Former Foster Friday -Maxwell and Ducky (formerly Faraday)

Since Maxwell and Faraday found their home through social media, I have been blessed to be able to see photos of them, and their mom messages me from time to time on how they are doing. I must admit their adjustment went far better than I expected it to be.  I can only do my best for them while they are here, and they took so long to 'turn' into friendly cats that I feared going into a new home with other cats and a dog would give them a huge setback.  I really need to learn to trust in the kittens.. they really are like little rubber bands in more ways than one.

Faraday's name didn't work well with his new family, so they spent some time and came up with a new one for him that works, and he is now Ducky.  I can't say I'm displeased with that since I love rubber duckies, I like Ducky from Pretty in Pink and from NCIS. However Ducky got his name from the Dinosaurs movies.. Yup, can't disagree with that choice in the least.

I recently asked their mom to write up a little update so I could do a "Former Foster Friday" post for them.

Maxwell and Ducky, formerly Faraday, have come a long way in the past month. Starting out they were very shy and spent most of their time under the couch. They would come out for meals, and we could coax them out with toys, but the rest of the time they were out of sight. Moving from their special kitten suite into our home with a curious boxer and 2 older brother cats was a bit overwhelming.

But with time, they gained confidence and together took over the house. They have turned out to be very loving kitties. Maxwell goes from lap to lap in the evening so we all have a chance to give him some attention. And Ducky climbs up and head butts us to get out attention, purring while he does this. They're great buddies, playing, exploring, and sleeping together. They are a wonderful addition to our family here on the island.

It's been a while since we've had a pair of kittens. These are the first 2 that actually came with instructions in the packet from the shelter. The boys have gotten very accustomed to having 4 square meals a day, and are the hungriest cats I've ever seen. Maybe it's because of their rough beginning and not having their mom around for long. They wait on the mat in front of the stove next to the cat bowls, and as soon as I make a motion to fill their bowls, they're talking and pacing and practically tumble over each other as I put the food down. And Ducky still growls when he eats. Once their bellies are full, they'll settle down and nap. They're on the lookout for a sunny warm spot to crash, on the table or arm of the couch. Inevitably one will wake before the other and start licking the other just before the biting starts, leading to a wrestling match. They are live entertainment for the rest of us.

after first meeting the dog

meeting other local wildlife

Brothers, they are good for laying on

basket of dog toys

Taking a nap after their vet visit

Looks like these two are inseparable.  I am so very glad they are doing so well. They did move on to an island off the coast of Maine. A vet comes round once a year for annual check ups, and there are vets on the mainland if something pops up, like kitten check ups, they just have to take a ferry ride (oh I can so picture my cats singing the song of their people while on the ferry)

Thank you Kathleen, for sharing them with me, and with us.

Saying Goodbye to Allie, Maxwell and Faraday

Saying goodbye to Maxwell and Faraday was bitter sweet. It is always a little sad when they can not stay, and saying goodbye is hard, but knowing I will get updates from their mom from time to time made it a bit easier.  I've already seen a few photos (and shared a couple on my Facebook Page) and it looks like they are settling in as expected.

While we were doing their adoption, I once again tried to convince her to take Allie too. It is kind of hard not to when you take two out of three.  Maxwell and Faraday's new mom even mentioned it was hard on her to leave Allie - but I completely respect when there isn't an 'opening at the Inn' and try not to push too hard.

Ironically enough there were other people there who started kitten pushing too... They had just lost their dog and were totally up for cuddling Allie, which was nice for me; seeing how she would do being held by others with all of the noise and hustle and bustle of the shelter.

I was fearful of leaving her there with out the comfort of her brothers. I was fully prepared to bring her home for a day or three to let her have time to adjust to being alone, but she did so well in the lobby that when Maxwell and Faraday said their goodbyes, I headed off to the room that held the two remaining kittens that were available for adoption to see how things would go.

Zinnia (black and white) and Clyde (orange and white) were the only two kittens, and they were cuddled up and sleepy in a basket in the window.  I walked over with Allie in my arms and got close enough so that she could sniff them to see how it would go.  Allie was very interested, and started slowly climbing out of my arms and into the basket.

I totally adore how Zinnia has a single black toe too.. granted hers is on the front, but still.  Anyway, as Allie climbed in a very sleepy Clyde felt a sibling walk over him and he moved slightly to give her room, and Allie snuggled up to Zinnia, and there was nose touching and purring from both of them. I so felt like one of those helicopter moms on the first day of Kindergarten. I gave Zinnia a kiss and thanked her for being kind to my Allie, I kissed Clyde even though he was too sleepy to notice, and gave Allie a bunch and left.

