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pintopiaffe
Aug. 6, 2009, 05:31 PM
:sigh: :no:

So, thanks to a CotH'er who looked on Craig's List (I never go there, so hadn't even occurred to me) found some last-year's squares for sale about an hour away. Went last week and got 25 bales. They are really quite good. Better than anything anyone's currently putting up, actually. Probably not all that much nutrition, but they are clean and smell good and fulfill the boredome and fiber factors.

So, I get up early today (after working until 0200 last night) to go back for another load. I don't really have storage for square bales, but... until we actually GET some rounds, this be it.

Get there and the 'son,' who is about my age or so (think top o'the hill can see t'other side) and not unattracive, in a strawberry blond "Grizzly Adams" kind of way, comes out to help me load. He tosses, I stack.

Then out comes Dad, the man I've been speaking to on the phone. Did not meet him last week. The typical "ayup" phone answers. What time would be good for you? "Oh, I s'pose 9, 10, 10:30... " :lol: Vizually he is the epitome of "Uncle Jesse" from the Dukes of Hazzard, yellowing white beard overalls and all. Lovely gentleman, but with emphysema. (should you really be in the hay barn sir?) Just chit chatting in that way of farmers.

Makes me lose count. Not once, but twice. :mad: Says, "That's ok, I can tell."

Yup.

Asks what I do for work... I"m always a little hesitant, you never quite know what people think of the popo. It's usually either respect or hate. Never anything in the middle. But, since my uniform shirt is in plain view on the back of the passenger seat, I fess. up.

Asks if I have kids. I say nope, I can lock mine up and not get in trouble. We laugh about that and chat about dawgs. And the frisbee dogs at the Fair. He knows the Frisbee Dog Guy.

Asks about "what does your husband do." :eek:

I say, "If I had a man around, you think *I* would be stacking hay?" A good chuckle out of both of them. Now I wonder if he's trying to set me up with Grizzly Adams.

Then... there it comes. I never even saw it heading at me. But he was sizing up his mark the whole time. :no:

"You need a cat?"

:o

Me: "Um, what *kind* of cat?" (was just thiking over the dogs thread that there was room for ONE should ONE female find me. I'm sick of the males going on walkabout a couple-three months after tutoring.)

Uncle Jesse: "Oh, a young female."

Me: "Well, actually...."

Uncle Jesse to Grizzly Adams: "Go get that cat."

While Grizzly Adams goes to get the cat, I am told that cat was dumped off and Uncle Jesse really shouldn't have too much cat hair around. She's a nice cat, but he has emphysema and all... :uhoh: :no:

Grizzly Adams returns with the most beautiful pewter kitty, that solid, pussy willow grey. Two tiny white spots on chest.

And here, the swindle is complete. It's a "buy cat, get hay and KITTENS free deal... " :eek: :lol: :eek: :winkgrin:

While both Uncle Jesse and Grizzly Adams appear to be very kind old farmers, I have little faith that either of them would really be the appropriate keepers of said kitty in late pregnancy and for bearing kittens. I do not doubt in the least they would not let her or kittens suffer, but...

I am just plain hoodwinked.

Kitty gets put in the cab of truck. Promptly locks the doors. :lol: :yes:
Uncle Jesse says not to worry and sends Grizzly Adams for the unlocking stick tool. They have junk cars/parts yard, so have the 'kit.'

While waiting for Grizzly Adams, Uncle Jesse slips and mentions cat is a good mouser, but he already has two cats... :p :lol: He can't have TOO MUCH cat hair around. Old coot.

So, I laughed all the way home. She is a lovely, lovely girl. YOUNG. Adolescent still. Very personable. Very, very pregnant.

I have absolutely NO RIGHT to be adding to the household right now. And I grin every time I think of it. I guess it makes up for no foals last year or this. Certainly will take care of the puppy fix. I've never had kittens. I've fostered and nursed wee ittybittykitties, but never actually had a cat have kittens. Fambly planning and all.

I've really been hoping that the right female would come along and become a Queen and stick around. I am hoping having her litter here will help convince her this is HOME.

Did I mention she's lovely? :uhoh: :D She's not skinny, but is a little underweight in that adolescent way--any suggestions on groceries for the late term kitty?

We chatted on the way home about what her name is. It's between Claire and Rhiannon. (Queen.) I like Rhi, but she's a little too young and angular to really *fit* it... then again, we grow into names too...

Will be chatting with vet tomorrow about what we should do re: shots, worming or any kind of prenatal care... I'm suspecting she's so far along we won't do anything until after the kittens come.

So, everyone, take this as a warning. Con men are out there. Even in the most unsuspecting circumstances, they will size you up and scam you. BE ON GUARD!!! :lol:

wsmoak
Aug. 6, 2009, 05:34 PM
adorable story :) now we must have pictures!

