and now they are gone

This was tough. Sometimes it is very tough, sometimes it is easy.. this was the former. Teddy went and got adopted on Friday. It is a great home, and I'm glad for it, but I am very sad he is gone. Friday night I went down to the kitten room to feed them. There is a couch in that room, and I always make it a point to count kittens before I sit down to make sure there isn't one in the couch. I found Bru and Cru, and NoMi, and I kept looking for the fourth, till I realized I was looking for Teddy. That was hard.

The kittens were fine.. they were playing and not really needing lovin yet again, so I went off to bed. This morning I packed them all up, and off I went to the shelter, feeling horribly guilty that I wasn't keeping them. I walked in and the shelter wasn't ready for me. No matter how many times I tell them when I am coming, they are never ready for me. One of the girls was headed off to the local pet store where we have a presence and asked if I wanted to bring the group down there. I wasn't thrilled, but it seemed the best option, and they seemed optimistic that they would find homes, so I agreed. Well, when the shelter was ready to open, they weren't ready to leave, so I stayed at the shelter to talk to people for a bit. Several were looking for dogs, and I directed to people to talk to or just to look at dogs. One woman was looking specifically for cats... a pair of cats, kittens in fact. She had previously gotten two kittens that turned out to be FELV + and after a few months one died, and the second died recently. I asked the questions I like to know the answers to.. indoor? yes, declaw? no.. so I introduced her to my pair. I really wanted Bruiser and Cruiser to go together. It was so important to me, that I actually put it in my prayers the past couple of days. I didn't know how on earth I'd handle them being separated. They really did love each other very much, and I so wanted to keep both of them. She rents which is a little scary, but what impressed me was the previous cats were diagnosed when they were neutered, and she kept them to the end. That is hard both emotionally and financially. Most people PTS when they get the diagnosis regardless of how the cats are doing. The other thing that concerns me slightly is the mother smokes. I couldn't tell if she did. Cats suffer from second-hand smoke just as humans do. But she was willing to listen to my radical speech about cat care, seemed open and cared about doing the best, so if it couldn't be me, this wasn't a bad home.

I almost got NoMi adopted right after, but I stupidly suggested to the couple they look around to be sure. They came in looking for a male, and they found a cute one and went with him. He was a cutie, and a love, I can't fault them for choosing him, but it would have made my day if they had taken her.

After Bru and Cru's adoption was final, I went off to the store. TONS of lookie loos, but no one serious about adopting. It was a bit hard on NoMi to put up with all the people wanting to pat her but she did really well. I set her up in a cage, and all she did was hide. Later on in the day, I gave her some wet food, and I think that settled her a little because she started peeking around the corner of her hidey hole.

Unfortunately, the staff member wasn't feeling well and left early when another volunteer showed up. also, unfortunately, I ended up ticking the woman off with my "I'm against declawing" opinion since her cat is declawed. Not sure why, since she was against it herself, but was afraid that the cat was on its way to destroying the house (ripping up carpet). While I am personally 100% against it, and personally would recommend a wide variety of solutions to problems, if it is done, it is done. I don't think less of people if they do it. When I think less of people is when they don't even consider what it is going to do to the cat, when they don't think of what the surgery actually is and think it is the same as being neutered. way too many vets downplay the pain and the depth of the surgery because it is expensive and money in their pockets if they make it seem to be no big deal. Lots of people once they know what it is, refuse to do it. If you make the decision to declaw knowing what is involved, and how it will hurt the cat, and know the possible complications to the cat in the future, and you are able to weigh all of that against whatever reason you have for declawing and truly feel it is for the best (and honestly, no couch is worth it) and or it is a case of the cat staying in the home then it is your decision. I wish more people would make the decision as she did. It was something she didn't want to do but felt she needed to. I'm okay with that... okay, so I'm not, cause I do know there are other options, but MOST people don't, don't know where to look for those options, and are not given those options by their vets. It's sad, cause cats really need their claws to get a proper stretch, to walk properly (they are finding declawed cats are more prone to arthritis) and to generally be a cat.

Sigh.

I don't think less of people who have already declawed (unless they don't care) I think less of people who hear the reasons not to, who hear the options, and feel that what they want is way more important than the health and well-being of the cat. I think less of people who get cats to be property, and expect it to conform with what they want out of life, and not respect the cat for what it is, for what it needs, and what it wants. Too many people get ticked off with their cat for not using the litterbox, instead of being highly concerned, since it is the first sign of ill health.

