It is such a delight to have kittens as the first thing I managed to do was pull an already stressed muscle in my back whilst dragging more food home for them. They have increased our food to cat ratio by double which is no mean feat for such small beings. After their initial aversion to all things human they are now condescending to allow us to entertain them with string and other wonders. This requires a human to kitten input of some two hours per human per day and is drastically curtailing other forms of pursuit such as house cleaning and garden clearance. The forest is now distinctly threatening the house.
I managed a trek into Southall and a brief visit to one of the church ladies but this did set me back the next day. On the plus side I collected some feathers that she had found for me, that I need to finish decorating a shamanic drum. I have already strung beads from this and I am hoping the final effect will rival the North American Indian variety of drum. Why am I doing this? I really cannot find a suitable answer to that apart from the fact that I bought the drum and it looks a little bare. In theory I can, once it is suitably enhanced either call good spirits to me or banish bad ones. This may save them from becoming entangled in the various dream catchers that hang in my room courtesy of various offspring. I have also been beading other things, as there are a limited number of occupations open to one whose back refuses to support more mundane tasks.
What should I be doing, apart from lion (ooops kitten) training? Well there are two proofs waiting for me to read them and make comments and also other pressing projects that should have been finalized some three months back. The year is beginning to slip away from me and tomorrow is the summer solstice. Unfortunately I am having difficulty staying in a focused frame of mind. To add to my general sense of anxiety and confusion, I also await the return of youngest daughter complete with fiancé and lots of washing together with a social calendar that is rapidly becoming swamped with soirees and barbeques. I am also waiting to hear from the organisor of the local carnivals to see if I will be annoying the local religious sycophants with my presence at the infamous Greenford carnival. A psychic’s fun is never over.
As an after thought, I have managed to determine the sex of batman, mostly as he got stuck upside down whilst trying to haul his now rotund body through a narrow gap. It is a giant leap forward.
Saturday, 20 June 2009
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Now We are Six: with apologies to A.A.Milne
Angel made a second attempt and this time the small monster ran between our neighbours garage and fence. It took ages for her to coax him out of there and once more she tried. This time he got as far as the house before scuttling off yet again. On the fourth attempt she managed to convince him to enter but then he saw Middle daughter’s feet and off he went. We were now pretending to be statues. Time ticked slowly by and yes he made it to the bottom of the stairs at which point Middle daughter raced to shut the door.
We then had to detach him from the bookcase but he was struggling wildly. She passed him to me and I made it up half the stairs before he sank fangs into my thumb. He flew through the air for a couple more steps and then bolted into the bathroom and took up residence under the bath (yet another story). We pushed Angel into the bathroom but she did not want to look for him and got quite assertive about this. We retired to have some refreshments.
Whilst we were discussing further moves Angel reappeared with another kitten. This one was more amenable and was raced up the stairs to join the others. We were pleased as now we felt the family was complete and safe but off Angel went again and yes there was yet another. Five kittens, most amazing from such a small cat, but they seemed fairly well fed and healthy. This kitten tried to dive behind the bookcase in the hallway. It was remarkably like Mimi apart from its facial adornment, which made it look like a miniature batman. Having extricated it from its chosen hiding place we wrapped it in (more smothered it in) a sweatshirt to carry it to its siblings.
Number three was still under the bath at this point and doing a very good impression of being part of the plumbing. It was getting late and we were exhausted so it was decided to cook dinner as obviously we now had five kittens relatively safe. I was just chopping onions when Angel appeared. She had another kitten. This one sighted the space under the sink cupboard and bolted into it. I put down my chef knife and dived after it. Luckily it was fairly docile on the upward trip and soon it had vanished into the mysterious depths of youngest daughter’s old room.
We were so tired by the time dinner was cooked that we could not remember how many kittens there were as much of the afternoon seemed to have extended into the Dream Time. It was no good trying to count them as they were firmly hidden behind musical instruments and computer parts.
