Conference misery::feline

    I spoke with Dr. B. last night, and JJ has started eating and using the
    litterbox.  She still won't let Dr. B. touch her, but she was able to
    put my carrier into the cage with her to give her a safe place to hang
    out in.  JJ likes it and has been using it.  She will be going to
    Linda's house tonight so I'm sure she'll be petrified being moved
    again, but she'll be okay.  I know she's going to thrive under Linda's
    loving care.
    
    I'll post a new update once Linda has her all settled in!
    
    -Roberta
    

    JJ is in her new foster home as of last night.  When I spoke to Linda
    around 8:30ish, JJ was scared, but not unusually so.  She's got a great
    room to herself... large with 3 windows... and a screen door that
    overlooks the rest of the house so she doesn't have to feel too
    isolated, yet there is also a full door that can be closed if need be. 
    This is a much better set-up than I could have provided at my
    apartment, and I'm grateful for that.
    
    Dr. Breitman gave us a nice break on the vet bill, and the donations I
    presented to Linda helped defray most of it... and this doesn't include
    the ones that are still in transit, so JJ will be well taken care of!
    We really appreciate everyone's help; Feliners are the greatest!!
    
    Well, that's all to report for now.  When Linda has free time she will
    write in here with updates, which I know I'll be very eager to hear!
    
    Thanks again to all of you!
    
    -Roberta
    

    
    
    	Yay!  Thanks for the update Roberta..
    
    	JJ (the human one =)  )
    

    First of all, to end everyone's suspense, JJ is now at my house and 
    seems to be doing very, very well.

    About 4:00 yesterday I met Roberta at SHR1 and we drove to the vet's 
    to pick up JJ. Roberta had brought an old shirt that had her scent 
    on it, so JJ would have something familiar and maybe feel a little 
    better. We put that in the carrier before the vet put JJ in. 

    I had a list of questions, and the vet was very good about answering 
    them and explaining things. She was also very good about the bill. 
    Thanks to you most generous Feliners, almost the entire bill was 
    covered. Any donations still in transit to Roberta will go towards JJ's 
    distemper shot (after the kittens are born), her spaying, the kittens' 
    shots, etc.  

    After a teary farewell, JJ and I departed for NH, arriving home about 
    6:30. JJ was very quiet on the hour-long car ride. Her room is my guest 
    room, with normal people furniture (bed, charirs, tables), wall-to-wall 
    capeting, and three sunny windows -- very pleasant. In a cozy corner I 
    put a cardboard box on its side with a kitty bed, and nearby the 
    litterbox, food, water, and things to scratch. 

    It took JJ a while to come out of the carrier, and she hissed at me 
    a lot, which I expected. She slunk into the bed-in-the-box almost right 
    away. When I brought her supper in, she had moved to the litterbox and 
    was sort of scrunched down and peering at me over the top. (If you've 
    never seen this, it sounds like bizarre behavior, but new cats at the 
    shelter, especially the ferals, will do this because they are afraid.
    I guess they feel safer there.) Fortunately, the litter was still clean.
    After a while, it looked like she was kneading inside the box, and I 
    heard (couldn't believe it at first) purring! Wow, I thought, she loves 
    me already! Then I thought, no, dummy, this is the "nervous purr" that 
    cats do, like when they go to the vet. (Three of mine will purr up a 
    storm on the examing table, but it's not 'cause they like being there, 
    they're just nervous.) Still, it was a positive sign. When I said good 
    night about 9:30, I noticed she hadn't touched her food yet. 

    About 5:00 this morning I heard JJ scratching around in the litterbox. 
    About 20 minutes later she started to cry a little -- for breakfast, I 
    thought. But when I opened the door to her room I decided she was 
    saying "Scoop this !@#$ box!"  Phew!

    When I first went into the room, she was lying on Roberta's shirt in 
    front of the kitty bed and kneading it. When she saw me, she hissed and 
    got back into her bed. She had eaten her food except for a few little 
    crumbs.

    When I brought her breakfast in, a little later, she was curled up in 
    her bed, purring and kneading. I put the food down but she just blinked 
    at me, and kept purring and kneading. I got down to her level (so I 
    wouldn't tower over her and frighten her) and talked softly to her. 
    After a minute she was purring and really kneading up a storm, and 
    was rolling around in the bed. Then she got up and came toward me but 
    stopped about 1 1/2 feet away. Without looking directly at her, I 
    slowly put out my hand until it was within her reach, then I turned my 
    head away from her, talking softly all the time. I could feel her breath 
    on my hand as she sniffed it. Then she went back to her bed, rolling, 
    purring, rubbing her head on the side of the cardboard box, and blinking 
    at me. I had a sudden mental flash, picturing her in my lap... I wonder 
    if it was a telepathic image. Her body language seemed to be saying, I
    think I like you, but I've been hurt and I can't trust you yet." She 
    really acted like she badly wanted some lovies. But I'm going to let 
    her set the pace and ask for attention when she's ready. 

    This behavior was pretty amazing to me, but I know it only happened 
    because of the work that Roberta did with her over the past two months. 
    The hours Roberta spent, in the snow and the bitter cold we've had, 
    trying to win JJ's trust, really paid off. It's a solid foundation to 
    build on. I think JJ is going to be a very loving girl when she over-
    comes her fear.