I'm ranting. I should stop. Let me just say there are people out there who get cats, who should have stuffed animals, not living beings. I wish they came with labels. Those are the people that bug me.

If you are still reading... thank you. And if you wouldn't mind sending up a quick prayer that NoMi finds a perfect home, I would so totally appreciate it.

Surgery

The kittens went on Monday for their neutering. *sob* they weren't ready to come home on Monday night, so I picked them up this morning. I can't help but wonder if they were neutered early this morning, as all the boys were completely drunk. poor Teddy couldn't walk straight.

I brought them to the office for a little fun, then went home and set them up with a little food and water. The boys all hurled while at the office, so I know they weren't feeling well. Wonder how much vomit I'm going to have to clean when I get home.

Sigh.

sometimes giving them up is so easy..

Sometimes it is SOOO hard.

I'm going to bring them in on Saturday for adoption. There is a huge cage of black and white kittens there already. I pray they all get GREAT homes on Saturday!!

*sob*

Well, I did it. I called the shelter and the fosters now have an appointment to be neutered. Monday.

I am so sad.

Foster Coordinator said they still had kittens needing fostering, but I can't.. I'm still quite frustrated with the past treatment of the kittens. I'll get over it soon enough, but not at the moment.

Besides, we are going to be doing some construction in the basement, and it is probably best not to have kittens while we are banging around down there.

Bruiser is such a momma's boy, he LOVES to cuddle up on your lap. Cruiser has the perfect name because he is always off doing something. He jumps and pounces and runs like the wind. No-Mi is a pretty typical kitten.. Teddy.. well Teddy is just shy of a belly slut. I haven't seen one of those since Kodi.. One of these days I'll find that again, and there will be no stopping me. I will own it. Teddy's eyes are still pretty watery. Not sure why. I'm not going to worry about it.

Letting them go is going to be hard. who am I kidding, it is always hard... but I am glad I don't have 100 cats.

falling in love

I haven't posted about the kittens because I am falling head over heals for them. I do NOT want to let them go. I'm afraid if I spend even MORE time thinking about them I won't be able to.

Cruiser is doing VERY well. He's slow to put on weight, but he's an on the go - obnoxious kitten. His attitude tells me it is time for him to go, but his weight says otherwise.

Bruiser is a freakin doll. A total people person. I might even go so far as to say a momma's boy. He just wants to be loved.

Teddy... well he is such a belly boy. He loves to lay on his back and play with my fingers. We are still learning the difference between nibble and chomp. I would so keep him if he weren't promised to someone. (I'm glad this is a decision I do not have to make)

Naomi is still Naomi. we've kind of condensed her name to No-Mi, which she seems to respond to a little better. She is a terror, starting fights with her brothers, but she likes to sit off to the side and be admired.

The ears took to the cleaning, and there just seems to be debris left in it. it should work itself out in time. Cru and Ted have started getting stuffy, so I put them back on meds... that should be a quick one though, as we caught it early.

They were moved down into the basement on the 14th and they LOVE it. I hate it since I can't get the webcam working anymore. No cable outlets down there and the wireless just doesn't have enough power.

Teddy




Cruiser




Bruiser - wanting to play more than get his photo taken




No-Mi




Obnoxiously cute but short video of Cruiser. Watch twice for full effect

Much longer video of Cru, with Teddy in the end

My own kitties are giving me a run for my money. Jack's ear was bad at the vets, and it only got worse. I didn't take care of it and he was shaking his head all over the place, and scratching at it. I finally cleaned it out and started medication, and he is feeling better. I cleaned it out again this morning, and I was amazed at the junk still in it. He's getting bigger, but his ears are still tiny. Using a q-tip is so very very hard, and it seems very uncomfortable for him, but there is a tiny fold of skin that needs to be cleaned under..

Em. Em is no longer attacking me to get me to feed her. Her weight is holding steady at 12lbs 2 oz. But she is still hurling from time to time. bubbly white to clear liquid. usually with some fur in it. *sigh* I hope this stops soon.

