puddles

Puddles was one of the three initial barn/outdoor cats that we got for our property. From the start, she was not a fan of humans and would hiss at us even if we looked at her from a distance. Puddles came here with her adopted mom (Bearda) and sister (Blackie).

Bearda was the first to leave. We think that she decided to live at the dairy farm down the road, but she would come to visit every year on New Years Eve to eat our leftovers from dinner. The past couple of years she sadly hasn't shown up - I hope that she is living a wonderful life and perhaps has even become an indoor gal.

Blackie was the sweetest cat - she loved humans and would even come hop on our laps when we were sitting by the fire outside. She was a tough gal - she even chased the local foxes out of the yard a few times (video below). Anyway, sadly Blackie passed away due to unfortunate circumstances (rest in peace, my sweet angel). We buried her in our yard and made a stone memorial where we laid her favorite tiny twig that she had been playing with for weeks. Puddles watched from a distance - you could tell she was upset. She had just lost her cuddle buddy, partner in crime, and best friend...

Later that evening I was a crying mess, so I went to go visit Blackie's memorial site. I couldn't believe my eyes -- something had caught and killed a tiny vole and laid it right next to the stick. I looked around to see if Puddles was nearby...sure enough, she was sitting on a log across the path watching my every move. I slowly walked over to her and sat down on the log next to her. She looked at me with sad eyes, but didn't his or even flinch -- instead she came closer and rubbed against me asking for some pets. This was the turning point. She decided she trusted us...and maybe just maybe even liked us. 

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Since that day, she has become the queen of the yard -- she lives outside full time, but we do provider her with food, water, dewormer, and we have an insulated (and heated) tiny box for her in the winter. She is a sweet, goofy girl and has definitely become a staple in our family. 

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Likes: protecting the chickens, catching rodents, tapping your arm or leg in hopes of getting some rubs, rolling around on cement, and eating grass.

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Dislikes: when mom sneaks the stinky dewormer pills into her food, the indoor cats, and really just any other cat or animal that tries to hang out in the yard.