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Kittens and kids. They grow up so fast, don't they? Here we were just two weeks ago and Poppy was too small to even crawl around, let alone do big, grown up kitty things like use the litter pan!

With the kittens at 3 1/2 weeks old, I thought I'd better make up a tiny litter pan, so Mama wouldn't have to keep, ewww, licking them clean. I used the cardboard tray from a case of cat food because it has low sides and is small. I covered the bottom of the tray with aluminum foil to keep the moisture from softening the cardboard and made sure it was taped down to prevent the kittens from chewing on it. After that, I sprinkled some clay (You know never to use clumping litter around kittens, right? You KNOW they eat it and get can blocked up from it, right???!) litter inside the pan and voila, a fancy kitten-sized litter pan is born.

Poppy was squirming around last night and I found her IN the pooper scooper. The smell must have stimulated her because she looked like she might need to go to the bathroom. I rushed over, grabbed her and placed her into the litter pan. Within a flash, she was dropping a looping poop! Yes, I took a photo of her pooping because it was her first time and I am proud of her! Also, it seems to be the only proof that she used the pan because in another flash, her Mother nudged her out of the way and ATE the poop right up!

What the...???!!! No, I'm not upset because Mama was snacking between meals!

In my scant few years fostering kittens I have never known of this happening! I've heard of dogs using litter pans as appetizer trays, but not this! Of course I immediately flashed back into my half-assed memory to see if I could find one that included Mama-cat licking me! You know, those cute little licks we occasionally get from our dear cats?

Nope. No licking. Good. This is good. I still think I'm going to throw up. Of course, even though I'd just fed Mama, I got up and opened up another can of food for her. I figured if she ate shit and she can't run out and brush her teeth, maybe she'd want more nasty smelling canned food to cover the taste of turd?

Go figure. Cats ARE weird.

WTF?!!!!!

Poppy (left) and Daisy (right) sit on their stuffed tabby cat faux-mom while their real mom is lapping up lunch in quick mouthfuls. Shot with my handy-dandy iPhone 3G, which I LOVE, but not in a sick, perverse way.

Oh, and the kittens are 24 days old today!

A year and a half ago, I trapped, neutered and released three feral cats. Their full story is in Chapter 6 (see post below).

I'm sad to say that it's been 3 months since I last saw one of the ferals: Madison. I thought she, of all of the ferals, had the best chance to become socialized. Perhaps it was her good nature that helped her find a true home with one of my neighbors, but I find it unlikely. I think Madison died—possibly killed by a wild animal or a car strike. She was only two years old.

She was a sweet cat. I could tell from the first day. Even though she was feral, she liked to play with toys and the fact that she would allow me to pet her was a gift of her trust. I saw her every day for more than a year. When she stopped coming by I didn't worry right away since the weather was warm and she could hunt for food, if needed. I never stopped putting out food, even though many times I found it uneaten. I began to worry that not only did Madison die, but her Mother, Bronte and our rascally neighborhood stud (well, not a stud any more!) Buddy, too. They just disappeared.

After the first month absence, I began to see Bronte and Buddy once in awhile. I saw a new cat, too, a mangy red male with an ear deformed from fighting. Did he scare Madison off? But then even he was only seen for a week or so, then vanished, too. All that was left was Bronte and Buddy.

I call Madison's name every morning when I put out the food, hoping she'll return to me, but every afternoon when I check it, I often find the bowl untouched. It breaks my heart, but I knew that this was the best I could do for them. This was what I could offer because I don't have the facility to foster cats for long periods, when I could be helping 50 or more kittens in the same span of time.

They never deserved to live like this in the first place. All we rescuers seem to do is try to make up for the cruel acts of other people. Some times we have success and other times, it's like today-our hearts sink and our knees feel weak, imagining what has come to pass. It's tough to keep facing this ugliness, but we must, for their sake, and for the hope that one day, we won't have to do this any more. That all cats will have good, loving, responsible owners and that all of us that do rescue can focus on other things to help this world be a better place.

Poppy (left) and Sweet William (right)

Just 9 days old. Eyes still closed. Little Poppy lets me grab a photo before placing her back into her Mother's watchful care.

Spotlight, is a 10 year old, FIV positive kitty. His owner, Kristen, is having a lot of trouble helping Spotlight to overcome high fevers and potential pancreatitis flare ups. Spotlight is in the hospital as I write this.

I'd be very glad to know you're all sending him your best wishes for his speedy recovery.

Kristen needs some love, too, so let's post some comments to cheer her up!

Spotlight, please get better! We're all rooting for you!

Update: 8.10.08: Spotlight came home tonight and is doing somewhat better. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for this sweet boy! More updates, as they come in.

Meet Rose and her little babies. Born 8.1.08. One boy and one girl.

Any suggestions on names???

taken with my iPhone

It's been four months. The height of Kitten Season came and went without me helping even one kitten find a new home. It was important for me to look after Bob and to make sure to reduce any risks to his health, until he was, at least, stable.

Bob's been doing fairly well. He still vomits, but it's rare and I've only had to medicate him once in two months and NO Vet visits in all that time! Thank goodness. Bob's coat, appetite and demeanor have improved. He seems youthful, in some ways. I actually got him to RUN after a toy just yesterday!

Bob's also integrated himself in with my cats in ways I could not have hoped for. I keep finding him snuggled up with Nora or her brother, Nicky. I think Bob would sleep with all of the cats if they'd only allow it!

In a week, it will be two years since my Mother died and Bob came to live here. I was going to find a good home for him, as the idea of having seven cats was not something I wanted to entertain. Now, I can't imagine him being anywhere else. He is a charming cat with a bubbly personality. He has the goofiest purr and his motor runs most of the time!

This morning I have to prepare the foster room for new arrivals! At 2pm a young tuxedo Mom-cat and her two newborn kittens will be joining us. The kittens were born last Friday, August 1, 2008. They'll need names, so I'll post photos of them and we can have a little contest. It'll be good to have new life here and good timing for it to happen. They will keep my blues at bay. This is a difficult time of year for me and fostering kittens is like opening the blinds to let the sunshine fill the room.

More soon!

I woke up this morning, early. I have a client meeting to get ready for. I showered, dressed, slapped on maked-up, then made my way downstairs to prepare the morning meal for my cats.

I grabbed a few cans of cat food and blended them together, then microwaved the mush to add a nice, appetizing aroma to their breakfast. I divided up the bowl of food onto smaller plates, then began serving them. I feed the cats in order and they each have their own place to eat. This keeps everyone calm and avoids fights. As long as I'm consistent, they follow suit.

I begin with Spencer and Bob because they'll trip me if I don't feed them first. Nicky gives me a froggy-meow as I place the food before him and his baby-seal-like 22 lb sister, Nora. Just another morning in the woods. Just another day. No big deal.

The next two to be fed are Gracie and her daughter, Petunia. I began to place their food down when I noticed something wrong. Before I could utter a scream, I realized there was a dead field mouse next to Gracie's plate. Resigned to the fact that my cats are going to do this from time to time, I simply put Gracie's food down, fed the remaining cat, Cricket, then picked up my camera. How Gracie can be so blase about eating breakfast next to a dead mouse is beyond my understanding. I felt badly for the poor mouse, laying there so still, as though he was a discarded leftover, to be ignored and unimportant forever more.

The little mouse is now in the lap of my Buddha garden statue, out in the front yard where his remains may benefit other beings who need him to live. Meanwhile, Gracie is going to get de-wormed!