Former Foster Friday Freeforall

In years past I haven't had foster kittens in February so I've done Former Foster Friday February and done posts about the few fosters I've kept in touch with on each Friday... but this year I have kittens, so I haven't reached out and asked for photos.

But a few photos have found their way to me via Facebook, so I thought I would share them with you.

I'm starting out with Gandalf. He is settling well into his new home with his new brother.  I'm glad because only kittens often have a very hard time adjusting to other kitties because they often don't 'speak cat' and they end up not understanding one another.  I'm glad to see I did a someone decent enough job helping Gandalf learn 'cat'

Looks to me like Bridget and Dave are thrilled with their new boy.

I also received an update from Kathleen, who went to visit Sharon and Gail and hung out with Winn and Bella.

Look how big they are getting, and what sleek looking teenage kitties they are!  Fortunately, Sharon shares a lot of photos and videos of them, but because of that sometimes I just want to drive up there and snatch them back they are so freakin cute. (then Jack comes and sits on my face and the urge passes)  They too are also quite smitten.

Not to be outdone with uber cuteness, Kathleen then shared photos of Maxwell and Ducky

These two amuse me to no end.  Ducky actually developed a pretty pronounced set of bow legs, which I have found a little odd, but they do not bother him at all, and it just adds to his charm. Kathleen, I am thankful every single time you share them with me. And when you share my other fosters with me, like Buddy (formerly Garp from 2014)

It is so nice to see him.  Speaking of Winn and Bella, I would be remiss if I didn't share with you Errol and Flynn.

They are also doing very well. Flynn is still a lover boy, and Errol has definitely blossomed into his true self - a lover of chickens.  Just kidding, but he is doing really well, I am so happy for him. Not that I'm not happy for Flynn, but I knew he would do well wherever he landed.

I would be remiss if I didn't include my heart-kitten Isaac Arnold and his brother Smedley.

It still aches that I was not able to keep him, but Anne does a wonderful job of keeping me supplied in photos of them both. They are both amazingly ridiculous, and I love them dearly from afar.

Anne's sister Deb also adopted from us, and she also shares photos of Perkins from time to time.

and it appears he is just as goofy today as he was when he was here.

There are more out there that share their photos from time to time, and I am obnoxiously grateful each time it happens.  I also adore it when I see other foster homes sharing photos of their former fosters in homes too. So if you have one of mine, or someone else's.. send their foster mom a photo and a few lines about how well they are doing and about their personality. It will totally make their day!

Adoption day part two - take two

As you all remember I was very happy to have found homes for all of the kitties in the last litter before they were due to go up for adoption.  It was a first for me.  Even Lovey found herself a home.

Lovey on a scent soaked bed not caring in the least

Well unfortunately that home was not her final destination.  Lovey was a young girl and she had some issues here being cooped up and being 'surrounded' by other cats. I assumed that her few instances of putting on her floof suit were protective in nature and I did my best to prevent her seeing any members of The Crew.

When Dee told me she wanted to adopt her, we decided it was best that I hold on to her for a week after her spay and separation from the kittens to see what her personality really dictated regarding other cats.  I offered her bedding my cats had slept on quite a bit and she didn't care and promptly laid down on it and claimed it as hers and slept on it nearly exclusively for a few days.

After some time had passed I left the door open a bit with the baby gate up and let her see my cats. She growled a bit, but when I told her to stop she did and turned around and asked for food. I took that as a very good sign that she would eventually adapt to having other kitties.

As the week went by Lovey developed a case of cabin fever. She didn't much like it when I left her alone in that room. She was by no means problematic, but she would cry for me for a few minutes after I left. Because of this I probably pushed her adoption to happen sooner rather than later, but I honestly do not think that waiting another week would have made much of a difference.

See when Lovey went to her new home, Dee did everything 'right'.  She set up Lovey in one room and spent a lot of time with her, snuggling and playing with her. She did scent swapping - bringing in items her boys slept on etc.  She left Lovey in that room for several days while she adapted to the new home and the idea of new roommates.

The first introduction went badly. Lovey was NOT happy to share her new home and her new mom with two boycats. Cats were separated and it was hopped that more time and more acclimation to the boys would help. It did not. Lovey was not happy stuck in one room and started bolting through the door, and then would go into attack mode around the boys.

Fortunately no one was hurt, but no one was happy. Could Dee have held out and forced this to work, possibly, but it would have taken a long long time and everyone would have been miserable while doing it and a stressed out cat is a cat that is prone to illness... and with Lovey's ability to bolt out of her safe room and force the situation - well it could have gotten bad.

So it was decided that Lovey would be returned. It was not a decision made lightly or without a river of tears. Dee very much wanted this to work, but she wanted Lovey to have a home where she wouldn't be so stressed out. Dee sacrificed the kitty she always wanted so that she could have a home she needed, as an only cat, and be happy.

