M.M.M.M Mayhem, Smudge and the Quintuplets

Alright. So my plans to update in a timely manner have gone pretty much out the window. I apologize to anyone that is itching for updates as I don't feel I get a lot of traffic here.

So, whats been happening?

Madeline ~ Remind me again why I had these?

Attempt at a group shot. They've grown again...

Marlowe, Mishka, Misty and Merlin are now bounding around, playing, wrestling and eating wet food and dry like little pro's - although it did take them quite a bit of convincing and really they've only clicked in the last few days that their mother isn't going to be on call whenever so they'd better suck it up and eat what's offered.

Misty deciding to eat wet food with mum

It didn't help that Madeline is dead set on covering any wet food I put down when she's done with it leaving it covered so the kittens cant/wont find it.

The other hassles is the whole toilet training. Never have I had a set of kittens that pretty much say 'no we want to pee on the carpet'. I have plenty of litter trays scattered around and just when I think of expanding their floor room they go find a corner and piddle or poop in it even to the point they're right beside a litter tray.  At six weeks old they really SHOULD know better by now.

Speaking of six weeks all four of the little M's went and had their first injections on Friday. Their mother had to be taken in with the crew the week before to get a vaccination she was due for so they're getting to know the whole travel out, wait, be handled, travel back home.

They are all adorable. The minute I step in the room its kittens on your feet or up your legs. There is no shoes allowed in the room as treading on them is high risk. Marlowe is still the climber of the bunch and quickly scales legs.

Mishka although often the heaviest has been the most reserved for awhile. The minute you pick her up she's vice grip on your hand. She's startled easily and is one of the culprits for peeing outside the litter box. Recently however the minute I'm kneeling or sitting down she wanders over and plonks herself down on me for some patting and a nap.

Mishka being shy and antisocial

Mishka ~ Hello?

Mishka growing into a pretty little girl

Mishka making herself comfortable

Mishka ~ I might catch myself some Zzzzz

Misty is cool as a cucumber. She doesn't mind being picked up, flipped onto her back and given belly kisses. She voluntarily wanders over and is still obsessed with my feet. Misty may grow into a cat that is very interested in stinky shoes or socks...it nearly has a catnip like effect on her already. Misty is quite happy to catch some snooze while in my arms or on my lap.

Can see time difference in pictures...

Misty looking a bit unsure in dad's hands

Little poser, such a cutie

What's that flashy thing? ~ Misty

I don't mind cuddles ~ Misty

Cuddles are hard work ZZZZzzz ~ Misty

Merlin, oh the woe is me little guy. He's a stout little dude still small but not far behind his sisters in weight. He still has much to say about how horrible his world is with three sisters and he too is quite the cuddle bug coming over and setting himself up for a nap. He also doesn't seem to mind belly kisses but is more open to those when he's sleepy.

Little Merlin, My brother thinks he's related to grumpy cat

Woe is Me ~ Merlin

Such bright stripes on this tiny tike

The perils of living with sisters Merlin getting a poke from Mishka

C'mon Merlin, say Cheese

Not the way he planned on exiting the dome bed...

Marlow is an outgoing, into everything little mischief maker. She reminds me a lot of previous foster kitten Squeak. She will climb anyone who dares enter the room's legs or attack their feet and if I sit down she will often wander over and perch on my knee. Marlowe was one of the first to figure out how to drink or eat from a bowl.

Marlowe perching on my leg (approached and hissed at camera)

Claiming a visiting relative's lap as hers.

I can be chill too? ~ Marlowe

Huh? What's up? ~ Marlowe

Cute little head tilt

The chances of this photo turning out like this and not blurry was pure fluke

Anyway continuing on we now find out who Smudge is.

On Friday when the kittens were getting their vaccinations the shelter manager asked if I'd take him on as he needed some litter mates to help him learn some cat behavior lessons. I agreed and he looked quite small so off we went.

Well...

This little dude is nearly one kilo. He's a small but heavy little brat who has no concept of cat language. I put Madeline away and unleashed him on the M's and he was all poke, poke, poke and bite, bite, bite even when they were telling him to back off.

Looks small but has quite a weight to him.

He kept going after them even when they'd had enough, even to the point that the M's were climbing ME in attempt to get away from him. Smudge is OK with people when he's caught but he's a bit nervous about approaching on his own or hands reaching for him.

Smudge not quite sure of me yet

Merlin telling Smudge off but Smudge going to pounce anyway

Battle with Misty

Needless to say I let Madeline out hoping she'd give him a whopping. Nope, she wanted to wash him.
He didnt want any part of it and was hissing and growling at her attempt to mother him.

He has to stay in his own cage because I cant be that mean to the other M's and have him with them all the time when they often cant beat him off. Misty did give him a run for his money this morning but he backs poor Merlin into a corner and bashes the poor tiny ginger to kingdom come if I let him.