    JJ thanks all of her benefactors and well-wishers from the bottom of 
    her heart!  It means so much to know people care!

    Linda

    Re: .2
    
    Sorry for the overlap, Roberta. I was working on my update this 
    morning between real work and didn't want to take the time to go 
    back and edit some more.
    
    Right now, JJ's room doesn't have the screen door 'cause I didn't 
    want to stress her more with my cats coming to visit. I'm not sure 
    of the right time to put the screen door on; I was thinking maybe 
    not until the kittens are starting to run around. 
    
    If anyone has any tips on seeing a cat through the delivery of 
    kittens, danger signs, etc. feel free to pass them on. I'm hoping 
    to look around the notes file this weekend for information. I know 
    there was lots in the old Feline file -- is that still available for 
    reading?
    
    Linda
    

    Linda,
    I will be happy to talk to you about delivering kittens.  There is
    soooo much to say.  Give me a ring if you want!
    Karen
    dtn: 276-9953

    Just curious...it seems there were lots of people where she was
    living that were concerned about JJ.  Did you guys have a chance
    to let those folks know she was going to a new home?  I bed they'd
    be happy to hear it.
    
    Jan 

    Yup, Jan, I went into the restaurant after taking her to the vet and
    let the hostess know I had caught her.  She asked me to make up a flier
    of some sort stating that so she can post it in the restaurant and
    collect donations.  Not only were the employees concerned about her,
    many of the regular patrons were too!  I did up a flier in Power Point
    and brought it in during lunch today, and left my name and address in
    case people want to donate towards her care.
    
    One thing I learned which I neglected to share with everyone through
    all the excitement.  There were many stories of how JJ arrived at the
    restaurant, but the hostess specifically informed me that she was the
    one who found JJ.  She isn't a cat lover, but she went out to get the
    mail one day (the mailbox overlooks a small stream set down from the
    driveway) and saw a plastic garbage bag moving.  Upon closer
    observation she noticed it was the body of a kitten with a plastic bag
    tied around it's neck.  She was able to remove the bag but was not able
    to hold onto JJ long enough to capture her, so let her go.  JJ stayed
    there ever since.  Dr. B. feels she is less than a year old, or just
    about that.
    
    

    Geez, what kind of person ties a plastic bag around a cats neck and
    leaves it?  (that's a rhetorical question, I don't think I really
    want to know the answer)
    
    JJ is truly blessed to have found so many people who cared for her.  
    Based on your story I was sure there were many people wondering what 
    had happened to her.  I'm happy to hear you've taken care of notifying
    them.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jan
         

    
    Flame on>  Boy would I like 5 minutes in a dark ally with the sub human
    filth that could do that to a defensless kitten!!!!  Any one want to
    join me!!!!  GRRRRRRRRRRR Flame off<
    
    Sorry for venting in here,  but boy that really makes me see RED.  We
    are lucky, given that history, that JJ let Roberta anywhere near her is
    that short an amount of time!!
    
    I have rescued kittens from dumpsters, the woods, open fields, etc... I
    just don't understand how people could do this?!
    
    Feline Angry and Confused,
    
    Sue & her shelter babies (Panther & Spots) & 1 Stray Cinnamon, I just
    couldn't part with him. :-)
    

    Re: .10
    
    Yeah, Sue, I could be motivated to treat said subhuman to an
    educational experience it would not soon forget!
    
    Linda
    

    JJ is slowly adjusting to her new surroundings and her new human. She 
    behaves a little like a yoyo -- sometimes she'll act calm and friendly, 
    other times she'll spook at the littlest thing. It makes her nervous 
    when I move anything around in the room, even picking up her litterbox 
    to change it. I had to rearrange a couple of things when I brought in 
    the nest box I made this weekend; she let me know her feelings in an
    irritable, growly voice. It's gonna take some time, poor baby.

    Yesterday, I was sitting on my heels, when JJ came over and touched her 
    nose to my knee. She may have gotten a shock -- though I didn't feel 
    anything -- as she jumped back, growling, and hid under the arm chair. 

    A couple of times, when I was down at her level talking to her, with 
    my hands out of sight, she stepped up to me and sniffed my head or my 
    face, but then quickly retreated with a fearful look. It seemed I was 
    not what she expected. Sigh. One step forward, two steps back.

    This morning I was sitting in the arm chair, and she came over to me, 
    sat up on her haunches, and kneaded the chair cushion close to my leg. 
    I was happy that she made this little advance, but I held my breath and 
    eyed her dagger-claws, knowing they would easily go through my quilted 
    bathrobe, and knowing she would be startled if I moved my leg. 
    Fortunately, she got tired of kneading before my leg became a scratching 
    post. And she didn't get scared! 

    I've been preparing for the impending blessed event, which I pray goes 
    smoothly. I saw my vet this weekend and alerted him to the situation. 
    He told me trouble signs to watch for and reminded me of their 24-hour 
    availability. Karen Fallon has given me some invaluable advice and tips. 
    My friend Joan, who is very knowledgeable about cats, is also available 
    for support, though if JJ runs into problems, I'm sure it's going to be 
    at 3 a.m. or during working hours! I remembered that I had a copy of 
    "The Book of The Cat", which has lots of good information and color 
    photos. 

