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Tuesday, December 31Took me three hours to get there and back in the ice... but *wipes brow* thankfully they are negitive.. I had all these plans to let them out slowly, and intergrate them into the house slowly, but I got home and just let them out. I still need to feed and medicate them.. scooter had a snotty nose at the shelter *rolls eyes* Melvin however has found the catnip mat.. and is quite happy there. Bugsy is getting the once over from jack.. izzy has just kicked melvin off the mat, he's now sniffing the fridge :) *very very happy girl* *wonders where mom is* *goes off to find out* Monday, December 30
I was cleaning up the litter box, an activity that prompts much attention. Izzy and Melvin were watching me. When I was done, they still looked quite facinated. I asked them if they needed to go before I left the room.... at which bugsy who was across the room started crying, then ran right over to me and stood up on my back and started swatting at my face in a loving manner.
can we say awwwwww... I knew we could. Tomorrow.. *crosses fingers, toes, eyes, and other various body parts, some of which aren't even mine that they test negitive* Saturday, December 28
I went down this morning to feed the kitties, and melvin was laying in the kitty bed I brought home from the shelter. Everyone else was very happy to see me, but he just sat there. I cleaned up and played with the others, but he just sat there watching me. I finally broke out the food, and he still wasn't interested. So I pulled the bed closer to me and I took him out and he looked fine, so I cleaned him up, but terramycin in his eyes, and gave him his antibiotic. He went off, and crawled into the very dirty litterbox and sat there. Almost as if sulking. I got him out of the litter box and proceeded to clean it, when Melvin decided to throw up. the antibiotic can cause that, so I wasn't too worried. He stuck his tongue almost completely out of his body, and had the heaves. only a little bit came out, but as soon as it did, his head went closer to the ground, and his tongue went into the litter that they had kicked out of the box (I SOOO need to vacuum that room!!) and he wasn't too happy about that. He threw up again, not nearly as much the second time. He then proceeded to stare at it.. almost as if amazed he produced something like that. I covered it up with litter, figuring the litter would dry it up. he wasn't happy with that. He continued to sit there and stare at the mound. This of course intrequed the other cats. They came over as if to ask what was going on. I tried to distract everyone away by replacing the litter box, but again Melvin was unhappy with that cause he couldn't see his creation as well. I eventually got him away from it with the cat teaser toy, but he soon lost interst in that, and went back to stare at the pile. *rolls eyes* I then grabbed him and put a little wet food in his mouth, but he still wasn't intersted in eating. I had put nose drops in his nose, so I figured that it was affecting his sence of smell. Tonight he was running around like a fool, eating like a horse, attacking everything in site :)
Bugsy is still sneezing up goop. three more days.. Im sure izzy can't wait.. she keeps escaping from the room.. did it yet again tonight. Also broke out the bubbles again tonight, and mom actually swatted at a few :) When I left the room, I started heading up stairs (I have a split entry so there is a landing half way up). Jack was on the landing, half laying half sitting. I talked goo goo talk to him, and then asked him if he wanted more kitties in the house. With perfect timing he threw himself backwards to end up laying on his back, as if to say "oh mom! you don't want MORE kitties" Friday, December 27
this URI is holding on for dear life. Each time I swear its going to be done and cleared up, they turn around and get all goopie again. at least its not as bad as its been. Four more days and I can get them tested (sends up prayer that they are negitive).. I wonder if that room is affecting them as its a little mold in the room.. Some of the other cats would get all icky looking when I kept them cooped up in a room, but when they had free run of the house they cleared up immediately... so hopefullly soon they will be able to have run of the house, and see if that helps. that and I can't wait to clean up that room, those kittens are so freakin messy..
