Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Sleeping with the kittens..


Why are you not kissing us??

Well the time has come.  I put it off and put it off and put it off, and my little creamy boy was getting well past the "just made size for adoption" and was quickly approaching that lanky teenage stage (he's not there yet, but man the way they were eating me out of house and home it won't be long)

I sent an email off over the weekend asking when they would like them back, I got one email back asking for info, then nothing.. OK then, so I emailed them yesterday saying I was just going to bring them back that evening.  I didn't hear back, but on the way home I realized I needed gas, and getting the kittens to the shelter then getting gas was going to be cutting it close and if I got gas first I might not make it until they were just about to close the doors and since I wasn't sure that they got the email I sent to them hours earlier, and I REALLY just couldn't face shoving them all in a carrier, I sent another email telling them I wouldn't make it that night but I would be stopping by in the morning.  (to which I got a reply - OK see you then! so there was no backing out again)

These really are an exceptional batch of kittens.. it really is rare to find kittens that are so willing to spend so much time on your lap with out being overtly obnoxious - trying to bite your nose or your ear or your clothing, or trying to redo your hair, or play with your eyelashes - they were very happy to just be there with you and let you soak in their adorableness and pat them and coo over them.  The long haired boy is a little on the needy side, which meant he meowed a bit more, rooted around like he might want to nurse, and was often afraid he was missing out on something good, but that just made him all the more charming.

So when I went down to feed them and clean up after them (and yes, they were obnoxiously clean and tidy and well mannered kittens so even this was not the pain it normally becomes when kittens are ready to go up for adoption) I was happy to do it and sad to leave.. so I told my husband I was going to sleep down with the kittens..

HA HA HA.. Sleep.. that's a good one..

Anyway.. it went well enough, they were playing and I settled in.  They were curious about the blanket and the fact that I was laying down, but they just sort of piled on top of me and started purring.. but they weren't ready for bed yet, so soon it became a wrestle fest.. which was quite funny to be under.  It wasn't painful, it wasn't over the top, just a bunch of kittens rolling around on top of you.. When finally it got to the point where one of them screamed (most likely because someone bit someone else) I gently informed them to get off the bed and wrestle somewhere else, and they did.  I settled in and started to doze.

after a while I became aware I was no longer alone.  The short haired boys had climbed up on top of my chest/stomach and were sitting there dozing themselves and purring up a storm.  they were soon joined by the short haired girl, the long haired boy, and at long last the long haired girl - who thought it was AWESOME to lick my elbow.  when I hid my elbow, she found my wrist, then my fingers.. When I hid my arm all together the two long haired kittens worked their way up to my pillow and I had ear muffs in stereo purrs that were so loud they would have waken the dead.  "Miss Priss" the long haired girl decided that laying on my pillow and purring me to sleep was the totally right thing to do, and so she made her self comfortable.. "Bashful" the long haired boy wasn't quite sure of the best placement for him so he wandered around a bit before settling down.

By 12:30 they had all settled, but they were either not going to sleep or they purr in their sleep because it was so loud I just couldn't drift back off to sleep and it was very much in need.  Sadly I got them all off me (no small task mind you) and escaped and went to bed.

Surprisingly none of The Crew was down in the basement waiting for me when I left the kitten room.. I made it upstairs to see all seven of them in the great room!  I was shocked that not one of them chose to sleep with my husband.. and a little chuffed that they all preferred to wait until I showed up to go to bed..

This morning I packed them all up and hauled them down to the shelter.  Giving them up was so much harder then I thought it was going to be.  I know I can't keep them all.. They are living breathing beings that need love and attention and with my seven and the foster work I do, there just is not enough of me to have any others in the house.. I often fall for kittens I care for, and love them, and think they are cute and sweet and special - and they are - but it is rare for it to be this hard on me when they haven't had a major crisis of one sort or another.  These guys were perfectly healthy, didn't have any challenges to over come mentally or physically.. this was supposed to be (and for the most part was) a quick in and out.. "topping them off" if you will.. so why oh why was I near tears after I left the shelter?


13 comments:

  1. I'd have been sobbing so hard at leaving them that I probably would have made myself sick. Such precious babies, and obviously a delight to have fostered.

    Purrs from my boys that they all find absolutely fantastic forever homes, where they'll be adored and doted on for their entire lives.

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  2. Tearing up a bit... wish my timing was better and I could take a couple of the boys... these are an adorable batch of kittens...

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  3. Aww, what a bittersweet story. They are a gorgeous bunch of kittens and I know they'll be scooped up quickly and be happy good kitties because of the start you gave them.

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  4. awwww - I love groups like that. Can't believe you actually thought you were going to GET any sleep with them though. :) Ivy does that licking thing to me and has been kicked off the bed more than once for it.

    Love the video - all "um hey lady - it is a LITTLE crowded in here"

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  5. Oh my goodness. Those videos made me just want to reach out and grab them!

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  6. These really are amazing kittens! I bet they find homes in record time.

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  7. Wishing them all the luck in getting their new forever homes,xx

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  8. I am in tears.........oh those faces just tear at your heart .... know you did the only and right thing, ... it's just hard.

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  9. It would be so hard to foster those adorable kittens and letting them go.

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  10. I know fostering isn't for me - I would be broken hearted too often. Purrs to you for all you do!

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  11. OMC you kids are cute. Mom says that she can see why it would be hard to give you up. Hope your forever homes are just a blink away. Purrs and hugs from the kitties at The Cat on My Head, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette

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  12. They are kittens you will remember forever.

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  13. Those of you who foster, have the most difficult job in the world, and those of us who do not are so grateful for your efforts.
    These kittens are simply adorable, well socialized, and I know will make someone a very happy cat owner. You can take pride in the care your provided, even though it is so hard to give them up.
    Take care!

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