I was walking around taking some garden photos, when I noticed feral kitty Winston under our porch. I'm not sure if he is eating at anyone else's homes or not. He seems to hang around close all day long. I typically find him sleeping on the wicker furniture on our screened in back porch. I leave dry food on the porch for him all day long and give him a little canned whenever I see him out there. I pick up the food before it gets dark so that the raccoons don't get it. He is definitely aging and slowing down a bit. I do hope that someday I'll get to pet him, but I don't think it's going to happen. I've been working on him for almost 3 years now and the best I can do is reach out a finger and touch his nose.
His hearing is even worse. If he is not facing me, no matter how loudly I say his name, he can't hear it. I have to stomp my foot for him to feel it, rather than hear it. Sometimes when he is laying on the doormat, when I walk out, he startles because he didn't hear the door open or me say his name. I think it's just amazing that he's survived this long. I will be setting up his winter house this weekend. It is on the screened in porch. It's a warm cuddly house within a bigger plastic house. I also put a weight sensitive heating pad in the house for him. This will be his second winter with his warmer house.
For his artsy photo, I ran it through some Topaz Lab plugin. I forgot to make a note of which one!
Elise Xavier says
Heart melting cuteness! I actually love the original photo way more than the more artsy one - you're very good at taking pictures of these cuties!
And I've gotta agree with the comment above - he really is a very handsome mancat. 😉
Elise Xavier says
Heart melting cuteness! I actually love the original photo way more than the more artsy one - you're very good at taking pictures of these cuties!
Robin says
Winston is such a handsome guy. He is so lucky to have found you. Sure, he may not have become super friendly, but he found someone who cares about him in you. I'm sure he knows that you love him. Maybe he will surprise you one day and let you pet him. 🙂
rosa @ Cat Lady Confidential says
He's a gorgeous cat! It's awesome that you are making him a warm place to sleep in the winter time!
Jean Dion says
What a beautiful boy. He has those fat cheeks mancats get when they've been out a-wandering for too long. I hope he has many more winters with you. And I know he thanks you, even though he may not show it.
Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie
Dash Kitten Crew says
Thank you for caring for Winston. He really is a handsome chap isn't he. With your care he will be fine, and warm this winter.
Flynn says
Winston is very handsome. I like the artsy filter effect.
Ann says
How kind you are to such an elderly feline gentleman. He may be deaf bt I'm sure he appreciates all that you do for him. Perhaps some trauma in his life has made him cautious.
ERin the Cat (Princess) says
I have to admit that Winston has my heart with his wonderful looks, even without the fantastic photo effect. I do hope he comes to you sooner rather than later, it would do him so much good to have a permanent home. purrs ERin
Sherri-Ellen TD. says
Mee-you Lady Pam mee iss Purrince Siddhartha Henry frum Thee Purrfect Pad!!
Yur set up fur Winston iss pawsum an mee an LadyMum wanted to give you 444 paws uppy fr carin about a feral kittyboy!
Mee was born frum a Feral Mumma butt iss more or less domesticated....all tho' mee has mee momintss!! 😉
An LadyMum said yur touchin Winston'ss nose iss grate because shee could nevurr touch her feralss no matter what shee did....
Pleeze tell Winston his Selfiess are GRATE an wee are happy to meet him. Fank you berry much.
Sinseerlee, Purrince Siddhartha Henry =^,.^= an LadyMum 🙂
speedyrabbit says
He's very Handsome and for all that he is getting on in years he looks in great condition under your care,xx Speedy
Athena says
He's so handsome. Well done for taking care of him.
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
Ellen Pilch says
That is sweet of you to provide him food and shelter. It is scary to think he can't hear trouble coming. Could you trap him and bring him inside, a lot of times they do adjust.
Kitties Blue says
Wow, Winston sure is handsome, with both his real furs and fancied up with Topaz. Mom thinks it's amazing that he has stuck around for so many years but not allowed you to do more than touch his nose. It warms our hearts that he'll have a warm and cozy winter home. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
The Island Cats says
What a gorgeous photo of Winston. We're glad you're there to help him. We worry about him being outside given his deafness.
Cathy Keisha says
Thank you for being so kind to Wnston. He's handsome. I wonder if there's a medical reason he's deaf like a bad ear mite infestation that perforated his ear drum..
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
Awww. . .Winston sure is a lucky guy to have you in his life. It's pretty amazing that he will let you get as close as he does.
Our previous house in Ohio backed up to farmland and woods so it was not uncommon to have feral cats around. The Mr. and I made it our mission to trap, neuter and release as many as we could as we feared that having too many feral cats running around would not sit well with the neighbors (we lived in a sub division). During this time we became attached to a female that we named Spookers. The Mr. built a super fancy house for her complete with gingerbread molding, a cedar roof, and tons of insulation. We loaded it with hay to make it cozy and added a heating pad to keep her toasty when the temperatures took a dip. When we moved to Africa, we paid the cleaning lady to come and fill up her feeder (which the hubby raccoon proofed) every week. We looked forward to the updates on her when my parents came to check on our house. It's amazing how these little guys can impact your life.
Little Binky and Granny says
Winston is a lovely guy. We're sure he can "hear" you, when you talk with him. They catch up the vibes. It seems that he loves to be near you 🙂 Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend 🙂 <3
Caren Gittleman says
He is so incredibly handsome. To me, he looks well fed....are you sure he is feral? What happens to him in the winter?
Judi says
He is one handsome kitty. So happy he found you.
Frida, Bilbo and Sofia says
As Winston is beautiful !!!!!
Have a great weekend !!!!
A meow of Frida
Dragonheart, Merlin, and Devi says
Winston is lucky to have you to take care of him. We like your art work!
Socks, Scylla, Fenris, Tuiren, YinYang & Chimera (ATCAD) says
Winston is a very handsome mancat, we wish he was friendlier so you could help him more, but we are sure he appreciates the food and the safe warm shelter you give him.
Cheryl says
I love your Winston. He is so handsome for a feral cat and looks like he's enjoying your food. His winter house sounds so cozy. So sad though, that he doesn't let you pat him. Both photos are lovely.
Tina says
That is so good of you to care for him, he's very handsome and that's awful about his hearing. At least he knows he has safe haven at your place. Just a thought, I wonder if his hearing issue may be caused by an ear infection or a clogging rather than deafness. If there was only a way to tranquilize him so he could be transported to a vet, get him looked at and clean the ears.
I can only imagine the wrath and slashing claws when he woke up though!
Bridget says
He is a handsome boy, and lucky to have you.
My niece takes care of 3 feral cats, and I am so happy they have her to care for them.
Marjie says
My son's older cat is an orange tabby named Winston. I'm glad you're helping your grey Winston out for the winter; it must be hard for a deaf cat to survive in the wild. He knew what house contained a sucker...er, I mean Cat Lady...right?
Lily | Pit Of Pets says
He's adorable! It's amazing what you're doing with him. I would very much like to know more about the warmer house you've set up for him as I'm planning to make one as well, but not sure where to start.