10:44 PM Tue, Aug 18, 2009 | Permalink
Pat Feinstein  Email
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I still consider myself to be very fortunate despite the squirrel experience and losing the battle with the squirrels. I have never encountered problems with deer, rabbits or other animals eating my flowers/plants nor, unlike Beth Heaney, ever had to deal with countless ladybugs.
Up until a few months ago, my Zen garden has been a scene of beauty, serenity and tranquility -- day or night.
I often use the rake to make circular tracks on the now-mixed blue and white sand when I'm in a meditative mode.
I enjoy looking out and watching the birds walking on the sand -- perhaps searching for some seeds. The grandchildren even had fun raking and playing in the sand during their visits to Rhode Island.
Then came the signs of something or someone digging up the sands at different areas. I had no clues of what could be disturbing the Zen's peacefulness. The thought of setting up a surveillance camera crossed my mind.
A few weeks ago I happened to see a cat walk out of my driveway. I rushed to the backyard. My fear was confirmed after a deeper and more thorough raking.
I cleaned up the cat's "preferred litter box" using a rake and a small plant container with holes at the bottom while contemplating any possible means to deter that darn cat. I thought of pouring some kind of scented liquid on the sand and covering the area with newspapers or some type of screen material.
Yesterday I consulted with my knowledgable friend and she suggested using chicken wire to temporarily cover the sand. This morning, she brought over the material, laid it down and used staples to hold the cut-up pieces in place ... spending a few hours working in the hot sun and today's high humidity.
It's impossible to completely cover the whole area; but we hope this will work and that the chicken wire may be removed in a few weeks. I am certainly looking forward to my walk and meditative raking once again.
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Well - Round One went to the cat, who found his perfect spot around the area at the base of the mound. I thought of using decorative stones around the hard-too-cover area, but my friend said we could try adding more chicken wire first. Almost 2 rolls (25 ft) have been used..will have to go and get some more.
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While waiting to add more chicken wire to the still exposed area, I put down papers and magazines on some strategic areas last night. So far.. no new pollution this morning.
Guess - I won Round Two.
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Four weeks have gone by since more chicken wires were added, as well as critter ridder for organic gardening - that's supposed to repel cats, dogs skunks, squirrels and raccoons up to 30 days. I had planned to remove the chicken wires after a few weeks - hoping that the cat would establish new habit and new territory and leave my zen garden alone.
Early this week I found that the cat was able to find the uncovered area - just about 4 x 6 inches and won this extended round. The chicken wires were removed on Thursday and the cat came by again yesterday and today.
This morning I put down old sheets and old table cloth and tried to hold them down with rocks and bricks. I'm not holding my breath that I would win this round. But I'm going to keep trying, partly because I do not want to have to say,
"I'm a doctor and I'm not smarter than the cat."
I welcome any suggestion to solve this problem.
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