No Good Deed

 

Over the last few nights, she heard what she thought was a cat outside her back door.   Two days ago, she set out a small saucer of cream.  Every morning the dish has been empty.  She didn’t mind setting the cream out, but she didn’t want to start putting food out there, thinking it might attract other animals, like skunks or racoons.

Curious to see the little critter, she had a motion camera installed and had it pointed at the small saucer of cream.   If all went well, the activity should show up on her television.  She would be able to watch the little kitten show up for his drink.

Last night she was very surprised to see not only the small cat, but apparently a friend as well.  Sharing the dish of cream was a coyote.  Side by side they stood licking up the treat she had left out.  Never had she heard of such companions.  Now she was thinking that a small saucer wasn’t nearly enough for the two of them.  She would have to set out something more substantial for them to eat.

At the store she found a set of pet dishes.  They sat in a wire holder that had rubber feet, so it wouldn’t slide around.  She bought it and a bag of dry food as well.  One bowl would hold water, with food on the other side.  She was excited, thinking she was being so helpful. 

By August, she found herself buying two bags of food a week.  Not only was she feeding the cat and coyote, but a few racoons and one opossum.  Now she was wondering if that was a coyote or not.  Maybe it was someone’s dog.  She hadn’t noticed any collar, and really didn’t know the difference.

She had quite a routine going by October but was soon wondering if she should be putting out some kind of shelter for the winter months.  The weather was turning colder, and snow would soon follow.  She would need some kind of roof and one or more sides to block the wind, but without blocking her camera.

The first letter she received from the township mentioned local laws and ordinances.  One of her neighbors must have complained, but why?  She wasn’t bothering anyone, and it wasn’t like she was raising farm animals.  She didn’t understand their concern.

The second letter was somewhat stronger.  It talked about fines and deadlines, animal control enforcement and the spread of diseases.  She now had been given a deadline in which to comply.   She was saddened by these threats, but not about to give up.  She removed the canvas roof and sides she had constructed outside of her back door and disconnected her surveillance camera.  She hired a carpenter and had a doggy door installed.  She’d move everyone in for the winter.

Nature finds a way, she thought to herself, and so do I.