A Story I've Hesitated To Tell

A couple of weeks ago we had a tragedy here on the farm.
It's taken me this long to get up the courage to write about it.
At first, I just couldn't write about it... too painful.


However, now that time has passed and the pain has eased,
I can tell you the story.
It's not a happy story, and it doesn't have a happy ending.
So, if you are not in the mood.... please skip this portion of today's blog.
In the interest of keeping this blog real...and telling the whole story...
here goes....

It was morning chore time... a very busy time indeed.
While we work, we try to keep our ears on what is happening all over the farm.
We keep our finger on the pulse of all of our beloved animals, so to speak.

This particular incident was one of those that happens so fast,
there is no way to prevent the outcome.
You see... a fight broke out between sweet Bobby cat and one of the little black kitties
(Pissy, I assume).
Now, Bobby (although he looks innocent) is often an instigator.


A cat screaming clatter emanated from the barn and in the blink of an eye, Annie
ran in to intercede.
She picked up the black kitty and gave it a shake...
and with that, it was gone.


We were devastated.
I am sure that Annie had no idea what she had just done, nor had she planned it.
She was reprimanded for touching a cat... but, still...
I am sure she acted instinctively.

It's now a few weeks later and life has returned to normal.
Now we have two peaceful kitties who roam the barn, hang out in the rafters,
and occasionally venture outside for an adventure.


One is very friendly (Sissy), one is a little more timid (Hissy).
They seem to have no troubles with the other barn cats. 


I'm sorry for bringing you a horrid tale,
but I couldn't just pretend that we still had three black kitties.
And, as I have said before... this is life on a farm,
and if you want to enjoy all of the good, you must be willing to suffer through 
the occasional bad.
As in life.


On a happier note... we are all loving Spring... and soaking in the energy
of the green grass that now surrounds us!
There is just something so energizing about the color green.
And although the trees don't have their leaves yet, they are in bud...
and leaves will arrive very soon.
At that point we will be swimming in a sea of green.


In spite of the bad that comes our way on occasion...
you must admit...
life is pretty darned amazing!


Yesterday, I was in the mood to do a little stitching,
so I stitched two of these branches on some leftover linen,


and then sewed them into a removable collar.


I am still knitting my Farmhouse Cardigan,
(yes, I know it is odd to sew the buttons on as you go...
but I love the immediate gratification of doing the finishing as I go(


 and anticipate that will be done sometime in the next two weeks.
(The sleeves are already finished and just need to be added in when I get high enough.)
Here is my stitching and knitting buddy....


Have the very best weekend.
We will, I am sure.
The warm weather is to continue... so I see lots of outdoor time on our calendar.

Comments

colleen said…
Oh Bev how horribly sad :( Sometimes things like that happen that we have no control over. It does take time for the sadness to ease, though. I'm sending big HUGS your way.
I love how you are putting the buttons on as you go. Doesn't it just make you want to hurry and knit past the next button hole?
Thanks for sending a little spring weather our way yesterday. Still plenty of snow on the ground but it will be all history in a few weeks. xoxo
Portia said…
So sorry about that. But as you say, these things happen. When I was a kid, our dog snapped at a kitten trying to get to the dogs food. The kitten was killed. I am sure by accident. But to this day decades later I cannot stand for any of the cats to be any where near the dog when she is eating.
Anonymous said…
So sorry about the black kitty. We have had a small spell of cold and wind but no snow. Hope you don't get any snow. Have a good weekend.
The JR said…
That is exactly how fast something can happen....a blink of the eye. I know you never expected Annie to do something like that.

I'm sorry.

We had a new strange cat come to the porch in the dark and rain this morning. Bob who use to belong to the neighbor and decided to own us instead didn't like it.

I put some food further down the porch for it hoping it would stay away from the pan that my 3 porch cats were eating out of. I don't mind feeding them, but if it hangs around it will be neutered or spayed.

I hope ya'll have a wonderful weekend on your slice of paradise.
jaz@octoberfarm said…
you scared the crap out of me until i got to what actually happened. though it's sad to lose a kitty, i think i am a bit immune to dead cats considering how many feral cats have met their end because of my chows. if a cat walks in this yard they are shaken and just like that, the 9th life is over.
Lynne said…
Sad happening indeed!
The screeching alarm sound . . . brings clarity . . .

Beautiful stitchery and sweater progress.

I liked your comment about GREEN . . .
Watching the green blush appear here has been wonderful.
Even though we were covered with snow yesterday morning
by noon most of it had melted away and the green was even more vivid!
Springtime is Here!

daisy g said…
So sorry for your hurting heart. I'm sure Annie meant no harm.

Enjoy the sunshine. We will be planting loofah and tidying up the garden today.
So sorry about the loss of the kitty. But that is life on the farm. And I am sure Annie didn't realize what was happening.
Anonymous said…
Perhaps Annie thought she was protecting Bobby. There undoubtedly would have been more chaos on the farm given Hissy temperament and more problems down the road , so now balance is restored.
Poor little Pissy! But as you say, that can be the reality of nature and life on a farm with animals -- not everyone gets a happy ending.
littlemancat said…
Sorry about the little one. Things can happen so quickly and with no warning.
Loving the newborn green here,too.
Mary
Karen said…
Awwww . . . . I am SO very, very sorry. It's like you just CAN'T believe this happen - but it did. It DOES feel unreal. I hope it helps to know that we all care so very much
Angie said…
I think this happens more than we think. My mom's cat was killed by my dad's dog. Don't know if it was accidental or jealousy. My parents are still married but my mom could never trust the dog again. The dog has since died of old age.
My dear friend lost her dog because of a similar incident. Lucky for that cat he wasn't hurt. The dog just picked it up and then dropped it immediately without biting. However, neighbors called animal control and since they live within city limits the dog was characterized as vicious (she was a pit) and my friend had to have her euthanized.
This N That said…
So sorry about Pissy..Nature has it's dark side....Glad you have a knitting buddy..SHe looks so small..Your collar is adorable..Pretty..Takes me back to the 50's !! Enjoy your weekend..Looks like it will have some rain with it..xxoo
diane in northern wis said…
Thanks Bev, for always caring about how to bring bad news to all your readers. We all know that things aren't always just peachy keen, no matter where a person lives. I'm sorry to hear about your kitty and that terrible accident. Hopefully there won't be any more cat fights like that around your place. And then you just lost Ethel too. Tough times lately....hopefully that's the end of that kind of thing for a long time. Now to enjoy Spring! I'll have to enjoy it looking at your pictures cause it's STILL SNOWING HERE!
Unknown said…
So sorry, that feels awful. we do the best we can. That's what I tell myself. Lost one several years ago to a foster, then again to a foster last summer. Try to remember you've saved so many.
Louise Stopford said…
Oh gosh Bev that is SO sad. I love those black kitties so much. Perhaps Annie wanted to stop the quarrel between kitty and Bobby in her own way. Who knows exactly what goes through their little minds. I know if one of our cats squeals they will get a bash off the other one. Although sad, these things do unfortunately happen. Enjoy your weekend.
Dr Purva Pius said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Katmom said…
Oh Bev, I am a bit behind in reading your blog posts,, and my heart goes out to all at Beehaven Acres... the loss of a beloved fur family member always fills our hearts with sadness..
hugz