Not a Pond Friend or...Bat is My Hero!

   The last post was about a lovely watersnake that visited the Frog Pond.  I was sure in hopes to see the snake stay as I am rather fond of most snakes.  I had even called the critter a "friend".  Then...another visitor and something that may not have ended too well for me.  If it had not been for the intervening of another friend, I could have been quite ill right now. 

  Yesterday morning, I opened the back door to let the cat out for his morning prowl.  He usually bounds out and heads to the Frog Pond to investigate what changed overnight.  This time, it was different.  He leapt off the deck and froze.  He did not move a muscle but only listened.  He sensed something was not right.  Thinking that the bobcat may have been still nearby after his nightly patrol, I stayed on the deck sweeping the dead leaves that had fallen from the pear trees.  Bat, the cat, did not move.  

  Finally, I decided to walk around a bit to ease the cat's mind.  He went to the far side of the Frog Pond and I stayed on the path between the pond and the house.  I was barefooted so I was careful about how I stepped on the gravel path but obviously not too observant.  A tablesaw covered by a tarp was alongside of the path.  Son had not had time to put it back in the shed the night before but, little did I know, that something was lurking under that tarp.. Suddenly, Bat barreled across the yard and under that tarp.  A huge tussle was taking place just inches from my feet!  Just as I was about to lift the tarp thinking I had to rescue some hapless critter, a snake slithered from underneath.  Bat's attack was ruthless as he chased the 3ft+ snake toward the pond.  Several times, the snake turned to face the cat but Bat was too quick and would leap behind the snake.  As soon as the snake got into the open where the morning light was a bit brighter, I realized that this was a cottonmouth.  "BAT! COME!"  I yelled for my sweet cat!  He was having no part of listening as he focused on his attack.  The snake made a hasty retreat for the small concrete pond.  Bat darted underneath the house once he realized that he could no longer continue his attack.  My heart sunk as I fretted over Bat perhaps being bitten but I really had to figure out how to get the snake out of the pond.  (I have a sweet little niece coming to visit and I sure do not want a moccasin anywhere near, if I could help it.)

  Knowing that the pond holds a little over 600 gallons of water and was filled with water hyacinths and lilies, I was in a quandary.  Keeping watch on the snake lying atop some lilies, I eased around the back side to pull the hose from the fountain.  At least that would drain some of the water making the exit of the snake a bit harder.  Then with a 5 gallon bucket, I bailed...and bailed...and bailed all the while keeping an eye on that snake.  Ugh!  This is way too much work on an old lady!  Finally, I felt comfortable enough to rush inside and call to Son to get out of bed and come help get the critter! 

  As much as I hate killing any critter, this one sadly had to go.  Son pinned the snake to the bottom with a flat hoe and I flipped it into the 5 gallon bucket.  That done, the snake was "taken care of" and disposed.  That...was no pond friend.  Now, my attention could be turned to my heroic cat!  Where was Bat and had he received another snake bite.  He was bitten (dry bite) by a cottonmouth just about a year ago and was quite sick for a few days.  I called...and hunted.  Finally, Bat came.  He looked none the worse for wear and after a thorough examination, I found no bite marks.  I sighed with relief and hugged my protector.  Oh, Bat!  You are truly amazing!   What a hero!

Not Yet A Bayou Cat

   Bat, the cat, is trying so hard to become a "regular" cat that he is overlooking the fact that he should be trying to become a "Bayou Cat".  Bayou cats have duties.  They should understand that to be "cared for" also requires "caring for".  Turnaround is fair play.  If you want to eat and have a cozy home then you have to work for it.  That is a rule if you wish to stay at the Little Bayou House.  There are no freeloaders.  We each have our jobs and that is all there is to it.

  By trying to become a regular cat, he thinks "if something moves", it is a target.  Butterflies, bees, moths, shrews, frogs and lizards are all on his spectrum of edible things.  The cat is not hungry.  Trust me.  He eats enough to feed a horse.  Still, he tries to catch any squirming thing.  I am ok with the shrews and even the moths and butterflies that are laying eggs in the vegetable garden but I draw the line on those bees, frogs and lizards (as I will with birds.)  Fortunately, the bees can pretty much take care of themselves.  One sting is going to make Bat think twice about attacking any others. 

  Today, I had to reprimand him for attacking a bullfrog.  The critter was merely trying to hunker down in the mulch to stay warm but Bat was relentless.  I heard the telltale grunt and knew the cat was up to no good.  A good swat and the frog was removed and placed in the water hyacinths.  The cat bounded off unhurt but pouty.  Five minutes later, he was at it again.  This time it was a hapless lizard.  The poor thing was in enough of a bind because it was shedding but to be smacked at by the goofy cat was over the top.  Again, swat and pout.  The lizard was relocated to the greenhouse where it could shed in peace.  The next was another lizard.  This time a five-lined skink caught the brunt of the Bat Attack.  It lost the tail but Bat was not interested in the tiny part, he wanted to batter the lizard.  Swat and pout!  The skink was relocated to a clump of palmettoes.  

  It looks like the swatting is doing no good so perhaps next I will resort to the water hose.  Maybe getting doused a few times will make him think otherwise.  He needs to go smack the rats that live under the shed and leave my helpful critters alone!  What did I get myself into by agreeing to keep this "throwaway" cat?  He was rescued from a sure death but now I am having to rescue everything around here from his assaults.  Hopefully, he will learn his place soon.