When I was called back to the shelter the next day I saw this:

Apparently Clyde had been adopted and these two were back in the basket hanging out. There was also a young girl, maybe five or six, who came into the room and gently walked up to them and offered them patting, and Allie did not run!!  I was so incredibly pleased and a bit proud.  I very much hope that she and Zinnia go home together, as it seems like a match, but if it is not meant to be, I'm sure Allie will adjust.  I sent her along with Flatty McFlatterson, so no matter what she will have a friend.

I also wanted to share these are two picts I took of Faraday before he left, I think they are my favorite..

Stinkeye!

Flashback Friday - the kittens have come a long way

Originally posted 5/10/14

finally we have kittens! The shelter thinks they are three weeks old, I age them a wee bit older, coming up on four.. they are a little hissy, a little independent, and a little hidey..

Boy, girl, boy in DH's arms

being so young, they haven't yet been tested for Felv. They will be tested at the end of the month. No names at this point.. heck I still don't even have a good indicator of their personalities.. The girl just wanted out of there.. the lynx point kitten was pretty sedate and the most hissy.. the seal point (with wee stripes in there too) is going to be the first to realize humans are awesome.  He was also the first one to eat..

Girl and lynx point boy

"Seal Point w/lynx" boy

I am OUT OF HERE! - girl

at this point he has blue eyes.. will he keep them?

More blue eyes.. I hope he keeps them.. 

we like hiding 

Eating wasn't their strong suit at this age.. they figured anything in front of them that smelled good was food, so they started chewing on the bowl - which often young motherless kittens do.. when I transferred it to a plate, it worked a bit better for them, although there was still some chewing of the plate..

Chewing on the bowl

nom nom nom!

Allie the little "I'm not a trouble maker!"

Allie thought her brother Maxwell could use a hug..

Then she thought her other brother Faraday could use one..

She can't help it if they do not want one..

Wordless Wednesday - Faraday needs a "lickin"

What?

*slurp*

What happens when you ignore kittens

Hum.. look at her try to ignore me.. 

well we can't have that.. 

Looked at only long enough to get the picture

I do not trust that lady to continue to ignore me, so I shall sit here for a while.. 

um.. you are looking at me.. 

How about we sit BEHIND you so you can't look at us!

I see you thinking of looking at us.. stop it! 

Because I really want to try out this leg/lap thing.. 

Monkey see Monkey do.. 

At one point I had all three of them on my lap, although the camera freaked Allie out a bit so she left.

Sparkle commented that maybe Allie would come around with out her brothers around, and yes, that is a possibility.. she might want to seek comfort and with out them to give it to her she might turn to me.  But then again she might just determine I ate them and be even more fearful of me. There have been times in the past when I have had to return a mother cat to the shelter to get her kits to bond to people, and they often turn very quickly once you do. We'll just have to play this one by ear.. She might just stay at the shelter after she is neutered and bond with another kitten up for adoption, I just don't know.

Monday Morning Kitteny Goodness

I thought you would like to see the kittens this morning.. They are doing very well. The boys are both at weight and their sister is just a few ounces behind, hopefully she will hit it soon, so I am going to put an email in to the shelter and see if they want to schedule them for their surgeries at the end of the week.

All three of them are progressing, but they still have issues with hands and with people moving too quickly. I have to walk into the room very slowly to keep them from bolting under the couch. Sometimes I can do it, sometimes they bolt anyway. Maxwell will come over to me on his own and enjoys it when I pat him. Faraday will give me stinkeye constantly, but if I am able to pick him up I can cuddle him and he will relax into me and purr, but as soon as he leaves I get the stinkeye again. I actually got him to nuzzle and lick my ear last week, I was completely smitten. I love his attitude, I love his stinkeye.. I even love when he growls at his food.. I know I shouldn't, but I do. Allie still has a ways to go. She does not like it when I cuddle her and she will not sit still on me when I force the issue. I have been able to pat her and she purrs. Allie and Faraday are both mimics, and will do things that Maxwell does, which is why I'm able to cuddle them, and I'm really quite curious what she will do once her brothers have moved on to their new home.

All I have to say is there better be more kittens when I turn these in..

Friday Fun with Faraday