Farewell Ferals

We had some issues with kittens that didn't gain weight but after some worming syrup things sorted themselves out and Itchy soon returned to his title of the biggest. I was always fairly certain that since Itchy and Prissy were first vaccinated that they would return together.

On Tuesday the day after their worming none had reached the 800 gram milestone and so all returned home with me.

Amazingly in a few days since they have lost their mother all four of the kittens are coming out of their shells. They see people and they purr instead of hiding. The instinct to hide is of course fairly strong but isn't triggered as easily as it once was and often they will resume playing as if I'm not even there.

They interact with me much easier, I can scoop them up for surprise attacks of kisses and cuddles, tickle their tummies or plop them into the scales for weights instead of wrestling hisses or reaching behind something to get to them. The change is amazing and oh-so-cute.

A few more times they've ventured out to the lounge, each time they adapt to it much more easily. Some have met Leo without the barriers of playpen fencing and I'm pleased to say they've quit their defensive acts. Scratchy for example has taken to bulldozing Leo - walking upto him and getting right under Leo's nose effectively making my much bigger cat walk backwards. Depending on his mood Leo often attempts to wash them or swats at them.

Terra seems more interested in their food, something of which she does NOT need anymore of.

Little Chubba, vet says she's not fat, I still think she is...

Before some of them inevitably departed this Friday I decided to get rid of bum-dags (unavoidable in long haired kittens) and some of the stepping in their own toilet habits making white paws a less than pretty color. They each received a bath.

Yes, I did say bath.

Here are the associated little shots of soaking kittens

Scratchy went first and lived up to his name

Scratchy 'Lemme outta here!'

He gave me some war wounds

Thanks Scratchy

Second was Itchy and he was relatively well behaved much smaller without his floof

Staring out the window cruisey as ever

Then was Hidey she had a few words and dug in the claws announcing her displeasure

Her bat ears more noticeable when soaked

Prissy I expected to be the worst but only in the last few moments decided she'd had enough.

Doesn't really show how small she is without floof

The hot water bottle meant to try and keep shivering at bay after they were dried as much as a towel would allow ended up reminding them of their mother so they were purring like mad milling all over the fluffy jacket to the hot water bottle and nursing on the fluff. It was heart-breakingly cute.

Kittens tired after their baths

Friday came much too fast. Itchy and Prissy were guaranteed to be flying the coop as they had been over the 800g for awhile. It was touch and go as to whether Scratchy and Hidey would get there as well but alas they returned with me and will probably be ready by Tuesday.

Prissy and Itchy are the only kittens in the sales rooms at the present so chances are high they will be finding their forever homes pretty quick. They are rooming with one other large cat...guess who.

Miss Sadie (aka Marley) also made herself
famous by appearing in the local newspaper
to try and get herself a new home

Yep, they're in with their mother and had a mini reunion. There were some nervous steps and hiding but by the time I left they were being picked up and cuddled by a young girl looking at the new additions. They wont be the only kittens for long as others will be coming up the ranks. Kitten season boom is sure approaching.

Wishing Marley (now Sadie) and my precious little fosters a new home for Christmas. Hopefully they will make as much of an impression on everyone else as they have on me and my family. Good luck guys and happy journey.