While Beth Is Away...

On The Look-out And Ready To Cause Trouble

Fridays at the office are usually just me, my boss and Sunny the dog as my office mate Beth is off. I figured I would bring in the kittens to keep Sunny and myself busy and to give them some change of scenery as I have not brought them into the office for a while. When I got to work I was expecting the usual entry toll of "rub my belly" from Sunny but today she spent it at home with her humans. Looked like it was just me and the kittens today.

First I kitten proofed the office, though they still managed to unplug the computer by running around like little lunatics. Then I took a rather large print and put it across the doorway so they could run free and I can still have the door open. I opened the carrier and off they bolted doing 100mph around the office as if it were a racetrack. They pretty much kept themselves occupied most of the day, running, exploring and knocking things over. They also had a grand time in the empty garbage cans, with Beth's blanket and in one of our shipping boxes.

Beth's Blanket

Shipping

The great thing about kittens is that they tire out pretty easily and it didn't take long for them to fall asleep on my lap. I had to then transfer them over to a chair so I could move around and they spent the rest of the day snoozing. Hopefully they can come visit work again soon.

Out Like A Light

Rough Day At Work

I am glad they are around as I had just lost my Luna two weeks ago. I have decided to keep the little guys and hope that the next time they are tested they test negative for FELv. Either way they have moved in and unpacked their mousey and I am happily their human now

This is the sweety that has been living with me for a while until it was time to head to Rikki's Refuge in Virginia. This is Rose the day she left. I can honestly say it was a little bittersweet as she has come such a long way but I know in my heart the Rikki's is the best place for her.

I want to thank many of you, Julia, for finding this place for her (and a ton of other reasons), Karen for taking the drive from NJ to VA. during a holiday weekend and for making a generous donation, Kerry, who pulled strings to get Rose into Rikki's, Gina who made a very generous donation and all of the others that have given donations to help me get Rose into her new home, each one of you are appreciated from the bottom of my heart. It never ceases to amaze me, the kindness of people, most of whom are strangers to me and only know me through Facebook. I hope that I can one day return the favor for all of you.

I am hoping to get some photos of Rose in her new place and when I do I will share them with everyone. I also have a little video of her kittens, Gallifrey and Elliot at play but first I have to figure out how to get them on the computer.

Until then, have a wonderful 4th Of July, enjoy the fireworks!


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We're Getting Big And Strong

Here are my little guys getting big and strong. They are a constant source of laughter with their little kitten play. We had some kitten pouncing lessons yesterday with a few feathers on the end of a stick. Gallifrey would jump up in the air to catch it and fall on his belly, feathers in paw. He got so carried away that he began to growl over his prey and tried to steal the sick out of my hand so he could disembowel it in the corner.

Elliot is getting bigger too and all his hair is growing back. He is becoming a handsome little boy. They both get tested for FELV and other things soon. I am hoping beyond everything that they passed the virus out of their little bodies. They went though so much already in their short lives.

Mommy Rose has been taken to Rikki's Refuge where she can live a better life there under care. A BIG thank you to Karen for driving her down to Va. and also to thank Julia for the help too, oh and also all the people that donated money, both Rose and I thank you for that. Donations are still being accepted for this wonderful place and if you have even as little as $5 it is appreciated.




So that is my little update for now. I will keep you filled in if anything else happens


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Rose Has Found A Home

Mom cat Rose has found a home at Rikki's Refuge in Virginia and I am so happy because she deserves a better life than that on the streets or in a cage.

Donations are needed so if you can spare even a few dollars it would so be appreciated.

the paypal address is

mail@RikkisRefuge.org

SUBJECT: Rose/Nikki Cutro/FELV cat fund

if you make a donation please email me so I can keep track of them and make sure the money you donate is put toward her. We have almost $100 and need more...even $5 will help

my email is:
Nikki@13BlackCatsDesigns.com

Thanks from those that can't speak themselves


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Velociraptor Kitten

Yes, Velociraptor Kitten. I had accidentally brought one food bowl with me yesterday and the little ones had to share, well that didn't go according to plan.

Elliot is usually mild mannered and easy going. When I put the food bowl filled to the brim with food in the cage with Elliot and his brother Elliot immediately wrapped his paws around it and began to growl and hiss followed by a few swats. I have never seen him do such a thing let alone any cat really do this to such an extent. They never want for food.

I didn't want them to be fighting and found a paper plate to split up the food so both Gallifrey and Elliot can have their own lunch and that is when it happened...

Velociraptor Kitty came out of nowhere when I went to get the food and clamped down on my finger so hard that I had to pry his little fangs off of me. He wasn't budging and although he did not break skin with his little teeth it sure does hurt. Had I lifted my hand he would have gladly hung on. Now I can laugh because here is this little peanut of a thing acting ferocious. I say I laughed, he however was dead serious. The other funny thing is that he really didn't even eat much.

