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:
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