We have some opened eyes!

Patch and Stripes have opened their eyes, and hoping Fatty follows! But no rush, little one! We are on your schedule!

Patches

Stripes

Fatty!

Rawr!!!

Tee hee!

Everyone's healthy and plump! Adjusting wonderfully, and the kittens (as well as Sammy, their mother, and Rue and Lil' Bro, the siblings I took in with Sammy when this fostering started) are getting tons of love, affection, and attention. Last night when I said goodnight to everyone, I picked each kitten up and gave extra love and kisses, right in front of Sammy. Her trust level is so impressive. She's awesome!

Who the heck am I?

I am one of many. A lover of animals. A student of the timeless lessons of compassion. A woman who maintains her child-like curiosity, who believes everything and everyone starts out inherently good, and even with rough spots and life challenges, everyone should get a fair chance.

In that vein, it just seemed like the right and natural choice to take in these cats. When fostering and ultimately finding their Forever Homes, I'm just looking for someone who will give love, safety, shelter and attention to these beautiful babies. I'm not asking for anything from whomever takes these guys in - no money, I'll help transport them if needed, nothing extra. I'm just looking for the right match for these kittens.

Again, Rue and Lil' Bro have been to the veterinarian, have their shots up to date, and are spayed and neutered respectively. Sammy's spaying and shots have already been paid for and scheduled.

All I'm asking for is the comfort and consistency of a Forever Home for them.

I've been given the moniker of Crazy Cat Lady and you know what? That's okay! I am crazy about these kitties - apparently, foster parents are advised, "don't get attached!". To which I ask, how could I *not* get attached? If I'm to provide them with the care needed to ensure they leave my home social, adjusted and healthy, the very foundation of that is Love. And Love is specific. These kittens are loved.

When placed, I pray they get love above and beyond, over and over!

Rue!

***Update as of July 11, 2011***

Rue!

 Rue has progressed fantastically since I took her in on March 21, 2011. She's affectionate and loving, and though she still gets a tad shy around people, she LOVES getting pet - and pet a LOT! When she gets a little bit, she meows for some more. She's got such a strong, resonant 'voice'! It just blows my mind how she went from hiding under the desk and skidding around to being out in the open, hanging in the window as a thunderstorm rolls by.

She loves her brother Lil' Bro, and had no problems when I integrated her with my own two cats. What a good girl she is, and such a gorgeous kitty.

Rue loves a good, deep, strong rub-down, and will ask for more when she wants it. Rue's more of a cat who lets me know when she's ready to be pet, though she allows me to approach her often - still not 100% of the time. Being around her brother and my personal cats has been great for developing the bond of trust, and it makes me so happy to see her allow other people to pet her.

She's scheduled for a visit with a friend of mine and her sister, and ideally, she'll go home with them next week. First thing's first- I want to get her to my vet for a final check-up and she's good to go!

She's a silly napper :)

Playing in the spinner. Rather, sitting in it as her brother knocks the ball around the edges!

Eating with her brother, Lil' Bro

:) :) :)

This gorgeous kitty is Rue! She's Lil' Bro's sister, and she sure loves spending time with her brother and her good friend, Sammy!


When I went to pick Rue up for transport and fostering, she gave some resistance - mostly just trying to hide from me - which if course is no shocker, since she is a feral kitty. Once in the carrier, she didn't make a sound, and though scared, she truly adjusted the quickest out of the three. When I placed the kitty carriers in the foster room, Rue was the first to come out and explore. A month later, she's still the first to try new things, and is the inspector of the lot - she explores her living area, and makes herself at home!

Rue's been taken to the vet a couple times now - once for a checkup and treatment of diarrhea and a mild case of hookworms (all three fosters came to me with hookworms and have been treated), and the second for her spaying. As with any cat - especially a feral one - there was a bit of resistance from her when I approached her, and especially getting into the carrier. Never has she ever lashed out - not even growling, hissing, no scratching, biting - and with honestly just a little effort, I was able to corral her and get her into the carrier.

This kitten - about 9-10 months old - has made a HUGE turnaround. She loves to hang out with her brother, Lil' Bro, and is a protective, affectionate companion to her friend Sammy (our gray friend). However, the biggest strides were made this morning - she finally let us hear her voice, and meowed a few times during early morning hours to let us know she was there.

