I posted this photo first, as Bina is reclusive. She came late to my colony on Wildcat Creek, just south of San Pablo Dam Road, where the creek goes under San Pablo Ave and comes out on the other side, behind Tulare Ave. I came to this colony and its twin inside the Alvarado Apartments, when a pair of twins called me about a kitten in a tree there. Long story short, the kitten came down, and I discovered that there were sixty-plus cats and babies there. Thirteen years later now, and Bina is, I think, the last. I'm not sure, as the wise management, after I'd trapped and neutered all the others, and, over the years, found homes for them or lost them by attrition, decided that they didn't want me there any more. Bina and her brother showed up at the creekside south of the apartments maybe five years ago. There were a few others there too, notably Summer, who was incredibly hard to trap. It took several springs and several beautiful litters before she went into a drop trap. The drop trap took two weeks...another story. Here's Summer:
Summer produced the most beautiful babies...many long-haired. They all found great homes, in pairs. I don't know how old she was, but one day I found her body down in the creek. Fortunately, my husband could crawl down the bank and bring her body up. She had a service and is buried here...
One by one, the few others with Bina, got sick and came home to die peacefully. One, I felt, preferred to die there, and he is buried here too. Bina's brother disappeared a few years ago. One little friendly tiger male showed up, was taken home with me and adopted. Since then, Bina has been the only one there. She comes out of the bushes now when I arrive, and cries hello. The bank has eroded so much that I can't get into the trees where no one could see us. But I keep a low profile, clear water dish close by the fence, and a flat green plate. Bina has been healthy, and may have friends down the creek a way, near Montoya Gardens apartments. I hear there are cats there....more work looming, I think.
One by one, the few others with Bina, got sick and came home to die peacefully. One, I felt, preferred to die there, and he is buried here too. Bina's brother disappeared a few years ago. One little friendly tiger male showed up, was taken home with me and adopted. Since then, Bina has been the only one there. She comes out of the bushes now when I arrive, and cries hello. The bank has eroded so much that I can't get into the trees where no one could see us. But I keep a low profile, clear water dish close by the fence, and a flat green plate. Bina has been healthy, and may have friends down the creek a way, near Montoya Gardens apartments. I hear there are cats there....more work looming, I think.
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