The Homestead Cat | New Additions at Mountain Jewel!! (Warning: Cuteness Overload!)
The first year we lived on the land, we had our Great Pyrenese/Anatolian Shepherd mix, Chivo. As we were building a lot and had stacks of wood around the property, we started to notice the presence of a common farm nuisance...
The Mouse!!
As we'd go into our storage area, we'd find that the mice had made a home out of any clothes or tapestries they could get their hands on. As we went through the wood piles, we'd find said tapestries and little yarns from hither and yon in the form of nests! (Should also mention we had pack rats, which I don't wish on anyone!)
Chivo was 100% too slow to catch them. At times we'd scare them from their hiding spots and they'd run right over his paws and he'd look dumbly on as they scampered away.
It was time to get what may be one of the most important homestead allies...
A Cat!!
These cat and mouse games, you see, don't include dogs or humans. It is a karmic cycle of cats and mice and who are we to deny them their games?
Ini was concerned about having a cat. First, he is mildly allergic to them. Secondly, he didn't grow up with any animals! It took a little convincing, but of course he succumbed to the power of the necessity to fulfill cat/mouse karma. I grew up with cats. They were my parents first children, a pair of them called Lightfoot and Thunderbolt that lived to be (22 and 23 respectively!).
My dad with Thunderbolt and me with both of the cats.
Lightfoot
I put out on facebook for anyone who knew of a female spayed rescue cat who was a good mouser. I soon got word back that a woman named Autumn, who rescues cats, had one. Ini was going to town anyway and so picked her up. She spent the first day hiding under the furniture in the yurt, but after she relaxed, she's been one of my favorite things in life. My heart literally swells when we cuddle and she's such a sweetheart and a badass mouser!!!
Our mouse population has gone down significantly. In fact, I can't remember the last time I saw a mouse. Sadly, the flip side of this is that she also eats lizards, skinks and she tries to eat birds and butterflies (though I'm not sure how successful she is.)
This cat is named Alabask and she's a badass!!
Fast forward a bit. I had it in my mind that I wanted a black cat - to complete the witchy nature of my life, ya know? Every witch needs a black cat!
Plus I heard they were not chosen as often in our Christian conservative area cuz, ya know, of the whole bad luck when a black cat crosses your path thing. Whatever! My good friend Michelle had just rescued a black cat from a nearby town and was taking care of her. She brought her over for a meet and greet (just in case Ini didn't like her ;), there was resistance on this cat, too.)
Luckily Ini fell in love almost immediately. We named this one Wix, which is the gender neutral form of Witch/Warlock. We weren't sure what sex Wix was, and also just wanted to give her freedom to be herself!!
Luckily our cats love each other!!
We weren't sure how old Wix was so we didn't rush to spay her.
About 2 months ago, I noticed something on her belly. At first I thought it must be a tick as that's a common occurrence. Upon closer examination it wasn't a tick, but her nipple was just bigger and pinker than usual! I thought that was odd. A week later I noticed that she was getting a little plumper and definitely eating her food faster than usual and crying for more. Again, a little odd- does she have a worm?
I observed Wix for a couple more days and she kept ballooning out from her sides... She didn't gain weight anywhere else. I did a little research and figured she was probably pregnant!! For cats, this is called QUEENING!
I thought this was pretty exciting! I think at this point she was probably about two weeks in and given the average gestation is 64 days that left a little over a month and 2 weeks before the kittens would come!
We had a lot of fun with her pregnancy. She was super lovey and I know why they call it queening... she sat regally just like a queen! I loved it!
My friend who gave me Wix came over for a women's circle at my place on Thursday and she adored how plump Wix was... I kinda wished she would've given birth while my lady friends were here but oh well! They all got to see her and love on her.
Yesterday I noticed at about midday that Wix wasn't near us. I looked in all of her "usual" spots - under the cabin, yurt or fert lab, on top of the extra window piles (for building projects), near the kitchen, etc. No where! We got some rain yesterday - YAAAY - but this did not help me look for Wix. In the evening finally she came into the yurt. I went over to her and realized she no longer had the babies in her! She had given birth (or miscarried!). It was literally pouring at this point yet I put a rain jacket on, got an umbrella and went out to see if I could find her nest.
I was really worried that, if the babies were alive, she would leave them?!?! She ate and then cuddled up on the bed next to me and fell asleep. At this point, I really thought she probably miscarried or even ate the babies. Why would she be away from her babes?
I enlisted Ini to go out and look with me. We brought a high powered light and looked everywhere! To no avail. We went to sleep that night, but Wix had left the yurt and didn't sleep with us, so there was hope...
This morning I set out in the daylight to look for Wix's nest.
I was sure that if it existed, it had to be really well hidden to protect from the rain and also the nosiness of our dog, Luci (who loves to nuzzle/annoy the cats.) I looked near the window and building supply piles and moved on, but as I was walking away I saw Luci linger there. And when I had been there, I thought I smelled blood. I looked where Luci was sniffing and sure enough I saw a heap of fur going up and down. I went to a different angle and screamed, Wix was there with her kittens, three of them!
I screamed for Ini to come over and we did a happy dance! We brought some food over to her spot, but that was really unnecessary because shortly thereafter, Wix came into the yurt with one of her babies in her mouth!
She licked it and fed it while we prepared a cardboard box with some towels.
