I’ve had to go back to basics with Darcy. It was entirely my fault as I had rushed the process too much. Its always so tempting. She was so wanting to come out of the pen, and so I let her out. But it was a mistake. Stupid of me. I should have known. Anyway, the result was that she was having a great time running around the room and playing, but wouldn’t let me near her. She thought the beams were some kind of giant climbing frame, and kept running up them, then looking down on us in triumph.
She also didn’t want to go back in the pen, and as she wouldn’t let me pick her up, that was a bit of a nightmare. Having built up their trust, the last thing you want to do is to grab them and put it all back.
She was also not reliably using her litter tray once she came out. She started out so well, but then was going in the corners. Fortunately I had put things down just in case, but then I spotted her about to go on the sofa.
So, she had to go back in the pen. I’ve borrowed a larger pen from Mark and Stella, with a better door. That way, I can feed her in the pen without her leaping out.
Bailey had gone in to play with her on Sunday night and she gave him a black eye. At least, that’s what it looked like. It was only in play, but she caught him with her claws. Poor baby, he looked so sad looking up at me with one eye half closed.
I took him to the vet today as it was a bit red. It set me back £20, but best to be safe as eyes can get infected so easily. I’ve got drops to put in 3 times a day for 5 days. He is not impressed.
He was even less impressed with the lamb that he came face to face with in the vets. The lamb was baa-ing loudly and Bailey was miaowing back. It got quite noisy in there for a while.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
26th January
It's been an eventful couple of days for the kitten. The move went very smoothly on Sunday, and she is now in a pen in the sitting room. She has been out in the room today, and having a great time playing and running around. My cat Bailey is so good with kittens and he has been showing her how to play.
He looked so funny, tipping his head on one side and crooning at her with his paw outstretched. She then went and sat on the sofa and copied him, turning on her back and looking at him upside down. She stretched a bit too far and then fell off the sofa, which scared her and she ran off to hide for a bit.
She came onto my knee to eat some food, and later sat herself down on my leg. Not exactly cuddled up to me - but huge progress all the same.
She has such tiny feet that she looks like a ballerina standing on point. So we've decided to call her Darcy. And if it turns out that I'm wrong and she is a he, then we can just put a "Mister" in front of it. She has to be a she though, she is so dainty and pretty.
Darcy is fascinated by the television - especially when a DVD was ejected. She sat for ages waiting for us to send the DVD drawer in and out. Which of course we did - couldn't resist. We will probably break it - all the in name of entertaining a kitten.
She is back in her pen now, as its safest for her at night time.
The two big boys went to their new home today, so I've got some cleaning out to do. They will be living in Meifod. They have been very well behaved, but I think they will be glad to be in their new home.
He looked so funny, tipping his head on one side and crooning at her with his paw outstretched. She then went and sat on the sofa and copied him, turning on her back and looking at him upside down. She stretched a bit too far and then fell off the sofa, which scared her and she ran off to hide for a bit.
She came onto my knee to eat some food, and later sat herself down on my leg. Not exactly cuddled up to me - but huge progress all the same.
She has such tiny feet that she looks like a ballerina standing on point. So we've decided to call her Darcy. And if it turns out that I'm wrong and she is a he, then we can just put a "Mister" in front of it. She has to be a she though, she is so dainty and pretty.
Darcy is fascinated by the television - especially when a DVD was ejected. She sat for ages waiting for us to send the DVD drawer in and out. Which of course we did - couldn't resist. We will probably break it - all the in name of entertaining a kitten.
She is back in her pen now, as its safest for her at night time.
The two big boys went to their new home today, so I've got some cleaning out to do. They will be living in Meifod. They have been very well behaved, but I think they will be glad to be in their new home.
Saturday, 24 January 2009
24th January
Thought you might like to see a photo of this kitten. She had just woken up here. The worming course was finished today, and she took it so well. She is getting more friendly every day. She purrs when I go in, and rubs against my hand. She has been playing with a toy mouse and batting a ball around. When she uses the cat litter, every time she piles it up into a neat pyramid shape - amazing. Mark says perhaps she's got Egyptian Mau in her.
Yesterday she was wanting to climb out of the pen, so I think its time she was brought into the sitting room, where she will be able to come out. I've been over to Mark and Stella's today and borrowed a small cat basket. I've put this in the pen with her so that she gets used to going in it. When she is okay with that, I'll use it to transfer her to a pen in the sitting room.