Izzy escaped again today.. I was replacing the litterbox, so there was a big opening when I walked in with it, and off she went. I immediately shut the door so the others wouldn't get out, she had free run of the house I was sure it was going to take forever to find her, but she only went and sat under the pool table. I got her in just a few moments. Jack wanted to nurse on me this morning. The poor thing keeps biting me now.. Really hurt me at one point so I had to throw him off. He had no idea I felt so bad. I so love that cat.. Thursday, December 26
Gave the kitties some premium cat food last night. sheba roast beef.. it was a big hit with the kittens, mom didn't seem all that interested. Melvin loved the taste, but wasn't that great at eating it. He's a licker of food, and that stuff doesn't break up upon licking, so he ended up pushing the tray around a bit. Several times he put his foot on the food to keep it from "getting away". Not sure he liked the feel of it under his foot though, as he often took it right off. Scooter was more interested in licking the container the food came in (yes, she is nuts) Izzy for once didn't search out what food was in every dish. Guess she figured what she had was "good enough".. lol
It snowed here something fierce last night. There was ice pellets driving against the window. That really interested mom, she ran across the room to jump up on the desk, then into the window.. but the desk was too slippery, and she ended up falling off the other side before jumping up into the window (its a basement room) she was none too happy about that. I eventually decided to lock the kittens up in the cage and play with mom. She was happy to be able to play, but she wasn't much into chasing and pouncing. Shed swat at it if it came near her, and try to eat it - with quite a bit of enthusiasm too - but one I started dragging it away she was pretty much no longer interested. I fed them late last night. Went in quite early this morning. They acted like they hadn't eaten in days (although there was plenty of dry food left) They are such the bunch of liars. I cleaned out Bugsy's and melvin's ears. They get so bad. I still think its mites... but Bugsy was treated. Izzy wasn't but now her ears are pretty much clean all the time. they don't mind when I clean them with q-tips (yes.. I know.. you really shouldn't, but I am very careful) in fact they start purring. But they do NOT like the wash I have for them. Melvin took it the worst.. and fought me every step of the way... but then a moment after he was down he was cuddling up to me and purring. :) guess they are glad their ears are clean. Sigh. five more days.. I still haven't decided how many of them Im keeping. Some days its one. (cause the hubby wants bugsy) some days its all four. Monday, December 23
went down last night to feed and play with the kitties. Scooter has chewed up both tubes of eye ointment I have.. *grrrr*. I should make a point to get to the shelter today to get some more as izzy is holding one of her eyes a bit closed. We were playing with them, and the hubby noticed that the four kittens hold the personalities of the charaters of the video game gauntlet game (a screen shot) Bugsy is warrior, Melvin is the wizard, Izzy is Valkyrie and scooter is the elf. I laughed so hard when I realized he was right.
There are a few presents under the tree now. Ollie and jack are playing chase and they are getting in the way. I hope they don't "unwrap" the presents :) Sunday, December 22
wow.. its been since the 18th since I told you how wonderful the kittens are? lol. well then, they are wonderful. Melvin and bugsy take tiny baby steps to being better. Today bugsy had no snot caked on his nose, but his eyes looked like he just saw a really sad movie. Melvin had some caked on his nose. I went and saw them last night after being away for 24 hours, and they seemed VERY happy to see me. Scooter used me several times to get to some place else.. She jumped on my back then jumped on something else. She's such a riot.
Broke out the bubbles again. They so love those. They have started swatting at them more, and once they pop them, they keep looking around wondering where it just went. Bugsy tends to do it with two paws, and ends up in a praying position. Scooter jumps around standing upright on her back two feet. They all really want to leave that room. Nine more days.. well eight.. sigh. *prays for a good outcome on their tests* Wednesday, December 18
I have found an incredibly cool kitten toy.. catnip bubbles :) They were a little expensive - considering I got them at Wal-Mart, but they are quite the attention grabber with the kittens. They don't have great coherence, but the kittens can't resist sniffing them. They didn't know what to make of them for the first 10 or 20 blows.. then they started getting brave enough to actually touch them. and since they popped when they were breathed on, they were still quite stunned. after about five minutes they were swatting at them with their paws. They weren't quite understanding what they were, but they sure did like trying to figure it out. I blew some again this morning, they still loved it.
I bought home a cat bed from the shelter on tuesday. the kittens found a grapevine wreath and threw that on the floor and were cuddling into it, so when I saw one at the shelter I asked if I could take it. the kittens LOVE it. Scooter likes bringing her toys in it and playing with it there. Melvin just likes laying in it. Mom was kinda interested in it as well. I also brought home some new toys. One was a green felt fish on a string. I held it up and the room got very very quiet as the four of them all sat under the fish trying to figure out how to get it. I lowered it a little and we spent the next half hour batting it around. I eventually tied it to the doorway of the cage, and that was a big hit. SO much so they broke the string *rolls eyes* I haven't had one stringed toy have string sturdy enough to survive the cats they were intended for. Someone really should do something about it cause most of the time I find the string in the litter box, and I don't mean put there by playful kittens. I talked to the shelter about mom. they want to see her cause there was a round of ringworm at the shelter. I so don't think its that (which btw is fungal, not an actual worm) I just think she's bored and is grooming her hair right off herself. *searching ebay for cat condos* I so want one for the kitties.. anyone got one they aren't using any more? Tuesday, December 17
This is adorable. Well except the Rio part..
