I have mentioned before that Austin has a tendency to leave the dead carcasses of his murder victims outside my bedroom window in the rather grandly named "courtyard" - but which is really just a couple of paving stones and a retaining wall. Have to say though that on a balmy summers night, what with the cream coloured walls of the house and the way it is designed architecturally, there is a distinctly mediterranean feel to the place. Sadly, balmy summers nights have been in rather short supply the last few years. Anyway several times of late I have drawn back the curtains in the morning to a scene of carnage on the paving stones; anything from shrews to voles to baby blue tits. But then this morning there was a fully grown robin lying mutilated on the ground. I don't know why this should upset me more than the rest, but it's red breast was so vivid and warm and colourful, in stark contrast to the dull grey of the cold stone ground. I was poleaxed because I was still half asleep when I drew back the curtains and the scene unfolded like the first act of a Shakespearean tragedy!
This was yet another present to me from Austin; it was beautiful and it was dead! The incongruity of the sight did manage to penetrate my sleep sodden brain; the poignant beauty and delicacy of this death at variance with the bold brash birth of the brand new day. The end and the beginning played out in a tableau before my eyes. Here was the reminder to us all that death is midst of life.
Austin, being rather more prosaic and earthbound, popped his head up from under the window. His tail shot up like an exclamation mark!
"Look what I've done!"
"Yes; thanks my boy. I guess you're only doing what comes naturally, but I wish you wouldn't implicate me as an accessory after the fact", as I trudge wearily to fetch a shovel and some paper :<(
NB What Austin doesn't know is that this afternoon at 4.10 precisely he will be at the vets having his annual check up and booster shot. Now I'm not in the least vindictive and I know he won't make the connection, but he hates the vets; so you can't blame me if, on this occasion, I feel just a little less sorry for him!!
No wonder you are so creative on my writing activity blog...you write that way all the time! Your post is so funny. I could picture everything that happened. Poor robin. Austin was just doing what came naturally though, so we can't blame him. We won't blame you for not feeling too sorry at the vet's either!
ReplyDeleteOur kitties love us and want to give us gifts. The last "gift" from my kitty was also a little bird, but my kitty does not kill her gifts. Have you ever chased a small frightened bird who is trapped in your house?
ReplyDeleteAnother cat I had once brought a small field mouse in the house and released it. She then watched in total amusement as I hubby and I chased it around the living room.
Both of the above, and others, are always caught and released.
Thanks for popping by :>) Yes I do wish he wouldn't kill them :( A chase round the house trying to catch a live one would be eminently preferable.
ReplyDeletePostscript to the vet trip
Well it was fairly uneventful. He started with his usual indignant yowl and didn't let up unless I stuck my finger in the carrier so he could rest his head on it! The vet pronounced him fit as a flea (happily he hasn't got any of those!). Since we returned he hasn't let me out of his sight (apart from taking a long and relieved wee in the heather patch), which is a surprise as I was the perpetrator of the heinous act of abduction and torture!
I always find a quick wee in the heather patch a thereputic and calming thing to do.
ReplyDelete;-)
Great post, though slightly mournful. I want to come round and cheer you up!
Well written yet again. I aspire to meet your standard of kinda like and stuff clarity :D
Lossa love,
-Dave
"kinda like and stuff clarity " rotflol Thanks! you are definitely a bit of a chip off... xx
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