responsibility

Last summer my[*] feral cats drank from my birdbath, which worked fine except that when I let it run dry they would tip it over, and eventually it cracked. I think I can fix it with white glue if I figure out how to clamp it while it dries, but I haven't done that yet. So this summer, I don't have a birdbath, which is sad but then I don't have that many birds either.

I put one of the dog's water dishes out for the cats, but I don't think they're using it. It's in the back yard, where I'm more likely to dump and refill it every day or so, so as not to breed mosquitoes, not the front yard where the birdbath was, but I know they hang out in the back yard when the dog's not there. Sometimes they hang out there while he is there, on the compost bins, probably waiting for mice; as long as they don't move, he doesn't notice them.

I could move the water dish to the front yard, or over by the fence near an escape route. Or I could decide that if they need the water, they'll come get it. I don't really understand how I decided that it was my responsibility to provide them with water, but it is my responsibility now, because I am thinking about it.

How do you decide what your responsibility is?


[*]Begging the question there.