I've been kitten-proofing the room ready. I've put wires out of reach and placed cat beds in all the corners so that she isn't tempted to pee there - at least, that's the idea. In the pen she has been really good with her litter tray, but she may be a bit scared the first time she comes out.
I went across to Argae Cottage today and took photos of all the new cats that have come in. These will go on the website soon. Thank you so much to everyone who has given a home to one of the cats recently. It is much appreciated. And also for all the other help and support that you give.
If anyone has any old duvets that I can use for making cat beds for Mark and Stella to sell, I'd be very grateful for them. Or any fleecy or furry material.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
22nd January
The kitten is making amazing progress. When I go out to her now she is ready and waiting to see me. She lets me stroke her and purrs and chirrups, rubbing her head against my hand. I have to make sure she sees my hand coming though, as this evening I touched her when she wasn't looking and she jumped in the air with all her toes spread wide.
I've put some new toys in, which she loves. When I am in the kitchen I can hear her batting her ball around.
I thought I'd better start the worming treatment as her belly is so round. I wasn't quite sure how best to approch it. No cat that I have ever known will eat the paste mixed into meat. They turn their nose up at it and shake their paws in disgust. With tiny kittens its relatively easy to just hold them steady, and dispense the paste into the corner of their mouth. If you then hold their mouth shut they will swallow, or at least that's the general idea. If you don't get this bit right they spit it straight back out all over you. The first time I ever tried I got completely covered. It was at that point that I checked the information leaflet in the box which said in no uncertain terms to avoid skin contact with the stuff. Its a bit late for that when its dripping off your nose. Still, at least I'm not likely to suffer much from worms.
Anyhow, I tried the usual trick of holding her head to put it into the side of her mouth. Predictably enough that totally freaked her out. I should have known better than to try. Not wanting to upset her when she is just getting used to me I decided to try mixing it with her food. I fully expected her to take one sniff and back off, so was amazed when she put her head down into the bowl and scoffed the lot straight off. She then sat back licking her lips and looked me straight in the eyes saying "Well why didn't you just ask me in the first place."
I just hope its that easy tomorrow. Its a three day course. It also tends to give them the squits - so we've got that to look forward to.
The other two boys are doing fine. Herbie seems to think I keep forgetting to let him out in the evening, as after I have fed them at tea time he miaows and miaows. When I go to check he's okay, I find him sitting at the front of the pen, huge green eyes staring at me, trying to communicate with the stupid human to Let Him Out. "I always go out at this time, can you not understand?" I've tried telling him that he can use the litter tray but he says its not the tray he needs, its the Hunting.
These two are incredibly good natured cats. Here they are, cooped up in a pen together when they have been used to having complete freedom. And apart from the intense looks and the miaows, they are very gentlemanly about it. I'm glad they have got a good home to go to. Only a few more days.
I've put some new toys in, which she loves. When I am in the kitchen I can hear her batting her ball around.
I thought I'd better start the worming treatment as her belly is so round. I wasn't quite sure how best to approch it. No cat that I have ever known will eat the paste mixed into meat. They turn their nose up at it and shake their paws in disgust. With tiny kittens its relatively easy to just hold them steady, and dispense the paste into the corner of their mouth. If you then hold their mouth shut they will swallow, or at least that's the general idea. If you don't get this bit right they spit it straight back out all over you. The first time I ever tried I got completely covered. It was at that point that I checked the information leaflet in the box which said in no uncertain terms to avoid skin contact with the stuff. Its a bit late for that when its dripping off your nose. Still, at least I'm not likely to suffer much from worms.
Anyhow, I tried the usual trick of holding her head to put it into the side of her mouth. Predictably enough that totally freaked her out. I should have known better than to try. Not wanting to upset her when she is just getting used to me I decided to try mixing it with her food. I fully expected her to take one sniff and back off, so was amazed when she put her head down into the bowl and scoffed the lot straight off. She then sat back licking her lips and looked me straight in the eyes saying "Well why didn't you just ask me in the first place."
I just hope its that easy tomorrow. Its a three day course. It also tends to give them the squits - so we've got that to look forward to.
The other two boys are doing fine. Herbie seems to think I keep forgetting to let him out in the evening, as after I have fed them at tea time he miaows and miaows. When I go to check he's okay, I find him sitting at the front of the pen, huge green eyes staring at me, trying to communicate with the stupid human to Let Him Out. "I always go out at this time, can you not understand?" I've tried telling him that he can use the litter tray but he says its not the tray he needs, its the Hunting.
