Thor and Loki

**Updated as of 08-01-2012**

These guys are doing great! They're thriving, playful, and affectionate as ever. I wanted to get some updated pictures posted, and link a quick video of them playing - SO CUTE :)  They were pretty chilled out when I took the pictures and shot the video - I'll try and get some action of them playing soon!

******************

Thor and Loki have been with me for 5 weeks now, and it's been wonderful watching them grow and continue forward, getting healthy and receiving lots and lots of love. Unfortunately, I'm out of space in my home and I need to find a Forever Home for these boys as soon as humanly possible.

In the past, this blog and word-of-mouth have served me fantastically well, but I'm running out of friends and people who know people that want a pet, and again, I'm just one woman, doing this on my own.

The breakdown: We'll start with Loki!

Loki's completely housebroken, litter box trained, and is completely comfortable being handled, pet, loved on, even getting a bath! He's long-haired (first long-haired kitty I've fostered!), and it looks like he'll have gorgeous green eyes. He's about 10 weeks old, eating solid food (wet and dry), drinking water and going potty just fine. Loki is handsome, VERY affectionate, purrs like a motor, and is comfortable wherever he is. He's high-energy, and I'll be forthright - he's an explorer and loves to discover! Loki enjoys being held, and especially loves being on his back (he's such a baby, he'll let me cradle him and he just melts), and likes having his belly rubbed. He's an adorable, sweet, energetic boy!

Loki pictures

Onto Thor!

Thor came to me same as Loki did, abandoned and in need of some TLC. He is SO amazingly affectionate, happy, and handsome, and everyone who sees him comments on his unique markings and his oh-so-sweet face. He lives up to those- he's a lover!  

Like his brother Loki, Thor is litter box trained, housebroken, and is so easy to handle. There have been several nights that I've fallen asleep in the rocking chair with Thor on my chest, sleeping and purring away. If I could, Thor is one of those fosters I'd keep forever. Unfortunately I cannot, so I'd love to find him the perfect, loving, permanent home that can pick up where I've left off.  Thor did have some digestive adjustment issues when he came to me (he was a bit constipated), but he's been to the veterinarian and is now going consistently, and effortlessly! He's eating and drinking plenty, and he's now on both wet *and* dry food. So proud of this little guy!

He lives up to his name - Thor is a thundering, pouncing, playful kitten, and since he's been healthy, he's been so immensely happy! He's a climber, will come when he's called, and is just wonderful all around. I can't wait for him to find someone that loves him as much as he'll love that person right back! He loves EVERYONE, and people seem to gravitate toward him (that is, until Loki peeks in and makes his presence known as well!). 

Pictures of Thor:

I'd be glad to speak to anyone interested about these two, so please e-mail me or give me a call or text at (386)631-6909, and my name is Karen (AKA "The Kitten Lady"). Any leads, help, anything to help these kittens get adopted is appreciated! 

The cost of a "free" kitten/cat

Often we fall into a mindset, thinking that when we bring an animal into our homes, they're ready to go! How often, for us rescue parents especially, is that most certainly NOT the case?!

I've had some potential adopters who were well-intended, but frankly just not prepared for the experience of being a caregiver for a pet. The first thing that comes to mind for me is a friend who got a kitten for a "discounted" special price of $25. The kitten is sweet and adorable, but came from a shelter and caught a cold and a nasty case of mites. That $25 kitten's already been to the vet twice and the total cost is around $300.

Now, that's just a sample, a snapshot. Sometimes that first visit to the vet isn't in the hundreds-of-dollars amount, but be prepared: owning a pet (even one as easy to take care of as a cat) will COST MONEY. Not only the day-to-day (supplies, food, toys), but also the unexpected.

I'm one woman; I just do what I can and do it the best way I can. To me, good parenting means providing for one's needs with love (with love being the key part). From the time I've started fostering, the costs of taking care of these lovely animals has been, to be forthright, a bit beyond my grasp personally. It's humbling but truthfully I've had to ask for help financially, and I make and sell jewelry to help cover the expenses. Of course the reward is far greater than a cost amount, I mean after all this is the business of saving lives, the lives of those who can't take care of themselves. I've rehabilitated feral cats into friendly pets, provided homes, veterinary care (including spay/neuter and vaccinations), lots of love and a temporary home until they've found their Forever Home. With fostering comes expenses, and I'll complain about it (when I'm especially broke), but I'd do everything the same exact way again without missing a beat.

