Saying Goodbye

I often have to do things for kittens they don't like very much.  Medicating them, disciplining them, leaving them and going to work (oh those kittens are good at guilt trips when I leave the room - even if they were ignoring me the previous twenty minutes) but one of the hardest things I have to do is bring them back to the shelter when it freaks them out.

I try to prepare them by bringing them to work.  Leaving the safety of the room they have been in, going and exploring another place, and then coming back often makes going back to the shelter easier for them.  Unfortunately Kate and Pippa didn't get much out of the one trip to work they did get, and they were NOT amused at all the smells (the other cats, the cleaners) and the sounds (those dogs are no where near them but still you can hear them) and were petrified.  Kate went to the darkest corner of the cage and 'hid' in the litter box.  Pippa pretty much froze in place with wide eyes with that petrified stare.

They put them in the cage with Bug since they are going to keep them all on a grain free diet, so hopefully Bug will be able to convince them that everything will be OK.  She was very relaxed, as she has been there and done that, and was purring and flirting with the staff.

I did write ups for them.  I did one for Bug, and then one for Kate and one for Pippa, and then one for Kate AND Pippa, and told them I think they should be adopted together, but since what happened last time with Peter and Tinsel, I wanted to cover my bases.  I really hope there is that special someone who comes right along for them.  They will eventually make great cats, even if they aren't the most ideal kittens.

I also told the Staff to put a note in Bug's file that if she is adopted and returned to call me because she will have a home with me.  It won't be fair to my cats, but I can't just stand by and not give her a stable home if there isn't one out there for her.

As I was driving home, turning into the street my home is on, I saw this.. 

By the time I took this photo, I realized it was a full rainbow, going from one side of the development to the other.  On the far side, the rainbow seemed to be starting over again (not really a double, but reds and yellows after the blue and purple)   I ran in for my good camera, and took a ton of shots and then just sat there watching it for a while.  It did turn into a double (again on the far side) which I jokingly called a triple because of the extra red.    The sky did some amazing things, and I just sat there in wonder because it hadn't rained for hours.  We did get downpours all day, but it had stopped in the early afternoon.    To me it was a very special rainbow.. and I hope my other camera did it justice.

Kate & Pippa

Kate

Pippa

Pippa - totally needs to be on ICHC

Can you tell who is who?

Wordless Typo

Anonymous commented that I typo'd yesterday.. I have a really good excuse

 Ok, so really I don't.  I just typo'd.. Typos happen.

The Royals are doing well and are of size.  Bug hasn't had another incident so I'm going to write the shelter and let them know they can schedule their return.  it might be tomorrow if they have space or next week.  Since it is coming right up I thought an outing would do them wonders.  Bug is having a fine time at work.  The royals are hiding and do not want their picture taken just yet.  Maybe later

Wordless Wednsday

talking to kittens

I'm starting to believe that cats understand a LOT more then we give them credit for.  There have been incidents with my own crew, but I've chalked that up to the whole spending so much time together thing.

The other day I was down with the four girls and I was watching TV.  I looked around and saw Lucy sitting in front of the water bowl. I don't spend a lot of time worrying about water for the kittens since they eat so much canned food and it is rare that I get a set of kittens that actually drinks water.. well she was sitting there patiently and I had to wonder if the bowl was empty so I asked her.  She looked at me, stood up, and then walked over to the bowl and stepped in it as if to say "YES! it is very much empty!!"   I couldn't help but laugh and I went over and filled it up. she took a lick and walked away.  I don't think she was thirsty, I think she just wanted it filled up - which is so like her.

Then today while I was down playing with them Sally was hanging back.  I get the distinct impression that she is much like a 4-5 yr old kid hanging out with 8 yr olds.  She wants to play but they overwhelm her.  So she sat on the side lines.  After a few minutes she started backing away then turned around but she was doing it a bit oddly.  The best way to describe it would be if another kitten jumped on her, but there was no one around her.  I called her name and she perked right up, turned on a dime and RAN towards me.  We snuggled for a bit and then climbed up on the couch.  I gave her a mouse to play with to build up her confidence, but after a few minutes she did want to play with the bigger kittens.  she didn't want to jump down from the couch, so she ran over to the window seat (which is higher up) and tried to jump down,  so I called to her again and told her to come back and she squeaked and ran right over to me.  It was just the cutest thing.

