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If you are interested in one of these kittens or other cats and dogs please go to http://www.homewardtrails.org/ and complete the application process. Once your application is approved and you have met your future buddy you will be required to have a home visit. All adopted pets must be spayed or neutered by the age of 6 months and we have a strict NO DECLAW policy. Kittens must be adopted in pairs.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

We've moved!


The Super Litter met a milestone Wednesday night...they moved! The plastic storage container that served as their nest box was getting too small. Both mamas could not comfortably stretch out while nursing, and the two weekers were begining to need some room to toddle. Luckily, ToysRUs has its summer wading pools in stock, I bought one and set it in the kitten room, expecting that it would take a day or so for mamas to decide it was OK to make the move. Not so, they leaped into the wading pool and stretched out together. So I put the babies in with them. They seem happy with the arrangement, no one feels the need to move babies around and the big kids get to explore on tentative little legs.


Kitten development very closely parallels human baby development. As the older litter's eyes (and ear canals) are opening I have been testing their sight and hearing. I hold the kitten close to my face and make eye contact. Once I am sure the kitten is focused on me I move to the left or right continually talking and coaxing the baby. Sure enough the kitten will turn its head to follow my voice and to meet my gaze.


Up until now, locomotion has been a swimming type of crawl towards the warmth and smell of mamas body and her full nipples. The kittens then go through a period of exercising their limbs before actually testing them out by crawling, toddling and finally walking. They will lie face up, on their back and wave fore paws in the air, kick their hind legs and invite their human mom to tickle their full and satitisfied bellies. Irresistable! The crawling is pitiful. Their first attempts are accompanied by much wobbling, tentative starts and then an awkward plop followed by a pitiful cry! Of all our first litter, little Annie is the best, she is even investigating the high sides of the new nest. She will be the first to escape for sure.

5 comments:

  1. That's a total stitch!! Plenty of room for the superbrood! Glad the mommas are happy!

    Learning to walk is so sweet/sad. They are sooooo intent and serious!! It's amazing how quickly they gain their feet, though!

    Ohhh... video please, if you can! Tiny kittens following movement and sound is just the cutest thing! And belly tickles are always good vid fodder!!

    Soon you'll be needing to watch for escapees, though! Blankets around the outside to cushion the fall from any successful attempts, perhaps? Or are you planning to move them again before then?

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  2. As soon as they start to need access to their litter box I will give them free range within the "kitten room." At that point I will lose the wading pool and set out alternative bedding sites. For now this helps prevent any hopelessly lost kittens. I got a baby gate to help contain them...but right now they could just walk through the slats. I promise to try for toddling and belly rubs video.

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  3. That was such a great idea to get the kiddie (kitty?) pool! It is the perfect spot for them right now - and yes, I vote for some video too if you can get some - kittes are always so amazing to watch learing to walk!

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  4. Oh, they'll like having the roam of the room later. Got to say, the pool was a totally inspired idea for this stage ittybittyhood.

    Can't wait to see the videos (but no pressure... taking care of a brood this big is challenge enough!).

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  5. A supernest! I love it. Perfect timing, Toys R Us.

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