As I write this, Zip is dozing in his heated cat house, installed in the barn by Maria this afternoon.
In the final analysis, I think it was my anxiety that brought this about, not a genuine need. But it feels good. It was interesting to see how much of an impact this cat has made on me.
I looked out the back door window this morning when I got up, and Zip looked at me in a way I thought was pleading. It was below zero, about the only time I worry about him being in the cold. He was fine, moving about, hunting, eating, and sleeping on the back porch table.
I’ve had barn cats for nearly 20 years, and none came inside the house except when they got ancient.
Then, we put them in the basement in a heated cat house. Maria saw I was worried and went outside and put our heated cat house in the barn. Zip jumped in and out of it, and then, an hour or so later, we saw that he was sitting inside it.
Maria and I switched roles a bit in this decision. She was okay with the heated house but didn’t honestly feel it was necessary. She pointed out that barn cats know how to stay warm, even in sub-zero temperatures. I was the creature getting uneasy.
I feel good about it. Maria didn’t object and didn’t want me to be anxious.
I have to be honest; I agree with her. It was something I needed, not necessarily something he needed.
The obvious alternative would have been bringing him inside the house, and I don’t want that now any more than I did before. Neither does Maria. I know many cat people don’t understand what a barn cat is, but Zip is the perfect barn cat, doing his work faithfully and steadily.
I have no reservations at all about Zip staying outside.
He would be a restless nightmare inside our small farmhouse with three dogs confined in a small living room. I love the peace of that room, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything I could think of.
The rats and mice who were invading us are gone, and so are the pigeons who were crapping up our hay loft with waste. Zip did that in just a few weeks.
But I have a special relationship with Zip, and I felt he was trying to tell me something this morning; he rarely waits at the back door for me like that (above.) Something in his look got to me; I didn’t think he was in trouble; I just felt the cold. Like Maria, I didn’t see it as a monumental issue.
Zip and I have grown close; we seem to understand what the other is thinking. It wasn’t that he needed to come inside. It was that he was cold. And it was freezing.
I decided to meditate over this and contemplate it. I take stewardship seriously.
I sat down and had a slice of my excellent and fresh new multi-seed bread with peanut butter.
I breathed deeply.
I was clear in just a few minutes; Maria asked me if I would feel more comfortable if Zip had a heated bed in the barn. I said yes, and Maria, who cares about what I think, agreed; she had no problem with it even though it wasn’t something she would have done. We must agree on things like this, or we don’t do them.
She respects the idea of the barn cat as much as I do. Animals like this are vanishing from the world as we accept the idea that working with people is somehow cruel.
We had a heated cat house sitting unused in the basement, and it seemed the perfect compromise for him and us, a good solution. A bitter cold is predicted for the next few days, and I am sure I am feeling it. I can barely go outside.
I’ve enjoyed my numerous interactions with the cat people. But there are, of course, the crazies, a vibrant and noxious cult among animal lovers, dogs, cats, donkeys, or sheep.
My only hesitation in writing about this or doing it was to send the wrong message to the zealots and know-it-alls who have been writing obnoxious and annoying messages to both of us, insisting that Zip should come into the house in such a cold winter and that we are uncaring and cruel.
We are used to the animal people – a minority; I think – who combine this kind of rigid certainty and arrogance with situations involving animals like cats and dogs. There is only one right way for them; there are always choices for me. And they live to butt into the lives of people and tell them what to do.
I’ve been arguing with them for years, never to any avail. Nor have they ever persuaded me to do anything. Nor have I regretted doing anything they disapproved of. They believe what they believe and are not interested in thought, knowledge, or discussion. Ignoring them is the best choice.
( I decided about Zip in the cold while chewing my excellent fresh seed bread.)
I’m glad Zip has the heated house, especially on this night. The first time the weather warms up, we will turn it off.
To be clear, he does not belong in the house at night and won’t come inside until he becomes old and frail. Then he goes into the basement in January as Flow and Minnie did, and the heated cat house will accompany him. I’ll probably be gone by then. He’ll be in good hands.
To me, stewardship is not about being rigid and absolute, nor is it about projecting my neuroses and concerns onto an animal that is otherwise free of my neurotic shit. I always try to separate what I need from what the animal needs. It isn’t easy.
I try to make my own decisions thoughtfully and with compassion. We listen to our animals but don’t cross the line of treating them like helpless children and giving them everything people guess they might want.
If Zip were to come to live in the house at night, I don’t believe he would ever go outside again as a barn cat, one of the most fascinating and independent creatures I’ve known. He would instead have become just an indoor and outdoor pet cat.
A vast difference exists between an indoor cat, a house cat, and a true barn cat.
Zip is a cat of great spirit and determination. He is a wonderful and ferocious hunter, the perfect choice to keep our barn and farm healthy and safe for the animals. Farm people know what rats, mice, and pigeons can do to a barn, the hay stored inside, and the many rodents drawn to animal waste. A barn can get unhealthy fast.
