Group No. 10: Omlette and Strudel

Omlette and Strudel - cute names for two cute 3 month old kitties.  This was a challenge foster, not the normal foster assignment.  These guys desperately needed socialization.  They needed to learn how to be around people and the regular world.  These girls were part of a large litter that was relinquished to the Humane Society so it was not really clear what their life was like for the first three months.

Strudel was the first to come out of her shell, she really wanted to be hugged and loved, but she was very nervous about it.  After a week or so, she was a real love bug, but always with an initial quick scurry away, then she would come back for a pet or hug.  She actually fell in love first with our dog Roy.  She was always desperate to get to him and they went nose to nose several times.  Omlette was another story.  Although the same in the beginning, she never gave in to us.  In two weeks, I never got to pick her up or really see her as a house cat.  She played with her sister like a regular kitten, but once a human came near, she was out of there like a rocket.  I felt bad that she was always so nervous and she spent lots of time observing Strudel with people, but it just never appealed to her.  I know someone will love her and give her the home she needs, it just might take a while.

I was a bit shaken up when I had to give them back to the center.  They both were sick with sneezes and congestion.  They had stuffy noses!  When I took them to the vet, they kept them to give them proper treatment, but that also meant I never got to say goodbye.  I met the vet who was going to treat them, really, really nice guy.  I know they went into good hands, but maybe not such a happy new year for Omlette and Strudel! 

Group No. 9: Cinderella, Leroy & Madeline

This was truly and honestly the first time I did not want to give the kittens back.  These three kittens came to me at 5 weeks or so, and they did not return until they were almost 10 weeks!  I kept them a long time mainly because they got colds and were on medicine for a couple of weeks, then Cinderella had to take more because she did not recover as well as the others.  So as a precaution, they all stayed with me to get better.

My 98 year old grandmother passed away during this time as well, and these kittens were so cuddly and lovable, it was as if they were meant to be with me at this time.  They were not rowdy, or too rough, or too curious...they were just the best combination of love bugs.  

It has been a very hard time losing my Abui, someone who has experienced every big event in my life.  I have been fortunate in that I have not experienced a close family member passing before this time, and even though you know everyday is a blessing with someone in their late 90's it really doesn't help you miss them any less.

Now it's not that I was happy the kittens were sick, but it worked out great didn't it?  At a time when my family needed extra love, I actually got love bugs!

Group No. 8: Jim Bob, Mason & Raven

Group 8 came to us on August 11th, but this time they are not related.  Jim Bob was turned in to the shelter because no one wanted him, and Mason and Raven were both found in parking lots.  They were kinda wild animals when we first got them, but they really enjoy each others company and are having fun learning about people and living indoors!  

My first kitten emergency happened a couple of nights ago.  Raven got her head stuck in the hole in the back of our TV cabinet...you know, the one that is drilled out so you can run power cords through.  She was stuck good and after what seemed like forever (and talk of sawing her out), her head finally popped out!  

About 30 minutes later, her eye looked all swollen and watery.  In the end, it turned out that it was pink eye, and just a coincidence that we noticed this at the same time we were examining her head for trauma.  Believe me, seeing leaking fluids out of the eye is very scary after pulling a kitten's head out of a hole!  All the kittys are on eye medication and doing much, much better!

Group No. 7: Angel, Kiki & Sam

Group 7 is my first introduction to Torti kittens (3 colors in their coat), and they are supposed to bring you good luck.  If luck comes in crazy packages, then I've got lots of luck!  These 2 girls and 1 boy came to me at 2.5 months old, and over 3 lbs.  The only reason I have them at home is to wait in line for spay/neuter surgery.  The vets are backed up and so if the kitties can wait it out at home with someone, the better for them.  

These guys probably had no socialization before they came home with me, and were pretty scared of people and everything.  In just a short week, they are already used to a dog, a vacuum, TV noise, and small boys!  We've had many visitors to our house and they have enjoyed meeting new people.  

They are very different from the real babies we normally get, but different has been interesting.  They are curious and playful, but there bursts of craziness are short and they rest like adult cats, separate, and all stretched out.  

Too bad they are bold enough and strong enough to climb just about every surface in my house, including bookshelves, and curtains!  Who can be mad, they are just beautiful cats aren't they?

Group No. 6: Buddha and Betty

After less than a week of returning my last group, I have 2 new kittens, Buddha and Betty!  Love the names!  These kittens are very healthy and happy, also bottle fed since they were 2 weeks old.  Quiet compared to other groups, only small little meows at meal time.  

The strangest thing with these guys is that they like to "clean"!  They will lick any available human skin with their sandpaper tongues for as long as you let them, and it is a very weird feeling - unsettling after a while since it feels like they are taking skin off!  They especially like faces.  This is new to me!  They will make such an easy transition to new adoptive homes, they are just very easy, love to play, love people, and so cute!!

UPDATE:  Buddha got his 15 minutes of fame on TV!  He was a featured adoptable pet on one of the San Diego news stations.  He was not in a Buddha like mood though and was very wiggly but too cute!  I hope he found of home, I am sure he did!

Group No. 5: Dillon, Destiny & Dominique

Our fifth group of fosters are kittens (not bunnies), Dillon, Destiny and Dominique.  They were bottle raised by other foster parents so they have never known a cat mother.  They are incredibly loving toward humans, and will make such great pets for someone.  I had to give them baths since I don't think they are terribly good at bathing themselves.  They have been so much fun!  

Dillon had a poop problem for a while and I found brown tracks of paw prints on my carpet and couch, but that was the worst of it.  It's to be expected sometimes!  We got him fixed up with a little metamucil.  We all need a little extra fiber from time to time!

Group No. 4: Bunnies: Marshmallow and Cracker Jack

My fourth group of fosters are bunnies!  Marshmallow and Cracker Jack, two lion head baby bunnies that came to the Humane Society from a local shelter and were destined for the Pet-Assisted Therapy Program (which I also support with my dog Roy).  What I have learned is that cats and dogs can live together, but bunnies and dogs cannot.  I have not been comfortable with the look in my dog's eyes as he stares intensely at the bunnies.  They are prey, and in a convenient bite size (they are tiny).  

My biggest surprise was how fast they grow!  They seemed to change every few days.  They never made a noise, but ate constantly.  They even learned to use a box to pee in, although they still need some practice.  They are now true therapy animals and enjoying life on the road visiting retirement homes and youth facilities.  They will be adopted out after finishing up about 6-9 months of "work".