    Joan, who stopped by yesterday and met JJ, thinks the darkness around 
    the edges of JJ's ears are a sign that her ears had started to become 
    frostbitten. One of Joan's cats was a stray who lost most of her ear 
    flaps to frostbite. I think JJ was very lucky, considering how cold it 
    was this winter.

    I stocked up on film this weekend, but I don't know when I'll be able 
    to start taking pictues of JJ. The room is light enough to take non-
    flash pictures on a sunny day, but I don't know what JJ will think of 
    a camera pointing at her. Also, there is the problem of taking pictures 
    of a beige cat in a room with beige walls and beige carpeting. Even the 
    bedspread is pastel flowers on a beige background. I wonder if the 
    pictures will come out looking like pale red ears, tail, paws, and 
    blue-eyed mask floating in a sea of beige... kind of like the Cheshire 
    cat!

    Linda

    Linda,
    Something you might do now;
    If you get a heating pad and place it just under 1/3 of the box (turned
    on low), she might enjoy being in it now.  That will make the
    transistion easier for you both when it comes time to delive.  Cats
    like warm places to curl up and sleep anyway!
    Karen

    Karen,
    
    A question for you:  Do you find that your queens get growly and
    irritable while pregnant?  I remember when I once befriended a momcat
    that had given birth to a litter, and she acted much like JJ.  Once the
    kittens were weaned, her disposition became friendlier and less
    aggressive.
    
    I do realize your queens have been people oriented since day 1, but was
    wondering if this might be a typical sign of female hormones and
    pregnancy.
    

Linda,

No one could be more of a spook than Gypsy, but the camera doesn't bother him!
Maybe it won't bother JJ either.  Sounds as if JJ is doing just fine...kneading
the cushion of the chair you're sitting on...I'd say that's GREAT!!!  Seems
like I take one step forward and four steps back.

Now Gypsy has free roam of the house, he has decided to spend most of his time
under my bed.  Twice, while I was reading in bed, he has come to the side of the
bed and stetched his neck up to look at me!!  His antics are so cute, the way he
moves is adorable!

I think JJ's making real progress, I wish Gypsy was doing as well.  Sighhhhh,
one of these days!

Hugs,
Laura

    Laura,
    
    Can I have a picture of Gypsy for my office?  My colorpoint cat collage
    is growing!!
    
    It sounds as though Gypsy is making progress too; at least he never
    knew cruelty as JJ has.  That's one thing in his favor.  He needs much
    more time to really feel at home, and one day it's just going to hit
    him and you'll see tremendous progress.
    
    As far as JJ is concerned, she is behaving pretty consistent with what
    I experienced.  She did a lot of kneeding/rubbing/purring with me, but
    is afraid of hands (rightfully so), and although I could pet her she
    limited my efforts with lots of swats and scratches.  Poor thing wants
    love but is so afraid of being hurt again.  Linda -- have you tried
    feeding her out of your hand or off of a spoon?  That might help her
    get used to you and pick up your scent.
    

    Roberta, I have never experienced a cat that was growly or even the
    slightest upset prior to delivery.  My momcats live, sleep and exist
    with me right through the firt few weeks after delivery.
    
    I only once had a cat that got upset during delivery, she had 
    started without me.  Eventually, "we" calmed down.  
    
    I am willing to give up a lot for my cats.  Most people wouldn't
    even think about doing what I do, let alone do it.  
    
    Mom cat sleeps with me (as well as whoever wants to, of course
    Tubba gets booted out of the room sometimes) the whole time.
    I keep a nest box, sort of.  I pile the old blankets on the bed
    along with chux.  I even bought a flannel covered rubber sheet.
    Mom has the babies on the bed with me changing her towels to keep
    dry.  After, the babies stay in a box with towels.  I put a heating
    pad under this and then this all goes under my comforter.
    I spend a lot of time reading or watching tv in bed (shush!) and
    just watch with my head under the covers.  I talk to the mom and the
    babies.  I handle them and pet them.  The babies get used to my smell
    and are not afraid.  Mom sees how I am with them and her and has never
    had a problem with it.  They are always so proud to hear the praises 
    of a job well done.  This is how my babies start their life and I think
    it shows as they grow older.
    Karen

    Re: .13

    Putting a heating pad under the box now sounds like a good suggestion, 
    Karen. I'm a little leery of putting a heating pad under something 
    (especially something flammable), leaving it on for a long time, or 
    leaving it on while I'm not home. When I was growing up, my mother 
    instilled in us a respect to the point of fear of electricity (and 
    possible house fires) which I still have today. It sounds like you use 
    the heating pad trick regularly and don't have a problem. I'll try it 
    while I'm home and see how JJ reacts. And how I react. :-)

    Re: .15

    Laura, I have enjoyed reading about your progress with Gypsy. I think 
    you've done wonders with him. What a lucky cat he is to have you! 

    You were right about the camera. This morning I brought my camera into 
    JJ's room and took some pictures (no flash) while she was eating, just to 
    get her reaction. The shutter click didn't bother her, but the whirr of 
    the film advancing caught her interest. She didn't seem afraid, though. 

