Bountiful Time

Winter is sketched as being a time of scarcity, when cold conditions place severe restraints on the ability of prey animals to capture food. They make hay whilst the sun shines, as it were, and stock up on food, fat and energy before the advancing wintery season.

It looks like Coco The Cat has also read that book… Yet Coco is still enjoying a bountiful hunting season.

Today is the third day that I have either seen Coco returning from a field hunt, or I have stumbled on the remains of a result of one of his hunts. This afternoon, he came stalking through the long weedy and daisy-covered grass of the lawn, stepping carefully, almost chameleon-like, as if carrying a fragile parcel.

(Above): Coco’s view as he approaches the kitchen yard.

In his mouth. With a long thin grey tail.

(Above): By this stage, Coco is ready to share the view of his catch with me. He is purring loudly and proudly. Coco, that is, not the mouse. The little creature is stone dead. Dead as a doornail. Dead as a Norwegian Parrot.

“Never mind that, my lad. I wish to complain about this parrot what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique.”

“Oh yes, the, uh, the Norwegian Blue...What's,uh...What's wrong with it?”

“I'll tell you what's wrong with it, my lad. 'E's dead, that's what's wrong with it!”

“No, no, 'e's uh,...he's resting.”

“Look, matey, I know a dead parrot when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now.”

Coco tries in vain to resuscitate the little rodent. The mouse lies motionless and Coco’s  interest in the game of cat-and-mouse visibly starts waning. He steps towards me and rubs against my legs, purring loudly.

Oh-oh. Bennie the Labrador has noticed the increased activity on this area of the lawn, and ambles across to investigate. I give him the “Leave!” command as he gingerly smells the little mouse. He obeys without question or hesitation. 

As a precaution, Coco sidles up to Bennie and stands his ground as he stares at the Labrador, ever so slightly in a confrontational manner. Bennie backs off and returns to lie in the shade of the tree.