So the lesson here is ALWAYS remember both bowls, your fingers might count on it


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Looking Good...Well Looking Much Better

Here are my little guys, hair growing back on their heads and toes. They are now double their size and growing by the minute. Poor little things look like the ads for male hair transplants. You can't really tell but there are tiny little whisps of hair growing back out of that wrinkly little bald spot.

They still come to work with me and Sunny is starting to be a bit more comfortable with them. She must still check them out often and jumps when they make a sudden move. The kittens however could care less that she is there and they continue playing, sleeping and eating just as little kittens should.

On a different note we may have a place for mom cat Rose to go to. I will fill you in when it is finalized. This will be great for her and I think she will be very happy there...fingers crossed :)


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And Still Going

Well, I know I promised a picture but there is a kink in that plan apparently, both kittens have licked the fur off each others face and front paws. Yes I know what that could mean but only after a minor panic attack when a dear friend asked me if I had a blacklight and if I did does their skin look green. Now she didn't say why so I hit the search engines trying to find why a kitten's skin would turn green and hair fall out. I found the answer and great, now I am itchy. I swear kittens are made cute for a reason.

Thankfully it is common but care needs to be taken just in case. I shall keep watch as usual and inform my poor friend Julia of any imperfection. (I swear she must either laugh or cringe everytime she sees my name pop up in a text or email) She has the patience of a Saint and if she hasn't killed me yet chances are she won't. Well at least I am entertaining.

Today I brought them to work again to watch them and make sure they are eating. Gallifrey was kind enough to, um, well let us just say share what he ate out of his back end, for something so little he really knows how to clear a room. Even poor Sunny the dog was offended. Thankfully I have a boss and office mate that are good natured. Upon walking by the office he stopped and stuck his head in and said "What the hell is that smell?" then when told he said "That smell came out of that?" then shook his head laughing and walked away.

I feel like when your child pulls that one can out of an elaborate display in the front of a supermarket and everything crashes to the ground. The whole store stares at you, yes, that is what it feels like. I think I shall hide under my desk tomorrow and I really must think of a way to pay them back, perhaps cookies will do.

I can not wait for the day I can look back on this and laugh or the kittens hit the more managable (and less stressful) 6 months age. Until then I will enjoy their dear little bald faces and cute kitten bellies.

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Three Day Mark

Well three days have passed and I am happy to report the two remaining kittens are still here with me.

Gallifrey, the all orange kitten has nearly doubled in size and has his kitten belly back, he has become very vocal and purrs at the slightest touch.

Elliot, the little orange and white kitten is still not where he should be but making improvements I hope. He is half the size of his brother and not as active but gladly sits with you and purrs if being petted. I am also keeping an eye on his eye as it sometimes has puss in it. He seems to be rather picky on how his food is delivered. I have to constantly move it around with a spoon and let him eat off it. A small bowl is not good enough and it takes forever for him to eat but hey, I am so grateful that he is eating anything at all. I will do what is needed.

I am lucky to have a job that allows me to take the little guys with me (much to the protest of the smelly kitten food) and as long as Sunny's humans do not pet the kittens (she becomes very distraught and jealous) everything goes well.

I will post some pictures of them soon. Right now they are kind of messy from eating and it is too late to really clean them up proper. A slightly damp cloth will have to do.

I guess that is it for now. Thank you everyone that sent well-wishes and ask about them. I hope each day I can deliver better news than the day before.


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To Small Little Victories

We shall take the little things as they come and today was a good day. When I came downstairs in the morning I will admit I was a bit concerned as I did not hear the little mews of my charges right away. I made a bit of a noise and two little heads popped up and the ruckus began, it was music to my ears. We made it through the night.

I packed their things and off we went to work where I could monitor them all day. I happen to work in a pretty cool place, the owner brings his dog Sunny everyday. She is a beautiful dog, albeit a chicken little. Now it is manditory to give a belly rub upon entering the office and since my hands were full I could not accomodate but I had her follow me into my office. I put the kittens down and they let out a mew that nearly scared the fur off this giant dog. She wasn't quite sure what to make of them and for the record stayed her distance the whole day.

I am glad to say that Gallifrey is a little piglet again and he has his little kitten belly back as well as his appetite. Elliot is eating and drinking but it takes a bit of encouragement. He is still too thin and not out of the woods just yet but I am keeping constant watch on him.

Right now they are in their crate purring away and ready for little kitten dreams and that makes me happy.

Sunny

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And Now There Are Only Two

I wish I could report some better news but another one was lost last night despite efforts to save him. He was given fluids and checked by a vet but there was little hope and he died peacefully.

Right now my focus is on the remaining two and thankfully I have a job where they can come with me and be watched, fed and hydrated all day long. Gallifrey is making quite a rebound, he has his appetite back and is drinking his liquids and taking his meds and vitamins. Elliot is still not out of the woods and I worry about him. It takes a lot more effort to get him to eat more than a few bites but he is drinking a bit more so that can be a good sign.