    No, Roberta, I haven't yet tried to attract JJ with food on my hand. It's 
    a good idea, and I'll probably try it soon. I had thought it would be 
    better to wait until her "yoyo-ness" (ups and downs of behavior) evened 
    out a little, but now I'm not so sure. It may be a long time before that 
    disappears. She has such an extreme reaction sometimes when she sniffs 
    my hand -- she jumps back with an expression of such revulsion. I've 
    never seen anything like it. But it would be good to be able to touch 
    her before the kittens are born. 

    Linda

    Still no kittens, but JJ's noticeably bigger.

    Monday night, when I went in before bedtime, JJ was curled up in the 
    arm chair. She's always stayed under the bed before. Since then I've 
    noticed cat print depressions on the bedspread. It's an old bed and 
    higher than usual -- how she gets up there in her condition I don't 
    know. Maybe someone comes in with a forklift while I'm out. :-) (She's 
    gonna get me for that one!)

    Tuesday morning, JJ's behavior was more even, more calm and friendly 
    than before. She sniffed my hand or arm a few different times; only 
    once did she jump back -- after I had washed the breakfast dishes 
    and probably had the rubber glove smell on my hands. 

    Tuesday night I brought JJ some catnip and put it on the placemat where 
    she eats. I sat down on the floor two feet away and talked to her. At 
    first she sniffed it and pulled away -- did that 2-3 times. Then she 
    realized that though it wasn't food, it might be interesting anyway. She 
    looked at it curiously, and cautiously tapped it with her paw a couple 
    of times. Next she pushed it around a little with her nose and licked a 
    little, and started rubbing her head around on the placemat. She really 
    got into it then, rolling around on the floor (it's the first time I've 
    seen her belly) and having a great time. She was kneading everything 
    around her -- the rug, the wall, the mat -- purring, rolling, and acting 
    a little intoxicated. She seemed to go through different moods or phases 
    over a 20-minute period: rolling and rubbing, calm and relaxed, playful, 
    more rolling and rubbing. 

    At one point, to my amazement, she zipped past me and jumped into her 
    nest box (her confident manner made me think it was not the first time 
    she did it). She turned around and looked at me for a few seconds, as 
    if to say  "See what I found!" and then hopped back out. 

    After a while, her actions seemed to become a little aggressive (catnip 
    does this to my cats; they smack each other). When I got up to leave the 
    room she followed me to the door and kept rubbing against my legs in a 
    really urgent, anxious way. I had to go back and put a few kibbles of 
    food on the placemat to distract her so I could get out. She followed 
    me to her feeding area and, at one point, she was between me and the arm 
    chair. I think she felt cornered then. She hissed and gave a big, fat, 
    loud spit! Bummer, back to yoyo mode.

    This mornng she seemed calm again and breakfast was uneventful. I was 
    even able to take a couple of pictures. Afterwards she followed me to 
    the door and rubbed against my legs with her head and body. 

    Linda

    re:.18
    LInda,
    Yes, I have been concerned too about the heating pad.  I just make sure
    the cord is in good condition and not obstructed.  I also purchased new
    ones to be real safe.  They are only around $15.
    You do need one tho!
    Karen

    Linda,
    
    Sounds like great progress!  You're right, it's going to take awhile
    for JJ to become trusting, and my hunch is that she will always have a
    fearful, cautious part of her lurking, awaiting the worst, due to her
    harsh start in life.  Considering it took me 2 months just to get her
    to reach this point, I'd say you're off to a pretty good start in just
    one week!  I really miss her, but am so thankful she's being well taken
    care of.  And I know if it's meant to be, she and I will be together
    again.
    
    I know exactly what you mean about her not wanting you to leave the
    room.  We used to play that game in the parking lot; I'd go to my car,
    she'd follow, I'd feel terrible that I had to leave her behind; she'd
    watch me drive away; I'd call to her through the window (much to the
    amusement of the restaurant patrons), and watch her frantically looking
    around trying to find me.
    
    She hated the catnip when Sandy and I offered it to her.  I think she
    was miffed that it wasn't food.  Glad she reacted this time!!  It's
    really difficult to believe she's not quite a year old.  Poor thing
    missed out on kittenhood, and now she's a child having children!
    
    Anxiously awaiting the birth announcement of kittens!!
    
    -Roberta
    

    Grandma Mary adding her $.02.....
    
    You might want to cover part of her nesting box...it's like making it a
    canopy bed!  Cin Gerry gave me that idea cause the kittens need to be
    kept extra warm.  As soon as I did that, Meggie immediately moved her
    babies under the covered end of the box and they always stayed there. 
    The funny part was that Meggie used to like to sleep on top of the
    cover, like her own kitty hammock, while her babies were snug
    underneath it.  I used a flannel pillowcase, which I started out by
    tacking in to place.  When Meg started sleeping on it, I nailed it down
    so it wouldn't collapse under her.
    
    Meg did have mood swings during her last two weeks.  She'd be nice and
    friendly one minute and ready to kill the next.  JJ will come
    around...she just needs time!
    