April 6th, 2011 was her surgery day, and after a successful spaying, she was, of course, a bit groggy but had her wits about her. She ate enough food to her liking, but not too much, so no sickness. She also lapped up some homemade chicken broth (roasted bones boiled in water, nothing else added) and found a cozy spot to lie.

The next morning she meowed to me right as my alarm went off, so I crawled slowly under the bed to see how she was doing. She started to purr heavily and her paws were doing the "making biscuits" thing...then she reached out for me. Rue rolled on her back and started to slide toward me, and next thing I knew, I was petting her.

It's the first time she came right up to me!

Turns out she's quite the purr machine, even more so than her brother! She lay with her entire back against my arm, her head at my hand. She quite enjoys a belly rub - even a light rubbing over her shaved area (but of course not near the stitches!)!

This truly caught me by surprise. I knew Rue would come around eventually, but this turnaround was literally overnight.  It seems she's very, very relieved and the light in her eyes today is undeniable.  She let me pick her up and carry her to the room with her bro and friend Sammy, and immediately ran to her brother, who cuddled up right next to her under the desk.

She's such a special little girl; brave and smart, and now that her affectionate side is shining through, I've no doubt she'll keep progressing and will make a great addition to anyone's family!  I'm so proud of Miss Rue! 

Rue does get a bit fussy at night sometimes, so as long as I keep the window slightly open and the blinds raised, she's happy to hang out on the window ledge, watching the world outside. She never pines at the door to get let out, and as long as she's engaged in activity - she's already torn apart a toy mouse! - then she's okay. She 'speaks' a bit at night, and often it's to get her brother's attention!

Rue is litterbox trained, spayed, up to date on shots, and playful and energetic! She is a feral kitten (young, again 6 months old), and she is gradually coming around to me and on a daily basis, gets closer and closer to approaching me once again. I'm keeping her and her brother in the same room, as Rue thrives in company. She's a brave explorer, always the first to check out new additions to their play area, and coaching Lil' Bro in his explorations!

Spotlight on Sammy!

Sammy's beautiful face (Lil' Bro squishing next to her on left:)

It has been exactly one month since the original set of foster kittens came into my life and my home. Since their arrival, my cat Elle and I have made the space, time, and love available for our new friends.

Sammy came to us in good physical shape, but clearly was a scared, skittish kitten who just wanted to find a safe place to hide. When I tried to get her ready for transport, she ran, climbed on walls, tried anything to get away from me. She certainly did not appreciate my holding her, placing her into the carrier, and going to yet another new environment. Poor Sammy was so distraught that she pooped when I started the ordeal of capturing her for transport, and pooped once she was in the carrier.

It was after we got home that the light really started to shine through. When we got to my home, I had to draw a bath for Sammy to get all the nastiness off of her. She was reluctant (of course) to come out of the carrier, and as soon as she did, she bolted to the safest place in the bathroom - right behind the toilet, under the U-bend.

Once I got a hold of her, I held her by the scruff of her neck and gently placed her legs in the bath. She did not fight me one bit. I was able to wash her with no hesitation on her behalf, and though I'm sure she was going through such a difficult time, she truly did not fuss. I towel-dried her as best I could, but as soon as I unwrapped the towel from her, she was back under the U-bend.

Sammy joined her foster friends, Rue and Lil' Bro, shortly after her bath, and the first night, all three huddled together under the desk: Lil Bro in front, Rue to the side, and Sammy safely tucked in the back.

It was evident that out of the three, Sammy needed to see the veterinarian first. She was treated for hookworms, and thank goodness, tested negative for other maladies. She's free of fleas, litterbox trained, and under nighttime surveillance, her sweet side really comes through.

When visiting the vet, she transported with no issues, and though she may hiss upon approach (even an occasional growl), she tolerates my handling her. During her inspection, it was evident that Sammy had been attacked, but her wounds were healed and nothing new was present. She's a survivor, and best of all, she has an incredibly sweet disposition...when caught in the act ;)

My veterinarian commended on how good she is, what a sweet kitty she is, and that there's lots of hope for her.

