An update on Benji

I just received word that Benji was adopted this weekend. I was so glad to get the update, and I knew you would appreciate it too.

Checking in on Benji.

I contacted the shelter last week after bringing Benji back in because of his diarrhea. He got a positive report but they wanted the vet to take a look at him. I offered to take him back when they were ready but I hadn't heard back so when I was in the area today I stopped in to see if they wanted me to take him back.

Unfortunately, his stool is still soft and he isn't gaining weight despite eating well so they want him to see the vet again tomorrow, so I am hopeful I will get him back after that.

There was also talk of a set of kittens that might need me more, but they also needed to see the vet.

While I was checking on Benji, I became totally enamored with his cellmate Dutch:

This little boy wanted a tin cup in the worst way so he could run it across the bars and demand to be let out.  He was quite certain that if he pushed hard enough he could get out. How he didn't end up in my pocket... I have no idea.

Benji is spending a little time at the "spa"

Benji's diarrhea became too much of an issue.  I had originally contacted the shelter about it and they sent some meds to me to give, and I did. The next morning there had only been one incident of diarrhea, so I was encouraged. That evening when I got home there was between eight and ten! On the encouraging side a few of his 'deposits' were actually pudding / toothpaste consistency so despite the frustrating feeling that I was fostering a monkey who was flinging his poop, I had hope.  The above photo happened because he needed a bath because he had gotten it all over him.

He wasn't going anywhere that night so we just cleaned the room again and hoped for the best. I didn't know when the thicker stool was produced, so I was so hoping that in the morning things would be different, but things were pure liquid again.  I contacted the shelter and I was told they wanted to see the vet and keep him for a few days to watch him, so we brought him in and left him there.

I was offered three little black kittens, but it didn't work out for a couple of reasons. I'm hoping to get Benji back tomorrow, but we'll see how it goes.  If not, at least I will have time to give the room a full cleaning and disinfection so it can be ready for someone new.

In celebration of "A Moment of Frustration Day" (according to the holiday a day calendar)

I was actually thinking of not sharing this with you because who really wants to read about the frustrating parts of fostering, but when I saw on our Holiday a Day calendar that today was "A Moment Of Frustration Day" it seemed like the right thing to do.

My husband is only smiling in that photo because I'm trying to take his photo.  He was a bit frustrated with Benji wanting to cuddle with him because he was completely and utterly lacking that new kitten smell.  What did he smell like?  Well I am glad you asked.. (you didn't really, though, did you?)

This makes three out of the last three litters that have decided to use the couch we replaced the futon with as a litter box.  I am not amused, not even a little, and the frustration might have lasted more than a moment when I saw this.

But..

I know it is not his fault.  He is small and he is alone and he is sick.. and all he wants is love..

I had already put in word to the shelter that he was having issues and meds were actually in the house to give him when I found the couch deposits, so after changing the sheets and attempting to clean off his back feet without giving him a full bath, he received his medication and some fluids and we proceeded to snuggle him for nearly two hours (according to Muffin it was nearly three hours). He is such a sweet little thing, so very well mannered.  And I do not hold the couch thing against him, I'm sure once he is feeling better things will be back to normal.

Benji vs Skippy - who wore it better?

Welcome to Casa de Gato Benji

Meet Benji.  He is a little short haired gray tabby kitten who is a little underweight and is here to bulk up a little before going up for adoption.

He is a very sweet little boy who reminds me so much of Skippy when he was a kitten that it isn't even funny.  The only real difference is Benji doesn't really know how to play. The first time I broke out a toy I was certain he was blind because he didn't seem to track it very well.  Once he figured it out I stopped worrying about that.  He is super cuddly, though.  His favorite thing is to get attention and his daily allotment of kisses.

At this point, he is just about two pounds and is eating well. I'm hoping it won't be too long for him, but his stool is quite soft at this point so we need to fix that too. He's been sneezing a bit and I am hoping that nothing major breaks on that front, but if it does, we'll fix that too.



and for anyone who needs a refresher as to what Skippy looked like when he showed up..