Like an arrow
Jellicoe flew into the garden as if shot from a bow. We heard a squeal and hoped it wasn’t a bird.
It was a healthy-looking young female rat, not yet fully grown and now destined never to reach maturity. She did not suffer long and probably died of shock.
Jellicoe brought his prize in to show us, attracting the attention of his brother and the dogs. We managed to persuade him outside again, whereupon he dropped his trophy, sniffed it once or twice, and then turned away, having lost interest in something no longer moving.
Death comes swiftly to the young and unwary.
Much as I hate to see beautiful young animals despatched, I know that rats are harbingers of infection, and they reproduce rapidly. We have to be careful because we have visits from vulnerable young children in our family.
One of the diseases rats carry is Weil’s disease, or leptospirosis. Although it is rare in the UK, it can be contracted from infected soil, water, or animals, initially presenting as a flu-like illness. The bacterial infection is also found in cattle, and, as in rats, is spread in urine. Rats use urine as a means of communication with others of their species and frequently mark where they travel.
Our cats do not eat their prey and are soon encouraged to come indoors again with the cry of ‘Treats.’
I was in the middle of ordering something and was distracted. More of that later.
I saw Blackie rustling around behind the recycling bin last week - did not take much notice & then about an hour later a large dead rat was left on the path - just a small piercing in its neck. I praised Blackie well - he is overweight but can still hunt like a feral. I hope I don't upset folk by this but - in my humble opinion - the only good rat is a dead one. They are such disease ridden creatures. Well done Jellicoe.
ReplyDeleteWe could forgive them if they weren't such parasites. Well done, Blackie - the old instincts never let you down.
DeleteI don't like any animal that has fewer than 2 legs or more than 4 legs. So rats are almost acceptable, but lobsters, spiders, snails and snakes are definitely ugly
ReplyDeleteRats thrive in some of the filthiest conditions.
DeleteMr T knew he was supposed to despatch rats but usually gave them a head start. Nevertheless we never suffered a rat problem while he was around. After his death I could reasonably describe our yard as suffering an infestation as both neighbours had overgrown back yards piled with rubbish.
ReplyDeleteMr T was modest and didn't like to show off his talents while you were watching.
DeleteJellicoe’s swift strike was unsettling but necessary, as rats pose real health risks—especially with children around—and your quick response, paired with treats, keeps nature’s harshness in check.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, our cats have never been inclined to eat their catches. My son's cats do!
DeleteWell done Jellicoe, cats can be very speedy when the need arises and now the world has one less rat, sadly probably soon replaced by a whole new litter 😒We have rats in the grounds here, I see the droppings and sometimes spot a long thin tail disappearing in a hurry when I water outside. There's enough wandering cats that hopefully dispatch a few.
ReplyDeleteSomeone once calculated that rats are never less than 6 feet from people. Luckily, that is an urban myth - it's more like 164 feet!
DeleteLilly is only chasing flies, but she is often sniffing along the fence where the rats have come into our garden, hubby has blocked the last path, there are very few places left unless they dig deep below, I do keep an eye out for holes in our garden.
ReplyDeleteLilly is still quite a baby, but her instincts will come into play as she grows, then woe betide any rodents.
DeletePoor Ratty. 'Middle of ordering something'! Let me guess, you double paid for something.
ReplyDeleteNot double paid - wait for tomorrow's exciting episode! 😎
DeleteWe have rats as there is a stream and woods behind us. Luckily we don’t seem to have them living in the garden. There are also loads of foxes; I hope they eat rats...
ReplyDeleteFoxes will certainly keep the rats down.
DeleteI am glad that humans do not have to communicate through urine though I admit that I once wrote my name with carefully aimed pee in virgin snow.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't every young boy do that, as well as seeing 'how high?'
DeleteCongratulations to Jellico. I'd say he did a fine job. When it comes to rats and mice we certainly don't need them too close to the house and definitely not inside.
ReplyDeleteThey're attracted to the warmth as well as the food. I don't think Precious would care to share her quarters with them.
DeleteHi Janice - lots of rats around ... but good on Jellicoe - even better they bring their gifts in to you - then you can make a plan. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteBringing their catches in is meant to be a sign of friendship and trust . . . 😟
DeleteArthur was a mouse hunter and I always got it as a gift. Rosie put them in her water bowl. But nobody ever caught a rat.
ReplyDeleteWas Rosie hoping to teach it to swim? 😸😹
DeleteLong ago, we cottages in a rustic cabon along with our black cat. There were mice aplenty but cat was useless.
ReplyDeleteOverwhelmed and outnumbered, the cat descended into a deep depression.
DeleteThe joys of living with animals is they trophies they bring home. My daughter has gotten out of bed more than once only to step on a dead mouse that her cat has brought to her.
ReplyDeleteOh, no, I would not appreciate that - ugh!
DeleteWe live in a somewhat rural area so our cats are totally indoor pets because goddess knows what they might find in the yard and try to drag into the house!
ReplyDelete. . . and goodness knows what might take a fancy to a taste of cat. I doesn't bear thinking about.
DeleteAlways a bit distressing but it's nature I suppose.
ReplyDelete. . . red in tooth and claw!
DeleteBefore Ink, and before Calli and Quill, there was Mitty. Mitty was rescued from a shelter and out of all the cats was the most affectionate. He loved being outdoors and the wakeup call to go outside was 4:30 AM. At 6 or 6:30 am, he would return and bring me a decapitated mole. After he got hit by a car (I never thought he crossed the road) I made the decision that future cats would be indoor cats. That and the increase of fisher cats and coyote in the area and the worry that more people are using poison to kill mice.
ReplyDeletePoor Mitty! Our garden is enclosed, so that the cats cannot get out into the wider world. Before we did that, all our cats were indoor cats. People aren't always very nice to cats.
DeleteWell, if Jellicoe had to kill something, at least it was a rat. He must be feeling better, moving fast enough to hunt!
ReplyDeleteI'd say he's 100% now!
DeleteI grew up in New York City, where rats were somewhat common. Well done, Jellicoe.
ReplyDeleteRats and cities go together.
DeleteRats are not my favourite.
ReplyDeleteThey are cunning and clever .
DeleteRats do bring health risks, well done Jellicoe, who must be feeling better now?
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
He is definitely back to normal.
DeleteThat makes me sad since I really like rats.
ReplyDeleteI did think of you, as I know how fond of rats you are. I like pet rats, too, but this was no pet, sadly.
DeleteCongratulations to Jellico, he choose the correct victim and not a bird. Cats are responsible for a huge loss of avian life.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that cats generally prey on weaker birds, which might not survive anyway. I'd rather they didn't kill anything, but that's their nature. Over the decades, there have been remarkably few casualties from our cats, who are confined to our garden.
DeleteGreat success for Jellicoe. We live in town, but I've never seen a rat around.
ReplyDeleteThey're not usually seen in daytime, unless they're very old or very young.
DeleteI don't like rats, but yikes. I'm glad it was over quickly
ReplyDeleteMe, too!
DeleteI'm not exactly a fan of rats and we have seen some around in our back gardens. I think Bess would run a mile, but like Jellicoe, our previous cat Phoebe once caught and killed a young female. xxx
ReplyDeleteI hope Bess is not put to the test.
ReplyDeleteWell done to Jellicoe for the speedy dispatch.
ReplyDelete👍
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