Then she left and got the other two. It was sooo much fun watching her be a mom- pretty much what I've done all day :) Making sure she has food and watching the little ones (2 girls and 1 guy) suck and climb all over one another. I have to say, Wix is a pretty good mom!!
Ahhhh! I'm in love. I think we may keep one and find good homes for the rest! Good job Mama Wix!
Such a nice story! It puts a smile on my face as I read it. My husband and I adopted two cats two years ago. It was the first time either of us had cats, so we didn't know what to expect. You are right, cats are must haves on a homestead. We used to get no fruit from our fruit trees because squirrels stole them all, but after bringing two cats to the homestead, we now have fruit we can harvest! To me they are working animals that are so lovable. This is such a sweet post and the photos are over the top cute. Congratulations Grandma and grandpa :D
:) aw thanks so much! so great to hear about your more abundant yields! what a fantastic outcome of getting your two cats. it's amazing what good little workers they are, and what great companions they make. it's really a cool interspecies relationship!
Cats are such great companions. I remember many years ago, a little runt kitten I nursed who would have died, ended up coming to me when she was in labor. She looked at me as if to say ' mom! can you please help me?'. She ended up having 3 babies. She was a very good mom, too.
Enjoy the little ones; you're going to have lots of fun watching them grow and play!
Awww what a sweet story!!! 😻 yes already loving every minute of it!!
We had cats around when I grew up and I got my own cat when I was in college. They are so fun to have around. Been a long time since I have seen kitties so young their eyes aren't open. Very cute.
I hadn’t yet been around them when they are so new; ive loved it! They remind me of gerbils or hamsters (which I also had as a kid). Def agree- they’re so fun to have around 😻
I had the same problem with mice on the acreage and although I am a bit allergic to cats , there was no hesitation in getting a cat when the mice ate all my cabbage and broccoli seedlings! That was the beginning of it and our cat was pregnant too, so we figured we'd keep one to keep the mother company but then two of the brother and sisters were such good buddies so we had to keep them. We had got our cat from the SPCA and they said we had to bring the kittens back once the mother cat gave birth for the kittens belonged to the SPCA (weird.) We did take two of them in, paid the adoption fee for one, and said that was all she had. I really don't care for the SPCA having all the cats and dogs in little cages totally stressed out. My son had got some cats from Street Cat Recue and they have foster homes for the cats - much better set up. To make a long story short we ended up with 6 cats, five of them living to be over 20 years old! We are down to one cat now. Enjoy your cat family! They are a definite a necessity for rural living.
Aww good story! Thanks for sharing. Crazy they made you bring it back and pay to adopt it?! Lol! Glad to hear you’ve had such a long lived beloved cat family. I agree, they’re a MUST for rural living!! 😻
It was very strange that they made us take them back. It was hard to do but I guess they have a good turn over for kittens who have been handled by humans and it helps to pay their costs for sheltering the older animals. That incident and the incident my son had where they would not let him adopt both the brother and sister from a litter left me not very supportive of the SPCA. I would much rather support other rescue efforts.
I appreciate your joy and enthusiasm for cats. Wix does look like a happy mother and it's all really cute. Jamie is more than mildly allergic to cats - it's totally sneeze and itchy eye fest, so we cant even VISIT people with cats. Plus, they kill native wildlife here, so they're rather contentious. I do allow the neighbours cat to sit outside my compost and eat mice though.
hahaha your enthusiasm is radiating from this post ;) lol too bad to hear about Jamie's horrible allergies! wow!! yeah, they kill wildlife here too, and i think i heard once that they are the biggest threat to song birds, which makes me feel terrible.... that's nice that you have a visiting compost cat...and that you allow her to sit there once in a while. heheh xoox
Beautifull... i love YOUR cats because they are yours! And i love your precious kitties and your love for them. Im just sad we cant visit unless you make a cat free space! Oh.. and even Jamie allows Compost Cat.
XOXO i know i was only joking with ya. If you guys make it to the US for a visit, we will def make a cat -free space !!! <3
I can see us sleeping in the corn field 😭😭😭😭
lol ;) with the mice... and you know what mice attract....
Aaaaaaah 🌽🌽🐺🐺🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🌽🌽🌽
You know Ive never used those emoji before... so thanks.
You have a box full of trouble for sure, LOL! Cute little beasties, you will have to post as they grow! I see war on yarn balls and feathers on a string for you! It should be a LOT of fun.
:)Heheh so excited for that trouble!! 😹 I will definitely keep you all updated.
I look forward to it! Kittens are great fun!
:DWe always made sure we had a cat installed on the property before we brought in anything resembling feed. Our farm was the only one on the road that did not have rats.
Cats are crucial on farms and homesteads for pest control.
Yes! That is a good policy for sure! Wow, do the other farms not have cats? I love them and they’re practical 😸
Yes, many of the other farms either didn't have cats, or brought them in after the rats arrived. Cats have a hard time with already established rats...
mmm yeah, rats are likely a bigger deal than mice!
Love both Alabask and Wix! They are beautiful. The kittens are gorgeous, but if you don't want more, she will have to be fixed. When we lived on the farm we started with two cats. It didn't take long before we had 27! We found good homes for most of them. We kept four. On this homestead, we have 3 three cats and no mice or rats!
Hahah wow! That didn’t take long lol! Yes we plan on spaying her. And likely only keeping one. That’s a lot of cats!!!😻