Bugsy's eyes were watering last night. I was looking him over, and peeking in his ears (these ear mites are awful tenatious) and scooter came up and started washing his face. I could almost hear him roll his eyes.. but he let her. I hung out there for a while. Laid down on the floor, and a nice game of king of the connie ensuded. after a while they just settled down and sat on me and purred. That's always fun. :) Mom seems to be doing a bit better. She's been bored out of her mind and spending her day licking her ankles. Ive been praising her when she plays, and spending time patting and paying attention to her. She's still having a hard time not giving in to the kittens.. but at least she's willing to eat around them now... well a bit. and speaking of food.. the Iams ocean fish.. EEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW.. that stuff looks horrid, it smells horrid, and of course that means the kittens really like it. but then again its not iams kitten food.. so that's good for them. Some of the cans of the kitten food... the consistancy has been off.. kinda like pudding.. made me think of mushy poop. Monday, December 16
Went down last night.. Bugsy not only didn't have watery eyes, but he had no snot crusted on his nose *does quiet happy dance*. Melvin looked almost normal as well. Had a little something stuck to the side of his nose.. *crosses fingers that this is the end of this*
The kittens have found themselves a new toy. I found a draft stopper I made a while back, and rather badly too. Its just a really big round pillow - a bolster if you would - that I had tied up the ends with ribbons. Well the ribbons are gone.. and now the stuffing is coming out with their help.. but they love crawling under it, and jumping over it, and attacking it and rolling around on it. Sigh I miss them running around the house. Two more weeks.. sigh.. part of me wants this to be over, and part of me really really really doesn't. They also aren't eating very much. Im not sure if its the food (back to iams kitten food) or something else as the resident cats aren't eating either. They aren't begging me for other stuff, and they seem to be doing fine, so Im not going to worry about it. Saturday, December 14
Well it seems two of my fosters are taking after my eldest cat Em. Bugsy goes poo, and then scrapes at the side of the box and never actually covers it up. Scooter is becoming obsessive about this licking thing. *rolls eyes* although one thing scooter does that em doesn't is she's kinda perverted about it. Last night bugsy had a little something left on his behind when he was done with the litter.. I grabbed him and held him while I went to get something to clean him off. Scooter took care of it for me. Then this morning she was attacking my leg, and trying to nuzzle into my crotch.. she is one weirdo kitty.. She also seems to be begging for attention but when I give it to her she runs away. Not sure what that is all about.
Bugsy and Mel are on the med. They both look like kitties that have suffered a cold... but bugs isn't weezing nearly as bad, although most times when I go down there he does have a bit of snot caked on his nose.. and melvin looks a lot better. His eyes are obviously still doing something cause I cleaned his face off last night and this morning it was dirty again Although I say that hes doing better and this morning he had blood on his nose. . Izzy had some on hers last night but it turned out to just be a small cut. guess she got a little too rough with something or other. I think the mom cat is going insane. She's missing patches of fur off her back legs probably cause she just licks them all day long. She's quite submissive when it comes to the kits.. letting them eat the food she wants to eat, and play with the things she wants to play with.. so most of the day she's just sitting around looking at them. Last night I got her to play a little, but as soon as she started, a kitten would jump on the toy and that would be that. Although she did chase izzy a little, but once she caught her, I could tell she realized she was doing something wrong. I tried to praise her, but I don't think she cared what I thought. I need to go to the shelter today and get some more meds for b&m.. they are having an open house so I'll probably be there for a while.. :) Thursday, December 12
I did a little reorganizing in the kitten room today. I was planning on taking them out of there and vaccuming, but I realized it will only be two more weeks, and they will just mess it up again, so I just used a carpet broom to get the worst of it up. The kittens quite enjoyed having me in there for an extended period of time. I have a carpet square ( you know the kind.. they are about the size of a placemat) in there that I was using in front of the litter box to try to catch the most of the litter as they walk out, but alas, that was futile, so I threw it on top of the dresser that is in that room, when I was just in there I found the carpet upside down and under the dresser. I can't for the life of me figure out how they did that.