Madeline did give him a few half hearted bites this morning also but to me it seemed more of a 'keep still I'm trying to wash you' than any form of actual discipline.

Hopefully he'll be heading back soon as he really needs bigger cats to knock him about to teach him some manners. He outweighs my four M's by nearly 300 grams so no wonder they cant push him back.

And the Quintuplets. Another reason why I'm hoping Smudge returns.

As yet not named. Still trying to tell them apart

I got a call only today that five four week old kittens were brought in. I of course agreed to take them knowing Madeline had shown mothering instincts to Smudge so hopefully she might adopt the new little ones as well.

I went out and saw the five. Five tiny tabbies. Active and behaving like they're four weeks old but appear to be miniature chipmunks as they're so tiny and underweight. Only one of them breaks the 300 grams the rest are around 280 or 290.

I had to take them with me out to a friends place as we were painting and cleaning it. So I syringe fed them and let them sleep while I was doing my work. The friend's kelpie Meg (probably mentioned previously in the story with Muffin) was absolutely beside herself when she heard the kittens crying and even when they were sleeping she'd just sit on the floor staring up at the dining room table where the cage was and she'd whimper. She has exceptionally strong mothering instincts that dog and she has an adorable nature.

Every time I pulled a kitten out to offer food she'd pop up to sniff it and whine at it and watch intently. Unfortunately they were too little to let run on the floor but I'm sure if she could Meg would have nursed and babied them all.

Bringing them home I put the four M's in the big cage and rubbed the towel they'd slept on over each of the five Quintuplets before putting them on the bed. Madeline trilled to them and began washing them and eventually let them all nurse for quite some time. I shifted the five into the big cage and put the four M's back on the floor to run (and let Smudge out for a bit) and put Madeline in with the new five.

She let them nurse for a little again but when she went to the litter tray one of the tiny pipsqueaks followed her and wouldn't leave her alone. She growled at it so I let her back out with her older kittens and gave the Quin's some warmed up wet mixture with kitten formula (they are OK at eating but get it everywhere. They too dont understand litter trays and have been piddling all over the newspaper.)

Alas I shall try the mother in with them for an hour or so (supervised) then let her out again. Tonight they'll have a hot water bottle over half of their bed so hopefully they'll be warm enough. Time will tell if they're strong enough to all bounce back from this malnutrition.

Until Next time....

Pocket sized kitten in shape of a heart...

The MMMM's Are On The Move...

Since the last post it's been pretty boring.

I weigh the kittens in the morning - all have usually gained upwards of 10 grams (A few instances they've gained a little over 20)

Kittens in their usual huddle

I feed Madeline and generally tidy up whatever mess she's made.

Repeat

However in the last few days there has been much more activity as the little M's are finding their feet. Due to lack of strength they often stand there trying to lift their heavy little tummies off the floor and shaking with the effort.

When I saw this attempt at movement I decided to give them some 'floor time' setting up a towel on the carpet and plopping the kittens on it.

Madeline had the chance to stretch her legs and check out her wider surroundings - something she now wants to do every time I have to come in and clean the cage.

The kittens, at first didn't move from the towel. They just huddled and cried and shifted a few steps looking very lost.

Floor huddle

Kitten gathering discussing the meaning of this craziness

The more they had this floor time the more they became aware of their legs as they wanted to 'follow' their mother.

Marlowe was the first to learn that tail upright = better balance and able to walk further distance without toppling over. She does tend to get ahead of herself these days and is stopped in her tracks right quick when her tiny hind legs don't yet have the oomph.

Originally quite happy staying on the towel

Marlowe decided to stick close to mum

Marlowe ~ Who are you?

Mishka does move. Since she's a whopping 425 grams as of today (the rest are somewhere just past 400 and Merlin slowly reaching that big milestone) it takes quite a bit more effort to lug her massive tummy off the floor.

I'm too pretty to walk ~ Mishka

HALP! This strange lady picked me up again ~ Mishka

While Misty hasn't reached any standout milestones. She does get around quite well.

Hello? ~ Misty

This little rascal has taken quite a liking to my feet so she makes tracks to them, sits on them and if they dare move she attempts to nibble them into submission.

What? This is mine now ~ Misty

Misty is the instigator of many rough and tumbles when they are back in their bed.

Misty chewing on Merlin (Marlowe and Mishka preparing to battle)

Merlin returning the favor

Merlin. Oh sweet Merlin. He has such a sad face.

Merlin looking all woe is me

Most of his floor time is spent plaintively meowing (or rather peeping) at his mother or siblings. There is a reasonable size difference between him and his sisters however he holds his own (gaining well over 20 grams this morning).

I don't like this floor it feels funny ~ Merlin

Cute little Boy

Merlin gets around quite well, not fast and not far but he manages. More often than not while his mother is having a snack he's there trying to walk through her food and wondering what this cold sticky stuff on his feet is.