    Mary
    

    Re: .20, Karen

    The heating pad I have is a good one, but it's old. I'll check to make 
    sure it's in good condition. Do you have any recommendations if I decide 
    to buy a new one? Where did you get yours? Thanks!

    Re: .22

    Grandma Mary, thanks for adding your voice of experience. I was hoping 
    you would!

    The nesting box does have a cover (I followed Karen's instructions) but 
    it's cardboard. It seems like a cloth one, like you mentioned, would be 
    better, as it would not be noisy when moved. I think the box is too tall, 
    though. I'm guessing it's about 18". Do you remember how big the box you 
    used was? Of course, there's a couple of inches of newspapers (on the 
    bottom, for insulation) and cloths, so that raises the floor a little. 

    Re: .21

    Well, Roberta, I am so relieved that you were able to capture JJ when 
    you did. The nights are still cold -- the temperature was in the mid-20's 
    this morning. If these babies need temps around 70-80 degrees in the 
    house, I can just imagine what would have happened to them if they 
    were born outside! 

    JJ has been with me for a week now, as of last night, and she is showing
    noticeable improvement. She has hardly hissed or growled in the past day 
    or two, and then she only does it if she feels threatened or is startled.
 
    Last night, on my last visit to her room, JJ was back in her bed-in-a-box 
    under the bed, lying on her side. For a second, I saw a large lump move 
    under her fur. There really are kittens in there! 

    After I changed into my nightclothes, I spread out the turtleneck I had 
    been wearing on the chair where JJ sometimes sleeps. This morning, I 
    found cat footprint depressions on the turtleneck so I know she 
    investigated it. 

    While JJ was eating breakfast, I tried taking a flash shot with the 
    camera. She looked up suspiciously at the noise of the flash attachment 
    popping up, but the flash itself didn't bother her at all. 

    Before I left for work this morning, I cracked open the guest room door 
    a little to say goodbye to JJ. She was curled up on my shirt but came 
    over to the door. Crouching down, I put my hand forward with my arm 
    mostly vertical, to be as non-threatening as possible. She sniffed quite 
    close to my hand for a moment, then moved back, but stayed calm. These 
    little things probably don't sound like much to anyone else, but to me 
    they are signs that we are heading in the right direction. 

    Linda

    Linda,
    You can make the box shorter if you want.  I have always kept a 
    hard cover (like the part I told you to cut and then put over) on the
    box.  Reason:  it won't collapse.  Of course I have other kitties that
    would jump on top, but come to think of it...  Use the hard top. 
    Momcat might walk on it by accident and if babies are under a cloth
    they could get trampled.  Momcats aren't always as smart as they should
    be ;'}.
    
    When I bought my heating pads, I look for the greatest temp difference
    in temp. settings.  Start out on low and feel where the babies are
    laying.  It should be nice and obviously warm.  If you notice them
    moving over to the section where there is no heat, turn it down.  If
    they are all clumping together and you think it isn't warm enough turn
    it up one notch.  Check it in about a half hour to see how they are
    doing.  Don't cook the little ones,but make sure they are warm to body
    temp. (@101).  After the first week you can start to bring the temp
    down.  By week three, they should be producing their own heat. 
    
    Re: Catnip.  I don't know of any reason to withhold catnip except
    over-excitability.  During the last few weeks you don't need a momcat
    running whacko all over the house.  If she enjoys it and just rolls, it
    shouldn't hurt.  
    
    
    How is mom cat today? I think you are making very good headway with
    her.  The shirt was a great idea!!  Very positive.
    Karen

    
    A hint about getting good flash pictures without the red-eye;
    unfortunately it requires a fairly powerful flash.  Bounce the light
    off the ceiling.  If the flash has a movable head, this should be
    pretty easy to do.  If it doesn't you can get more or less the same
    effect by putting a reflective card in front of the flash that blocks
    the "direct to the cat's eyes" light and sends it up to the ceiling
    instead.  I have even done this with the "popup" flash on my auto-everything
    SLR and though it's a real battery killer, it works, unlike the "red
    eye eliminator" gimmicks (which rely on a preflash to constrict the cat's
    pupil so the retinal reflection is minimized).  If you have any very
    wide aperture lenses and can work the depth of field issues (sorry if
    this is too much photospeak for you), that will help a lot too; the
    trip from flash to ceiling, loss from incomplete reflection from the
    ceiling, and the trip from the ceiling down to the cat, really takes
    a lot of light.
    
    Anyway, bouncing off the ceiling gives a much warmer and shadowless
    illumination, and it's not as much of a shock to the cat.
    
    Until I started doing this, I was getting lots of great pictures that
    were unusable because of the redeye.
    
    len.
    

    HMmmmmmm,
    
    Sounds like JJ has really adjusted well!  Has she purrchance had a
    Princess visitor?
    
    I spied the Princess Panther Jane knitting little booties and bonnets,
    Purrrrhhhhaaaps she is going to host a baby shower?
    
    If I find out, I'll keep you posted!
    
