Cat tales

Well, it looks like we have finally convinced a neighborhood cat to stop hanging out in our backyard.

Those of you who read this regularly probably already know the story. You know that while I do not dislike cats, I could no longer tolerate this particular cat because he kept trying to bite my daughter. I had been assuming that Amelia was hassling the cat and he was simply trying to send her a warning. But one afternoon, while we were all out in the yard together I saw that mean ole cat bite Amelia for, as far as I could tell, nothing.

So the cat had to go.

I actually went so far as to look at the local animal shelter for a good dog. But I decided that I wasn't ready for that kind of a commitment just yet.

I finally settled on a super soaker loaded with water and a touch of vinegar.

Amelia loves our neighborhood cat despite the fact that it keeps hurting her and scaring her. She's very forgiving. I was worried that she wouldn't like my chasing after the cat and pelting it with water. On the contrary, she loves spraying him and now refers to him as the "mean ole cat."

Yes, we have explained that most cats are nice.

So, we have our yard back. I still feel a little uneasy about letting Amelia out in the backyard without me, but I have the super soaker by the door, just in case. Since we always accompany water spraying with loud calls of "Git, cat!" it's now generally enough to move toward the kitty and just shout, "Git!"

Lisa