Bird VS Cat

This old cat has pretty much a life of leisure. In his younger days, when we lived on an acre lot with empty fields still around us, he was quite the hunter. We never knew what kind of critter we would find on our doorstep. Boots would often find his personal play toys that he could chase, capture, and bat around--mice, lizards, toads, and every-so-often a gopher. (The prized gopher catch would elicit much praise from Mike, since the gophers were constantly popping up in the yard. Think "Caddy Shack gopher scene", as to how he felt about them...) .

But now, his roaming is limited to the backyard. The poor Old Hunter is half blind, almost totally deaf, and has very few teeth left.

Enter Mr. Bluejay.

  

Or should I say, Mr. and Mrs. Bluejay.

Mr. and Mrs. Bluejay have a nest in one of the trees behind our wall, and they perceive Boots as a threat to their family. Well, little do they know that nothing could be farther from the truth. Ten years ago he would have been up on the wall after them. But now, the 2 jays are bewildered as to why all of their squawked warnings do not even budge this cat. He's the picture of non-chalance---NO, BIRDS, HE'S DEAF AND BLIND!!

At first he really didn't even know they were around, so they kept getting closer and closer. They would dive-bomb at him and land within 3 feet, all the while squawking over and over. Seriously, the cat hears nothing, but they are driving me crazy with the noise!!!

He finally did notice them. Once, I saw him do a little creeping toward one, but he soon realized he didn't have a chance and stopped to pretend he was cleaning himself in order to save face. So now he just watches them. Well, as much as he can see. I think he feels somewhat empowered by unsettling them. Usually, as soon as he comes back into the house, the noise stops. But they have even spotted him through the glass of the patio door and continued squawking.

Give it up, birds!! You're not budging this Old Hunter! (Mike and I have snickered over his idea of going down to borrow Jill's cat, Chachi, and putting him out in the yard in place of Boots.) Hopefully, those baby birds will hatch and take flight soon!