I put in an emergency plea for a much larger dirt tray and one of my neighbours came racing round the next day full of kitten hopes. I told her she would be lucky but she tried and saw zero kittens. Somebody up there is eating all the food and using the dirt tray. The Tuxedo gentleman is out from under the bath and back with the brood. He is obviously the most hyperactive and they have formed a three aside football team as I can hear them thundering across the floor after the balls I thoughtfully (I am an idiot) provided. They are waking me up at least twice a night. (Only an idiot would choose to sleep in the room below a herd of kittens with big boots on). I have moved some things around to make sure they are fairly safe and Angel is doing her own thing whilst expecting me to baby-sit at a moments notice. I must add here that donations of food are always welcome.
We then had to detach him from the bookcase but he was struggling wildly. She passed him to me and I made it up half the stairs before he sank fangs into my thumb. He flew through the air for a couple more steps and then bolted into the bathroom and took up residence under the bath (yet another story). We pushed Angel into the bathroom but she did not want to look for him and got quite assertive about this. We retired to have some refreshments.
Whilst we were discussing further moves Angel reappeared with another kitten. This one was more amenable and was raced up the stairs to join the others. We were pleased as now we felt the family was complete and safe but off Angel went again and yes there was yet another. Five kittens, most amazing from such a small cat, but they seemed fairly well fed and healthy. This kitten tried to dive behind the bookcase in the hallway. It was remarkably like Mimi apart from its facial adornment, which made it look like a miniature batman. Having extricated it from its chosen hiding place we wrapped it in (more smothered it in) a sweatshirt to carry it to its siblings.
Number three was still under the bath at this point and doing a very good impression of being part of the plumbing. It was getting late and we were exhausted so it was decided to cook dinner as obviously we now had five kittens relatively safe. I was just chopping onions when Angel appeared. She had another kitten. This one sighted the space under the sink cupboard and bolted into it. I put down my chef knife and dived after it. Luckily it was fairly docile on the upward trip and soon it had vanished into the mysterious depths of youngest daughter’s old room.
We were so tired by the time dinner was cooked that we could not remember how many kittens there were as much of the afternoon seemed to have extended into the Dream Time. It was no good trying to count them as they were firmly hidden behind musical instruments and computer parts.
I put in an emergency plea for a much larger dirt tray and one of my neighbours came racing round the next day full of kitten hopes. I told her she would be lucky but she tried and saw zero kittens. Somebody up there is eating all the food and using the dirt tray. The Tuxedo gentleman is out from under the bath and back with the brood. He is obviously the most hyperactive and they have formed a three aside football team as I can hear them thundering across the floor after the balls I thoughtfully (I am an idiot) provided. They are waking me up at least twice a night. (Only an idiot would choose to sleep in the room below a herd of kittens with big boots on). I have moved some things around to make sure they are fairly safe and Angel is doing her own thing whilst expecting me to baby-sit at a moments notice. I must add here that donations of food are always welcome.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Tuxedo Sunday
What a fun day we are having. Angel has reappeared with yet another kitten. This one is Tuxedo marked. However as she was not carrying it but encouraging it to walk the other cats gathered round to see the show and the kitten taking its first look at human beings ran screaming. This proved very diverting for the resident cat population however the two Gemini siblings started to argue with each other. I threatened them that the kittens were their birthday presents and that they would have to take care of them. Tequila moved off in disgust but Pukwadji tried to hide herself in the rose bushes. It is their first real view of kittens since they too were at that stage.
Bobo, who is slightly jealous of the attention Angel has received, was watching from one vantage point whilst Fatso (I hate all other black cats but me) was also in evidence. Demon perceiving that his presence might prove detrimental to his on going status in the house walked off to find more interesting things and Genghis remained at her post guarding my bed.
Meanwhile Middle daughter and myself became entangled in various bushes and brambles. The kitten was eventually picked up by Middle daughter but, as she was frightened of hurting it, the small monster jumped free and again speeded off. Angel is now attempting to lure it in once more. We wait with baited breathe for the next development.
Bobo, who is slightly jealous of the attention Angel has received, was watching from one vantage point whilst Fatso (I hate all other black cats but me) was also in evidence. Demon perceiving that his presence might prove detrimental to his on going status in the house walked off to find more interesting things and Genghis remained at her post guarding my bed.