Sammy's still coming around, one day at a time. She doesn't immediately bolt when I enter the room, and when she's around Rue...it's just unbearably cute. They rub their faces on each other, sleep next to each other, walk together, eat together...on and on. And she'll happily run to Lil' Bro for safety.

Sunday evening presented quite a surprise; I was suspicious that Sammy was pregnant. Her spaying and shots are paid for and already scheduled...but that will have to wait.  Sunday night, Sammy had three beautiful, healthy babies!

She's a loving mother. She guides them, cuddles them, and she's right there when they call for her. Trying to raise these kittens to be warm, friendly and sweet, I have been handling, weighing, and giving love to the babies, all of which she'll watch me do, rarely voicing objection. I make it a point to handle the kittens under her watch.

The trust has slowly been building, and now she'll let me pet her head with minimal hissing (sometimes she'll hiss, but other than the sound, she welcomes my approach), and she especially loves it when I gently rub her back or the very edge of her belly.

She's a very special kitty, about 8-9 months old, litterbox trained, and scheduled for shots and spaying on June 13th, 2011. I'm glad we have the next 8 weeks to keep building on a solid foundation of trust, because that time will fly, and soon enough, she'll find the right home, her Forever Home.

As always, any and all help is appreciated - spreading the word, talking to friends, so on. This is a foster situation, and I wanted to make sure these kittens have a fresh start for a better life.

Now, to find them the ideal living situation! Please help me spread the word - thank you!


Scared little girl on our first full day:

Chillin' out!

Sammy with her babies:

Decisions...

Sammy is a wonderful mama! She moved them yesterday (Tuesday, April 19th) to her comfy spot under the desk, which sits right by the window in the foster room. I made the decision to separate Sammy and her babies from Rue and Lil' Bro, just to be safe.


My cat, Elle, has been magnanimous with the situation, tolerating her castle's now heavier restricted areas. Sorry, Elle! Don't want you eating the foster kittens' food!


I sent an e-mail out to fellow animal lovers regarding Rue and Lil Bro. Still looking for a transitional foster home or, ideally, a Forever Home for them.  Lil Bro truly will do well on his own, but I'd like the girls to go together. Rue is still adjusting socially, though she is making tremendous strides.

Sammy's really coming around, but it is an immensely slow, yet progressive process. I'm praying that Sammy and Rue get homes together, but I think she'll be okay if she's homed with one of her babies. Sammy's a trooper, having survived attacks in the wild, and at the tender age of (between) 8-9 months, now having to care for her own young.


She's a very special kitty, and she deserves a fresh start. She and Rue are best of friends, and even though the room's getting smaller in my home, the love is here and it's with that love that these fosters - all 3 of the originals, Sammy, Rue, and Lil' Bro - have flourished.


But this is indeed a foster situation, and I'm woman enough to admit that I'm in over my head now with the babies here, and I am putting this out, asking for help.


I've already got some kitten-loving friends knocking at my door, ready to get on the list for the newborns. I'm asking these folks get the word out that I already *have* three kittens - Rue and Lil Bro are between 5-6 months, and Sammy 8-9 months - who are beautiful, litterbox trained, social (especially Lil' Bro), have their shots and are spayed/neutered - and they'd be just as special an addition to any home as these newborns are, I hope that helps.


One paw at a time...

Here is a video of all six fosters, before I separated them out (Sammy+her babies, Rue +Lil Bro): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddQuTHhj9cM&feature=related

Newborn kitten weight progress

Sammy had babies on Sunday, April 17th, 2011.  Here's their progress (continually updated, weights presented in ounces):

                              Fatty                    Patch                     Stripes 

4-17-11                 4.7                          4.4                          4.4

4-20-11                 6.5                          6.0                          6.2
4-22-11                 8.3                          7.8                          7.8

4-25-11                 10.2                        9.7                          9.7
5-1-11                   14.1                      12.5                        12.9
5-5-11                   17.1                      14.7                        15.3

Fatty:

Patch:

Stripes:

Kitten pile! Taken April 23, 2011

How this all began

My name is Karen, and I am a foster mom.