Lovey went back to the shelter this past Sunday.  I met Dee there and we went through the paperwork and the questionnaire about Lovey's personality, and Dee brought Lovey's things, bowls, food, bedding, carrier, and a beautiful scratching post all to go home with her when she was adopted. Dee was also offered a credit for a future adoption, which she promptly reassigned to whomever decided to adopt Lovey.

It was a tearful goodbye for all of us. Lovey went into her cage at the shelter very easily, and the shelter staff decided she was in good enough shape (not overly stressed from the car ride back) that she went up on the adoption floor. I spent a little time with her, but she was a little growly from all of the other cats there, and I thought it best to let her sit in her cage for a while and just get used to things. I had planned to stop by Monday to visit with her again.

Well before Dee had made it home she received a phone call from the shelter letting her know that Lovey had been adopted. I will say I am impressed they did that because one of the stipulations of surrendering a cat is that you do not know what ends up happening to it..  At this point I know nothing about the adoption (because they didn't contact me) but I know it was all over her adoption card that she needed to be an only cat, so I'm sure she is lounging with her new people soaking in all the love she desires and being the total Diva she apparently was meant to be.

Thank you Dee for wanting her, and I am so sorry it did not work out. While I am not a fan of rehoming a cat, I fully accept there are some legitimate reasons for doing so, especially when it is in the cat's best interest which in this case it was.

Adoption day part two

Even before the kittens were ready for adoption, I actually had several people contact me about adopting them.

One person in particular was ready to adopt them all at one point or another. Dee had fallen head over heals in love with Winnow and Belladora and had talked about making the hours long trek up to Maine to adopt them.  We chatted about their personalities, her own kitties and kittens in general. Dee has two mancats and after much soul searching Dee realized she couldn't bring the kittens home at this time.  When Sharon contacted me about adopting Winnow and Belladora I contacted Dee and asked if she was sure that she wasn't going to be able to give them a home. She was sad that it wasn't going to work out, but was happy that they were going together, and it was good.

And then she asked me about Flynn and Ethan Errol.  Her heart obviously wanted new kitties. I told her more about them, we chatted more about kittens and her cats, and I could tell she wanted kittens but all of the same reasons she couldn't take Winn and Bella were still there.  When Lori contacted me about Flynn I once again asked Dee what she wanted, and reason won out.

I felt so bad because I knew she wanted kittens.. but I also fully know the feeling of wanting to take in a cat when your circumstances simply won't allow.

And then there was the message "So how old is Lovey, I'm asking for a friend"

Adopting an older cat would work better with her two boys, and one thing Dee really wanted in a kitty was one that overly affectionate.

Only problem was that Lovey appeared to really hate other cats. Was that hormones and the mothering instinct or was that her? I agreed to keep Lovey here after she was spayed and her kittens had gone off to new homes to see how things went. As time progressed she seem to be less and less defensive so I contacted Dee and it was arranged for her to come up this past weekend and take her home... and that is just what happened.

Dee was quite smitten nearly immediately and there was no looking back.

Once Dee made it home "Lovey" posted on Facebook about the ride home

The New Adventures of Lovey the cat, aspiring Diva So they told me I was going on an adventure, and I should be ready to travel to my new life. I was fully expecting a tour bus or at least a limo. I was not exactly thrilled with an SUV. Would Taylor or Beyoncé travel in an SUV? I don't think so. I wondered perhaps if my new agent just didn't know who her new client was, so I thought I should spend the first two hours of the ride belting out my greatest hits. Surely once she heard my best songs she would understand. Um, not so much. She turned up the radio and tried to sing with me. I was singing MY greatest hits, not yours, lady. I had been in the back seat in my new travel play pen. I had to think of some way to let my new agent know this was not acceptable. I sang louder. Who is this lady? I don't need back up singers, thank you. I had to find another alternative to get her to understand I am a Diva, and will no tolerate being treated like a peasant . It's bad enough I'm in this SUV, but this big cavernous back seat? With lousy acoustics? No. No way. I had to act fast. What's a girl to do? Temper tantrum, of course. I flung myself at the sides of my playpen. Success! She noticed right away, and pulled over. I was hoping for a replacement vehicle, but got moved to the front seat instead. I must admit, I sounded much better up here. Maybe my new agent just wanted to hear me better! I went back to my performance of my greatest hits. She better have been impressed. I gave a two hour performance with no intermission. Thankfully she recognized that I was not some has been client. I am a Diva. I was treated to a wonderful massage for the next hour. I would have preferred two hands, but my agent made some excuse of needing the other hand for driving. That will have to change. Divas have drivers, after all. I have my work cut out for me. I'm going to have to train this new agent, and get her to understand we divas require a certain lifestyle. Well fans, I must rest for a bit. A diva needs her beauty sleep, after all. I'll update you all tomorrow on my first night in my new mansion. I can't wait to see my master suite. 