When I was done, I did some other cleaning, much to the dismay of my sinuses. I took a break and went back into the kitten room and sat on the rocking chair. Scooter and I did a little cuddling, then izzy jumped up on my lap all on her own. That made me smile. I put my legs up on the other chair in the room. Then melvin joined in and then my legs became the coolest playground. *rolls eyes* fortunately their claws didn't get past my jeans.. What I don't understand is why they are soo food picky. Probably cause they keep getting different foods. for the past couple of days they haven't finished off what I have given them... but yet they are begging for more.. *sigh* guess that's the downside of living off donations.. no consistancy. At least Ive been having luck getting good litter. I make a point though to always take the brands that I like when I see them, even if Im no where near being out. That one time I got a store brand.. *shiver* will not do that again.. Bugsy's eyes are still watering, but his nose wasn't caked. Melvin's eyes look better, but his nose was worse. I hope this storm coming this weekend isn't too bad so I can get down to the shelter to get some more meds when I help out at the open house.. Wednesday, December 11
Sigh. Yet again Bugsy has decided that he is actually sick. His nose was all most all plugged up again. I went to feed them this evening, and they were happy about it. I got home from shopping this afternoon and mom was meowing. I sent the hubby down to check it out, and izzy escaped. She got all the way upstairs and under the bed. *shakes head* hubby is so slow some times *wink*
Anyway.. they were fine, just out of food. I put some dry food down then went out for a while. Just came home and sat with them for a while. As soon as bugsy's hunger was slaked, he crawled up in my lap for some lovin. Izzy walked by me and so I reached out to pat her. We are still working on that whole not cowering thing. This time she layed down and took it like a kitty. Even started purring... and at one point was louder than bugsy!! lol. She then proceeded to climb up into my lap!!! Have I mentioned she has this kathleen turner kind of pur? Very deep, kinda sexy.. well for a cat.. I got some more food from the shelter. they had real live kitten food.. (no.. not made out of real live kittens.. geeze) so I grabbed it all. I felt a little bad, but these guys have been sick for so darn long, a good influx of nutrients hopefully will do the trick. I also bought a thermometer. a nice digital one that has a high low memory. I went down with it. its 60 degrees down there. the heat finally kicked in and after a few moments it was up to 62. I definately think that room needs a heater... that can't be good for them. although I have a question in to my yahoo cat group to see what they think the room should be set to. One of these days Im going to have to investigate why that room is so freakin cold all the time. The house is only five years old (we had it built) although the contractor was ... well lets just say not totally thorough. He left a hole in the house big enough for my 17lb cat (at the time) to get out. Found a cute cat website, meowhoo.com which lead me to some really cool things at another site. Click the kitties to go there.  Monday, December 9
those kittens can distroy a room faster than any set of kittens I have ever had, and that includes the set of six with a mom. I went down this morning to find someone had knocked a popcorn tin I have off of the dresser it was on. They are eating everything in site too. Its good, but its frustrating too.
I am slightly concerned about Melvin and Bugsy. Its been 10 days for Bugsy on the meds, and he's still stuffy. Granted not nearly as bad. Melvin seems to be ok.. but his eyes still look horrid. Ive been meaning to wash his face, but I keep forgetting. I know he doesn't mind a bit... he's not one to have his face washed. :) Now that school is basically over for me I'll be able to spend a little more time with them. Three more weeks.. I think Im going to ask to take melving bugsy and scooter home if they test negitive and see how the three of them deal with my three. I so want to adopt them.. but six cats.. *shiver* this is such a small house... Sunday, December 8
btw.. what do you think of the two day format? I like the one day format better, cleaner looking, but I figured with the two day format those of you who come on a regular basis might know better if you've missed something :)
Melvin LOVES catnip. He attacks it, rolls in it, attacks anyone who comes near it.gets the munchies after consuming it all.. :) at least he's not an angry nipper. My first cat would take your hand off when under the influance. Mom really likes it too. So does scooter. Bugsy really wasn't that interested, but I think he couldn't smell it. Izzy got into it a little, but when melvin came flying at it, she ran. it was ever so adorable. Bugsy's face seems to have cleared up. He was slorging a little when eating, and wheezing a little when breathing, but nothing as bad as he has been, his eyes have cleared up and there wasn't anything crusted on his nose. YEA!. Melvin is still weaping a little, and snotting a little, but he's getting nice and plump, and being downright adorable.