--
Wendy
... and Patrick (http://pbase.com/wendysmoak/patrick)

Tamara in TN
Aug. 6, 2009, 05:35 PM
And here, the swindle is complete. It's a "buy cat, get hay and KITTENS free deal... " :eek: :lol: :eek: :winkgrin:
So, everyone, take this as a warning. Con men are out there. Even in the most unsuspecting circumstances, they will size you up and scam you. BE ON GUARD!!! :lol:

see....I need to get their number...Exvet left her free cat here when she took the Cob home back in the spring...what was I doing wrong???

<scratches head...walks off.... muttering>

thatmoody
Aug. 6, 2009, 05:37 PM
Adorable story - know those two - they're probably my cousins. They got me last time I was up home for a manx... :D I gave her to my sister, of course, because I AM allergic...

jazzrider
Aug. 6, 2009, 05:46 PM
Great story, though I was hoping you'd walk off with Grizzly Adams too. Post pictures! (Of the cat, not the Grizzly man... :winkgrin:)

Tornado Run Farm
Aug. 6, 2009, 05:46 PM
WONDERFUL story! Congratulations on the new addition(s)...:winkgrin:

mkevent
Aug. 6, 2009, 05:47 PM
Sweet story-must have pictures!

Carrera
Aug. 6, 2009, 05:54 PM
Great story!

I always enjoy your stories PP!

Bluey
Aug. 6, 2009, 05:58 PM
We sure need pictures.
Gray is my favorite color in cats too.

Run by the vet, she needs to be tested for several deadly feline viruses and the vet will give you a list of what she needs now and after the delivery.

Good catch that one.

I too am allergic to cats and it took me a lifetime to finally decide to choose breathing over cats, but I sure resent it.:(

pintopiaffe
Aug. 6, 2009, 06:04 PM
Exvet left her free cat here when she took the Cob home back in the spring...what was I doing wrong???

<scratches head...walks off.... muttering>

Well, T, it's obvious.

You let her trade a lovely Welsh Cob worth a fortune for a free cat. You obviously haven't made it to the ranks of "Dealer" yet. :lol: :p

Tamara in TN
Aug. 6, 2009, 06:40 PM
[QUOTE=pintopiaffe;4289131]Well, T, it's obvious.

You let her trade a lovely Welsh Cob worth a fortune for a free cat.

:eek::eek::eek:

ohhhhhhhhhh....she's a sneaky thing that one

:yes:

bird4416
Aug. 6, 2009, 07:01 PM
Great story. Please post pics of the new kitty and the kittens when they arrive.

camohn
Aug. 6, 2009, 07:22 PM
When we bought this farm and inherited preggo barn cats: we too sent home kittens with a horse purchase.......so I guess we are kitty dealers too! (Feral kitties were then trapped and fixed......)

dressagetraks
Aug. 6, 2009, 07:51 PM
Great story! :lol:

Great cats are like great hay - whenever you find them, make sure you don't pass up the opportunity. :D

Guin
Aug. 6, 2009, 07:57 PM
Awwwww.....love gray kitties! Mom needs: rabies, distemper, and feline leukemia vaccine, as well as worming - with a vet-prescribed wormer, not an OTC one. Also find out how soon she can be spayed after she has her kittens. Pictures, please!

deltawave
Aug. 6, 2009, 08:58 PM
Aww, you did the right thing. :)

jen-s
Aug. 6, 2009, 09:03 PM
I was waiting to hear that they shorted you on bales. Totally didn't see it coming. :no::no:

Seriously though, congrats on the new kitteh(s) and pics soon, ok?

JSwan
Aug. 6, 2009, 09:24 PM
Um - you may want to check your back in the mirror. Someone has taped a sign on it saying, "Sucker". :)

Congrats on the new addition(s).

shakeytails
Aug. 6, 2009, 09:29 PM
If she came from Uncle Jesse's farm, shouldn't her name be Daisy Duke?

Huntertwo
Aug. 6, 2009, 10:05 PM
Me: I'm sick of the males going on walkabout a couple-three months after tutoring.)

:lol:

What do you tutor your cats in? :lol:

BasqueMom
Aug. 6, 2009, 10:37 PM
Great story and lucky cat! Do keep us posted!

dkcbr
Aug. 7, 2009, 12:00 AM
:):):) love the story! :)

Amchara
Aug. 7, 2009, 12:31 AM
Very cute! I think Claire is a nice name, but Daisy Duke is also precious :lol:.

Foxtrot's
Aug. 7, 2009, 01:50 AM
Hilarious - but did you count the bales as they came OFF your truck- you know, with all that chit chat and so on?

ChocoMare
Aug. 7, 2009, 06:45 AM
Um - you may want to check your back in the mirror. Someone has taped a sign on it saying, "Sucker". :)

Congrats on the new addition(s).

Ditto! Actually, though, it was probably tattooed to her forehead in the ink that only the Uncle Jesse type can physically see. :winkgrin: :lol:

monstrpony
Aug. 7, 2009, 08:40 AM
Well, then there was the time we brought the hay home and found the cat in the middle of the load when we were unloading. I, of course, ended up with said cat, a young one. Took it to the vet for spaying. Vet opens cat up, and finds that cat has already been relieved of her female paraphernalia (where the heck is spellcheck when you need it?). Must have been a really good vet, the scar healed so well that my vet didn't see it (that would be former vet, from many moons ago).