    Feline Silly today,
    
    Sue & Crew

    My box was only 12" deep.  Cin mentioned that sometimes the MomCats
    like to drag their kittens in and out of the box and I could just
    picture Meg whacking poor baby kits against the side.  I bought a
    little mattress at Toys r Us and covered it with flannel sheets.  I
    never used newspaper.  I was expecting a mess from time to time, but
    never had one.  Right after the babies were born, Meg "spotted" a
    little, but it wasn't anything that needed major cleaning.  Cin
    recommended the flannel blankets and sheets...they're soft and warm and
    baby kitten claws don't get caught in them like they would with towels.
    
    As for the cover, it was stretched tightly over the box, which was made
    of wood, so I could nail the cover in place.  It held Meg and a kitten
    or two with no problems.  My babies were quite comfortable in their
    little "crib"!
    
    Mary
    

    Any kittens yet???
    :'}
    karen

    JJ had her kittens this morning!!  Linda just called me from home.  JJ,
    being the independent kitty she is, took care of everything herself
    (much to Linda's delight!).  So far, there are 4 kittens, but Linda
    feels at least one or two more are on the way.  They all look like red
    tabbies, but it is so hard to tell at birth I'm expecting that will
    change.
    
    The first kitten was born at 3:37 a.m., the next at 4:08, then 8:38,
    and approximately 9:15.  Linda will call me with any subsequent news,
    and I will post it.
    
    It was 2 weeks ago today that Linda picked JJ up from Dr. B.'s, and Dr.
    B. predicted 2 weeks until delivery.  JJ must have been listening to
    our discussions!!
    
    I'll keep you all posted!
    
    -Roberta
     

    wonderful news !!!

    
    
    	Hooo wee!
    

    The FIRM is working on the kitten contracts!
    
    Deb

    Wonderful news.  I'm eagerly awaiting more kitten news.
    
    Steffi

    As much as JJ would hate it, I'd just love to go see tiny baby kittens. 
    I have a feeling this would un-do most of the work Linda has done, so
    I'll just dream of them instead!!  Poor Linda--she's got her hands full
    now! 
    
    Mary
    

    I'm happy to hear that all are well!
    Karen

    It's been 2.5 hours since your announcement; anymore news?!?!?!?!?
    
    Deb

    Nope, no more news yet!  I'm sitting here filled with anticipation
    myself!
    
    Karen, a question for you:  If a kitten is born with tabby markings,
    can that change?  I was really hoping JJ would have some colorpoints,
    but aren't they born completely white??  It will be interesting to hear
    the latest and greatest developments as they occur.
    
    Maybe JJ decided to stop at 4 (Hopefully!).
    

Congratulations JJ!!  Glad mama and kittens are doing well!

Laura    

    Roberta,
    
    I'm not Karen, but I think I can answer your question.
    
    RE: the color points.  Yes, all colorpoints are born white.  They
    develop their points shortly afterward (Karen, you'll have to answer
    when). 
    
    RE: the tabby markings.  Yes, they can disappear, but not likely on
    shorthairs.
    
    They're all red tabby's?  What "color" is JJ?  (I know she's a
    colorpoint, but what color are the points??).  If she's a diluted
    color, then it's a possibility that some of the kittens could be cream
    tabbys too.  
    
    Holly
    

    Oh yes, and I'm SO happy to see that she's finally had her kittens! 
    That's wonderful!
    
    Holly
    

    JJ is a flame lynxpoint with blue eyes.  I just got off the phone with
    Linda, and so far, there are still 4 kittens.  She said the markings
    are the color of JJ's point color, and the kittens are shorthairs.
    
    I first wanted JJ to have healthy kittens, and they seem pretty robust,
    but second I was hoping for a more diverse spectrum of colors/markings! 
    :^)  4 red tabbies -- how boring!!  :^)
    
    

    Hmm.. flame lynxpoint (all pointed cats have blue eyes).  I THINK
    flame is the same as red (different breeds call them different things. 
    It's really confusing!!).  Red is not a dilute, so that was dominant. 
    The lynxpoint explains the tabby markings, and they probably won't go
    away.  However, there's still a possibility that there will be creams
    in the litter (the coat will lighten up quite a bit).  
    
    Oh yes, and if they're all red tabbys, then they're most likely all
    boys. 
    
    Holly
    

    >Oh yes, and if they're all red tabbys, then they're most likely all
    >boys. 
    
    If they had the same coloring genes but were girls, would they be
    calicos?
    
    Deb

    I don't think so, but I'm not sure.  I HAVE seen red-tabby females. 
    However, they're very rare and VERY hard to get.  A friend who breeds
    cornish rexes had been trying for 15 years to get a red-tabby female
    before she finally got one.  
    
    With Calicos, they actually have an extra chomozone (sp??).  I think
    it's the Y chromozone.  That's why 99.9% of all calicos are females. 
    Honestly, I have seen a male calico.  It was a cornish rex.  It was
    funny, I saw it at a show in Pennsylvania.  The first judge we went to
    saw in her book "Calico Male", she laughed a bit and automatically
    changed it to female.  She went and got the cat, and when she picked
    him up and looked at him, her eyes got HUGE and she exclaimed, 
    "IT IS!!" (-:  The whole audience roared!
    
    Holly
    

    I don't think females are all that uncommon. They aren't as common as
    males, but the last several all tabby red kitties we've had a the
    shelter have been females! We have one right now actually. Her name is
    Monty, which led me to believe she was a male,until I looked at her
    chart. She's a real deep color too. She's very pretty.
    
