Guardian Gatos of the Seedlings

Our feline family members are strictly indoor cats (all are rescues or adopted from no kill shelters).  The two youngest door dart occasionally and become so frightened of actually being outside that we've never had a problem getting them the two steps back into the door. The oldest rescue we found starved, a mere skeleton, several years ago--she will absolutely not go out the door, ever.  She knows what can befall her. 

We do know they long to explore the mysticism of the great outdoors, but for safety, alas, they must stay inside.   Any time there is something green within their reach, they must touch or taste.  They all simply adore the holiday season having a tree to lounge underneath.

So far, they have let the seedlings be and not made their own kitty salads.  BUT, when the trays are getting their sun bath, we must watch.  Weather is iffy at best, save for the spurts of constant warmth.  We are still enduring spring storms and showers, so the door is the strongest location for the trays. So while we are mistakenly serving up the greens while they are sunbathing also, the cats assume said greens are fresh for their nibbling. 

They have so far:

- Huffed half a tomatillo seedling, fresh from the soil. Literally snuffed it up!

- Eaten jalapeno seedlings, as well as the difficult sweet California Wonders. 

- Plucked thriving tomato seedlings straight from their cups.

If we happen to catch the moment, the oldest of the triad of doom, will just brush her tail across anything it can reach, touching ever so slightly with a curl of her tail.

All in all, it has not been too bad--keeping up with the cats, that is, as I really expected to hear crashing pots in the middle of the night. So far, they have really behaved above all expectations.  They won't have their cat grass back until it is warm enough for the nightshades to go outside and stay.

After all, how's a silly feline supposed to tell the difference between which set of greens they can and cannot have! It shall be their reward.