Meanwhile Middle daughter and myself became entangled in various bushes and brambles. The kitten was eventually picked up by Middle daughter but, as she was frightened of hurting it, the small monster jumped free and again speeded off. Angel is now attempting to lure it in once more. We wait with baited breathe for the next development.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Stop the Press
Another kitten has been sighted. This one is a tuxedo cat (with white bib and beard and four white paws, the rest being black). It is a good size for seven weeks but so far is evading both its mother's and our attempts to capture it.
Rhubarb and Custard
Due to the drop in temperature and rainy conditions, we moved the twins (and I am using this term as their relative sizes reminds me of the Hollywood film ‘Twins’.) into youngest daughter’s old bedroom. Angel was transported there to view them and plates of various baby foods were placed at their disposal. Angel then took herself off and vanished for some twelve hours.
On her return I fed her and then took her upstairs to see the babies. She called for them and the tiny one immediately came out from under the desk. The larger kitten that I have started to call Custard eventually crept out from under the wardrobe. Angel seemed pleased to see them and fed them herself, but was more interested in getting back out into the garden. We checked on the kittens at regular intervals and it was not until six hours later that Angel returned.
I had begun to grow worried as previously she was feeding every two hours. Once again she was carried up to see them and this time the larger one did not come out, but then she did not call. The tiny one joined her in a dish of cat food and egg yolk. They came close to eating the same amount as each other. Eventually, however kitty toddled off under the desk once again without a backwards glance and Angel strolled out as if this was what she had always intended. I said it was strange that she was not teaching them to hunt and Middle daughter stated that she thought Angel had shown them how to adopt human beings to hunt for them. I am inclined to agree with this.
To those that have been following this and also read the obituary for Mimi, I have to add that the tiny one is remarkably similar in colour and markings and most definitely similar with regard to food consumption
On her return I fed her and then took her upstairs to see the babies. She called for them and the tiny one immediately came out from under the desk. The larger kitten that I have started to call Custard eventually crept out from under the wardrobe. Angel seemed pleased to see them and fed them herself, but was more interested in getting back out into the garden. We checked on the kittens at regular intervals and it was not until six hours later that Angel returned.
I had begun to grow worried as previously she was feeding every two hours. Once again she was carried up to see them and this time the larger one did not come out, but then she did not call. The tiny one joined her in a dish of cat food and egg yolk. They came close to eating the same amount as each other. Eventually, however kitty toddled off under the desk once again without a backwards glance and Angel strolled out as if this was what she had always intended. I said it was strange that she was not teaching them to hunt and Middle daughter stated that she thought Angel had shown them how to adopt human beings to hunt for them. I am inclined to agree with this.
To those that have been following this and also read the obituary for Mimi, I have to add that the tiny one is remarkably similar in colour and markings and most definitely similar with regard to food consumption
Angel: The Saga Continues
Angel continues to feed at regular two hourly intervals. However her body mass seems to be dropping radically so the lack of solid food for the kittens is beginning to show. Middle daughter took a trip through the forest, bearing a food gift, and could not find any sign of them but considering that despite her slender size she does sound like a rhino charging through the undergrowth, I was not surprised.
We have enjoyed two days without the builders next door but today they are back with some form of sawing machine and thoroughly enjoying themselves once more. It is therefore very unlikely that Angel will attempt to shift her offspring today. They are now at seven weeks and I suppose, considering how tiny she is, they must be fairly small kittens. The Magpies out back are raising a commotion, which usually indicates a cat is moving in their vicinity, so the potential is there. However, another draw back could be the state of my grassland, which is now rivaling a wheat field. I can just imagine small kittens trying to plough their way through the endless sea of green. Perhaps I should keep goats or sheep instead of cats.
I started this section over three days ago and then was distracted by other matters. A surprising turn around occurred yesterday. It was youngest daughter’s birthday and she being in Preston we were not expected to attend her birthday barbeque. It was around four in the afternoon when I saw Angel on her way to the back door with a large furry bundle in her mouth. I shouted to Middle daughter and she came rushing down the stairs. The bundle being unceremoniously dropped outside the door decided that I represented a major threat and slunk off to hide in an old Tea chest that is outside in the garden. (Don’t ask me to explain the significance of this ornament). Angel ate. We looked at the kitten. The kitten cowered. Middle daughter got some food into a bowl and offered this to the kitten. Angel finished eating and went off up the garden. We waited.