    We have one red tabby and white female at the shelter too. She's sort
    of dilute though. I think she is the only tabby and white I've ever
    seen that was female though. 
    
    I also had a female red tabby when I was younger. I didn't know they
    werew supposed to be uncommon until I started volunteering, and then it
    turns out that the majority of them have been females after all! Go
    figure! Just when we get the answers Mother Nature changes the
    questions! 8-)
    
    Just my two cents...
    
    Yonee 

    I was awake at 4:00 this morning, so I got up to check JJ & family. All 
    was well and everyone was in the box; no one jumped ship during the night. 

    When I brought JJ's breakfast in about 6:00, she growled a little as I 
    approached the cage. I couldn't figure it out, since she had been ok 
    earlier. But I had just showered and washed my hair, so maybe I smelled 
    different to her. I also noticed that when I replaced the soiled bedding 
    with a fresh flannel blanket, the kittens started crying loudly, probably 
    because the new bedding didn't have their or their mother's scent on it. 

    While JJ was eating I took the opportunity to clean her cage. I was able 
    to remove all four kittens without upsetting her, though she kept an eye  
    on me. I'm really pleased about being able to handle them so soon; 
    I wasn't sure if she'd let me. Hope she doesn't change her mind later. 
    I checked, and they are all boys. 

    One thing I noticed about JJ during the first week and forgot to mention 
    is that she drools when I give her attention. Roberta, did she do that 
    when she was at JJ O'Rourkes? I've seen several cats do this, usually 
    shelter cats that were previously homeless or others that have been 
    without a loving human for a while. You know you're appreciated when a 
    cat drools over you! 

    Linda

    Hi Linda,
    
    I just put a note into the Generic Rathole Topic (where your other
    replies were).  Gosh, now I'll have to eat my words; I really didn't
    think that JJ would have all boys!  I knew she was a little slut, and
    I'll bet this was planned so that if she did end up having her kittens
    outside she could have her pick on potential new studs to breed with. 
    Whew, I am really glad we got her out of there!!
    
    You're doing just great, and I'm so happy you can handle the babies. 
    They are going to be wonderfully socialized kittens and I'll bet with
    Joan's help will find very good homes.  C'mon Feliners, place your
    orders now!!
    
    Regarding the drooling:  I can't remember if she did that with me; she
    did knead, purr and headbutt a lot.  Nikki, a formal feral, was
    extremely drooly upon first being rescued.  Maybe it is the fact that
    she is in a house now and knows it's a good place started the behavior. 
    I think she definitely knows she was rescued.  She does enjoy having
    humans around; she craves the attention and in time will become less
    cautious about being handled.
    
    Keep those updates coming!!
    
    -Roberta
    

	Doesn't the fact that all kittens are the same, that they
	probably all have the same father (ie. JJ only mated with
	one male)?

	Someone told me once that you get a mix of markings because
	the female usually mates with several males.

	So I take it no more kittens after the 1st four came out?

    Good theory, Jeff!  That is probably what happened.
    
    No more kittens; 4 is the number!  Wanna adopt one?  :^)
    

    I am looking at today's  picture of an adorable red mackeral tabby kitten on
    my 365 cat calendar.  If JJ's kittens will look like this cutie, I'm
    interested. ;)  We will be in NYC over Memorial week.  We could meet
    Linda and kitties.  Just a thought.  I've already planted that thought
    in Bob's head. ;)
    
    Steffi 

    Steffi, you're a hoot!  I can't believe you are willing to adopt cat
    #5!  And you just gave me another question for Linda:  Are the kittens
    mackeral tabbies or classic tabbies?  Classic tabbies have the swirls
    and "bulls-eyes" whereas mackeral tabbies are striped.
    
    I was hoping JJ would have a longhair or two, but Linda said they are
    all shorthairs.  JJ has such a sweet face, so I'm sure her babies will
    inherit that!
    

    Steffi...I have that calendar and that orange kitty is a doll!!!  He
    reminds me of my Dewey when he as a baby.   Of course, in my house
    I have a cat of every color, size and shape!!!   
    
    Sandy

    I've moved 515.220, .221, and .222 from the GENERIC/RATHOLE TOPIC note 
    to the JJ note, where I should have put them in the first place. My 
    apologies to those who already read these replies in note 515. 

    Linda, with a red face, as well as red kittens :-)


               <<< MISERY::APPLE$:[NOTES$LIBRARY]FELINE.NOTE;1 >>>
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Note 515.220                  GENERIC/RATHOLE TOPIC                   220 of 223
JARETH::GOGOLIN                                      63 lines   6-APR-1994 19:16
                                 -< Finally!! >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I'm sorry to be so late updating this note, especially after everyone's 
    been so interested, helpful, and full of good wishes and congratulations. 
    Between being on a project in its final stages, generally galloping along 
    on The Treadmill of Life, and spending quality time with JJ and my own 
    cats, it's been rather hectic. I've also had a lot of trouble logging in 
    from home. I think one problem's been fixed since I changed the phone 
    cord to my modem (a certain petite party with an all-black coat likes 
    to chew my curly phone cords, and has ruined 3, so it seemed worth trying 
    a new straight cord). 

