Freckles and the Badger

There is no way to know if it was the badger that attacked Freckles, for an absolute certainty.  But, one can surmise from the fact that the gophers have been popping up all over the place, that the badger is close behind.  I have been hearing this low strong whistling call down the field this past week and it is the same whistling call I heard the years before when the badger was back.  In the past week or so both Freckles and Hazel have been in an alert status, when outside,  as they sit and scour the field in back for something.   

Freckles has been gone for a couple of days, but then he enjoys the mice in the neighbor's barn, so there was no need to worry about him, as he has protection and safety there.   Yesterday morning I let the dogs out.  As I was putting food in their bowls I heard a little meow and it brought me up short and I listened again for it.  Hazel and kittens were inside. Then, another meow.   I opened the door to the cat's home and there was Freckles lying on the floor totally bloody and looking terrible. 

After putting the dogs' container back in the house, I came back to get Freckles.  He started purring as soon as he was picked up.  Once inside, he immediately tried to jump down; and then, limping, he made his way to the back where the other cats are.  I opened the door for him and he went to the food dish and started meowing.  He stayed busy eating until both cans of cat food were gone!  Then after checking out the other kitties, he laid down to sleep.  Later at the Vet we found out his eye was ok, he just had deep gashes above and below his eye, his ears and in numerous other places and a very bad infection setting in.  It was a vicious attack.  So house arrest for ten days with antibiotics!  The Vet said that it was very well possible that it was the badger.

Here is a picture of a badger:  http://www.donaldahiggs.com/index.php#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=30&p=1&a=0&at=0

Since the picture is an artist's property, I don't want to copy it to this site.   Badgers have amazing claws.  In a week, or less, they can tear out all the gopher holes on this acreage.  According to information on badgers, they can even defend themselves against bears and wolves.   The good thing is they eat the gophers and snakes. 

We have a few cold days before warm weather is back, so I am sure all the kitties, for the time being, are happy to be safe.  God be with us.