Kate and Pip have made HUGE strides.  Kate has adjusted to Bug just fine.  Pip is a little upset by the whole thing.  She's growling pretty easily at things.. but she's not hiding.  DH came in and sat with them for a bit and was able to pat Kate's belly.    I had to trim their claws because they were drawing blood.  I thought Kate would hate that more, but it was Pippa who ended up in the burrito.  There was also no poop in their litter boxes today.. I know raw causes things to be dramatically less and is very healing to the colon, so hopefully things are back on the right track.  They ate like fiends this evening so I don't think that they are having issues.. but I will be keeping a close eye on things.


Edited because I just remembered the Jack incident.  I was sitting on the couch and he was on the arm trying to be cool (it was leather, so it was a little hard for him to perch like he wanted) Jack is a jealous boy, and likes it when I give him attention in front of the other kitties.  I was talking to him and told him I wanted him to give me a kiss.  Well this isn't something he normally does, leaning in for me to kiss him, and again he was perched on leather and he was having a hard enough time keeping his footing, but I kept asking him, and he turned and leaned in and let me kiss him.  It was so sweet.

and Happy World Cat Day!

poop patrol

Yes, this is a poop post, you were warned



so with Bug having issues, and Kate and Pippa having issues, scooping the box is going to be interesting.  I just fed them breakfast and scooped and saw a rather large and normal looking dark stool, which I assumed was Bugs because it was a different color and larger then Kate and Pippa have been leaving me.

I was quite excited by this, since the shelter told me she was leaving pudding piles.  I sat and cuddled with Bug while Pippa ate a little (she won't join in the communial plate, but once she gets in there she gets all growly)

Bug was very cuddly and looking for snuggles, so I decided to sit on the far end of the room with her and the toy and snuggle with her.  When I sat down, I saw a drop of something on the floor.  Turned out Bug was leaking again!!    Fortunately I had a towel right near by so I didn't get it all over me, but she didn't much like having her butt wiped.

After a few passes, I realized she wasn't going to stop so I put her in the box hoping that she'd pass most of the liquid, and fortunately she did.  Some pudding like stool came out, then something a little firmer, and just when I had hope this was nothing the rest of the liquid came pouring out of her.  *shakes head*  poor thing.

Which is when I remembered that I saw her evening medication when I went to pick her up.  They mix PanaKare with food, and instead of the A/D they said to give her on the cage it was chunked - which is full of glutens and other fillers, so *fingers crossed* this is going to be the last of it since I'm back to giving them raw.  They really like it and are eating a TON of it.

and just to make me smile, while I was tending to Bug, Pippa came over and used the box.  Kate ran around sniffing me, all on her own... both are new which is nice.  Kate didn't run and hide when I walked in the room - but she did walk away from me.  Kate also walked toward me because the food was in between us, and she sat down to eat near me and I was able to pat her without much reaction..   I think Bug is good for her.

Intros

It's always tricky when introducing kittens.  You can't help but wonder if they'll get along or have a raging fight and you need to stick your hand in the middle of flying claws and teeth.  So I put Bug down in her carrier to see what happened....

Kate & Pippa are very interested.

I was a little surprised how interested they were.  They were ignoring their fear of me over the interest in the kitty.

My opening the door was a bit too much

The hinge squeaked and my stepping forward was a bit too much, so they ran behind the toilet again..

SHE'S OUT!!

It didn't take long at all for them to try to get to her.  If you see in that photo above, Bug's poor back "knees" are missing all the fur.  So then I cleaned up the dry food that Kate and Pippa spilled and threw all around the room and went and got some more raw food.

FOOD!

Bug took to it like a fish to water.  Unfortunately she was a little food aggressive, so I had to keep intervening.  Eventually she got the fact that if she growled she wasn't going to eat.

My food!! ~Bug

Sharing is a good thing

 I was a little surprised that Kate was less concerned with Bug's growling then Pippa was.  Pippa backed off and went and sat in the carrier for a bit, but Kate kept eating.  By this time my husband was in the room helping me out and Bug wanted to investigate him and Kate wanted to be near him.   He brought in two clean litter boxes so we could change out the one they had been using and was getting a little gross.  Not sure what was more interesting there for a while, clean boxes or Bug.

Yours has litter and mine doesn't.

Then the cutest thing happened.

Kate sitting quietly on DH.

I think she was staking her claim.

so Kate and Pippa like DH and cats, but not me.  (but then again I give them medication all the time so I can't blame them there)

Complement therapy

So yesterday I went in to see Kate and Pippa, and Kate hissed at me yet again.  I decided to work on some complement therapy.  It feels so silly doing it, coming up with five to ten minutes of complements for a kitten who wants to be no where near you (there is only so many times you can say "Kate is such a pretty kitty" but I got through it, and so did Kate.  She wasn't happy about it and ran right back into the carrier.  But when I went back in later she was out.  hiding behind the toilet, but still "out" considering Kate.

