A friend of mine raises ducks and geese in his back yard. On occasion one of the neighborhood cats come prowling, discovered the little goslings and ducklings, and made a habit out of terrorizing the poor little things. Now bear in mind, these birds are pets that usually imprint on my friend and will follow him around the yard day and night. They are also an investment, as they will also end up on the kitchen table. I know, that seems foreign to many, but we both grew up in FFA and 4H communities and have a different take on life than some.

Anyways, he would live-trap the cats and take them to the animal shelter. One such cat was recovered by the owner, who brought it back to the neighborhood and allowed to roam free again, and it subsequently picked up where it had left off with killing my friends birds. Having had his fill of losing pets to unkept cats, he caught this one (again), and instead of taking to the SPCA, he decided to duct tape the cat's torso with several wraps, then send it down the road. That was the last time he saw that cat. I imagine that, while the cat and the owner survived the ordeal, neither one enjoyed removing that duct tape much.

Some folks (and critters) have to be taught a lesson the hard way. Neither my friend nor I are inclined towards hurting animals unnecessarily, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Had it been me, I reckon I more likely would've just killed the cats for predation instead of turning them in, probably because I am more used to putting down pets than my friend is.

Anyone else here have to do the "Old Yeller" routine? Kinda tough sometimes to have to take a pal you've known for over a decade out for one last trip to the big forest. I've always felt that I kinda owed it to them to help end their pain when the time comes, but knowing that doesn't make it any the easier. Then there's the livestock routine, and you learn a hard lesson about not getting too attached to that young calf your uncle had you help him raise all summer. Sure is a weird feeling to call an 800 lb steer by name and have him come walk over to you and lick your hand right before you're gonna do him in and dress him out. Guilt is a foul seasoning on any cut of beef, but you'll end up eating it just the same.

There's a survival lesson in there too. A whole lotta people on this planet still live like that, and many who wish they could.