This certainly isn't a slam on folks who are considering or have an animal and are doing the best they can, but people need to be made aware of these things. After all, rescuing an animal is a beautiful gesture in and of itself, but the loving care for that pet is an extension of that gesture, and is a necessity.

My most recent fosters, Loki and Thor, have already taken their toll on me financially, but again, I wouldn't change it for anything. Loki's had a bad breakout from fleas and Thor's dealing with some constipation, but they're both on meds and recovering fantastically. They'll be ready in a couple days, but watching just to be safe. Granted, I've done the best I can with these two, and ideally, so will their adopters. I took these little ones in with barely anything to give them (they were definitely a spur-of-the-moment, had-to-happen foster situation), but it all worked out. There's always a way.  But, being prepared helps BIG time!

All this talk of itty kittens, I have to share Loki and Thor pictures! Loki's the long-haired black kitten, and Thor's the brown and black tabby.As of this posting date, they are about 8 weeks old, eating solid food, and just a joy to hang out with!

These two are awesome :) Loki's definitely a fan of interaction and playtime, and LOVES being on his back, getting his neck and belly rubbed! He's vocal and very, VERY affectionate.  Thor's a lover-boy! He loves getting pet, and will come when called. He's nimble, quick, and he's a smart boy! They're both eating like horses (as young kittens tend to) and highly energetic. They're climbing and love being on top of chairs, sitting in laps, sleeping/napping with me, and hanging out on the table by the window. Did I mention they eat like they're never going to eat again? :) Young boys, how quickly and often they eat!

 I still have Spike and Ronna as well, so hopefully I'll get all four fosters adopted out soon!

Spike and Ronna - twin kittens (well, sorta...)

Spike and Ronna have been together since birth - first Spike, then Ronna right after. They are still with me, their foster mommy, and they have grown so much! Big, happy, healthy, and house-broken, this duo will truly do well in a home that will provide them with lots of love and places to run around!


They will be 7 months old on April 3rd, so they still have a lot of kitten energy, but have matured into cuddly, affectionate, and just darn good kitties. They get along great with other cats - I have two of my own, and I'm still fostering their mamma, who goes into her Forever Home next week (YAY!) - and Ronna and Spike play with the others, hang out in the kitty condos, chase each other around the house, and pretty much do everything together.

As always, their adoptions are free! They are spayed and neutered, up-to-date on shots, and ready to find the perfect match to take them.

Several veterinarians and veterinary technicians have remarked on Spike's unusual features - we all speculate he is likely a mix of Colorpoint Shorthair or possibly even Siamese. His mother is an American Shorthair calico, and Ronna is what's been described to me as a white calico. She has many of her mother's features - eyes, facial structure, and the striped calico tail - but slightly different fur. Ronna's fur is super soft, and her mother's is fluffy. Spike's hair is super short, again indicative of an Asian breed.

Here is a recent video of them hanging out and playing together.

I've got a gallery on my Facebook here.

Here are a few pictures of them:

Spike

Spike and Ronna

Ronna

Together again :)

STREEEETCH!

If you or anyone you know is interested in adopting Spike and Ronna, please feel free to e-mail me or find me on Facebook!

Spike!

Little mister Spike is turning into a total cuddle bug :)  He's an energetic, well-mannered boy and gets along extraordinarily well with others. Playful, sweet and outgoing, he's going to make someone very happy when he finds his Forever Home!

As of the date of this post, Spike is exactly four months old.

Prim's and her litter - updated

Great news! Thus far, three kittens from Primrose's litter have been adopted: Agent 5 (now Dinah), Spitfire, and Drake!

Primrose has been spayed and is up-to-date on shots, and is now available for adoption! She gets along fantastically with my resident cats, so I truly believe she will prosper in a home with other cats. Her disposition is nothing short of lovely, endearing, generous, affectionate and overall she's just a wonderful little girl. Prim's about 8 months old and has been deemed healthy as per our veterinarian!

