bed where she knew the neighbor’s cat, Charlotte, had left her a special yummy treat. Yuk & ick. Today, I am constantly watching my newest rescued golden, Leo, as he puts nose to the ground in hot pursuit of pooh on our walks in the park. Any pooh. Kitty pooh. Doggie pooh. Bunny pooh. He loves it all. Sigh. The only thing that stops me from scolding him too much, save for a stern LEAVE IT or two, is the fact that I think he probably had to fend for himself at one time in his young life, and eating pooh was part of his survival plan. So sad, but still kinda icky. Thankfully, he’s not a kisser!
Happens a lot with litters that don’t receive a lot of interaction – unfortunately! One of our pups is on special meds that make her tummy very sensitive to bacteria. I literally had to reach into her mouth and wrangle a cat poo out of it. No getting that smell off in a hurry! YUCK!
I have 4 cats and love them dearly except for their ‘murderous manners’, as you say. Two of them re hunters and like to bring their prey in through the dog door while I’m sleeping. Lately I’ve awakened to headless birds under the kitchen table and feathers throughout the kitchen. At times they bring in mice, which usually end up in my closet or running across the bed. Luckily I’m not afraid of them, as I once found one in the toe of my shoe – couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t get my foot in all the way. It wasn’t a sock left inside. I felt so sorry for that darling, scared little thing with the huge eyes! Luckily Woody has no interest in the animals remains. Not sure about the poop – I’ve never caught him, but boy he’s got some horrible breath!! Could be 😛
Lily and Turbo dispose of all but the feathers. Feline garbage disposals. I’m glad they don’t bring me headless (or live!) treasures. I guess I can be thankful for that.
My apologies for the poor typing tonight! I must be really tired – I usually don’t type so badly!
🙂
I wish I knew! Our neighbors’ cat has made OUR yard his personal litter box. I wouldn’t mind so much if he’d cover it up better so Ducky wouldn’t find it, eat it, and end up with an upset tummy.
I’m not sure it makes for any less of an upset tummy when they turn it into Kitty Rocha by rolling it in litter or dirt. Double Yuck!
I’ll probably incur someone’s wrath here, but I’m not a cat person and for all the reasons listed here and in the comments. 🙂
I had to edit myself. 🙂 I have hosted two awesome cats. Both were kind enough to stay in their own yard. But I am very happy to be done with the litter box!
I live with three cats myself so here’s the bad news: cats run the show. The End.
Seriously, what gorgeous kitties. Turbo is 90% attitude, isn’t he? And Jackson, that looks says it all. What is it about dogs and cat poo? I’ll never understand it myself, but it seems to be a delicacy in their world.
=^..^=