How did two tiny orphaned kittens, not much more than two weeks old, born under our mobile home, know to go towards a tiny bit of light they saw seeping through a vent? So do kitties have angels? I think they do.
Tuesday, June 21- Well, we made it through the first day of "kitten freedom" without incident. It is amazing how fast those little guys have developed in 72 hours that they have been here. They are running around with the big kitties now, and Black Beauty even tries to eat the hard cat food. But of course, I still put their mixture down.
Still no mother Siamese. I fear something has happened to her. I know that Racoons kill or maim cats, and I have seen a racoon at the strays' food dish. I chase him away, but he comes back. Even if the mama cat came back now, she would not recognize, nor have milk for her babies…The markings on the little white kitten aren't perfect for a Siamese; in fact, maybe that thief Racoon is his father (just joking, of course). How did this little kitten end up having a striped tail and a bit of a Racoon look to his face? Quite funny!
The kittens are not the least bit afraid of any of the cats. They interact with us and the big kitties. Rocky enjoys tussling them around. Scooter plays with them, and last night we saw E~Z trying to play with them. Grandma Keeper still hates them. We pick them up and hold them while we are watching TV in the evening, and if they come around my feet while I am at the computer, I pick them up and cuddle them. They still have the need for sucking. Last evening Black B came up and was sucking on my blouse, and then he fell asleep on my arm. He stayed there until I moved. They each have their own favourite places to sleep. For about two and a half weeks old, they are progressing very well.
Wednesday, June 22 - This morning I got a phone call from a neighbour, Dianne, who had heard of the rescue. She asked me if she could have the Siamese-looking kitten. She said she had a mother cat with three, 3 week old kittens. Since Billy Boy is still not as strong or independent as Black B, we decided it would be okay. So I walked over with the little guy, and told Dianne that if it didn't work out I would take him back. Black kitty, BB for short, seems perfectly contented and hasn't missed his brother yet; but then, he has lots of company—people, dogs, and kitties..Later – BB slept cuddled up to me most of the evening. He wanders the whole house now, but always knows where to find us.
Thursday, June 23 - I talked today to Dianne to see how she made out with the kitten yesterday. She said it was as if he had been born to that mother. Right away she started to wash him all over, and he started suckling her. I am so glad that he fit in. It is a relief to have just the one kitten to look after. It was very exhausting to be chasing after two, to see that they ate properly, went to the right place for "litter boxing," and didn't get stuck in dangerous places ...Today I got a couple of cans of kitten food, but I am still giving a mixture of cat milk and diluted canned milk. Since BB insisted from the start on using the big cat's clumping litter, I gave the Swheat kitty litter to Dianne for her kittens.
Friday, June 24 -Something very cute and noteworthy: I had just filled the water dish with fresh water. Scooter and BB were sitting looking at it. Scooter looked over at this tiny kitten, and as if trying to get him to pay attention, reached out and put his paw on top of the water, then licked off his paw. I had never seen him do that before. Next he looked over at the kitten, as if trying to say, "See, this is how you do it. This is water. It is to drink. Just reach in and take a sip. You will like it." BB stretched his neck and put his mouth on the water. He shook his head, then tried again. Suddenly, as if he had just caught on to what Scooter was trying to tell him, he lapped at the water. From then on he knew what that big bowl was for. I have never seen Scooter reach into the water dish with his paw since. He was teaching his little brother (nephew) how to use a water bowl.
Saturday June 27th to Sunday July 3rd - It is amazing how BB has grown. He has lost his baby-blue eyes, replacing them with grey. He ignores the special food and partakes in the food of the big kitties, including the hard stuff. He, from the start, has been using the big kitties' litter box. He runs up and down the hall, climbs on and off the bed. He puts the run on all the cats, and torments Rocky. He entertains company, his favourite game being untying shoelaces and climbing into purses. He has joined E~Z and Rocky as official "company greeters." He is the delight of the household.
As for the mother, there is still no trace of her. I climbed under the house to see if I could see any dead (or more living) kitties, but there was absolutely no trace of mama kitty.
Friday, July 8th - A slight setback in the development of BB. A couple of days ago I noticed that he was losing weight. Last night he threw up, refusing food. I am very concerned for him. So if kitties have angels, I do hope his angel will help him get over this little set back, for if I were to guess, I would say he is not going to make it. I am so sad, as I have done all I know to care for him. Despite the rain, this morning Rocky and I walked to the Vet's to see if we could get some advice and medicine. The receptionist was very helpful and sold me some worming liquid, suggesting that most kittens have worms and should be dewormed. (I did not have this problem with either E~Z or Scooter.) I filled her in on the history. She said that kittens, especially when born in the wild, get worms from their mother's milk. She explained the dosage of medicine to give, and sold me some powdered milk supplement and a can of kitten food. With a dropper I forced some medicine down BB. So far I have not been able to get much of anything else down BB, but will keep trying. At least he and all the other kitties got a dose of worming medicine.
Saturday, July 9th - My heart is so heavy. I don't see much chance in BB's survival. He just won't eat. I force feed him, but he fights every drop. So if kitties have angels, I do hope BB's angel will be here for him.
Please go to: Part III – Do Kitties Have Angels?
See also:
Part I – Do Kitties Have Angels?