Muffin. Oh, my little garbage disposal is so cute and so sweet, but live with her for a while and you'll realize why I still think of her as my wolf in sheep's clothing. Last night she decided to hurl IN the bed. Her vomit contained Em's food. She got some bad diarrhea the other day, I think for the same reason.

Tweedle is still quite snotty, but the antihistamine I bought for her seems to be helping. Guess she'll be getting that for the rest of her life.

Ollie. He's been avoiding me lately. I found him without his collar.. bad kitty. I like collars on kitties. all except Muffin have breakaway collars. Muffin has a really cute one, but it buckles on, so I have it really loose.

Eli. Eli has been the strangest of all. He was so ticked at going back to the vet, that he has been avoiding us. He likes to be in the same room as us, but nowhere near our reach, and between us and the exit. I don't know why, but it appears the trauma to his eye is making it easier for him to keep his face clean. either that or he equates a bad eye with a trip to the vet and is making sure it is kept clean by whoever will clean it for him. I don't really care. He looks great.

I can not have seven cats, and by no means can I have ten!!

updates

The fosters are all off medication at THIS point. Who knows if I'll have to start up again in a couple of days. They now have horrid ear mites.. so I'll be treating those tonight. They weren't thrilled with the ear cleaning last night.

I set up a webcam so I can watch them while I am at work. Unfortunately, they spend most of the workday sleeping. it's cesg.ww.com if you want to peek.

Eli's eye bugged me so much that I brought him back to the vet. The vet said he noticed his eye was like that during the vet visit. I thought he meant the scar on his eyes that caused the staining. *hangs head* I am such a bad mommy sometimes.. but hey.. Eli is so paranoid, I only get to pat him most days when I am half asleep. He said that Eli got it from another cat, and there is no need to medicate. thank goodness.

Em is still starving. I think being on the medication to fix it is making it worse. They say it can take up to a month to settle, so we'll keep going. I hope it settles out soon, cause I feel horrid not giving her food 24-7.

Jack seems to be filling out and getting bigger. He looks a lot like a lion now. He still has his screak of a meow.. very un-lion like. But that is ok. Jack has taken up Em's job of sleeping on me at night. I am so in love with that cat.

Will have to try to get some more pictures tonight. Will probably move them down to the official kitten room this weekend.. after I scrub it with lots and lots of bleach. *sigh*

I wonder how Kenny is doing. They went in a week ago Monday for adoption. Bug was adopted right away, Shirley went home on Saturday. When I stopped in Kenny and Willie were left. I know Willie will go, but because of Kenny's poop issues, I fear he will never be adopted. Please pray that the right home will come for him. (or already has)

Cross contamination

Great. I just start to get Teddy's eyes cleared up, and what do I find.. my own cats are getting sick. My husband just doesn't take hand washing seriously.. and will continue to wear clothes that have had kittens crawling all over them. I just got a good look at Eli's eye, and there seems to be a cloudy film on it. It is weird, though, like a piece of litter got in his eye and "melted" over it. I noticed it earlier and put a few drops of saline in his eye. I just checked it again with no change.

Eli is my tear duct blocked, paranoid because he spent the first six months of his life being medicated and getting his eyes treated.. He just started to trust me to pat him.. this is going to ruin all of that if I have to medicate him.

*sigh*

WE HAVE AN EYEBALL!!!

The vet took one look at Teddy, and prescribed Gentocin for it. He suggested drops, but the shelter only had ointment, so I took that. Put some in both eyes, and in the morning it was obvious it was working. Tuesday night I could start to see his right eye, but this morning I can actually say that his eyeball is obvious and it is there!! WHOO HOO!! His left eye is almost back to normal.

I tried to take pictures, but these kittens are so into getting attention that they do not sit still.

I am thrilled! Teddy had to be miserable because he didn't purr the entire week I was medicating him with tri-optic or terramycin, but after I put in the gentocin, he acted as if it stung for a few minutes, but then he started seeking out attention and wanted to be picked up. I picked him up, he started purring, and wrapped his paws around my neck.

Cruiser is still very very small. Both my hubby and I are falling hard for him. someone help us!

and I thought transporting six cats and rabbit was fun

Saturday I stopped in the shelter to show them Teddy's eye. It is getting worse and worse. I was told, "I've seen worse" and was sent home to continue the current medication that is not helping.

I was so furious, that I didn't get more food, which the grey kitties needed.

