Strike Two

Guilty as charged.

Mug shot

Okay, Na'ilah, you have two strikes now.

What will we do if you attack a third cat?

Fortunately, your criminal record is not with the Animal Control office in Santa Monica and not with the SMPD.

At least we are neither legally nor financially liable for this one.

Morally, though, what did we do wrong?

I could have investigated more thoroughly after I found Na'ilah with her front half under the shed and her back end sticking out.  I could have kept her inside for an hour or two, giving whatever was under the shed a chance to leave the yard.

I could have run outside sooner, as soon as I heard the first bark.

John could have removed that shed full of rotting newspapers and rat turds, along with the rotting plywood platform it's sitting on.

I'd do it in a flash if I dared, but unilateral action like that would end our 42-year-old marriage instantly.

Fortunately, Na'ilah and I start an intermediate obedience class with Dorna Sakurai of Pawsitive Feedback in one week.

Proactive measures to take:

1. Make sure that Na'ilah is never off-leash when in the front yard or on a walk
2. Warn the neighbors across the street, who have a black cat, not to let their cat wander over in this direction.
3. Put larger warning signs on our front gate.
4. Put signs on our back fence, facing into the neighobors' yards?  
5. Go knock on their doors and warn them?
6. Make sure she is well-controlled around other dogs and around children--though she has never shown aggression against either.

Repentant?