Stumpy Bruce
Stumpy Bruce
May 1, 2003
There is a tail-less Tom cat who has been coming round to eat where I left food for the strays. I call him Stumpy. He let me walk right up to him and pet his head while he ate today! I had never come within 10 feet of him before, and that was only on about two occasions. And boy did he eat! So he is either a dumped pet, or was so hungry perhaps that he just did not care, as long as he got to eat. Would the latter be so? For a cat who had never been a pet? I wouldn’t think so, since he could have waited until I went back in the house but didn’t.
May 5, 2003
I got Stumpy!! He had a petting session with me on my front porch, then went down the street “calling” for a lady cat. The white mother of the kittens cat came around and he chased her, very “interested”. She calls too. In heat again so soon? Her kittens can’t be more than 3 weeks old. I got out my large kennel/carrier, put a bowl of Felidae cat food in it, and waited near the feeding area. After a while, he came to eat. He just went on into the carrier to eat, with me crouched right next to it. His back end was sticking out, so I pushed him gently, he moved on in, then I shut the door!
Only took two calls to vets for someone to be able to take him for tonight, and then neuter him tomorrow. So I don’t have to worry about where or how to overnight him. Very convenient for him to come around during business hours.
Too bad they all can’t be so easy. I was surprised. He is clearly another dumped pet. But, there is some bit of hope for him. The receptionist said a man had called today, wanting a male cat. He works at a hospital. Maybe he would be a decent owner for Stumpy, who we signed in as Bruce, sounding more dignified. She was going to call the man to see if he would be interested in Bruce. I hope so.
May 6, 2003
When we picked up Stumpy Bruce, a different lady was there, but she didn’t know anything about anyone wanting him. I imagine if the man wanted him, there would be some notice about it.
So, he is now back in my yard. I read that males can be released 12 hours after neutering, though longer might be better. But we couldn’t keep him in the house, and he was getting upset in the carrier, even though it was a large carrier. Still a small area.
He makes trill sounds. He can make a more classic “meow”, but mostly he was “trilling” at me to let him out. Interesting cat, with his stumpy tail. He didn’t run off either when I opened the door to the carrier. Took some time to rub on me and get some head scritches before going to the feeding area in my yard. Then he followed me to the front porch, and rubbed on all the front porch furniture. I guess it’s his porch now too.
His age was estimated at around 4 years. He has small eyes. In his big head with his full male fat pouches, he looks sort of “beady eyed”. He is all gray, but with an “idea” of a rust color thinking about showing up. He has short straight fur, but it is not silky smooth like the mother cat Penelope’s (or my cats).
His trill is not a purrt. It reminds me sort of the sound crickets make, except held for a longer time and not a whole bunch of them at once as crickets do. But it was about that same pitch, with a melodic idea to it. Didn’t have any distinct consonant sounds. It was reminiscent of purr sounds, but was not a purr. It definitely was a friendly sound.
I guess he could be part Manx. I wouldn’t think there would be full blood Manx on the streets, but all sorts of people abandon all sorts of cats. He is a very interesting, friendly, easy going cat. Too bad I can’t bring him in. He would be a great companion.