Teddy is a feral tom I’ve been feeding for almost a year. He’s fearsome with his golden eyes and coal black fur. I don’t know where he sleeps, although I know he found a temporary burrow under part of the house that’s nearest the dryer vent and I’ve created some shelter for him in another area. He appears to be surviving OK so I’m guessing he has a way to get in out of the cold.
He shows up to be fed in all kinds of weather, including this week’s bone-chilling temps and 2 feet of snow. I know he’s getting fat on what I’m feeding him, so once the warmer weather returns, I’ll put him on a diet. Right now, I feed all he’ll eat.
Even after a year, he won’t let me near him. He maintains a cold war detente with our cats, with Cleo occasionally showing a little too much sympathy for the enemy. I realize the situation isn’t the best for anybody. I’m knowingly exposing the cats to any diseases he might carry and he and Gus had more than one skirmish before the pecking order was resolved. Gus lost. What would you expect from a pampered momma’s boy?
I tried trapping Teddy this fall so he could visit our friendly neighborhood vet for testing and a little snip and clip. He somehow managed to eat the food without springing the trap more than once. After three weeks the local shelter wanted their trap back so I’ll try again in the spring and assuming he’s healthy (which I have my doubts about), I’ll continue to feed the ungrateful little bastard.
For now, I watch for Teddy, looking to see he’s doing OK. I put his food on a scrap of rug on the deck so he can get off the cold wet wood while he eats. And I turn on the weather channel to see how many more days before the temperatures are above freezing and he’s in less danger.
Soon now.
He does look ferocious! I love that first photo! Hope you are successful in the Spring trapping him and getting him snipped, clipped and tested.
You are a good woman and Teddy is one lucky cat.
Teddy’s face looks like my Hannibal, ferocious and threatening and arrogant. Good luck with him; he already has excellent in finding you
Well he’s a survivor. Wonder what he did before he met you? Any idea how old he is?
Food on a scrap of rug, for the sake of his feet? You really are thoughtful and tender-hearted. Does Teddy have any idea how lucky he is?
I know watching him outside in the freezing cold and snow is almost more than you can stand. You’re doing everything you can – keep it up! I do find it funny that stray pets seem to be able to outwit humans quite often … and there’s hope, one of our two foster pups found her forever home tonight, after four months at our house.
You’re a good woman, and he’s a lucky cat. I adore black cats and since they’re the hardest to get adopted, I applaud anyone who is helping them out.
Good luck to Teddy, I’m sure he appreciates the food by doing some mousing on the side.
I’m partial to the black ones because of my three black kittens.