Der Fürball

You may remember one of my first Chariot posts (or one of my last on the Dark Side) was about Mrs Machiavelli selling me too much beer and then giving me Das Fürballen, Fogo and Fumada, two feral Portuguese kittens. Fogo was always much the more feisty of the two as this first ever photogrpah of him demonstrates.

Anyway, sad news. I found Fogo in the garden on 23rd April quite dead. He had eaten some poisoned bait laid by hunters who were after the foxes that take the young rabbits and partridge they expect to hunt later in the year. You all know that I have nothing against hunting per se, but putting down poison (meatballs laced with paraquat) is both barbaric and illegal. Poison is also indiscriminate – two pet dogs belonging to neighbours across the valley have also died. I hope they find the fekkers responsible and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.

Anyway, at least he made it home and the NSW and I buried him where he fell. We shall miss the little sod, as does Fumada who is still very clingy and mournful.

OZ

Unknown's avatar

Author: O Zangado

Just loping around. Extremely fond of roast boar in particular, meat in general and cooking on the barbie. Fish is good too.

27 thoughts on “Der Fürball”

  1. Oh, OZ, I’m really sorry to hear about the death of Fogo, I remember when you rather reluctantly took the two of them into the Cave. I know you were very fond of them.

    Such sad news, and I dare say that hunters are not your favourite people right now.

  2. Poor Fogo. What a rotten and upsetting thing to happen. I too hope they find the bastards soon. I’m so sorry, OZ.

  4. Bastards, you need to watch and see who hunts there in the autumn.

  5. There is a full moon on Sunday. It will appear the largest of the year because of the elliptical orbit of the moon or somesuch (Bearsy and Ferret please go easy on me). Join me in a howl for him.

    OZ

  7. I am no fan of cats, but this is sad. I hope the buggers who did this have a “hunting accident”.

  8. What is the ‘full extent of the law’ in Portugal? As you rightly say, poison baits are quite indiscriminate and will almost certainly be eaten by domestic animals.
    Christina’s right – look for the autumn hunters.

  9. Hunting is very strictly regulated and licenced here from who can own and use a hunting rifle to who can fish for mussels and other bivalves. Likewise setting poison bait is about as popular with the authorities as fishing with dynamite. I shall be making a queixa (formal complaint) to the GNR (the National Police) and ASAE (the provisional wing of Portugal’s Health and Safety Executive). All being well they will apprehend the fekkers, pull any licences (if any, for they cost a fortune) and issue eye-watering fines.

    OZ

  11. Thank you Sheona. As I type she is curled up on my armchair all nice and warm. Previously, by now she would have been tucked up in the kitchen with her brother like a feline ying-yang symbol. I think it will not be long before she is imitating Pseu’s kitten and lying across the keyboard.

    OZ

  13. Good question, Christopher. I could happily hold them down and pour paraquat down their throats.

    OZ

  14. Dreadful people. a Red hot poker and an anal opening is too good for them

    Poor Puss not a nice way to go. But at least you know what happened, better than just going missing.

  15. Absolutely gutted mate,

    I actually got that little beggar to come for some fuss by the end of the stay. RIP Fogo.

    As for the scumbags who laid the bait I suggest the ordeal by rotating pineapple. Smear it with plenty fresh chilli first. Then when the lowlives can scream no more, say sorry with meatballs.

  16. Amen Ferret. He’s buried in the front garden in between the Mimosa tree and the wall.

    Two pet dogs across the valley have also died from poisoning. We are not sure whether the bait was set by hunters or someone with a grudge – rural Portuguese could teach the Mafia a thing or two about how long an assumed sleight can last. Either which way, notices have been posted in the village and we await developments.

    OZ

  17. The first piccie of Fogo was published in the header. This week the NSW found the penultimate on my camera’s chip.

    The last one is too upsetting to show.

    OZ

  23. Do keep us updated on any progress by the authorities on tracking down the scumbags, OZ.

  24. Sheona – I have made a formal complaint to the relevant authorities and await developments.

    OZ

  25. Just read this, OZ, my sympathies go out to you.

    I can remember on our distinguished competition you writing comments by Fogo and Fumada and thinking there’s someone madder than me, thank God. Eventually, I sussed they were your little babies. Your #21 touched me. Like everyone, I hope the guilty are caught.

    Best Wishes
    JW

  26. OZ: I lost several pets because of people like that. You have no idea how much I’d like to put people like that through meat-grinders, feet first, with lots of cold water to make sure they don’t get into shock.

Add your Comment