Cats hunt pests, but also birds

I enjoyed reading the Tuesday editorial, “Ecosystem: Finding cat/bird balance.” I am not confident that we will ever be able to obtain a balance with these two creatures, as we don’t often hear about birds hauling away, attacking or eating cats. As a lover of all creatures, please don’t get me wrong with what I am about to say about our personal experience with trying to stifle our cat’s inner beast…

We rescued our cat from a shelter a couple of years back. He had been in a small cage for six of his first nine months. Despite his tight and dismal start, C.N. is very loving, chatters way too much and stays very close to home. That said, he is also an excellent hunter, bringing through the dog door a multitude of gifts, perhaps to thank us for saving his first of nine lives? We have put upwards of eight bells on his collar at any one time to no avail. We have tried to keep him inside but C.N. gets quite upset, “yelling” at the dog, the plants and us to stop with the silly string toy games and to let him “do what he do” … so we do.

He keeps the moles, rats and yes … birds out of our yard. We back up to a nature park where if birds were smart enough, they would stick to the tops of the trees or fly somewhere where six cats don’t live in a five-house radius. Alas, it remains the survival of the smartest and C.N. is most definitely at the top of his game.

I guess our kids truly did name him Chuck Norris for a reason.

Cindy Gauthier

Arlington

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, Feb. 15

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Rivian, based in Irvine, Calif., has introduced its new R2 models, smaller and more affordable SUVs. (Rivian)
Editorial: Open electric vehicle market to direct sales

Legislation would allow EV makers to sell directly to customers, making lease or purchase easier.

Eco-nomics: Climate change is making insurance a risky bet

Keeping home insurance affordable amid climate change will take adaptation to threats and broader efforts.

Comment: Keeping health care fair, affordable as costs rise

Bills in the state Senate would look to control costs and keep decisions in the hands of providers.

Comment: Proposal takes a swipe at credit card swipe fees

State legislation would exempt taxes and gratuities from the fees that credit card firms charge businesses.

Forum: State church leaders call for compasion for immigrants

Scripture repeatedly instructs us to love our neighbor and show the stranger hospitality.

Forum: Support state legislation to reform policing, corrections

One bill would harmonize standards for agency leadership; another would clarify review of corrections facilities.

The Buzz: When you gotta boogie, best to shake it off, kid

A pasquidadian review of the week’s news.

People walk adjacent to the border with Canada at the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical State Park, where cars behind wait to enter Canada at the border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. Canada lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but America kept similar restrictions in place, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from coronavirus travel bans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates

President Trump may be serious about annexing Canada, but it’s a deal fraught with complexities for all.

Schwab: If you’re OK with foreign aid cuts, guess who’s next

At some point, if they haven’t already, Trump’s and Musk’s cuts will hit all but a very elite few.

Poor planning behind Snohomish PUD rate increase

It did not take long in 2025 for the Snohomish Public Utility… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.