So Sunday I had some errands to run, so I stopped by the shelter again and picked up some food. There was no one in the lobby when I first walked through. I went straight to the back room where the food is kept. I collected a box, went out the back door, and on my way to the car I noticed that one of the cans was open and smelled bad.

I was so furious with the shelter, I almost threw the can on the lawn and drove off, but I couldn't do that. So I brought the can inside to throw away. On my way in, I met up with the foster coordinator, and she asked how the kittens were doing. I said "Bad" and kept walking towards the trash can. She asked a few more questions, and I explained what I meant, and my trip on Thursday, and Saturday, and she was concerned and ask that I bring them in to be looked at on Monday (today).

I reminded her for the third time that the grey kittens were ready to be neutered, and she said to bring them in as well.

So I ran down first thing this morning, gave the grey kitties food. I noticed a strong poop smell but just assumed that mom had just used the litter box. I went up, did my morning routine, and went back to pack them up. Well, I noticed poop dribbles all over the room. I checked the kittens as I packed them up, and found Kenny COVERED in poop. Poor thing. So I threw three kittens in one carrier, then got one of my carriers and put mom and Kenny in that one... cause I was pretty sure they wouldn't all fit in one. Brought them up, put them in the car, then went and got the babies, and put them in the car, and drove over to the shelter.

I weighed the greys, and believe it or not, Willie was the biggest of the bunch. a full pound more than he should have been for going up for adoption.. but that is okay. They are cute enough they'll work their charms.

I don't know what is up with Kenny though. I feel so bad for him. I still fear that he will be PTS because no one will want to deal with his issues (not being able to fully evacuate his stool, so it follows him around for a while till it falls off) I don't know why he had the runs last night. it was pretty bad. I just don't know.

The babies are the same. I weighed Cruiser last night, and he hadn't gained any more weight. I don't know why he eats very well. Bruiser put on some. Naomi has always been fine. Poor Teddy's eyes were a freakin mess. I know they can't fix them overnight, but I hope they can give me SOMETHING. I went to the store to get some lysine, but all they had were pills. I need to stop at the health food store and see if they have capsules.

*sigh*

I'm still mad at the shelter, but not so much the shelter as a whole.. just a few staff that didn't take me seriously the first four times I brought kittens in there to them.

kitten update, and trip to the vet

Cru is doing well. Still eating on his own, being OBNOXIOUSLY cute, and making me want to keep him. He's still wheezing a bit, but in general, is back to being his cute kitteny self.

Teddy, on the other hand, his eyes have started to swell up and got so bad on Thursday I brought him in for more help. They gave me a new eye ointment. It is maybe helping, maybe not. it is hard to tell. if I can't tell by tomorrow morning, I am going to bring him back in.

they still very much want to be fed, but they will eat out of a dish if I water it down enough. Quite often I'll have to call my hubby in the kitten room to distract the kitties so they will get off me, so I can leave the room. It is so hard to just get up and leave when they are being so cute!

Yesterday I brought the family to the vet for their very late annual check up. I was waiting for Dr. B to finally open his clinic. I LOVE Dr. B and hated to bring Em anywhere else. He thinks that she has a thyroid issue, and gave her 4 times the dose of thyroid medication that Dr. O had given her. Maybe it will help, maybe not. We'll see. I just can't wrap my brain around WHY her thyroid tests came back normal, but she got a thyroid condition. I know it CAN happen, I just don't get how. Oh well. Hopefully, this will work.

Everyone else is good. Well, Tweedle still has her breathing issues, but there isn't much that can be done about that. Dr. B asked about antibiotics, and since they really don't touch a stuffy nose, and they haven't ever helped her, I declined.

the total for 7 pets, vaccines, bloodwork, and meds, almost $500.

can you see why I really need a job at a vet?

I should go medicate Ted's eye again, then get out to my appointment.

He ate, HE ATE!!

I wanted to let all of you know that Cru made it through the night and is all the better for it.

I got home from work and sat with him and his brothers and sister. His sister is a terror. all play and get up and go. The boys wanted to be fed (they CAN eat, they prefer to be fed) so they sat on my lap with Cru and purred. I did what I could to encourage that, since I know purrs have a healing quality.

After an hour or two, my husband who was doing some work at home, came in to visit. All the kittens ran off of me to him (okay Cru walked) so I got up and got ready for bed.