I have respect for the remarkable barn cats we have known. I believe that they are entitled to the life of freedom and instinct that make them so strong and valuable.
It is pretty clear that Zip was telling me he was cold, but he did not suggest or indicate he wanted to come inside. He wanted to be a little warmer out in the barn. That was, to me, the message.
As usual, the animal rights people who scream the loudest seem reliably to know nothing about the working animals they claim to be fighting for and are driving from human contact or their very existence.
I am in touch with many cat lovers now, and I believe that a true cat lover respects the nature and severe work of the barn and working cat. If Zip came to live in the house, I think that spirit would decline and vanish. He’d have no reason to hunt and patrol. Most of the barn cat lovers know that. Most of the animal rights people don’t.
I feel good that Zip has a heated place in this weather. I agree with Maria that it is an okay thing to do but far from an issue of life and death. Let’s face it: Zip has made me a little squishy. My Willa Cather wife is more demanding. We’ve switched roles once again, and not for the first time.
Zip is a remarkable animal, and I love him quite a bit. He deserves to be treated for what he is, not as yet another emotional relief tool for extremist animal owners. His life is freedom and hunting, not being a furbaby.
I feel good tonight. I’m glad he has a warm place to sleep. I’m so happy we found a middle ground to make us – and hopefully him – feel easy and comfortable.
The self-righteous “defenders” of animal rights do the animals of the world no good with their unthinking and inflexible ideology. That’s my idea of stewardship. At this rate, there will be no barn cats, just robots with poison spray.
Animal’s lives, like the lives of people, are complex, and decisions about them ought never to be in the hands of know-nothing ideologues.
One good thing about Zip is that he taught me that real cat lovers are among the most exciting and loving people—another gift.
*offering* Zip a heated cat house is a wonderful option for him. *the king* will use it if he wishes, and if he doesn’t…….so be it- his choice. At least it is a warmer place for him if he deems it needed, and you have offered it! And good for you and Maria for agreeing that this was a good avenue…………LOL! Oh, Zip. How you have taken over! LOL!
Susan M
You took the words right out of my mouth, Susan! Out here in my county in California, the rescues call ben cats ‘working’ cats. They also work at warehouses and among the produce packing companies, doing just what Zip does. They have shelters for bad weather- our low temps are quite a bit higher than those Jon is dealing with!-but most places set up kennels with straw they can nestle in, and be dry , warm & safe. Zip is loved, and independent. He is a lucky fellow!!
What a great compromise, not a necessity but it makes both you and Maria feel more easy. And I’m pretty sure Zip is happy to have a warmer place to sleep.
You did, above all, a good thing. Zip looks just as fierce inside his heated cat house as outside of it. Easing his discomfort in the bitter cold will not take the edge of his barn-cat ways. Farmers in our rural area do the same for their barn cats, as they are part of the working family.
I had an outdoor cat who had a heated cat house on the porch that she loved. She lived to be 14 before a fox (I think) got her. A very long life for an outdoor cat.
It was an act of kindness, both for you and Zip.
I have had barn cats both in Vermont and in upstate New York. Some winters had spells of below zero temps
and for sure I provided the option of a heated cat house for them.. In one place I put up a heat lamp with a
quilt in a box beneath it. That was before cat houses (for felines ) were available.
Good for you.
Perfect solution for Zip on these super cold “Polar Vortex” nights & days! He has his independence, his barn home, but he isn’t suffering from the severe cold.
I have two outdoor feral cats that just appeared from who knows where. I feed them, and in the winter, I have outdoor heated igloos for them. It makes me happy to know that they have shelter in bad weather, and are warm in the cold. They are free to do as they will, and help keep the rodent population in check. I also have two indoor cats. It was a condition of adopting them that they are indoor only. I have not been able to explain that to one of my “indoor” cats, Dobby, that he is an indoor cat. Every chance that he gets, he escapes. I used to go an pick him up to bring him back inside, but I had back surgery, and am not allowed to pick up more than ten pounds. He has become quite clever about getting under the dogs legs when I let the dog out. I have given up and let him have his will. He is much happier going out and in. Our other cat is terrified to go outside, so she is strictly indoor. In short, cats will do what cats will do. You cannot change their basic personality. Zip certainly has a wonderful life, and would probably be quite unhappy being indoors, deprived of the freedom that he knows. Offering him a bit of warmth in cold weather probably makes his world perfect for him. Freedom and comfort. What could be better?
