Today we discovered Maddy had officially joined the hunter's kingdom. I squealishly found this in the empty garden bed out back, and then squealed again when I realized it was a sweet little chipmunk and not a mouse. But I have to say that I am proud. Both Maddy and Riley have been indoor cats since we moved into our new home in late March. Neither had experienced the world of hunting, other than a spider and fly here and there, which is the natural instinct of their species. Earlier this season Lyle and I were sitting on the back deck enjoying the evening backyard cool down and found Maddy prancing out of some branches Lyle had piled in the corner of the yard. In her mouth she proudly carried a wriggling mouse. I sat there cheering her on (not because I wanted to see the cute thing die, but because she was doing what most other cats naturally do when they get to play outside), however Lyle quickly jumped up to rescue the little thing. And it safely got away. So that was Maddy's first catch; today was Maddy's first kill. Now I'm hoping that this doesn't become a frequently recurring event in our backyard, and that we don't start seeing these poor little creatures displayed for us as little presents on the back doormats on a regular basis. But I do hope that she keeps that instinct alive and stays kittenish for as long as she can. Especially if there ever happens to be any mice running through the house......
lauren
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