That kitty's face speaks volumes. Poor thing. I also have a "stranger" in my barn, been there for the past three weeks. It's half grown, pure white with blue eyes and skinny as a rail. I hesitated putting out food, as I can only imagine a litter of kittens in its future but I've been leaving a bowl of dry food out. Coons are helping themselves to it too. ugh. The cat is very timid and runs and hides from me. But one day while it was running across the barn rafters, I was able to identify it as a she, pretty sure that is. Only, I am also convinced that she is deaf. It doesn't even hear me if I walk up behind it and stand there, only when it senses my presence does it take off like a rocket. If the weather ever takes a turn for the better, I'd like to put out a live trap. I'd even keep her as long as I could take her in to get her spayed. My indoor/outdoor cat "Kitty" seems to be ok with her hanging around (he's neutered).

Alisande... I can only guess...but those pellet like "things" may be engorged ticks. When I zoomed in on your original postings...I saw them then. They seem to be aligned alone her back spinal area. She's been through the wringer for one reason or another and her immunity defenses may not be what they should be. Being weak, she'll become an easy host for almost anything. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't be so visible [in your yard] on such a continual basis...and if those are ticks...she would have rubbed them off long before they reached that size. She's there because neither you nor your pets have threatened her and she needs a safe haven for her twins. She's probably bedding down with them in your tall grass areas and provided she has a water source nearby...she'll stay there until her twins are strong enough to survive on their own. Those wounds, if we're right, are not that old. If they were, we wouldn't be able to see them so easily. I'm glad you brought mama cat in for a while. At least until she's strong enough to run fast and climb. Most cats have enough sense to run from a bear. Dogs want to defend their territory often to their own demise. It must have been a terrible experience for you. I know it would have been for me. If possible...could you post photos/progress reports from time-to-time? It's hard to tell her age from photos but if she's a liability, her own kind will shun her...and I hope she makes it.

Susan, that picture was taken July 9th of this year at about 10,500 feet in the Bighorn mountains of Wyoming.I've been out there numerous times and have never seen so much snow and ice as this year. Here in Minnesota we've had a cool Summer (the 2nd coolest July on record) apparently Wyoming was experiencing the same trend. Ron

casey- that is a beautiful dog- is it a particular breed? LOL Barbara- you're right, it does look like a popsicle tongue. Just thought I'd take the time to thank all of you who post photos on this tread. I really enjoy looking at them. And like Nola Anne someday I'll figure out how to post.