Kisses, Lovey

Yup, I think it is going to work out

A Winnow and Belladora update

Winnow and Belladora were spoken for long before their adoption and Sharon and Gail spent quite a bit of time watching them and getting to know them before adoption day. Considering how well they adjusted to new things while I was fostering them, I figured they would have no problems going into a new home.

The updates I got implied that they were a little overwhelmed at first, hiding under the couch instead of being out and about. I was a little concerned, but assumed they would adjust with time, and fairly quickly the updates became more and more positive, they were out playing and exploring and getting into places... well I'd say that they weren't supposed to be but I think that Sharon and Gail don't really have anywhere that is off limits, these two are going to be super spoiled.

Being Islanders from Maine, I was told that they wouldn't change the kitten's names because like a boat changing it would be bad luck. Facebook posts imply they have nicknames of Winn and Bella... can't blame them a bit there.

I can tell everyone is very happy and it brightens my day when I see posts about them.

A Flynn and Errol update

Flynn and Errol were adopted by Lori.

Ethan Errol is now officially just Errol.  I am still kind of surprised everyone is keeping their names, but it does make me smile. Errol and Flynn went to a home with cats and dogs. Considering the personalities I was able to see from them I thought Flynn would be fine with the dogs and I thought Errol would have a harder time adjusting.

Turns out Errol was the first one to adjust to them as well as other thing

Awww.. isn't that awesome. From what I could tell from the updates I was given things went far smoother than I could have even hoped and they were making themselves at home in no time at all.

I have to tell you, former foster updates warms the cockles of my heart like nothing else. I simply adore them. I hope you don't mind a little indulgence on my part.

Adoption day part one

The social media presence was strong with this group, as well as one very strong advocate in their corner and before they were neutered we had three of the four kittens adopted.  Sharon and Gail laid claim to Winnow and Belladora weeks ago and recently Lori asked about adopting a kitten and settled on Flynn as the best fit for her family.

I had guessed weeks ago that they would be ready for adoption this weekend, and everything fell into place and they were ready and arrangements were made to all meet up at the shelter today at 1pm.

Poor Ethan Errol didn't have anyone signed up to take him home but I brought him along in case I could convince someone they needed yet another kitten, and if not the outing would do him good.  At the last minute I did get a message asking if he was available and I sent information saying he was and saying I was heading to the shelter now but we could talk more later.

When I got to the shelter all three ladies were waiting for me and applications were all filled out and paperwork was almost complete. I felt a little bad that I wasn't there before them, but I was about five minutes early (and since I worked in the morning I really couldn't have been there any earlier) so I pulled the kittens out of the carrier and gave them to their new families.  There was much ooo'ing and aaah'ing and squeeing.

Ethan Errol wasn't thrilled about coming along until..

Yup, Ethan Errol went home with Flynn.  And yes, I did a happy dance in the middle of the lobby.. and no, I didn't cry but yes, it was close.. It also looks like they will all be keeping their names.

This is a first.. the entire litter was adopted without being put on the adoption floor. Only took 12 years.

The shelter has a Home for the Holidays promotion going on and so everyone received a t-shirt for adopting..

So by now if you have been paying attention you might be asking 'but.. but.. what about Lovey??"

that is a post for part two..


(and no, I don't have kittens at the moment, but I do have my name in for more so paws crossed I won't be kittenless for long)

#tbt Then and now

I think I did good.

Kitten's big day out

I finally got in touch with the shelter yesterday and they were able to fit the kittens in for surgery today. I will pick them up later on in the afternoon and bring them home for a few days of recovery and then bring them back for adoption. I am most likely going to leave Lovey if they have a spot for her, but we shall see.

Another Monday, another update on the kittens

I called on Friday to see about an appointment for the kittens to get them neutered and my foster coordinator was out that day, so I will be calling them later today and see what is available. Hopefully there will be a spot for them because we have at least one home who is anxious to take two of them home, and I am hoping another one works out.  We have had a couple of people inquire and then back out, so we'll have to see.

I do wish I could keep them through the holiday, but I think it would be more fair to get them into their new homes a little further away from the chaos of the holidays so they have more time to climb the trees and knock ornaments off the shelves.

I decided to go with 'glamour shots' photos without props because they had just had their third Christmas photo shoot so I could get something for the Christmas cards I'll be sending out so I wanted to make it easy on them.

If you would like a Christmas card from us please email your address at connie@kittyblog.net and if you would like to end me a card you can send one to me at

Tails from Foster Kittens

PO Box 94

W. Kennebunk, ME 04094

Now, on to the kitties! :) They had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed a little extra cuddling time with us humans over the past few days. Lovey is starting to think she wants to leave the kitten room, so the timing of their surgery is a good thing. If I can't get them in this week for whatever reason I think I will ask to bring her back solo.