Uh oh. I hope I'm not giving Tamara any ideas ... :uhoh:

harveyhorses
Aug. 7, 2009, 08:55 AM
We got one of ours almost that way, he had been dumped and my FIL kept threatening to shoot him, so of course he came home with us, already fixed, good manners fit right in with the other 'barn cat' they just came in at night with the dogs. It was safer inside the house.

Tamara in TN
Aug. 7, 2009, 10:34 AM
Uh oh. I hope I'm not giving Tamara any ideas ... :uhoh:

what who me ??

the best assassin cat I have ever owned came to me in Calvin's hands as a barely eye opened kitten born in a semi load of hay....bottle fed her and at about 1 yo she got caught in something mechanical and nearly died from a gash that started at her ear (split it) and went on to her hip...

that only served to make her more the Calico Barn Cat Ninja that she is...so there's something to be said for cats in hay;)

ps...we will be baling tomorrow...fannnncyyyyyyy stuff ;)

best

MunchkinsMom
Aug. 7, 2009, 10:45 AM
I was waiting to hear that they shorted you on bales.

Me too! What a nice story, hope it all works out for you and the cat and kittens.

monstrpony
Aug. 7, 2009, 11:08 AM
ps...we will be baling tomorrow...fannnncyyyyyyy stuff ;)


:D:D:D Planning to come Monday!!

greysandbays
Aug. 7, 2009, 11:14 AM
I was waiting to hear that they shorted you on bales.

Naw... Anybody that knows how to stack/load hay knows how to count bales in a stack/load.

Not sure what I expected, but didn't think it would be either a short load OR a cat.

Auventera Two
Aug. 11, 2009, 02:30 PM
Great story, I love it! :D:lol: And I'm glad you found hay! I read your thread on the other forum about that. Whew!

As for kittie - a great food is the Welness wet pouch food if you can aford it. I also feed Taste of the Wild, and Fromm kittie food.

My housecat, Ladybug, was born under my bed 10 years ago. It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUN to raise those kittens!!!! :eek: :winkgrin: :cool: :D :) :winkgrin: Every one of them turned out to be the most lovable, people oriented cats ever. I gave them all away except Ladybug.

Yesterday I gave Buggy her yearly "shave the cat" treatment. She laid on my kitchen floor purring and licking my foot while I zipped all her hair off with my husband's clippers (shhhhh). I dont know any other cat that willingly submits itself for baths, shaving, nail clipping, and vet work like she does. She will purr and lick the vet's hand while he's giving her a shot. I was carying her in my shirt pocket when she barely had her eyes open.

That darned cat even goes on walks with us and the dogs. She trots along like she's a dog on a leash. She gets tired when we get to the first corner, then I have to pick up and carry a 16 pound, purring cat for the rest of the walk.

She's getting old and I've already been worried about how to go about getting a new cat when the time comes. I want one just like her, that thinks its a human, but I don't know how to accomplish that unless they're born under my bed! :eek: :lol:

Tiki
Aug. 11, 2009, 03:44 PM
ps...we will be baling tomorrow...fannnncyyyyyyy stuff ;)
Oh, man, I wish I could afford the shipping from TN . . . . . but then I bet it comes complete with a cat! ;):lol::D:winkgrin:

tazz001
Aug. 11, 2009, 04:46 PM
Um - you may want to check your back in the mirror. Someone has taped a sign on it saying, "Sucker". :)

Congrats on the new addition(s).

I was thinking the same thing but was on the forehead that only "uncle Jesse" can see...

Thanks for gnving the almost a momma cat a nice new home. I am certain she will be "fixed". Heres to hoping your next trip to the hay guys place you can tell them "NO MORE CRITTERS" "you got me once"

Heres to hoping almost momma kitty is settling in nicely.

Tamara in TN
Aug. 12, 2009, 07:41 AM
Oh, man, I wish I could afford the shipping from TN . . . . . but then I bet it comes complete with a cat! ;):lol::D:winkgrin:


<low bow>

your pick madam, in any of 5 coat patterns:)

monstrpony
Aug. 12, 2009, 09:06 AM
:( I got ripped off!

(JUST KIDDING, Tamara!! Happiness is a full hay loft :))

But then, if you'd have given me a choice between a kitten and a copperhead, I would have taken the kitten. Really.

Tamara in TN
Aug. 12, 2009, 01:46 PM
:( I got ripped off!

(JUST KIDDING, Tamara!! Happiness is a full hay loft :))

But then, if you'd have given me a choice between a kitten and a copperhead, I would have taken the kitten. Really.

corn,black ,chicken,rattler,copperhead...

I did not know you wanted to know the snake selection as well;)

:lol::lol::lol:

loved seeing you the other day..by the by