Sophie's World

Sophie has been on her own weight loss plan for a few months now. Sophie, like too many pets, is overweight. In fact, 58 percent of American cats are either overweight or obese. At least she wasn’t alone.

I am happy to report that after a few months of a reduced diet, an added emphasis on activity, and perseverance that Sophie has lost 1 1/2 pounds.

She still has a bit to go yet, but the weight loss is evident. I can see it in her face. Sophie’s New Year’s resolution is to lose 1 1/2 more pounds to get her to the weight that her vet recommended. I’m sure as spring approaches and the birds return, she will have plenty to keep herself occupied with. At least it’s a start.

Photo by benipop

Sophie had the opportunity to earn her keep the other day. I was working home alone, getting ready to make lunch. Sophie had been acting strangely, sitting in the kitchen.

She never misses an opportunity for her precious afternoon nap. She typically sleeps from 9 a.m. to her 4 p.m. feeding time. Something definitely was up.

That’s when I saw it—a vole running away with a hunting cat on its tail. Sophie didn’t get it, but that certainly didn’t stop her from keeping on the job.

If you have a cat, I’m sure you understand the predicament. Poison is out of the question. A poisoned rodent is not as fast, the perfect prey for a cat. Unfortunately, the poison will likely do the same thing to her as it does the rodent—kill her.

Glue boards are the epitome of cruel, IMHO. So, we were left trying repellents. First we tried a sachet of peppermint and spearmint oils. The only good thing I can say about it is that it smelled nice. Otherwise, it absolutely did not work. In fact, the home invaders ate it!

Next, we tried sealing up what we found to be the hole. I first laced the whole with ground cayenne pepper with some hot sauce for good measure. Then, my husband sealed the hole with foam. This did the trick. No more voles!

I feel a bit bad. Sophie was enjoying the hunt. It was fun to see her in hunter mode, in touch with her inner cat. What worried me more than seeing her kill the rodent was the thought that she may make it a present for me. That, I could do without.

Photo by Juha Soininen