Question
I planted the Oklahoma rose last year in my mother's memory.  It has big buds this year, but instead of opening fully, they start drooping and then fall off.  This has happend twice thus far. Unfortunately, neighborhood cats seem to think this is a great place to use as a litter box.  I have been putting orange peel around it to keep them out.  Suggestions about the buds?  Does it have to do with the cats?

Thanks

Answer
There is a tiny insect called a Rose  Midge which lays it's eggs a the base of the rose buds. When the eggs hatch they start to eat the bud which either destroys or kills it. Any insecticide for roses midges will get rid of them. The cats don't have anything to do with the buds dying. However their urine and feces can change the PH of the soil around the rose. There are a couple of things you can do to deter the cats. In desperation you can put fine wire mesh around the rose. The other is spray the area with ammonia or even Windex will do.