If you can see me, then I'm being social ~Kate

Pippa likes to play

I did get Kate to run after the toy, but she was still very hesitant.  She's run out and then realize she was in the 'great wide open' and became visibly uncomfortable and would turn and go back behind the toilet.  But then she'd turn right back around and stalk the toy again.  She has some self confidence issues so if Pippa is playing she won't try.

A few minutes later my husband came in.  Well wasn't I shocked to the point of having to pick my chin up off my chest when Kate ran right over to check him out!!!

Well OK she waited until he sat down... but it was still pretty amazing and a real wow moment.  Apparently DH has a way with the ladies..   Kate circled him several times.. sniffing him then leaving and standing behind the storage bag of cat food (not far) then going back and walking behind him and around him and sniffing him.  After about the fifth go round I gave him the toy to try to encourage them.  Pippa needed no encouragement...

Weee!!  ~Pippa

As I got up to feed them, Kate put a paw on my husband's leg.  Even he was amazed.

good news, good news, and not so good news

Well I finally named the babies.. Little Miss FluffyButt was being all adorable in a "I'm going to conqure the world" sort of way, and the tiny orange kitten was looking so sweet and innocent, and I came up with Lucy and Sally.  The larger orange kitten was being all sporty so I named her Patty and the tortie is Violet.

*phew* I was starting to wonder if I would EVER come up with names for them.

This evening I went into the bathroom where Kate and Pippa are, and they were sitting on top of their carrier.  I said hello and they just looked at me.  I tried to figure out who was who, and Pippa started purring.  I kept talking softly, explaining I was going to walk across the room and scoop the box and put down food and leave,... and while I did all this *Kate STAYED on TOP of the carrier!!!*  usually she runs and hides behind the toilet or in the carrier (the door is removed)  This is HUGE.   of course later when I went in again to medicate them she ran.. and when I went to get her she hissed, but it was a good night!

as for the not so good news, I realized my Skippy is all congested again.  He was looking quite pathetic and shaking his head ever so slightly so I thought either he had ear issues or something stuck in his mouth.  So I told him I was going to pick  him up and look him over and I got a good look.  Ears clean, teeth beautiful but he sniffled quite severely.  His eyes are clear and nothing is dripping from his nose, and he ate dinner. but this is the worst he has sounded in quite some time (I believe he has a recurring case of bordatella) I'm hoping this will clear right up like it has every other time, but I will have to keep an eye on him.

Grumpy Grumpy Kitten Time

Probably not fair, but it is how I distinguish the kittens apart.  Happy Happy Kitten Time is downstairs with the first set of kittens.  They are happy and fun and they make me happy.
Grumpy Grumpy Kitten time is with Kate and Pippa.  They are grumpy, I make them grumpy when I medicate them, and I'm a little sad that it is taking Kate so long to come around.  (but it does make my soul sing when I get them purring)

Kate shares her dislike of my taking her photo

Pippa moves toward the camera as I took the shot

Anyone who has fought watery diarrhea in kittens for over a week like I have will understand why I took this photo.  I'm not willing to say things are fixed in this department, but I have hope.

Pippa has also become a bit food aggressive.  At first I thought it was the beef that I broke out for something different, but she did it over salmon too.  *shrug* they all seem to go through this phase... hopefully Kate will stand up to her soon.

Kate

Another breakthrough with Kate

 I went in to see them and Kate was really on edge.  DH went in and cleaned today, and I guess she didn't take to that very well.

I brought them some cat milk, they had no idea what to make of that.  It smelled good but it was *NEW*  (and in the world according to Kate *NEW*=*BAD*), so it took them a while to get used to it enough to try it.  Pippa liked it more then Kate.

I also brought home a new cat cube.  They peed on the teepee (one or the other or both?) so I picked up a new one so they would have something while I washed the teepee.  well that threw them too.  Again Pippa was quicker to adjust, and spent just a few moments sniffing it while Kate took several minutes.

I got them playing again.  Kate's coordination is a little off so she's not very successful which I think makes it even harder for her.  If it isn't fun, why would she want to play???  So I tried to move it less which she seemed to like a little better.  When I started to get tired I called it a night and got up, which caused Kate to jump in the laundry basket and hiss at me as I walked by... Now I can't pass that up, and had to give her some more attention.  I tried to pat her like a mother cat would lick her, and I think I nailed it because Kate started purring, rolled over and started nursing on the blanket in the basket.  Poor girl must miss her mom.. so I kept patting her and rubbing her until Pippa came over and smacked her (in play) and Kate stopped.