Don’t worry about other people’s opinions. I love the double cat house and heating it will add to Zip’s comfort. He is your spiritual guardian, or something like that, and you are now returning that favour. I am a lifelong cat lover and most of the time kept them inside. Just because I don’t live on a farm, really. No need for a ‘mouser’. Cats were with me for company and play. In suburbian areas it is easy for cats to get lost in horrible ways. If not torn apart by dogs or coyotes, then by the hand of cat haters that put out poisoned meat. And worse. But I do understand what you are saying about offering Zip to be inside. Your house is full of precious memorabilia and fragile things, but also: your dogs would probably suffer from having him in what they consider is their safe space. Zip still has a lot of ‘wildness’ in him that might not be conducive to peace in the house. Although I know cats to be quite opportunist: he may just want to be where you are; not because he is needy, but because there is just this chemistry between the two of you. No matter what any decision about Zip is just your’s and Maria’s. It is none of our business, us, the blog followers!
A warm place however may still do him a world of good and to have his own house… what more can a barn cat wish for. A kingdom within his territory!
I think I have the smaller version of your cat house and it is too small for our current cats. But I am using the heating pad for our eldest rescue, who was removed from a horrible hoarding situation 8 years ago. She loves the warmth, and instinctively knows to find the heated bed when we switch it on during the winter months. It just gives her a bit of luxury that we feel she deserves. The other one, a recent outdoor rescue we took in in 2021, has no interest in it. She has a cat bed in which she snuggles at night (inside) but is simply too healthy to need more warmth. Every now and then, when the heated bed is available, she will sit on it though.
All we can do with cats, indoor or outdoor, if give them options. They are independent creatures and if they do not need or like the warmth, they will simply ignore our well-meant gifts. Giving Zip choices shows your love for him, but putting it in the barn, his home, shows him respect. As a guardian should. Keep it going Jon, you and Zip are lovely to watch and read about!
I’m glad you are providing warmth for Zip. When temperatures go below 45, cats are getting cold to the point of looking for shelter. You’ve probably noticed that Zip is a heat seeker. Domestic cats originated in the hot dry climates in the area of and around ancient Egypt. Cats who live outdoors will even dig holes in the ground to keep warm in the winter. They also sleep together for warmth. Some breeds can tolerate cold more than others, like the Maine Coone and Norwegian Forest cat. It’s really something special, the relationship you and Zip have. You are very empathetic to his needs.
Zip is extremely fortunate to have such understanding and compassionate humans to share his life with. I am in absolute agreement with your vision of what constitutes stewardship and, sadly, agree that it is so much misunderstood.
May Zip continue to enjoy the life he clearly loves and remain an integral part of the community at Bedlam.
They know how to find a warm space. I have seen many dogs that were lost out in artic blasts and survive. They find a place to hunker down out of the elements and will eat whatever they find. You are making what seem to be good choices for Zip.
His face and paw at the pane of glass did look like a question of some kind. Giving him an option (which he appears to enjoy) was a nice thing to do for Zip. He’ll soon abandon it if it’s unwanted. I admire the way you and Maria come to agreement on most anything.
I agree with you 100%!
OMG You’ve done it again! I DEMAND that you start considering the feelings of heated cat houses everywhere! Have you no sympathy for heating elements, sir?!? Maintaining a stable temperature in a controlled basement environment is one thing, but exiling the poor heated house to a BARN? IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER?!? Heartless! You are going to hear from us Heated Cat House advocates until you relent and enclose the entire barn in a heated barn house! However, doing such a thing in the winter will enrage my fellow Heated Barn House society members, so consider this a warning…
Sincerely yours,
Foghorn J. Bafflegab,
President, Society for the Protection of Heated Cat Houses
Ombudsman, Society for the Humane Treatment of Heated Barn Houses
Spokesperson, International Board of Complaining
🙂
So glad you and Maria did this for Zip. My sister who lives in Concord, NH has a feral cat she named Jerry Coleman about 10 years ago that she feeds daily. She first made a winter shelter for Jerry from an old Coleman cooler and several years ago she bought a heated house and put it under her front porch. This Jerry cat often shows up pretty beaten up and she has on occasion taken a picture of his wounds and sent it to her vet who prescribes meds that she puts in his wet food. My sister has been through a lot in her life and Jerry is a much loved barn cat living his best life thanks to her. You and Marie have joined that special club. I love reading about Zip! Thanks for sharing your hearts and kindness with this beautiful cat.
Me Think You Doth Protest Too Much. A heated cathouse in subzero temperatures for a wonderful, loyal companion, who gives you so much joy in life. Good for you. He deserves it.
Thanks, I actually didn’t protest at all… just gave it some thought..
Zip is a wonderful kitty it brightens my day to see the kitty and read your wonderful words about farm life. Yes a barn kitty needs a barn buddy and you make a great parent ! Zip wouldn’t be happy inside – that kitty has a job to do and zip is a tracker and a mouser – and a lover of all things independence and let’s face it cats rule the inside and outside worlds one by their skill set of pounce and the other with love ! Yes its super special to be loved by such a amazing independent creature ! Enjoy your kitty hugs and thank you for giving zip freedom to roam !!!!!
Right on, Jon! Zip is loved!