I decided to telephone youngest daughter and report on the arrival. As I was describing the kitten, some twenty odd minutes later, back she came and collided with Pukwadji who had taken herself off into the shrubbery. There was hissing and a bundle was dropped. I came off the telephone. Middle daughter rushed to pick the baby up. The second kitten was one third of the size of the first. It was an amazing bundle of fur with bat ears and not at all perturbed by its adventure. We placed it into the Tea chest and it threw itself at the food plate biting the plastic at first until it discovered the content was slightly more amenable. If prizes were given for food consumption that tiny creature would rival its ravenous mother.
Angel marched back into the kitchen and ate some more. We moved the tiny one into the rabbit hutch with the plate of food. I then turned the Tea chest up and dragged the larger rebel out and placed it with its sibling. Angel seemed to appreciate this act and off she went again. Twenty odd minutes passed during which time I telephoned youngest yet again. Finally Angel reappeared but this time there was no kitten. She gave a brief look at the others and went off again. Again time passed and she returned empty handed. From her belly it is obvious that she has been feeding at least four kittens. I do not like to weigh the alternatives but many a first litter fails through lack of sufficient milk and number two arrival was painfully thin.
We have enjoyed two days without the builders next door but today they are back with some form of sawing machine and thoroughly enjoying themselves once more. It is therefore very unlikely that Angel will attempt to shift her offspring today. They are now at seven weeks and I suppose, considering how tiny she is, they must be fairly small kittens. The Magpies out back are raising a commotion, which usually indicates a cat is moving in their vicinity, so the potential is there. However, another draw back could be the state of my grassland, which is now rivaling a wheat field. I can just imagine small kittens trying to plough their way through the endless sea of green. Perhaps I should keep goats or sheep instead of cats.
I started this section over three days ago and then was distracted by other matters. A surprising turn around occurred yesterday. It was youngest daughter’s birthday and she being in Preston we were not expected to attend her birthday barbeque. It was around four in the afternoon when I saw Angel on her way to the back door with a large furry bundle in her mouth. I shouted to Middle daughter and she came rushing down the stairs. The bundle being unceremoniously dropped outside the door decided that I represented a major threat and slunk off to hide in an old Tea chest that is outside in the garden. (Don’t ask me to explain the significance of this ornament). Angel ate. We looked at the kitten. The kitten cowered. Middle daughter got some food into a bowl and offered this to the kitten. Angel finished eating and went off up the garden. We waited.
I decided to telephone youngest daughter and report on the arrival. As I was describing the kitten, some twenty odd minutes later, back she came and collided with Pukwadji who had taken herself off into the shrubbery. There was hissing and a bundle was dropped. I came off the telephone. Middle daughter rushed to pick the baby up. The second kitten was one third of the size of the first. It was an amazing bundle of fur with bat ears and not at all perturbed by its adventure. We placed it into the Tea chest and it threw itself at the food plate biting the plastic at first until it discovered the content was slightly more amenable. If prizes were given for food consumption that tiny creature would rival its ravenous mother.
Angel marched back into the kitchen and ate some more. We moved the tiny one into the rabbit hutch with the plate of food. I then turned the Tea chest up and dragged the larger rebel out and placed it with its sibling. Angel seemed to appreciate this act and off she went again. Twenty odd minutes passed during which time I telephoned youngest yet again. Finally Angel reappeared but this time there was no kitten. She gave a brief look at the others and went off again. Again time passed and she returned empty handed. From her belly it is obvious that she has been feeding at least four kittens. I do not like to weigh the alternatives but many a first litter fails through lack of sufficient milk and number two arrival was painfully thin.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Snow Angel
For all those that have queried the exact nature of the small and aggressive Angel, I have uploaded this photograph of her taken by Middle Daughter in the snow. It is quite reasonable camouflage. Those offspring of hers are six weeks old today and must be hungry as she has been in for food four times so far and the day is only half begun.
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