I've been a rescue mom for several years now, and I have one cat - she truly is the Perfect Cat - named Elle. Sweetest cat ever. Total lap cat, cuddle bug, great companion, and has been a true champion sharing our home with the fosters. More on that coming up.

Sadly, Elle and I lost out companion Kiddo in October, and now that we've healed and time has passed, we were ready for a new friend to join our home. When the idea of having kittens is put into the universe, I've learned it comes back time and time again. In this case, I wanted one kitten, and now I've got SIX!

A friend of mine took sympathy on several kittens in her neighborhood and started feeding a group of cats. After some wild experiences, the kittens went from a group of nine to a group of three. The three remaining were taken in by my friend and housed temporarily in her screened porch until a more permanent solution came along. Alas, she could no longer house the kittens, as one of her neighbors called the police, and her town has a limit on how many pets one is allowed per household. Having 2 dogs, the three kittens had to go. After some discussion, I agreed to take them in, for the time being, until we could find them Forever Homes.

The three kittens are: Lil' Bro, the stud of the bunch, Rue his sister (the explorer), and Sammy, who after a very rough start in life, has made some huge progress and though she has a way to go, she truly thrives in the company of Lil' Bro and especially Rue.

Lil Bro is, by far, the most social. Here is a video of him and I from VERY early on - our first week together - of him approaching me:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j1JVZ08PAU  What's truly amazing is that these kittens are feral! For him to make such a move...I'm so impressed. This video was taken on March 26, 2011. Lil Bro and I are tight now; he comes right up to me...after a little bit of prancing and stretching. He's the kind of guy that needs to come to me, he's still not ready for me to go right up to him and pet him.

I get some help from friends from time to time, socializing and interacting with these guys. But in all truth, they still have a way to go.

And that's what this blog is all about.

Feral cats are an especially big challenge, not having the social skills that make them quickly adoptable. Furthermore, they did have some digestive concerns (diarrhea and fresh blood in stool), but they have been to my veterinarian and treated.

Both Lil' Bro and Rue are fixed and have their shots. Sammy was supposed to get spayed this upcoming Wednesday (April 20th, 2011), but...last night she gave birth to three babies!

So, in less than a month, I went from having one lazy happy fuzzy of my own to one cat, three fosters...and now one cat and SIX fosters.

I'm stressing out because I want the best for these kittens, but in all truth, I am over my head in this. The kittens have all been to my veterinarian (Sammy was the first to receive veterinary care and was treated for hookworms and diarrhea), and Rue and Bro again have their shots and are spayed and neutered.

I will happily foster and house Sammy and the babies until they are weened off and ready for their next home, but Lil Bro and Rue need a place of their own together, with someone who is willing to accept feral kittens. Rue still bolts when I show up, but when she's still, she'll let me pet her. She is a brave kitty, the first to explore her surroundings and try new things. Lil Bro is a total cheesecake; he's the soft, warm home they come to for shelter, protection, and comfort. Both these girls love him, and he does not discriminate which humans he allows contact; he's accepted everyone he's met so far.

Here is a video of the kids lounging about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFcfnJz67Q8

Pictures! Here are the three kitties together, from left to right: Sammy, Lil' Bro (under desk) and Rue.

Rue

Rue again...that face :)

Sammy squishing up against Lil' Bro

Rue in front, Lil Bro to her left and Sammy's head poking behind them!

Rue

Sammy lounging! It's pretty remarkable I got this pic - she's usually back under something as soon as I walk in the room. Getting this shot of her, relaxed and comfortable, is rare!

Three friends

I realized that our options are fairly limited - shelters don't have the time and resources to socialize these guys, and I don't want to resort to putting them down. They did not get a fair start in life and now that they've got a chance, I want to ensure that they find a good home.


As a bonus, here is Sammy and her babies:  

Quite a surprise when they joined us last night!

Rue and Sammy, best friends!

Recovering from a very serious case of Cuteness Overload...Sammy and Rue are laying together by the desk. Rue nuzzles up to Sammy; Rue's got her back to the wall, Sammy's back to me. They ...they embraced each other, rubbed their heads together, and purring, cuddled ♥ They're biffles. I seriously cried. These fosters ♥