Are you my mummy? ~ Merlin

*sigh* Where's my mummy? ~ Merlin *Pouts*

 So it wont be long until these little babies are full on interacting with us. They already play wrestle with each other (I feel its part of their teething that gives them the need to bite the absolute crap out of each other).

They are slowly figuring out the mechanics of moving and how to get to places faster. They know how to get in and out of their bed in the cage so poor Madeline now has no escape.

Floor time? ~ The kittens Chorus

Kittens observing the edge of their bed

I have not yet seen any toilet behavior and although I have smeared a tiny amount of wet food on their mouth there's not yet any interest in their mothers food. (I don't expect them to do either right away they seem to be thriving on just Madeline so far).

Madeline ~ I take my duties as mum seriously

Madeline and the MMMMMMMMMM's

Well I've truly been stumped for names.

The Vet visit last Wednesday was a very quick introduction where they werent quite sure of their age. Some had their eyes fully open others were slowly getting there and we'd been told they were only a week old. With all kittens being over 200 Grams we figured maybe they were 2 weeks old...

Either way they're still at the quite boring stage where my main job is keeping food up to Madeline and just recording the tiny tot's weights once a day. Madeline is doing her job very well and we have some quite porky little babies that are gaining at least 10 if not 15 or 20 grams per day.

Madeline ~ Of course I look after my babies.

Two of said porkies are very close to hitting the 300 Gram mark and the other two are not far behind.

Nice Picture of the different colour Tabbies.

Since the ginger boy was last to open his eyes and is the lightest in weight I'm pointing at him to be the runt.

Anywho back to names. I looked up the story books Madeline hoping to use names of characters off that. Well half of them are hard to pronounce for me so any potential adopter would be struggling as well. Last night I had a bright idea to find cat names starting with M.

Therefore we now have names. I dont doubt someone at the shelter will disagree that some names are horrible, I did try to go for the least horrible names. Truthfully how many shelter cats keep their name when they're adopted? Therefore if they suck, at least they're temporary.

I'll go by the fattest.

Please welcome Marlowe the black Tortoiseshell girl who takes after mother.

Very porky little girl

Kind of hand/size comparison still tiny

Mishka the adorable Brown Torbie girl with a ginger kiss on her head.

She's going to be a gorgeous baby

Very whiney at the present though 

Misty the Grey Tabby

Misty not quite so sure of this whole photo thing

Wont stop squirming

And Little Merlin the boy who's going to have a lot of sisters picking on him.

Poor baby Merlin looks so Sad

My Brother proves he's a tiny handful

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I also became aware that today my own boy Leo turns 3 years old.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEO!!

(Always get confused on whether its the 21st or the 23rd.....)

Whats the big deal? ~ Leo

The Adventures of Madeline

I received the call I'd been waiting for. Kittens!

There was a barely six month old short hair grey tabby that was heavily pregnant at the shelter and I thought she'd be my first foster of the year alas the phone call changed that.

As I was heading away for the weekend it had to be organized on when to pick up the kittens and such.

Here I go getting ahead of myself again. So I'll shorten it down into sentences.

I received a call that a shelter an hour away had a mother with babies but no foster carers, I was asked if I wanted to foster them and if yes they would be transferred to the shelter I work with.

I of course, said yes.

Working transport arangements since they were an hour away worked out fine with a few hiccups. My mother was due for an appointment in that direction anyway so we were going to be in the vacinity to pick them up.

With my dad deciding to join the trip it left things a bit squished time wise but we still managed. There was a minor kerfuffle about the transfer documents but I was allowed to leave with said new charges.

Without further ado I introduce the first foster group of the 2013 season.

Madeline is the ever loving beautiful mother who is doing an exceptional job with her babies

Madeline and her babies

Her babies are quite the assortment and so far we are at a tally of three girls and one boy.

Boy Kitten - Ginger Tabby

Eyes not quite open but absolutely the biggest whiner of the lot

Girl Kitten - Grey Tabby

Eyes more open no wonder this one has itchy feet to get moving...

Girl Kitten - Dark Tortoiseshell

Eyes not very open always has to be one to take after mother

Girl Kitten - Brown Tabby with Ginger (or Torbie)

This one is going to be absolutely gorgeous and full of trouble

They are roughly a week old now as they were apparently born over Tuesday night last week. They are all over 200 grams and a few already have their eyes open.

The brown tabby is quite feisty and loves to hiss at me if I dare touch her.

The Grey tabby is the most mobile and the other two are still pretty much sleeping and eating.

I try not to handle them too much. Madeline is very tollerant of me needing to record weights but I dont want her thinking I only go in there to touch her babies. She comes over for pats and I shower her in affection.

Madeline wasnt a brilliant traveller and for awhile we thought she was going to get car sick. Thankfully not but theres a shorter car trip for her tomorrow to get a quick vet check on her family. Hopefully we might come up with some names while we're there and definite gender guesses...

I'll leave you with some cuteness. Please excuse the Dark torti's rear end she was squished on the bottom.