We've also had a few firm stools, but just a few, and they are followed by a day or more of pure liquid so I went and got some more marquis paste.  *crosses fingers this works*

Worried for Kate

Apparently I'm a worrier.. Yup.. that's what I do.

Pippa is slowly coming around.  She still runs when I walk in the room, but it is just a few steps.  She cringes when I bend down to pat her, but she does accept it, and she purrs easily.  I took her for a walk through the house last night and I SWEAR she has a crush on Skippy.  She didn't get upset at any of the cats (not even Fleurp who actually hissed at her) but when she saw Skippy she started purring so loudly, it was freakingly adorable.

Kate however.. *sigh*  I'll be the first to admit there has been SOME progress.  My husband is on vacation so I've asked him to just go in there from time to time.  He does. He sits with them, pats them if he feels they want it.  He's a very kind soul and kittens usually cover him up.  She doesn't hiss at him as much as she used to.  I even got her to purr once (I was patting her and started patting her belly - but since then she's been very guarded with her belly)  Medicating has gotten easier.  They *let me* do it and don't freak out as much.    I've started dosing Kate with Rescue Remedy which she is also not a fan of (I've put it in the water as well) but when I walk in the room if she isn't already hiding she runs and she hisses at me when I go to pick her up.  I fear for her, because who wants to adopt a "sullen depressed emo teenager" kitten?

One thing gets me though.  After all this time I *just* realized that Kate has extra back toes.  Five on each foot instead of the standard four.  I'm glad Pippa doesn't have them, because getting to tell them apart is pretty difficult (except for the whole Pippa purrs thing)

Kate & Pippa

Well the stool sample I brought in to the shelter yesterday was deemed inconclusive, so they recommended I put them on the panacur. this is not fun. Pippa reacts worse to being medicated. I need to go VERY slowly or she reacts so badly that I can't hold on to her anymore.... which is saying a lot because I have a lot of experience holding feral kittens who get ticked.
this morning Pippa came right up to me and meowed at me. It was so cute. I went to pat her and she backed off, but when I straighted up she started up again. Kate still is so fearful. I ended up taking her for a walk through the house and showed her my other kitties. She seemed to like that. I brought her back and put her down and got another hiss. I figured it was time to break out the Rescue Remedy and gave her a dose directly and put some more in their water.

Ok, we'll eat near you

Pippa

Enticing Kate and Pippa with a toy

Pippa with Kate in back

Kate

Kate about to run

The video stars out with Pippa.  Kate shows up a little bit later.  Pippa once she stars playing will jump up on my lap to get a better pounce on the toy which is a lot of fun.  Although the fact that I wore shorts yesterday left me with several kitten scratches on my ankles.  Kate still doesn't like it when I look at her.  I can get her to play if I "ignore" her.

Fun with Fraidy Cats

Last night I went out after work to pick up a few things and didn't get home until late.  I still wanted to try to work with Kate and Pippa, and so I found a feather toy and got some food, and went in the bathroom...

well the shock of what they did to the room was a little overwhelming.

Someone had vomited.  Someone had pooped on the rug, someone else also pooped on the rug, someone else peed and pooped on a face cloth (that wasn't on the floor when I left in the morning) and someone else had gotten poop on the floor, on the wall, and on the carrier.  *sigh*  bad diarrhea is bad.. so a sample went to the shelter this morning to find out what is going on.

I got hissed at and run from.  I cleaned up the room as best I could and sat down and pulled them out of the teepee and showed them the food - which they promptly started eating.  They still don't know what to make of me as I am still quite scarey, but apparently I have my moments.  I got a few ping pongs rolling around and that was intriguing, but the night really started when I brought out the feather toy.

Now I must admit, there is nothing more pathetic then a kitten who does not know what to do with a feather toy.  Broke my heart a little to see Pippa looking at it like it was the weirdest thing she had ever seen.  Even when she got close and touched it, she was still quite in awe of it and totally unsure of what to do.  Kate held back and watched.  After a few minutes of playing "this toy is more scared of you then you are of it" Pippa finally realized she could have a lot of fun, and started really playing with it.  This intrigued Kate even more and she kept trying to get closer, but every time she moved I would look at her, and she would look at me, and that would be the end of progress.  So I had to make an effort NOT to look at her.. I'm not sure that is really wise, because I want her to realize that my looking at her is not a challenge (it can be in a clowder) but as an invitation, but I thought right now getting her to play was a bit more important.  Well after a few more false starts I got her to the toy, and after a few more minutes they were both playing.  Pippa more aggressively jumping up in the air and running around silly.  I even got her on my lap which made my heart skip a beat.  Shortly afterwards Kate came closer and put a paw on me.. which is huge.

