Prince died July 10 2010

Prince became visibly ill July 8 and Howard, the man who also loved Prince who had Prince in his yard, took him to the emergency room. That morning he had to leave and his vet didnt have enough oxygen for him so he went to a different vet who did. At some point an xray had been done but not yet correctly or completely read. Some blood work came out normal. He survived the night in the hopsital but not the following night. Perhaps he had a fungal infection..... he is so deeply missed the pain is palpable. He rests and hopefully plays on both Rainbow Bridge and Rainbows bridge. This blog is closed.

Now and Then I see Prince

and he sees me. I call to him and rush out with a plate of wet food since the man who lured him leaves only dry . Prince comes along the brick path carefully and accepts the food. He is ragged an dirty. He backs away from my hand and ignores me otherwise. If I watch through the closed screen it is fine- if I open the door to watch too closely, he leaves his dinner and moves on. He is feral again and I have lost that incredible closeness we so briefly shared. Random acts do random harm as well as kindness.

Prince spotted in yard-- feral and wary

I bring out food.

He looks at the food. Puma checks from behind a screen.

Prince is alone again. There is more than a cat to socialize in such an endeavor... and always much to learn...

The moral of the story

The moral of the story is: dont feed someone elses cat, especially if you can see that cat belongs to someone and has been cared for. Cats arent like dogs, especially feral cats, they go where the food is. Years of work and love is lost when someone selfishly feeds someone else's cat. Feeding means caring for the cat, not just tossing food- it is vet bills and flea and worming treatment and spaying and neutering. If you see a stray, wait and see if it belongs to someone. A cropped ear means this cat is part of a colony and someone has taken time to do all the necessary things for this animal's survival. Prince is microchipped as well. There are so many cats needing a helping hand- find one no one else is loving and helping.

This is a bitter sweet ending to the story of Prince but hopefully he can live the outdoor life into which he was born, now safely and fully. Hopefully, the ending for Prince is happy; he is home at last.

Luna warms herself in front of the fire.

Prince in the distance

Prince seems fearful of the other cat he now idolizes but this one time, he got to be bookends with him. Otherwise he is in his submissive ground position. I can see him from a distance and he doesnt come home out of the cold or rain anymore. The white blob mid photo is PRINCE.

Socializing a feral cat

I saw Prince last night at the other house, just a few homes away around the corner where he was being fed. He spent an iota of time with me. I realize now how the difficulty in socializing this animal was compounded by another feeding him - the competition of another food source. With me, he had to come inside the home, meet and greet the other cats. With the other house, he had only to appear in the yard and be fed. Surely this slowed and eventually ended the process. I had no idea, having only told the neighbors on either side of me about him. I had no idea someone would feed my cat. I appreciate the thoughts of the 2 comments added the other day. I miss him desperately; I should have informed all the homes along the pond he was my cat a few years ago---how could I know someone would feed neighborhood cats? He was microchipped with a cropped ear. Hindsight too late. Perhaps others will learn from us I hope he comes home when it gets cold. he has an electric blanket here for him. He was my cat, Prince. Patting him before -- he rubs against my hand.

a date to see Prince

The man is a nice man and called this morning. We will meet in the yard tonight~ BTW, Prince was getting science diet there--- just what I fed him. He wasnt getting wet food or treats- no one has treats but me these days....but still he hadnt returned home to stay dry or warm. Will see what can be done ...

Prince hasnt returned

Prince has been fed at another house around the corner. We hadnt seen him for days and feared the worst. About to post signs about the neighborhood, I went to the house I last saw him. I left a note with my phone and information about him and not to hurt him. I would return.

The man called to say he had fed Prince with his 2 other ferals in the yard. He said Prince was happy and came each day. Intially I thought I had to relinquish my cat to whomever fed him and reported his happiness but with advice from others, this wasnt really the case. I am glad Prince is happy but he was happy previously. I still have $60 worth of injections to protect his life and he is still registered with the microchip I had implanted to my home. He also has over $200 worth of Revolution to protect him from fleas and worms and parasites....Do I just hand this over to whomever feeds my cat?

I texted the man who now loves my cat that I will come by after work. I dont want to appear nutsy but is a cat a common property of the last place he eats? Or of the family who rescued him and neutered and fed him for years? he is feral... and I am heartbroken... and confused. Perhaps I wont get to see Prince....Perhaps I wont sleep.

Prince hasnt been around at all since....