Spike's a hoot and a half :) He's a curious explorer, very energetic and spunky. He too, like his mama, is affectionate and loving. Spike's getting along wonderfully with the others - fosters and my resident cats - and is healthy and happy. With his energy level, being around any positive stimulus and companionship will be, I believe, a good thing for him - including other cats, children, and I believe he'd do wonderfully in a home with well-trained dogs.

Ronna is a sweet and fluffy little cuddlebug! She has always been the explorer in the group, and her buddy (I often call them twins) Spike is her favorite to be around. She also absolutely adores her mom, Prim. I do believe however that Ronna would prosper just as well in a home with or without her brother or mom. She's adjusted fantastically to the changes in her environment (I integrated her and her family with my resident cats) and is getting along with everyone in my home. She stands up for herself, wrestling with her brother or my cat Tiny, chasing/being chased, etc. Ronna has NO problem putting a kitty in his or her place - she hisses when she's being bullied or to get out of a scuffle. I really like that in a girl kitty :)

All of their pictures can be found here, and I'd like to get more updated shots up soon.

In the meantime, again I have provided the veterinary care for these animals happily and only as for loving, forever homes - free adoptions! Feel free to contact me via e-mail if interested, of if you know of anyone who'd like a wonderful, beautiful, healthy and happy kitty!

Available kitties for adoption!

What a great experience with our second round of fosters! Just like the first, we had six overall - the first was Lil' Bro and his sister Rue, and Sammy and her three babies Fatty, Patch, and Stripes. We were a bit surprised when Sammy gave birth, but joy took over when the three beautiful, healthy kittens came into the world, and ultimately found Forever Homes. Every one of them were adopted, as well as Rue and Bro. Sadly, Sammy got very, very sick, and though her spirit is with us always, losing her is, too. That one was so hard. But, we learn, we grow, and we give that love to those who come to our doorsteps, when a friend calls and asks us to take in another foster, and so forth.  I'm still working on Sammy's Will, and actually I'll be at The Best Kept Secrets Craft Fair hosted by Chloe's Paw, selling jewelry and possibly some t-shirts to raise funds and continue to provide food, litter, and veterinary care for my fosters.

Presently I have four kitties available for adoption: Prim (mamma cat, about 7 months old), Spike, Agent 5, and Ronna. Spitfire was delivered to her Forever Home on Halloween, and Drake's joining his new family next week.


Spike is 9 weeks old as of this updated post (November 8th, 2011), and is vivacious, exploring, social, affectionate, litterbox trained, and on solid food (and a great eater)! He's full of life and energy, gets along extraordinarily well with others, and I've let him hang out with my resident kitties at home and he reacted very well. He's an awesome boy, and very well-adjusted.

Spike

 

Ronna 

Agent 5, Spike and Ronna are available NOW! They have received veterinary care and have a clean bill of health, are litterbox trained, socialized, and come to my adopters free of cost. My primary concern is finding loving, caring, Forever Homes for these little tykes!

Now, onto Primrose!

I shot video of Prim on the day she delivered - this was several hours before she went into labor :)  You can see the babies moving inside of her!

Clearly, Prim came to me VERY pregnant, and very thin. In the 8 weeks I've had her, she's made remarkable progress physically, is eating well, digesting MUCH better (she had some wicked gas and loose stool when we took her in), and is finally jumping up on the desk by the window - it took her about 6-7 weeks to get to that point! Her joints are healthy, and our veterinarian gave us a thumbs-up on her check-up! I'm very pleased to say that she weighed in the healthy weight range, which is SUCH a relief!

As Prim is still a bit swollen from nursing her litter and I still want to see her put on more weight, I'm giving her body time to recuperate from the trauma its been through, and waiting about another month before she's spayed. With that being said, she'll be available for adoption in roughly five weeks or so.

Here are some pictures of the lovely Primrose!

Prim is an amazingly sweet little girl! She's the kind of kitty that is so overjoyed when people show up - she runs right to the door when we go in, and loves getting pet and loved on! She's very affectionate, with her young and with adults alike, and will tolerate me holding her for a bit. I'm thinking once her nipples return to normal, she'll tolerate being held even longer.