Small jack update. Today he decided to eat cheez-its. man that cat will eat just about anything. Friday, December 6 the kittens are doing well. Last night bugsy was attacking the stick toy. Its a long black plastic stick thing (about the width of a pencil and about three feet long) that has a suade tastle on the end. I had him running around like an absolute fool. The others like to chase it, but bugsy just pushed them out of the way. Melvin and izzy love jumping up in the air for it. Scooter likes to stand up and bat at it. Izzy also likes to climb the chair to catch it. She is SOOOo the hang in there kitty. She jumps firsts then wonders if it was a good idea later on. This morning bugsy was weezing pretty badly and wasn't so much into chasing it, so I used the pediatric nose drops that someone in the foster care newsgroup recommended and poof, the weeze was gone and he was almost obsessive about getting it. I would let the others bat at it, and I could hear bugsy saying "that's not how you do it! you kill it not bat at it! geeze!". He also has THE biggest paws. They are about two thumb widths big, where as the others are the width of one, and maybe a little extra. Melvin and bugsy both still have runny eyes, and snotty noses... but its so much better than it has been in such a long time. Melvin's is goopy and bugsy's is crusty. Scooter was sneezing a little too.. sigh.. I so hope she's not coming down with anything. Btw.. don't forget. Tis the season to remember your local animal shelter. If you don't have one, please consider helping out the Kennebec shelter. They recently had to take in 170 cats from one man who recently died. They were all under fed and in bad shape. you can read the story here or contact them directly at Kennebec Valley Humane Society Augusta, Maine 207-626-3491 Wednesday, December 4
well it looks like the kittens are on the right road.. :) They were running around like fools yesterday. They even did a flying belly slap.. where they run at each other then jump up at the last minute and look like they are slapping bellies.
  that move never fails to make me laugh. Melvin was attacking his siblings which was a great sign. Also loved to get some attention from me. :) Tonight I was cleaning up the room and scooter went to use the litter I hadn't cleaned up yet. I figured that was a good thing cause then she wasn't going to go in freshly cleaned litter which is always very frustrating. I still haven't figured out why when your cleanning it out litter is the worlds most facinating thing. Anyway, she crawls out of the box and starts doing a sit scoot around the carpet. I grabbed her and found she had some poop stuck to her tail. I threw her in the cage and locked it while I cleaned out the litter. Found out the whole thing needed to be changed out, so we did that, and poof, izzy is in there playing like there's no tomorrow. *rolls eyes* Grabbed scooter, brought her up stairs and proceeded to try to wash her off. Fortunately she had taken most of it off herself, (YUCK! but YEA!) She doesn't take baths well. even spot baths. So I grabbed her front legs in one hand, and the back legs in another and procceded to slide her under the water. and what does she do? she BITES me. grrrr.. I moved my hand out of her mouth, and so what does she do? she bites me again, and harder!! I thought I was ok till after the whole shabang, when I see I am actually bleeding a little. not much. probably not even enough to get a dna sample out of (yes, I watch too much law and order) but its enough for me to be annoyed. She really is a very adorable kitten, but she is no good at listening. But she did enjoy the food I gave her I was lucky and got some iams kitten food for them. Now, if you've never had kittens and iams kitten food, you will not be aware that this stuff is to kittens as liver and onions are to kids. They do not like it at all. Well.. they'll eat till they aren't hungry any more, but that's it!! Im only feeding them a can of food cause if I give them too there is a lot of waste, and this way they will eat the dry food as well. Well yesterday they ate the dry food and left quite a bit of the kitten food for me. lol. Well either way, they are getting the nutrients they need, which is important. Tonight I went back to the salmon food and I gave a small can of fancy feast to mom. well izzy and scooter (the girls) ditched the salmon and went for mom's food. Poor mom doesn't eat if the kittens push her out of the way. However, mom's tail is like the best kitten toy in the whole room. When ever she walks anywhere they couldn't resist attacking it. Izzy also likes to attack the fuse box. No idea why, but she does. They are so cute. I should get some more pictures put up for you guys. Monday, December 2Got a call this morning from the vet saying his fever was down, and he looked a lot better, and things were good enough for him to come home. He's still sneezing a lot, and his eye while it looks great needs meds, but he's home!! Was so happy to see me, purred like a fool. Did the not so silent meow on the way home.. cause he knew I wasn't looking at him so he made it squeek a little. I felt horrible leaving him in the cage to drive home, but hey.. safty first. Got home, put him in the kitten room. I was currious how they would react to having him back.. scooter and bugsy were more than happy to see me. Could not have cared less if melvin was in the room.. lol. I sat in there and cuddled with them for a while. Eventually izzy and mom figured out he smelled a little off, so they spent some time sniffing him and head butting. It was cute... even when izzy shoved her nose right up mel's butt.. lol He is on meds for a min of 10 days.. but HES HOME!!! yea!! Man i missed him. Sunday, December 1
I got a call from the vet this morning. Melvin still isn't eating. :(
Checked in on bugsy last night.. he was weezing something fierce. and his eyes were still watering. sigh. I have a feeling this blog is going to get pretty borring till the new year. :) Need to get down there and feed them and medicate bugsy soon. I really hate this quarentine thing.. and I know they do too. |
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