Operation Fred-Chapter Eight

Strike Two!

The day after my first failed attempt to capture Fred, I was worthless. I couldn’t concentrate on my work. All I could do was replay the scenario over and over again in my mind, so mad at myself. I couldn’t believe I could have been so stupid. I know that isn’t a nice word to use about yourself, but it was accurate to how I felt. It was like the entire incident had been recorded on film and was running in slow motion while I was forced to watch it.

I feared that Fred had been hurt by the trap, and I was terribly afraid that he would never come back. No matter how many times Jeff tried to assure me that it would all work out fine, I couldn’t believe it.

When Fred showed up the next morning, however, waiting patiently at the back door as if nothing had happened the day prior, I felt a whoosh of emotion so strong that I had to steady myself against the counter for a second. Then I became kind of manic, running around, talking to him through the door, telling him how glad I was to see him, and rushing to get everything all together. I was now giddy with happiness.

When I went out to sit with him while he ate, I told myself that it was all a learning experience, and that we’d do better in the second round. But looking back now, I know that wasn’t a true assessment of what I was feeling. My emotions were all over the place. I was trying to show a lot of bravado when I posted my video on Facebook on July 18.

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By the 19th, however, I was a little calmer and much more organized. A larger cage had been ordered, we were back to adding the calming probiotics to his bowl, and now his wet food was served in a new fancy cat dish that I had bought for the occasion. I was trying new strategies.

I was also trying to suck up.

I left the small cage on the porch overnight, next to the carrying case. I put treats in both, and he went in to fetch them, as usual. I also left treats in there at night, and each morning they were gone. Flash forward, I assumed that Fred was the eater of the evening treats, but later I found out that he wasn’t the only one showing up for free food.

By the 20th, I got even smarter, putting the wet food in the very back of the carrying case so that he was forced to go in there to eat it. Although he was hesitant at first, he soon came to accept this as well. If the case had been just a little longer, I could have just zipped it up while he was eating!

OK, that’s not quite true, but I liked to think it was. He was very aware and very twitchy and the couple of times I started to make a move to do just that, he was out of the case in a flash. Fred can move fast!

The 21st was the next attempt, and I was ready! (Sound familiar?)

The larger cage had arrived the day before, but I still didn’t think it was big enough, so I went old-school, drove to a pet store, and bought a kennel for a medium sized dog. I put it on the porch the night before, including the mat from the smaller carrying case on the floor so that it would have his scent. I put treats in there that were gone in the morning, and this time I came out for breakfast with him, ready to do this right! What could possibly go wrong?

Fred showed up on time, as usual. He was curious about the new kennel and a little hesitant, but he was willing to go in there for his breakfast.

This kennel was not the same as the soft sided carry case. It had a full on metal door that would need to be closed and the secured. The day before, under the coaching of my hubby, I practiced slamming the door shut and securing it. I went through it about 30 times until I found the right place to sit, knew to have my arm on top of it, and was ready to go.

Although Fred had never shown signs of biting or swiping, he did have a vicious hiss, and I was a little daunted that I could get hurt in this attempt, but nonetheless, I was ready. He went in, began to eat, and I moved my hand towards the door. Slowly…

And? You guessed it. Before I could practice my slam and shut, Fred was gone. His instincts were on high alert, and he moved before I could. Up the fence, over to the alley, and gone.

Dejected again, at least this time I wasn’t as miserable. I was now annoyed. This wasn’t only a “me” thing. It was also a “Fred” thing.

In my daily Facebook post, I also wrote an open letter to myself:

Today I want you to practice a mind-shift, from seeing a “failure” of catching Fred instead as finding another way NOT to catch a frightened and scared kitty who really does love you but has never been held or loved or petted. Pay attention to when and WHY you feel “failure” and how those feelings get in the way of creative adaptations and opportunities to learn and adjust. The failure mindset will always limit you. Flip the switch and recognize, not only the learnings, but be focused on what is getting in the way of complete success. In this case, it is your desire to get to the end quickly, vs. truly understand this all from Fred’s point of view….

About this time, one of my friends asked me why I didn’t simply open the door and invite him in! I reminded him that my goal was to not only capture Fred, but to make sure that Penelope was ok. This was a cat that was in the wild, and despite the fact that we had given him medication in his food for fleas and ticks and worms, he could have other diseases that we didn’t want to introduce to Penelope until we knew for certain.

But my friend was smarter than he, or we, knew. When you try 101 ways to NOT catch a cat, sometimes you have to find a way to get him to come to you.

Momma’s POV–Chapter Eight

OK, I can do this. The first attempt didn’t work, but I am learning. I am adapting. I absolutely can do this!

Momma’s POV - Chapter Eight

OK, I can do this. The first attempt didn’t work, but I am learning. I am adapting. I absolutely can do this!

But can I really? We’re running out of days before we leave for a week, and I don’t think I’m any closer to capturing today than I was on the first day he showed up!

This is really frustrating. I am worried about him, and I’m worried about Penelope, and I am getting really tired of spending an hour a day with him without any success.

Why won’t he just let me take care of him?

Fred’s POV – Chapter Eight

There are some strange things going on. There are lots of different things on the porch every day...

Fred’s POV – Chapter Eight

There are some strange things going on. There are lots of different things on the porch every day, and momma seems stressed. I can almost smell it on her. It reminds me of when I am just about to catch a lizard for breakfast, and I’m not sure if I can get it before it scurries away.

What does she have to be anxious about? I show up every day now. I like her and I like her food. Why can’t that just be enough?

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