Mom cat is getting better with me. She does not lunge at me when I approach her cage. the hissing and growling are getting rare and her fear and trembling seems to have calmed down. Originally she was to be a spay and release but we found out she is FELV positive which is why we are loosing kittens. They fade very quickly and their little bodies can not handle a virus. Since Mom is FELV positive we can not just let her go out and infect more cats so I am working with her, patience on both ends in hopes she will have a home to go to someday.

This litter of kittens has to be one of the hardest things I had to do. I have lost pets before as I have had many over my lifetime but never ones so young. It is not easy to see or get over but I will focus on the two remaning and try my hardest to keep them healthy. Here I sit with an arsenal of vitamins, medicine, Karo syrup, pumpkin, pedialyte and some of the smelliest canned kitten food ever. I won't give up if they don't.

Goodbye little Boe



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And Sometimes They Are A Pile Of Poop

Copied from the 13 Black Cats Designs Blog on May 30, 2010

I know that there are a few people that have been following my kitten story and ask about them from time to time. I do not have good news for you today. It seems as if all the kittens have the FELV virus and this afternoon I had to put Cassandra to sleep (thank you Julia for being there with her when I could not) Two of the other kittens are not doing well and the third is not as healthy as he should be. I was told to expect the worst and I have though I am armed with and arsenal of Pedialyte, vitamins, pumpkin, a sock full of rice and a host of other things that could help. I won't give up as long as they do not (or are suffering)

I have great friends in Sara Inc and without them I don't know what I would do. I owe you all big time and I have ideas on how to pay it forward but in the meantime if anyone would like to make a donation (or even better adopt) then visit their site and open your home to what will become a part of the family

It is funny how something that has come into your life for such a minute amount of time can make such and emotional impact on you but these little guys did. I know I did all I could, I know that it would have been worse if they were out on the streets but I do feel helpless and sad because they are so little and young. It isn't easy but I would have done it again if I had to.

I am not sure who in the cosmic universe thought it was a good idea to give a clinically depressed animal lover a litter of sick kittens but when I meet the one responsible I am going to hurt him/her badly.

Goodbye little Cassy

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Sometimes Things Are Not So Rosy

Copied from the 13 Black Cats Designs Blog on May 29, 2010

Yesterday mom cat was dropped off to be spayed, tested, and ear tagged in the event that she could not be tamed (we are still working on that part) I returned later that day to pick her up and found that she is FELV positive and I am heartbroken. I also understand that there is a good chance some of her kittens may have it too and that I should prepare myself. What I did not prepare myself for is the quickness of loosing one of them. It happened this morning at 2 am, one of the little ones died in my arms, he was so little and so young.

I have had many, many pets and the loss of any of them does not get easier, this one is certainly no different. There are things that go through your head when something sudden like this happens, the "what if I only" are there, even if it is an irrational thought, but as a dear friend reminded me, at least he died in my arms and was very loved instead of being outside all alone. I just wish I could have done more, so goodbye little guy, you were here only a short time but you were such a pleasure to have around.

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Usquequaque Prosum

Copied from the 13 Black Cats Designs Blog on May 15, 2010

Usquequaque Prosum, I recently learned this phrase while working on a freelance job. Usquequaque Prosum means, if loosely, "Always Do Good"

Now anyone that knows me knows how much I love animals and there must be a cosmic sign over my home that only animals can read and it says I am a safe haven.

For about a week I have seen a beautiful orange and white tabby, rather young and very elusive and it wasn't until 2 days ago I understood why.

I had begun the task of yard work after not being able to get outside because of the weather or other engagements. Against my house was a bunch of tall weeds that have taken root in the spring. I have an old picnic table that houses my container garden up against the house and below it is a basement window-well...and well that is when I came across this:

Yup 5 of them all tucked away next to the window shielded from the elements by the well cover and safely under the table, perfect spot. I certainly do not need any more animals as I have 6 cats of my own but if I do not do something now these little guys will reproduce and become an even bigger problem so guess who has a litter of kittens for a while? Now of course I wouldn't let mom stay out there making more kittens so out came the Have-A-Heart trap and within an hour she too was caught.

Thankfully I have friends that volunteer for S.A.R.A. a wonderful rescue and they have been giving me guidance, lent me a cage for mom and a lot of other help. I never had baby kittens before as all my cats were young adults when they adopted me so this is certainly a learning experience and I am a nervous new mommy.

Since this is kitten season and they are so overwhelmed I will be taking care of these guys until they can be checked and fixed as well as their mom. Hopefully I can work with mom so she can be placed in a home. Right now she is feral and maybe with a little love and lots of patience I can turn her around...spaying might help too.

I have seemed to go off the subject of art which is the norm for this blog but animal welfare is very important to me and I wanted to share. Maybe it will inspire some of you to "Always Do Good" in whatever is close to your heart.


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