My cat just killed a squirrel right in front of me.

[begin_within]

I know, yeah, it's natural instinct, but I'm surprised how shaken up I feel... I yelled at him and tried to get him to let it go, to no avail of course. We don't get many squirrels in our neighborhood (right in the middle of San Diego) so I'm also saddened. Now, the crows are eating the squirrel's body and it's only been dead for 3 minutes. I think I need a beer (yuk).

[Bertha Venation]

1. I'm so sorry.

It's hard to witness. :(

:hug:

[begin_within]

3. Thanks... my Indian friend just sent me this:

You can make an offering of some food or tobacco (even from the bundle I gave you) and in a quiet protected place hold a short ceremony. If possible, light some sage/cedar or incense (what matters is the flame) and hold the offering up to the sky and ask the ancestors of the squirrel to welcome it back home and for it have a safe journey. Tell the squirrel your feelings of how you felt when you saw all this happen. Tell the squirrel spirit that it's body will continue to sustain the circle of life by feeding others, and thank it for all it did while it was here on earth. Then place the offering upon the earth. you can even offer a glass of water, or if you want to make an offering of food some nuts or something the squirrel might eat. Leave the offering plate in place until the Sunrise tomorrow. If the animals pick at it, it's ok. It let's the squirrel spirit know because it can see it.

[Bertha Venation]

5. that brought tears to my eyes

[arbusto_baboso]

2. I'd be concerned about rabies, as squirrels tend to carry it.

I know you feel bad enough already, but you might want to get your cat to a vet soon, or at least keep a close eye on it.

[begin_within]

4. Thanks

he is up-to-date on his vaccinations.

[Maine-ah]

6. actually.....

Small rodents (such as squirrels, rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and chipmunks, ) and lagomorphs (such as rabbits and hares) are almost never found to be infected with rabies and have not been known to cause rabies among humans in the United States. Bites by these animals are usually not considered a risk of rabies unless the animal was sick or behaving in any unusual manner and rabies is widespread in your area. However, from 1985 through 1994, woodchucks accounted for 86% of the 368 cases of rabies among rodents reported to CDC. Woodchucks or groundhogs (Marmota monax) are the only rodents that may be frequently submitted to state health department because of a suspicion of rabies. In all cases involving rodents, the state or local health department should be consulted before a decision is made to initiate postexposure prophylaxis (PEP).

http://www.cdc.gov/RABIES/qanda/general.html#a1

[arbusto_baboso]

8. Wow. I did not know that.

So much for conventional wisdom...

[Maine-ah]

11. I actually didn't learn that until the other day

I always thought that rodents were major carriers of rabies.

:hi:

[arbusto_baboso]

12. Always glad to learn something new.

I think it's what separates me from the conservatives around me...

[XemaSab]

7. And why was your cat outside?

:shrug:

[begin_within]

13. Because I was outside and he was with me.

[laylah]

9. I have seen my cat kill baby rabbits...

they DO scream and it is more than unnerving. Sorry for your experience :hug:

[begin_within]

16. Thanks, I appreciate it.

I'm a lot calmer now but it will take me a long time to forget that scene.

[HopeHoops]

10. Just wait for the middle of the night squirrel-breath kisses.

You know it is coming.

[Ikonoklast]

14. "Nature, red in tooth and claw..."

The feral female momma kitty leaves us offerings on the deck of rodents and birds from time to time. She is a skilled huntress, and she is just following her nature.

But, I don't have to like it much.

[begin_within]

15. I've gotten used to the occasional rat tail, mouse ear, telltale scattering of feathers,

but this is the first time the act has happened right in front of my face. I've seen nature documentaries where a lion takes down an impala or whatever, and while I don't enjoy that, I realize it's part of nature. But when it happens 4 feet in front of my face it's really shocking. I've calmed down now but I know it will take me a long time to forget that scene.

[Kali]

17. mine got a rabbit yesterday

I was kind of surprised he could handle it. Didn't see it happen just saw the feast. Wish he would get some more of the damn gophers!

[RoyGBiv]

18. This is the problem with cats ...

They never hunt what you really *want* them to hunt.

Mine goes after every spider it even thinks even might be lurking, but let one of those giant beetle things or a roach get in the house, and he just watches it roam.

[Kali]

20. yeah I keep yelling at them

Mice! Not lizards!

[begin_within]

21. What's sad is that I saw the male squirrel, larger than the one that was killed, looking aroun

in the backyard this afternoon, for his lost mate...

[Kali]

22. hate to say it, but you really don't want squirrels around your house

destructive but cute diurnal rats, they are!

[applegrove]

19. Most of my cats when they have hunted haven't killed their pray. We had one cat growing up

that used to let live birds fly around the house. Can't say I've seen a cat of mine actually kill anything right then and there. Can say I'm happy to have missed that so far.

[Captain Hilts]

23. Animals that can be caught by overweight, belled housecats probably aren't long for the world. nt