Checking in with Maxwell and Ducky

One thing that is really nice about social media is that I get to stalk a few of my former fosters. A few weeks ago I put a call out to people who have adopted from me asking for updates on my fosters to blog about. February is notoriously slow on this blog and I usually do a Former Foster February, but this year I was just so overwhelmed with moving and making sure my cats were not overly stressed (they were highly stressed) that I just couldn't get into blogging.

But the most infamous kitten pusher who has adopted some of my foster kittens outside of me, Kathleen, sent me an update on her two kitties Maxwell and Ducky.

You may remember them as Maxwell and Faraday. Or you might have seen them on the Hallmark video

Here is what Kathleen has to say:

We’ve had these 2 glamour pusses almost 4 years. They joined our 2 other cats and our Boxer Millie. Ducky, formerly Faraday, is a big, silky love bug, who doesn’t understand the concept of personal space. He monitors the comings and goings of the rest of the gang, feeling it necessary to give everybody a thorough sniffing when they come in. He’s also in love with the dog and pretty much throws himself at her, doing a shoulder roll under her nose so they can spoon.

Maxwell (the Bold) is more outdoorsy, preferring to spend most of his time outside during the milder months. It takes him a while to settle in once winter comes, but right now he’s quite content to demand play time whenever the Catman is around. It keeps his skills honed for when he takes up his wildlife management job come Spring. Like a well-oiled machine, Max takes down the catnip toy on a string. Once he kills it, he sits down and readies himself to do it all over again. And again...

Thank you, yet again, Kathleen!

Former Foster Friday - Maxwell and Duckie

I reached out to Kathleen who adopted from me in 2014 for an update on Maxwell and Ducky (who was Faraday when I was fostering them) and she sent me a few photos.

Maxwell and Ducky are happily living the good life on an island in Casco Bay. They've got 2 big cat brothers and a dog named Millie, all of whom get along beautifully.

Maxwell is the more adventurous of the 2, and from Spring through late fall he spends the majority of his time outside, exploring. We have friends who live up in the woods across the street, who tell me he keeps watch over the wildlife in their yard. They always know if he's around because the squirrels are making a lot of noise complaining about him. He usually shows up for a meal around 3:30 AM, having learned the lobsterman's schedule, and after a quick meal, he heads back out to his 'job'. He moved back inside in December and has been good company and a nice lap warmer for me. He's compact in size compared to Ducky, who is very long and sleek and has enormous feet.

Ducky prefers to stay close to home, and he likes to be close to either his dog or his master, the lobsterman, who knows to 'assume the position' when Ducky wants to sit in the recliner with him. He'll venture out to the sun porch on nice days but rarely goes out to explore outside in the yard. They have been a great addition to our home, and we love them very much.

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!

Former Foster Friday - Garp now Buddie (and a bonus)

I've heard from Garp's new mom Beth, as well as her neighbor Kathleen - which you already know as Max and Ducky (formally Faraday)'s mom.

Max and Ducky's mom is friends with Garp's new mom and Beth contacted me asking about kittens and after a few emails back and forth it was narrowed down to Garp being her kitten. There was some logistics to work out but it all seemed to fall into place and Garp was able to go home on Tuesday.

I very quickly got an email from Beth, which sadly I didn't get until Wednesday because I was mostly offline on Tuesday dealing with Jack... but I was happy to see it when I did..

Just wanted you to know that Garp  as we call him "Buddie" because no
matter what my husband would call him Buddie as that is how he used to
call Howie or Howard {their previous cat} when he walked up the driveway.
Buddie was peeked at through his carrier ( all loved him)  on the boat
yesterday as we made it home on the 12:15.
I sectioned off our downstairs so that he can romp in the kitchen, sitting
area and the pantry has his litter box. Which by the way he has used !
He has had visitors and greeted everyone including my sister-inlaw who
came with a little bed . It was so interesting because yesterday afternoon
I let him look all around and investigate and as he tired he came over and
curled up in my lap . It felt so good .
I am leaving to go to work shortly until 2:00 and of course I would rather
be home but I am sure he will be fine .

Isn't that sweet!?!  While he was here I was pretty sure Garp could handle anything and would love being an island cat, but when the shelter staff member, who has been my go between so I didn't have to drive all the way up to ARLGP, came to collect them he became fearful.  Being overly paranoid I started worrying if he was going to freak out at the whole thing, but this email immediately put my fears to rest, and it made me feel like it was meant to be.

Buddie © Kathleen, used with permission

Since I was emailing Kathleen I thought I would ask if I could share a photo of Maxwell and Ducky..

The first rule about kitten fight club... Is grab the camera!

I simply adore foster kitten updates.. even if they aren't mine.. but especially so when they are.. Thank you Beth and Kathleen.

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.