Kittens

[manonthemoon2]

@Exile Good to see your kitties are doing well it must be so rewarding to see them thrive in your care.

My boys are getting on well, Sherlock at 6 months weighs 5.3 k. Sykes just over 3, he was born in July. I have to brush them everyday, and Sykes especially. His long main fur gets tangled.

Some photos

[exile]

aaaah bless you for taking them in. I'm sure they'll reward you with the odd gift as does ours

Thank you for that Sparkle. The problem is that we are now known as the crazy English who look after cats and if a stray cat is found, they are either brought to us directly (witness Charlie) or are encouraged in our direction. There is always shelter available and food and water for often 18 hours a day, so many - like lightning - just arrive and provided there is no major conflict with those already here will just settle in.

With this year's arrivals we are now at 23. We are loathe to turn any animal in need away but we are now having to think about the future and the fact that there is no plan B for when we are no longer around or able to look after them. We are likely to be in our late 80s when the latest arrivals die.

[Quiksilver]

That's why we've stopped at our current three, much as I'd love to rescue kittens Thinking ahead, I couldn't bear for them to be abandoned or PTS when we're too old or ga-ga to care for them.
A near neighbour had 25 at the last count, but not all are sterilised, which really is creating more of a problem than it solves.

[exile]

I have to agree there, none of ours are sterilised or chipped when they arrive (otherwise we could give them back) . So once we are satisfied that no one locally will admit to having a cat missing that is the first job. Sadly we have been caught out in the interim and some have become pregnant either before they arrived or in the period while we try and find an owner.

[Sparkle]

@exile 23 oh my word. We have neighbours (english) who continually want us to take in strays that they take in but we've had to be bone headed cos we have had a health problem with our cat that went on for well over a year and has only just healed up (and which is why I changed my avatar from our cat wearing her collar as she is no longer having to wear one ) and so it was impossible to take on any more apart from which our cat in no way would have another in the house or garden!

[Quiksilver]

I have to agree there, none of ours are sterilised or chipped when they arrive (otherwise we could give them back) . So once we are satisfied that no one locally will admit to having a cat missing that is the first job. Sadly we have been caught out in the interim and some have become pregnant either before they arrived or in the period while we try and find an owner.

It's easily done One of my English cats nearly caught us out by playing the randy adolescent at 5 months old. The older male had just about worked out what to do about it when she was whisked off to the vet
Which leads to a burning question. Were the English cats able to communicate with French cats when they came over here? Do they miaouw, growl and purr in different accents? Are my current three bilingual? Answers on a postcard.....

[manonthemoon2]

Kitty overload

Red is Sykes, blue is Sherlock..... my babies

[exile]

A beautiful pair of boys. In many ways I am envious but realistically I could not take them.

Do keep the pictures coming please

[manonthemoon2]

A beautiful pair of boys. In many ways I am envious but realistically I could not take them.

Do keep the pictures coming please

I've had cats all my adult life, and in childhood too with my parents.

These 2 will be my last cats, in this life at least. I adore them.

Still no further forward as far as the dogs go. Hopefully soon after Christmas.

How are your newbies Exile?

[exile]

Charlie continues to follow my OH wherever she goes. Lightning is such a friendly and loving soul wanting to be cuddled and rubbing up against us but Sophie remains cautious. She does not crave human touch and while she will ask for food she sets herself firmly on the other side of the dish when she is given it. We have not yet cracked what the problem is since we can walk within 20cm of her and she will not flinch but if we stop as if to try and touch her she becomes very defensive and backs away. Maybe we can change that with time. Maybe she will always be defensive like that. Time will tell.

Charlie has been vaccinated but the other 2 are due their first jabs on Friday. That may prove interesting!