Mortitas--Little Dead Things

   
    The famous philosopher Descartes said "I think, therefore, I am", although he said it in French so it sounded classier.  My philosophy is simpler, "I have cats, therefore, I have little dead things".  That might sound better in French, but I only know Spanish, and I think little dead things would be translated "mortitas".  These mortitas are usually left on the front doormat so we can appreciate them the minute we step outside in the morning. That is why I walk outside gingerly as if our front deck was a mine field. Sometimes there are whole mice on the mat, sometimes just livers, which means either they saved the best part for us or that cats don't like liver.  Thanks to the water feature we added to the front yard, our doormat has been added to the frequent feather program. I was never willing to put up a bird feeder because we had cats, but I didn't realize our little waterfall would be one of the top 10 sparrow spas. We might as well have installed a kitty McDonalds in the front yard.  For something so aerodynamic, wings and feathers don't rise from the doormat very well, even with vigorous sweeping, so the evidence of disassembled birds is there for all visitors to enjoy.
     Maynard is exceptionally proud of his hunting ability and meows loudly until someone comes out to congratulate him, which I do--sometimes, through clenched teeth.  It is occasionally unsettling to realize we share our home with creatures who take such delight in killing. I could eliminate the mortitas problem by not letting them outside, and I am aware that indoor cats live longer, but I would rather have them live shorter lives doing what cats are meant to do than long lives stuck in the house. . .wanting to kill something.