Dr Hong gave Luna and Puma their shots. They were afraid, but like good pets, stood the pain and got protected. Prince was supposedly locked on the porch awaiting his turn when he disappeared. thru locked doors. He was found in the garage fearing for his life. The vet tried valiently to catch him (no one catches a true feral). Prince simply vanished. The vet had to leave but not with his medications. They are in the refridgerator for Prince's return. Its been a week- once Prince came to the house and I carried him inside where he cried and didnt eat. He has not returned.
Luna and Puma have not have treats since treats only happen with Prince. I fear treats are forgotten, as is Prince-- but not in my heart as I search the outside and call almost nightly, to no avail.

I wonder if Prince ever remembers his past hard life?

Here he shares moments with Puma, who is a real prince (Luna notably absent). He now leaves shortly after dinner and treats, which he has learned to appreciate since Luna runs for hers and Puma eats his away from the other 2. Treat time is planned to coincide with Prince's arrival so luna can see some benefit to his existence.

So called Peace of Mind for a Feral and me, paid.

Prince’s annual HomeAgain membership has expired. Renew today for peace of mind that you have given your pet comprehensive safety and wellness coverage, designed to protect your pet when it's needed most. Pet Name
Microchip ID 48745B3B6F
MembershipExpiration
AnnualMembership


Prince

The renewal is paid. Cant imagine anyone catching him and taking him to a vet but should he be picked up by animal services and they NOT notice his spliced ear.... he is safe with his microchip... to be returned "home."

Puma can sit back, watch a show, and groom at the same time

Although he has his stresses, just like anyone else.

its still special when we have a moment

He is and always will be, a feral cat.

It rains and I see him standing out there, rather than come inside.

confidence momentarily

Prince tries to imitate his idols Luna and Puma who now have a cup on the counter to drink water. In a daring move, he leapt to the counter to enjoy cold clean water- when spotted qucikly jumped off. (Caught on cell phone hence the lousy photo- verizon)

Prince has moment of pure ecstasy

First the touch and the look, right in the eye

Then Puma licks Prince clean (briefly).

Then Prince rubs against Puma. He had never purred that loudly in his life- nor had he ever had so much reason. The sound echoed throughout the room.

Prince chills in the cat scratcher

Prince knows he is not involved in the cat-nail-clipping-project. He is an OutdoorCat and takes some pride in that fact although really cant grasp Luna & Puma's role in the scheme of things.

He is still despised by Luna, sadly, and relaxes best when she is not around. She too, finds life fuller in his absence.

Puma, on the other hand, can chill watching TV regardless of company or in a roll of TP.

Luna got a Manicure

Luna traveled to another county to meet her siblings, separated at birth, and to get her nails properly clipped. Unfortunately, her sibs were terrified of her and hid and she used her sharp claws one last time to draw blood from their dad who was holding her and not used to small cats so vicious.

She did get to flirt with a cat statue.

Prince still finds zen moments

Despite his persistent unpopularity with Luna and Puma, he cherishes his down time basking in family closeness.

everyone's nails (claws)

Touch her paws and she gives "the look"

Luna has been clawing everyone without remorse . Yesterday, her smack to Prince left her claws momentarily hanging on. OUCH. Attempts to clip have been very difficult. We will continue to persist with or without assist. Puma's claws are not yet a problem and Prince has dirty outdoor paws. a new injury on his paw?Mine are deceptively short.

A New Year

Prince has much to think about, we assume. He is out for the night, leaving his new family behind. He comes daily from one direction or another when I call -- he comes. What a responsibility- for both of us.

Prince gets some Privacy

May all who otherwise go forgotten into the night, find peace and rest and kindness.
sleeping in the sun

Waiting to come home:

Wandering in the night

Sitting outside bitten by a dozen different species when out of the dark, Prince came to me, purred, rubbed against me, then disappeared into the night.

Good night...

Sometimes we have time for a hug

Unbelievable to have known this cat so feral, so long, and then; he'll run from my footstep, slink from my hand, be gone for hours. Somewhere. Puma tries to be kind but Prince is so eager to see him and be with him, he rushes him and overwhelms him.

Luna, still is doubtful. Prince, still stunned to be elevated into someone's arms, doesnt visibly embrace these moments~
but is glad to be loved & purrs

Even as babies, Luna & Puma got along well, and now as adults.

Not quite the same emotion with Prince;

Comes in dirty as if to say, its rough out there.

And it is, and cold.

The cold and an electric blanket

Prince has managed to come in and stay for hours a freezing night or 2 having discovered the electric blanket. He absolutely basks in the warmth, much to the chagrin of Luna and Puma who cant stop cleaning themselves when he is too close.