Welcome to the Wednesday Cats of Catster! Every week, we share a story from one of our cat-loving Catsters. This week is about Isabel and her sassy rescue, Milly.
Greetings! Welcome back to Keeping Up With The Kardashians Milly on a Golf Course (Part Two)!
In part one, I shared more about our little “Fa-Milly’s” journey moving to an idyllic golf course, how quickly Milly settled in and started going on leashed walks with me, and how she grew more curious by the day! Now, get ready to join us for the next chapter in her tale—where things really start to get interesting…
From her very first solo outdoor adventures to leisurely off-leash strolls and serene picnics, Milly quickly made the quiet residential village of Devonvale her own. But of course, with great freedom comes great… mischief. Milly’s impeccable hunting instincts reawakened, and we found ourselves facing the unexpected challenge of keeping local wildlife safe from our pint-sized predator.
In this part, we’ll share how we navigated Milly’s growing independence, the adorable moments that stole our hearts, and the creative solution we found to balance her freedom with our love for nature. Let’s dive in!
A Killer Instinct: Milly, the Furrocious Furry Assassin
Milly didn’t just dabble in hunting—she excelled at it. With the precision of a feline ninja and the enthusiasm of a kitten discovering her power, she quickly proved herself a formidable predator from a young age (with flies and moths). I’m terrified of moths, okay…
Honestly, it was probably our fault she was so good at stalking and catching prey. We unintentionally created a skilled little hunter as curious and creative students ourselves! We held her little kitten body like a machine gun, and she caught flying invaders with her two front paws like a karate kid! A karate kitten, if you will. Those poor suckers didn’t stand a chance… Also, it was hilarious to witness us running around the dorm with a professional insect catcher that can fit in your pocket, literally.
Even by cat standards, her natural ability was impressive… and just a little terrifying.
A Delicate Subject: Before You Come for Me
Let’s take a moment to address the elephant (or rather, the bird) in the room. If you’re sensitive to the topic of wildlife and hunting, you’re not alone—so am I. I adore birds, and I never took Milly’s impact lightly.
But at the same time, a cat is a cat. This was never about turning a blind eye; we found a solution (keep reading!).
Please consider this a gentle disclaimer: this story includes nature being nature.
Sunset Magic: Walks, Whiskers, and Stillness
After the last golfer packed away their clubs, the course became our golden, peaceful playground. Milly, leash-free and content, would chill alongside us on the lush green lawn, staring at the sun setting over the horizon. These beautiful, calm moments we shared bonded us as a little “Fa-Milly.” We were all so content.
We’d settle in for a picnic-for-dinner or a glass of red wine to conclude the day while she rolled in the grass, got the zoomies, and chased moths. Those evenings felt suspended in time—quiet, glowing moments that will forever live in my heart.
Garage Greetings: Meows That Melt the Day Away
One of the sweetest surprises came at the end of long days. As we pulled into the garage—still a little walk from the house—there she’d be. Sitting pretty, tail curled, ready with chirpy meows and purring welcomes. No matter how chaotic the day had been, Milly’s happy little face waiting for us was pure, instant joy.
She even became quite popular among faraway neighbors sharing the garage space with us. Giving everyone a quick little show before turning in for the evening after a long day’s work. Instant dopamine!
The Good, the Bad, and the Mole
Her hunting résumé grew quickly: rats and mice, a few unlucky birds (most thankfully rescued), and one tragically chubby mole who never saw it coming. We held a little funeral for him. But here’s the thing—Milly was thriving. She glowed with health, confidence, and purpose. It was hard not to be in awe of her, even as I cleaned up the aftermath.
Believe it or not, Milly had 2 bells around her collar, plus a shiny, metal ID tag (which basically acted like a 3rd bell) and an Apple Air tag to track her every move (helicopter parents). And yet, she still managed to trick a handful small defenseless animals… In her defence, they weren’t exactly the sharpest mammals in the shed.
Anyhow, the collar accessories made quite the noise. I heard her galloping home from a mile away! Which was good because it enabled her to classically condition me to jumping up from my desk the moment I heard her bells. I then proceeded to run up and down between her two entry points (the balcony window and the office window beside me) to see where she’s coming from and spot whether she’d caught something or not (most of the time, not). But still, I was ready for anything!
Sadly, I couldn’t be home 24/7, despite working from home. I was home like 70% of the week. But there were one or two incidents were we came home to an unexpected surprise… One day, the unlucky victim was the cutest, fattest little mole, laying on our living room floor. I was really sad and felt extremely guilty. The mole got a little burial and we decided that it was time to take more serious steps to curb Milly’s hunting capabilities.
The Puffer Jacket Era: Fashion Meets Function
Enter: the solution. After much Googling and guilt, we landed on an answer—Milly’s iconic designer cat puffer jacket made by my mother-in-law. Equal parts adorable and effective, it made her look like a tiny, unimpressed, stylish diva, and it dulled her stealth just enough to give the little critters a fighting chance.
She loathed it at first, but it worked. And best of all? Our sunset picnics, garage greetings, and Milly’s freedom could continue, just with fewer to no casualties.
Life is a Balancing Act
Milly’s story is one of balance—between instinct and intention, freedom and responsibility, wildness and love. Watching her flourish outdoors was a gift, even when it came with unexpected challenges. But finding a way to let her be a cat while protecting the world around her felt like a small triumph.
These memories—of her frolicking through golden grass, of soft meows echoing from the garage, of her reluctantly stylish puffer jacket—make up the tapestry of a season I’ll never forget. I’m grateful for every moment and lesson.
Next up! After 18 months, we moved back to our 2nd-floor apartment, and Milly was very confused. So, we got a cat door!
Tune in next time for another dramatic tale of being Milly’s parents.
Cheers vir eers!
(Cheers for now!)
- Read her previous article: Golf Course Cats: Keeping Up With Milly (Part One)