An hour later, he came into the bedroom and asked if my rabbit could catch what the kittens have. Well, the rabbit lives in a room with a futon. I didn't quite get what he was asking me, but it turned out he wanted to spend the night with the kittens. Since the rabbit is in a cage, I gave him the Ok.(how freakin sweet is this??) I told him he'd have to bring the litter and the food, which he did. He even put up the baby gate in front of the closed door to keep our cats from reaching under the door.

All the attention did Cru really well. He ASKED to be fed, and took 20ccs of food!!! the most I could get in him up to now was 9ccs. I took him to the shelter anyway, and they gave me a stronger antibiotic, zithromax, and I got a bag of fluids, and I took him home. They have seen his condition enough times, and he was perky enough that I was okay with this. I was so okay, I actually left him at home today.

Of course, I am exhausted. Worrying about Cru, and sleeping in an empty bed both took their tolls, but the good news far outweighs it. *knock on wood* Of course, he still needs to get through today.. but I am greatly encouraged.

Did I jinx myself?

I was saying to.. my husband? my blog? I don't really remember, but I do remember saying it has been an easy year fostering, no major URI, no major extended health issues, and no deaths.

Now I have Cruiser. He is miserable, can't breathe, won't eat, and very depressed. Each breath is a lot of work for him, and it is killing me. He's currently sleeping, well I'm not sure he is actually asleep, on my arm. He feels very warm. If he has a fever, he is going to the vet.. but I won't know till I get home tonight..

He is so small..

come on buddy, you can beat this!

Huge news, funny info, and then kittens

First, for the funny info, I am sitting here at my computer. My printer is right to the left of me, and there is usually room for one cat behind it. At the moment it is Ollie, he blends in so well and he likes it there. Eli LOVES it there too, because he LOVES the printer. Honestly, I think it is his best friend. Every time it goes off, he comes running. Well since Ollie is in the "hang out with the printer" spot, Eli is trying to make room for himself in front of the monitor.. but there really isn't enough room - it is freakin adorable, and I wish I had my camera.

For the huge news.. Emerald now weighs over 12 pounds!!!!!!!!!!! Still don't know why this works, and I hate that I am treating symptoms, but if it is working, then I am going to keep doing it. She gets two or three handfuls of dry food, and half a pepcid AC once per day (in her cosequin capsule) I was doing the happy dance, and Em was just sitting on the scale looking at me waiting for dinner. It was cute.

The grey kittens are ready for adoption. Once again I am worried about Kenny. When he has a BM, the stool doesn't fully fall off him till later. Who is going to want to adopt that? *prays that someone does* Maybe someone with a dog who loves kitty poop..

The black kittens are in the trouble zone. Cruiser is still totally congested, and the others are starting to sneeze more. Cruiser weighs 11 oz to Bruiser's 1lb. I went to the shelter yesterday to get him some help. They only gave him more fluids and told me to force feed him, which is what I have been doing. He is so congested, that he acts as if he is drowning when I feed him. I can't stand torturing him. All I wanted was a feeding tube, but they refused. I was also treated as if this was my first sick kitten ever. It was very disturbing to me personally.

I am down to feeding him one drop at a time. it takes forever to get even 1 cc in him, when he should be eating... well his brother is eating 10 or more two or three times a day.

I'm discouraged.

kitten at the office

Last night, Cruiser had completely liquid stool, this morning he didn't want to eat, and was very dehydrated. I took the morning off from work and went into the shelter with him.

They gave him some fluids, gave me some more Albon, and some antibiotics since the other cats that came in with them are sneezing and aren't doing well.

I went home, and tried to settle him back in with his sibs, but the little girl started growling heavily.

I was just so concerned about him anyway, and felt uncomfortable leaving him unattended, so I packed him up, put some litter in a tupperware container, brought some KMR and brought him in to work.

Needless to say no one is getting any work done here :D

I spend so much time around kittens, that while I am not immune to their cuteness, I can resist it and work. The other women in the office, are smitten :)

He was playing on my bosses desk, and looked like he needed a litterbox, so I brought him one. They even thought that was cute.

Unfortunately it was still almost completely liquid. This is not good.

But he is playing and happy, and flirting with the girls.. so I am not going to worry (yeah, right, you believe that??)

