Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

I loved this cute and informative story about Daddy Cat and his kittens. My father, who raised beagles had to quickly remove newborn puppies from the mother because she would usually kill one or wo of them right after birth. I especially liked the part of your story where three cats were touching noses before wandering into the pasture. Great story.

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2023

---

reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023

Hi LJbutterfly,
Thank you for the wonderful comments and pointing out what you liked. I appreciate you sharing your experience with the beagles.
From what I understand, male cats do kill kittens that are not there own, but will care for their own.
I got lucky that this daddy cat was responsible. I wouldn't have known how to teach the kittens to hunt.
Have a great day.
Debi

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Wow! Thank you for sharing this great cat story! I had always thought that male cats wanted nothing to do with their offspring. Well, especially since when the female is in heat, she does mate with just about any male and the ovulation occurs with each time, so I figured the males didn't take responsibility at all for their actions. But how wonderful about DC! I wonder if this behavior is more common among the Manx cats?

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2023

---

reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023

Hi Helen,
Thank you for the excellent review.
I'm not sure if the behavior is more common in Manx. The article I read said that in the feral cat community, the male does help the female raise the kittens. I've been a dog person, and I've seen nature shows where a male lion that takes over a new pride will kill the cubs that are not his, and in zebras, a stallion will kill the foals that are not his. How do these animals know? They don't test for DNA, but they seem to know it. I know I was surprised that DC took his responsibility so seriously. I thought those kittens were goners that evening, and then they willingly followed him off into the darkness. Nature sure is surprising.
Debi

reply by lyenochka on 02-Mar-2023

I loved your story. I hope you'll join the Animal Crackers Club to write us about any of your animals. You know a lot!

reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023

I must have missed that club. Okay, I intend to write more about this kittens and DC as he still hangs around, so off to join.

reply by lyenochka on 02-Mar-2023

Hooray! You'll please a lot of cat fans here.

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

Your story was well done, Debi. You gave readers some
great facts--esp about feral cats and kittens. I'm glad the
DC didn't abandon the little kitties. In real life, some make
cats do act as you stated but not all.
Thanks for sharing, Jan

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2023

---

reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023

Hi Jan,
Thank you for the great review and the encouraging comments. I did read that many male cats do kill kittens, but I was surprised that some do help raise the kittens. I got lucky with this one, as did the kittens.
Debi

Comment from mermaids

Excellent

Loved this feline tale as I am owned by two cats. I think it might be a myth about male cats killing their kittens. I do believe that is not true of all male cats. Love the pic of the beautiful feline.

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2023

---

reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023

Hi mermaids,
Thank you for the excellent rating and your insightful remarks. The article I read said that some male cats will kill kittens that are not their own, but not all do. I was surprised that some males do participate in raising the kittens. I got lucky, as did the kittens. DC has been a great father and still hangs around a year later. I think it's the access to water, but he seems to like interacting with the kittens. Now, if I could just catch him and at least get a rabies shot for him....

Comment from royowen

Excellent

What a clever cat, teaching his kittens to hunt, and sharing live game with them, there are rules I guess, but there are exceptions. I know single fathers who are exceptional fathers, playing both roles, it is different, but then who knows the limit of love? After all, God is love. 1John 4, beautiful written Debi, blessings Roy

Typo : After all, (there) are his kittens. They?

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2023

---

reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023

Hi Roy,
Yes, I was lucky, or at least these kittens are. DC still hangs around. I think it is because there is access to water in the horse buckets. He still interacts with the kittens a year later so I guess they are truly a family. I would love to catch DC and get him the vet for shots, etc, but he seems to know exactly when I make an appointment and disappears for a few days.
Thanks for catching that typo!
Debi

Comment from jmdg1954

Excellent

I enjoyed your story. DC had you befuddled thinking he would be vicious to the kittens. And you were their protector.

I am a dog person, we currently have three. I never had a cat. What I do like are stories like this.

Well done.
Cheers to the cats and dogs that bring us joy.
John

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2023

---

reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023

Hi John,
Yes, I was confused when DC acted the way he did.
I've nearly always had a dog--usually a pair of them, but don't right now and these two kittens looked so helpless...
Thank you for the review and sharing.
Debi

Comment from Giftedone.Eric Wallace .

Excellent

Well done thank you for sharing.
Creative peace enjoyed the picture everything went together.
Interesting very interesting Bravo bravo keep up. The good work.
Thanks once again.

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2023

---

reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023

Thank you for the review and your encouraging comments.
Debi

Comment from Sarah Das Gupta

Excellent

Interesting story! I also thought male cats virtually left everything to the females! There seem to be fewer feral cats in our area. I think more people have cats splayed ?


This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2023

---

reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023

I had the kittens spayed, but I can't catch that daddy cat. He seems to know every time I make an appointment and disappears for three days. Otherwise, he is the yard.
Thank you for the review and your comments.

reply by Sarah Das Gupta on 01-Mar-2023

Yes, I meant 'spayed'!

Comment from karenina

Excellent

Hmm. I'm one who has always been told those "daddy cats" aren't involved in nurturing kittens. Nice to know they've been getting a bad rap! "D.C" (cute name) was doing essential life skills training! This sent me off to Google to read more about their behavior. Thanks for turning the lights on for me!

Karenina

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2023

---

reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023

Hi Karenia,
I didn't include that male cats do kill kittens if they are not their own, but I was surprised to learn they nuture their own. Lucky for these two kittens since I wouln't know how to teach them to hunt.
Debi

reply by karenina on 02-Mar-2023

Now that would be a fun task! Teaching kittens how to hunt! (smile)