From Drudgery to Delight: How This Cat Transformed a Mundane Chore

The distinctive feature of my cat is its extraordinary combination of orange and black stripes, which provides it with excellent camouflage amidst the fallen leaves.

Autumn is my most cherished season, but it can swiftly turn into a laborious task when fallen leaves accumulate in mounds all over my property.

When I stumble upon Tanna while engaged in the mundane task of raking up the fallen leaves in my backyard, her presence fills me with a sense of wonder and delight. Her mastery of camouflage is truly remarkable, and I can hardly distinguish her from the scattered leaves. It is as though she possesses the ability to melt into her environment, becoming an extension of the landscape itself.

Watching Tanna play in the leaves is a captivating experience. She exhibits an almost kittenlike joy as she playfully darts in and out of the piles, disappearing and reappearing like a mischievous sprite. Her eyes sparkle with intelligence and curiosity, and it seems as though she takes immense pleasure in the simple act of exploration.

Trees and Leaves

The last couple of weeks have been the busiest time of the year for me, and I expect the next couple of weeks to be just as busy. We have so many young trees that change color two weeks after the older trees. Usually, trees younger than 20 take longer to change color, and it’s a pain in the neck to rake them up. The trees on the other side of the street are much older, so they drop their leaves early. This allows the neighbors to collect and mulch the fallen leaves before they are dampened by rain or other moisture.

So, it will be several more years before it gets easier. I enjoy the beauty of fall, but I don’t enjoy the work that comes with it. I wish there was a way to automate the raking and mulching process, but until then, I’ll just have to suck it up and do it myself.

Cats Do React to the Change of Season

The change of the season has made a mess of things. The cats are not going outside the catio, except for a few who still do. The weather has been cold and wet, and the Herd seem to prefer to stay inside where it is warm and dry. The few cats who still go outside are probably the ones who are more adventurous or who have a strong hunting instinct. Tanna, who joins Harvey during his guarding rounds, doesn’t mind a bit.

It doesn’t surprise me that Tanna turned out to be the most explorative one. With her exceptional acrobatic abilities, she can be aptly named “Spider”. Her agility allows her to effortlessly climb on tarps, fences, and even upside down on the side of a tree trunk. When she hangs on the greenhouse cover’s top, her legs splayed out and claws poking holes during her ascent, she resembles a real spider. Watching her is a mesmerizing experience, as her movements are both graceful and awe-inspiring.

Tanna was Discovered With Injuries.

Two years ago, my friend and longtime downhill skiing partner, Molly McKay texted me that she had found a kitten inside a pickup truck’s engine compartment. She was visiting a horse training ranch in Oregon with a friend when she heard a commotion and saw a cacophony of dogs surrounding the truck. She was able to grab the kitten out of the compartment and took it to the ranch’s veterinarian office to clean it up and wrap its open wound on the side of its torso. The office did not have the antibiotics for cats since it was an equine veterinarian’s office. The kitten’s tail was mangled to a toothpick.

Unexpected Arrival

Molly was faced with a dilemma. She had found a wounded kitten, but she didn’t know what to do with her. The ranch owners were elderly and couldn’t take care of her, and the people she asked weren’t interested in adopting her. Molly already had a dog and two aging cats, and she didn’t think she could take on another pet. But she didn’t want to abandon the kitten either. So she thought of me and asked if I would take her in. I was thrilled to say yes! Tiny Tiger arrived on my birthday, and it was a nice surprise present. She’s a wonderful little cat, and I’m so glad that Molly found her.

She Looked Like a Tiny Tiger

I was instantly smitten with Tiny Tiger. She adjusted to our household very well.

Molly was kind enough to provide her with the medical care she needed. We eventually took the kitten to the emergency veterinarian. We had tried to use our regular veterinarians, but they were not available at the time. Molly was able to find a local veterinarian, Dr. Thompson, to check on Tiny Tiger’s wounds. After examining the kitten, Dr. Thompson observed that its back paw was fractured. Surprisingly, the kitten did not seem to be in pain, and the veterinarian explained that there was no effective treatment available for this type of injury. He eventually closed up her open wound and suggested waiting for her tail to fall off on its own in a couple of weeks. The tail did not fall off, so we had Dr. Thompson amputate it. In the meantime, we were thinking of a name for Tiny Tiger. We ended up liking the name Tanna.

Survival Strategy: Camouflage’s Vital Role

Tanna is one of the few cats that does not come when called. She is a master of stealth and camouflage, and she uses her skills to her advantage when hunting. Her orange and black fur blends in perfectly with the fallen leaves in the garden, making her almost impossible to spot. If I am looking for Tanna, I will need to shake the “Treat Bottle”. She will beeline for the catio door, waiting to come in for the treats.

Tanna is a very independent cat, and she likes to do things her own way. She is not a fan of being told what to do, and she will often ignore you if you try to call her. However, she is also a very loving cat, and she loves her treats. 

More Change of Season Work To Do

I have been working hard to use up the wood pile before it becomes an eyesore in the living room. The weather has been uncooperative, with rain and snow making it difficult to work outside. Having to relocate the miter saw and air compressor to the dry basement has increased the difficulty and duration of the project. I eagerly anticipate completing the wood pile, allowing me to restore order to the living room and reclaim the enjoyment of my personal space.

I am a little hesitant to keep Tanna busy because she is nervous about the wood pile in the living room or the tools scattered about while I’m doing a catification project. It helps when she plays or rests in the catio. I am trying to find a way to keep her busy and entertained without giving her anxiety. I will need to get back to this project and complete it as soon as I can before Tanna can be comfortable in the living room.

Appreciating the Cat and Wine

I am delighted to be back to writing. The words flow easily as I sip my Tumbler of Cattoo, a Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Sharon Weeks in Paso Robles in 2020. The wine is full-bodied and complex, with flavors of black currant, blackberry, and cedar. I’m so glad I decided to open this bottle of wine tonight. It’s the perfect way to relax and unwind after a long day. 

It is clear that my cat loves me very much, even though she can be a bit of a handful at times. She shows her affection by giving me hugs, which is a very sweet gesture. When she wants to be picked up, she wraps her front legs around my neck and purrs loudly. She may even drool a little bit, which is just a sign of how happy she is. After a while, she will usually mellow out and her body will start to feel like dead weight in my arms. But even then, she is still enjoying the closeness of my embrace.

Tanna Is a Model

In the meantime, I have been thinking about this website. As a writer and content creator, I have a passion for capturing and sharing moments. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph Tanna, as she posed gracefully on a unique outdoor cat condo. This project held special significance for me, as I had crafted the condo entirely from recycled materials. I eagerly look forward to sharing these captivating images with you and providing insights into the creation of this eco-friendly cat paradise. has a few different levels, so Tanna and the Herd can climb and explore. There is also a little loft on top of the condo, where Tanna can nap or hide. I hope you will like it too!

I am currently on my second Tumbler of wine…

Sweet Cattoo Dreams.