I just wish he'd be willing to eat a little more.

kittens and more kittens

I think Gertrude and her kittens are coming to the realization that they won't be around at my house for much longer. Say what you will, but I think cats KNOW things. I will be sad to see them go. Little Willie is growing up into such an elegant little boy. Bug is such a love. They still love to run, so it will be good for them to get into homes.

The babies are... well Bruiser and Teddy are doing well. Eating like horses.. but in front of me ONLY KMR. I put some canned food in Bruiser's mouth, and he loved it, only if I were hand feeding him If it was on a plate it wasn't food. I know he knows how to eat off a plate, I have previously seen him do it, but not now. Naomi and Cruiser don't really want to eat. They also seem much more sedate. Someone is throwing liquid stool, so I have started them all on Albon. The second dose was this morning, so hopefully they'll perk up. They are eating canned food when I am not in the room, as last night and then again this morning the food was mostly gone, and there was quite a bit pushed on the floor. I believe someone, if not all of them are nursing on Bruiser, as his tummy is ALWAYS soaking wet. I am thinking of getting some baby socks, cutting out the toe and covering his little tummy. I have to run to the store tonight anyway, I'll peek on them after work and if it is still all wet I might just do that.

Em.. well Em is still a mystery. There are days where she looks all raggedy and horrible, and days when she looks amazing. I tried cutting her meds for her upset tummy in half, but she vomited that day. *sigh* she looked down this morning, so I tested her sugars, and they weren't bad considering what she is eating. Her weight was up to 11 lbs, 11oz the other day.. up from the lowest of 11 lbs 3 oz. I'm still hoping for 12. She has another vet appointment next week. I'm going to try to get a urine sample... I think I could handle any diagnosis.. it is the not knowing that hurts.

Babies

They like to sleep in the carrier.

Currently named "cruiser" cause of...

"Bruser" who is huge, has a very broad chest, and eats a lot!

Theodor and Naomi. Theodor such named because he looks like a big teddy bear. Naomi because she hates to eat. I think she wants to be a super model.

Wrestling

Insert your own caption here

Cruiser made it outside the door, and it was cute to see how little he looked next to Em.

Too much to do, too little morning

Ok, so this is my first morning to work with my new resolve to exercise every morning (again), and TWO sets of kittens.

Did I not tell you of my second set? shame on me. I took pictures, they are at home (I am currently at work) I'll share later.

I went to the shelter on Friday to pick up supplies, and was suckered in to taking four little black and black and white kittens. I was told they were eating on their own. They so aren't! They are so cute. they probably weigh 3/4 ths of a pound, and they were hissing and spitting at all the upheaval. just too cute. Once they settled down in the back bathroom they were fine. I introduced them to food, which they did actually eat, but they won't eat on their own, and they need to be 'primed' with formula first. I tried using a bottle. I have never had luck with that. I don't know why. Other people do. So I use a syringe. Fortunately they are using the litter box on their own.

So anyway. I have four kittens that need to be fed. Four kittens and a mom that need food put down for them, a rabbit who needs food, and my exercise, and to get out of the house with my breakfast and lunch. doable? somehow I got it all in.

I got dressed before going to feed the babies. Silly? yes, totally. but with little kitten claws totally necessary. Somehow I got through the feeding of four kittens, one of which who HATES to eat with out getting any formula on myself. I put out more food for them, and reintroduced them to it. *crosses fingers they'll eat*

Went out, fed the rabbit, who gets testy when she runs out of pellets, and lunges at them when I refill. I'd use my hopper to feed her, but then she'd have access to too many pellets and would get fat.

Went down to feed the older set. Now they sit at the door and try to escape when I enter, so when I was in the room, and put food down, and only saw three kittens instead of four, I got concerned that one escaped. None of my own cats came down with me, so I started calling them, cause nothing can find a kitten faster than a cat who doesn't want it loose in the house. Eli came down first, followed by Jack. No concern from either of them, so I went back into the room to look again. It was Bug that was missing. There aren't that many places for her to hide. I went back out, again, no concern from the cats, back in, and realize that she is behind me, but she wasn't. although she was, in the rafters. silly kitten. I was just trying to figure out how to reach her, when she finally jumped down on to the scratching pole, and got down on her own.

So that was my fun morning.