What great posts, pics, memories and advice...how I miss having a dog. Last one was my sheltie, Skye. Mr. C4E is allergic to dogs and cats. So unfortunately we are a dog free home, and the lesser for it.
My Tuxedo Cat named Max (1991-2006) was a fantastic hunter.
He weighed about 9 lbs. but he used to bring Jack Rabbits home and would make a meal out of them.
He would chase them down, trip them up with a swipe at the hind legs, then clamp down on the back of their neck, paralyzing the poor little rabbits.
He would then bring them home, loudly announcing his accomplishment.
How he got them over the 4’ back fence is still a mystery, as the Jack Rabbits weighed more than he did.
99.999% of the remainder of the time, he was the sweetest, most affectionate cat ever. He would sit on my lap/chest and lick my nose and vocally demand that I pet him, rub his ears, his chin and yes, even his tummy.
After Max passed away, I rescued a female Tuxedo Cat (Tabitha) that looks and acts almost exactly like Max did, but I keep her indoors as cleaning up the bloody messes Max would leave behind factored into the “indoor/outdoor” decision, and no more freaked out “lady friends” screaming early in the AM when Max would drop off a “present” in my bed - usually a bloody, wounded mouse that Max would bat around in the air and chase all over the bed and even under the covers. or the occasional, partly decapitated Jack Rabbit.
Pets are great entertainment and very affectionate.
They are also very, very smart. They can also be very brutal to those below them on the food chain.