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do you ever trim the kitten’s claws, and if so, at what age do you start?
I do, and I usually start around 5 weeks or so. I try to remember to handle their paws as often as possible leading up to that point, so they’re used to having their paws handled.
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Where did you get the scratcher post/bed that Sebastian is in?
I got that at Kohl’s (I had some “Kohl’s Cash” to burn, plus a 30% coupon, so I went on their web site and searched on “cat” to see what came up.) I don’t see it on the Kohl’s site any more, but this is it on Amazon. I got it specifically to put in front of that window in the dining room so that Alice could sit there and look out the window. She used it a few times, but hasn’t been near it in months, because OF COURSE. (But at least the kittens enjoy it!)
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It’s a Margarita pie! (My favorite!)
Ham-mick as bunk bed.
Snuggled up for a nap.
And hanging out on one of their favorite cat trees. (They have many favorite spaces, as you may have guessed.)
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Owen cleans his paw.
I was sitting with all three kittens in my lap, and I could see Lilia doing the math. “Babies go in the lap. Lilia is a baby. So Lilia belongs in the lap!” and in she climbed.
Nolan did not appreciate his mama lying down directly on top of him. “She’s heavy!”
Lilia is a very blep-y girl.
I think Patsy is on the fast train to Naptown.
But first, a visit from the milk bar.
The milk bar could use a nap too, I think.
I put out the small litter boxes – with nonclumping litter in them – yesterday afternoon. By bed time all three kittens had crawled into the boxes, but none of them actually peed. I suspect that’ll happen at some point today – they’ve perfected the eating-litter part of the journey*, the peeing-in-the-litter-box part always comes shortly after.
*I refer to it as “eating litter,” but what actually happens is that they stuff pieces of litter into their cheeks like they’re hamsters, and then they p’tui the litter all over the place. I don’t think they actually consume any of it, aside from a piece here or there – but that’s why we use non-clumping litter at this stage of the game, just in case.
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In lieu of a permanent resident picture, check out these shots from my garden.
Cosmos. So so pretty.
I love the color of these sunflowers.
Silver-spotted skipper butterfly on a Zinnia bloom.
Zinnias are so pretty.
Guess what?
Bee butt! (On a Zinnia.)
I’d show you pictures of my tomato plants, but the heat has really done a number on them and they look pretty rough. I believe I’m going to pull them up and plant flowers. It’s probably late in the season to plant more flowers from seed, but then again we’ve got a good, solid 2 – 3 months before we get anything approaching cool weather, so let’s see what happens!
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Posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr/ Bluesky) yesterday.
Margarita has claimed the top of the tall cat tree, and is QUITE pleased with herself!
🎉 Former foster Maggie (2011) was our second pregnant cat, and not only did she care for her own six (!) kittens, she took on the care of three additional orphaned kittens once her own kittens were weaned. And here she is now!
Alex says: Just here with an update on Maggie. Basically, everything continues to be great. Maggie continues to be our amazing old lady cat. Our last trip to vet revealed that Maggie is healthy and in great shape. Her two 3-year old roommates, brothers Maple and Pack, give her her space though occasionally there can be small scuffles involving Maggie.
As I sit at my desk most days, Maggie is with me, often right in my lap or on the couch behind me. If I am ever in the living room and prop my legs up, she, again, finds her way onto my legs. Even at night, she often starts the night on my stomach, though she only stays for a little while.
She of course can still be naughty; we recently made homemade pizza, and while we were in the living room watching a movie, I suddenly realized Maggie wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Sure enough, she was on the counter enjoying some pepperoni, sausage and cheese.
For all the years of her loyalty and sneakiness, I love her dearly, and I am so grateful she is part of our family. And in return, she shows mostly apathy to me and the family, but every once in a while, I sense some genuine affection coming my way.
So yes, she continues to be well and loved. She is my favorite old lady cat.
Some of the attached pictures demonstrate why my wife has started to call Maggie a little Gargoyle; she just sits and stares, motionless like stone.
What a wonderful update! (Thanks, Alex!)
Throw Back Thursday: 7 (!!!!) years ago we had a cobbled-together litter of kittens we named after towns of Maine and called (amazingly enough) the Mainers. They were my first experience with ringworm, and I overreacted and bathed all 9 of them every other day for what felt like 6 years. Since July in Alabama is known for being pleasantly dry and cool (NOT), it was a delight. One thing I got out of that experience was learning how to bathe a large number of kittens in the shortest amount of time possible, and the other was this truly delightful picture of the kitten we named Kennebunk and nearly immediately nicknamed Moop because if that face isn’t the Moopiest face ever, I don’t know what is.
Lilia’s all “I was playing with my favorite red mousie, and these three came over and piled on me. Isn’t it time for them to head off to college?”
YouTube link
Owen, Nolan and Patsy are roaming around the crate, while mama Lilia shows off her crazy eyes and then has a quick case of the zoomies. (The kittens are mostly out of the crate at this point, but still like to go in and hang out in there from time to time.)
Sebastian “discovered” this tiny cat hut (which has been sitting there for a couple of weeks), and it’s just perfectly sized for him.
🎉 Former foster Tina – remember her? Sure you do, it’s only been 6 months since she went home! Well, here she is – and she is doing great. Jennifer says: Tina is the SWEETEST girl 🥹, and she has brought so much joy to my world! While not a lingering lap kitty (yet!), she likes to climb up to my chest for pets and makes biscuits. She and I have many back-and-forth chats, and we enjoy evenings in the sunroom during the “cool” part of the day. Sometimes I’m tempted to chide myself for driving such a distance for a pet, but there’s no doubt in my heart that Tina and I were meant to be together.
I absolutely agree that Jennifer and Tina were meant for each other – look at that happy face! ❤️ (Thanks, Jennifer!)
Good night innernets. (Owen (back left), Nolan (back right), and Patsy serving as pillow.)
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Previously
2024: Natalie has been introduced to Churu, and she is a fan.
2023: No entry.
2022: Marsali wonders if it’s nap time. (ALWAYS.)
2021: No entry.
2020: No entry.
2019: Uncle Archie has left the room, but the floof suits remain.
2018: Maxi
2017: “What big teef you have, Mama!”
2016: She’s kind of like a lab puppy in a kitten suit.
2015: No entry.
2014: “Come back here, Mister! I didn’t get a chance to bite you!”
2013: As her eating skills have improved, Arya’s after-eating food beard has been reduced to more of a food goatee.
2012: “WHERE OUR SNACKIN’, LADY?”
2011: Want your own “I love cats, it’s people who annoy me” gear?
2010: No entry.
2009: No entry.
2008: “Yeah, I know. He KEEPS showing it to me. He thinks I WANT to see it. This is what I live with, day in and day out.”
2007: No entry.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.