These two are incredibly good natured cats. Here they are, cooped up in a pen together when they have been used to having complete freedom. And apart from the intense looks and the miaows, they are very gentlemanly about it. I'm glad they have got a good home to go to. Only a few more days.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
20th January
Made some huge leaps forward today - she accepted me stroking her whilst she was eating. That was wonderful. She also looked more relaxed today. Her face has lost its frown, and she was sleeping all stretched out on her side, which was so nice to see.
Tonight I stroked her again at meal time, and she began purring away.
She was interested in some of the toys I showed her, so I made one from string and newspaper. That got a real response and she patted away at it. She has really tiny paws.
When I go to stroke her, her immediate response is to duck her head and cower, but when she realises its friendly, she then arches her back into my hand.
I spent ages with her, with a silly grin on my face. This is what makes it all worth while.
Tonight I stroked her again at meal time, and she began purring away.
She was interested in some of the toys I showed her, so I made one from string and newspaper. That got a real response and she patted away at it. She has really tiny paws.
When I go to stroke her, her immediate response is to duck her head and cower, but when she realises its friendly, she then arches her back into my hand.
I spent ages with her, with a silly grin on my face. This is what makes it all worth while.
Monday, 19 January 2009
19th January
This morning the kitten had brought back a load of meat and was looking very wary. She wouldn't come near my hand when I offered food, so I left her some to eat in peace. She had used her litter tray though which is a vast improvement as yesterday she had gone in her bed.
Tonight I fed her from my hand, which she accepted so long as I kept fairly still and moved my hand slowly. She starts purring when I feed her, so all the signs are good. It just takes patience.
The two big boys are settled in well and are eating and drinking fine.
Tonight I fed her from my hand, which she accepted so long as I kept fairly still and moved my hand slowly. She starts purring when I feed her, so all the signs are good. It just takes patience.
The two big boys are settled in well and are eating and drinking fine.
Sunday, 18 January 2009
18th January
This morning the kitten had really trashed her pen. There was litter everywhere, and the bed was overturned. At least she had eaten her food. She was back to sitting in the litter tray, having somehow managed to throw all the litter out. I put new food in, and cleared things up as best I could without disturbing her too much. She is still in freeze mode - just sits very still and watches me with worried eyes. She keeps her head still, only her eyes move. Obviously she wasn't in freeze mode all night, from the mess she had made.
This stage is always very hard. I feel so desperately sorry for her. Living outside was rough for her, and here she is warm and well fed. But for the next few days she is going to feel very scared of everything. Poor little thing.
If anyone has any suggestions for a name I'd be grateful to hear them. You could email it to the old cat people's admin address. As I don't know if she is definitely a female, it would have to be a name that would do for a girl or a boy.
I've also got two new ones here, that arrived this afternoon. They are quite huge - Fluffy and Herbie. Herbie had very kindly brought up his tea in the cat carrier, and also evacuated his bowels on the way here. Lovely. I can see I'm going to have problems with their names, as Herbie is much fluffier than Fluffy.
They are now cuddled up together in their pen, having had some biscuits to replace what was lost.
Their owner is moving to France and has found it very hard to part with them. They had quite a few cats, mostly ones they had rescued, and couldn't afford to take them all to France. I understand its not terribly cheap to get pet passports. So they are taking some of them, and two are going to Argae Cottage until homes are found, and these two are here until their new owner can have them, in a week's time.
Why are so many people moving away? Is this weather getting to everyone?
This stage is always very hard. I feel so desperately sorry for her. Living outside was rough for her, and here she is warm and well fed. But for the next few days she is going to feel very scared of everything. Poor little thing.
If anyone has any suggestions for a name I'd be grateful to hear them. You could email it to the old cat people's admin address. As I don't know if she is definitely a female, it would have to be a name that would do for a girl or a boy.
I've also got two new ones here, that arrived this afternoon. They are quite huge - Fluffy and Herbie. Herbie had very kindly brought up his tea in the cat carrier, and also evacuated his bowels on the way here. Lovely. I can see I'm going to have problems with their names, as Herbie is much fluffier than Fluffy.
They are now cuddled up together in their pen, having had some biscuits to replace what was lost.
Their owner is moving to France and has found it very hard to part with them. They had quite a few cats, mostly ones they had rescued, and couldn't afford to take them all to France. I understand its not terribly cheap to get pet passports. So they are taking some of them, and two are going to Argae Cottage until homes are found, and these two are here until their new owner can have them, in a week's time.
Why are so many people moving away? Is this weather getting to everyone?
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