In the morning we were right back to running in the teepee.  *sigh*  even with the addition of a radio to keep them company.  There was much less diarrhea this morning which was nice.  There was signs they jumped in the bath tub - which is rare for kittens to do.  I ended up going back in the bathroom twice after their breakfast.  The first time Pippa was out.  She was sitting in the laundry basket and I guess she felt it was safer to stay in there then run.  I thanked her for not running and gave her a pat.  The second time BOTH Kate and Pippa were in it.  I felt quite honored despite all the hissing going on.  They got pats and kind words, and I left them alone.  I'm glad they are eating well and playing.  They are starting to feel more comfortable in their territory.. I'm sure in time they will be more comfortable with me.

Kate and Pippa

Well this morning I decided on two names for my six girls.  The little gray kittens are going to be called Kate and Pippa.. (or should I be more politically correct and call her Kathrine?)

I'm considering Kate for the larger of the two, but she is more fearful and quick to hiss... but then "waity katie" seems appropriate for her..

They did fine last night, using the box (although they are both suffering pretty badly from very watery diarrhea) and nibbled on the fishy food I put down for them.  I wanted to make sure they smelled it. (them and every other cat in the house.. the crew sat out side the door most of the night)

This morning they weren't hiding in the carrier, so I assumed both of them were in the cloth teepee bed I put in there for them.  I don't like to blindly grab kittens, so I peeked in and saw one little head and grabbed her (turned out to be Kate) She was so intent on getting away she was unable to accept any love or attention.  I finally distracted her with a bit of food in her mouth, but I could literately hear her trying to figure out how to get away from me.  I kept peeking in the teepee to find the other kitten and I couldn't see her.  Finally I blindly felt around the teepee and could not find her.  Being that we were in the bathroom and I couldn't see her anywhere I started to wonder how on earth she could sneak out and where she could be.  After a few minutes of not letting myself panic, I realized she could fit behind the carrier, and low and behold there she was.    I picked Pippa up and while she was scared, she was able to accept attention.

I then put them down, and I got a hiss from Kate before she ran off.  Now in my house, hisses mean kisses (from kitties who can't bite my lips off) so that meant I had to go after her again.. This time she wasn't as panicked when I held her, and I put her down pretty quickly and right in front of her hidey hole.  Pippa was a bit more interested in me, and I got her playing with the "hand monster" (aka my wiggling fingers and her being brave enough to smack them).  I even heard her purr for a moment.

Because of the diarrhea, I decided to offer them a little raw food.  By the time I got back into the bathroom both were in the teepee.  I put the food in there with them, and Pippa went right at it.  Kate was having nothing to do with yet another foreign intruder, so I decided to pull it out and then pull her out to try to force her to try it.  Well Pippa came right out after the food, and Kate decided to pop her head out and give it a taste.  She liked it and ate quickly.  I gave her a little pat on her head and left for work (and I swear she thought hissed at me because her mouth was full)

So I see Pippa overcoming this fear pretty quickly.. Kate.. Kate needs to decide that I'm not evil or at least dealing with evil gets her good things so she is willing.  I have a feeling it is going to take a while but it is possible.

momwhatareyoudoing!!!

Mom, what are you doing in the back bathroom??

Putting the new kittens in there...

Who? us??

But what about that room downstairs you never let us in that you usually have kittens in that has been painfully empty that you STILL won't let us in??

Yea, well there are kittens in that room too my dears..

That would be us

and me

So I got a call from the second shelter and they wanted to set me up with an orientation, which wasn't going to happen for a while and I guess I didn't hide my disappointment.  She said she did have kittens now and if I could come up they could do the orientation and send me on my way with the kits.  I checked with my boss and off I went.  No where is perfect and I get that, but it does give me a new appreciation for the shelter I normally foster with.  They also expect that foster homes buy their own food.. very interesting.... but man these kittens have personality up the freaking wazoo.  the little long haired tabby .. well just look!!

I swear this one could pull off her own twitter feed or even a blog all on her own even at this age!!  She seems the biggest but she's fluff.  The tortie is 15 oz.. she's 14, the larger orange one is 12 and the smaller is 9oz.  They are all bones and meow.. I've got my work cut out for me packing on the pounds.

As for the two little grey ones, I got an email when I got back into the office offering me two six week old gray kittens.  I figured I'd have them for a short period of time, so I said what the heck.  Well they have diarrhea and are hissy, and are pretty small (I didn't weigh them yet) so they'll probably be here a while.

so now I need six girl names..