    I just realized I never congratulated Grandma Roberta (Congratulations, 
    Roberta!), without whom this story would have taken quite a different 
    turn. Imagine if JJ hadn't been caught and had had her babies today  
    outside at the restaurant. It's cold and very rainy tonight...

    It looks like the total kitten headcount is 4 (phew!). The last kitten 
    was born about 9:25 this morning. Of course, my vet did say that a cat 
    can deliver kittens over a 72-hour period; it can happen when more 
    than one male cat sires a litter. JJ still looks a little plump, but I 
    think she's done. As Roberta mentioned, JJ took care of everything and 
    it all went pretty smoothly, which was a *great* relief to me. I was 
    already awake when I heard the first kitten cry at 3:37. Needless to say, 
    I did not sleep after that! My part in all this was mainly to praise 
    and encourage her.

    Over the past few days I started to realize that a lot of the great 
    advice I've gotten is fine for a docile cat, lovingly cared for, but 
    wouldn't work with JJ if I couldn't touch her. She has not let me touch 
    her yet, although she will often rub against my leg, my arm (if I'm 
    close to floor level), or even sniff my head. When I've sneaked a few 
    soft pats on her back, she's hissed and given me a dirty look. Once I 
    tried it when she was on her chair, and she spit and lashed out with 
    claws extended (I think she felt cornered). So I haven't pushed her. 

    As her pregnancy progressed for longer than I anticipated, I started to 
    wonder if there was a problem and if JJ was overdue. How would I know? 
    And I was really sweating it about what would happen if she had trouble 
    delivering the kittens. So, yesterday (Tues.) I called a vet who does 
    house calls to see if it would be worthwhile to have him come out and 
    look at her. He said he could do that but (this is condensed a lot) it 
    would really be better if I could bring her in. Since my handling her 
    was out of the question, and there were no obvious problems that I could 
    tell (not to mention that they now charge $50+ for a house call), I 
    rejected that idea. Fortunately, my friend Joan is always there with 
    good, common sense suggestions and helped put things in perspective.

    As it turned out, JJ and I were unbelievably lucky. Not only did JJ not 
    have problems, but she chose a good spot to have her kittens. No, not 
    the nice nest box I made, but the cardboard box I fixed up for her in the 
    cage. (I occasionally foster shelter cats and sometimes a cat needs to be 
    confined to a cage when recovering from injuries or surgery; the cage 
    "lives" in my guest room.) I never dreamed she'd voluntarily go into the 
    cage but put the box in there anyway. I could not believe my eyes when I 
    went in at 3:40 this morning and found her in the cage! It was such a 
    relief to knew that if she had problems I could just transport her, in 
    the cage, to the vet's. She still seems quite content there. 

    The kittens look really good; they have lots of fur, and are so much 
    cuter than the human variety (oops, guess I've offended all the parents 
    of humans here :-} )  The robust little things have been nursing away 
    from almost the first moment. JJ just purrs and kneads, purrs and kneads.

    Linda

               <<< MISERY::APPLE$:[NOTES$LIBRARY]FELINE.NOTE;1 >>>
           -< Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected >-
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Note 515.221                  GENERIC/RATHOLE TOPIC                   221 of 223
JARETH::GOGOLIN                                      27 lines   6-APR-1994 19:17
                              -< Belated replies >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Re: .26, Len 

    Thanks for the tips for flash pictures -- I was actually able to follow 
    most of it! :-)  I'll try the reflective card trick and see what happens.
    I'm sure the cats will like it better!

    > Until I started doing this, I was getting lots of great pictures that
    > were unusable because of the redeye.

    I have more than redeye to work on!


    Re: .27, Sue 

    > I spied the Princess Panther Jane knitting little booties and bonnets,
    > Purrrrhhhhaaaps she is going to host a baby shower?

    Ah, ha!  That would explain the dirty china teacups and cake plates in 
    the sink when I got home from work last week. And the gift wrap in the 
    trash. I hope JJ didn't eat the booties and bonnets -- you know how 
    those Siamese are about wool! :-)

    > Feline Silly today,

    Feline punchy right about now... :-)

    Linda

               <<< MISERY::APPLE$:[NOTES$LIBRARY]FELINE.NOTE;1 >>>
           -< Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected >-
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Note 515.222                  GENERIC/RATHOLE TOPIC                   222 of 223
JARETH::GOGOLIN                                      37 lines   6-APR-1994 19:18
                   -< Another update (written at 8:15 p.m.) >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I just spent about 1 to 1 1/2 hours with JJ and the kittens. She seems 
    to feel much more calm and trusting towards me today, but maybe she's 
    too pooped to be feisty. I wonder if this experience we shared will 
    change her feelings towards me. She still isn't ready to let down her 
    guard, though. I can remove her food and water dishes and her litterbox 
    from the cage without disturbing her too much, but changing her bedding 
    is a challenge -- the only thing that inspires her to leave her nest 
    box is food. 

    During the births of her kittens, JJ seemed to know what to do and 
    she did it. Now that the kittens are here, JJ doesn't seem to have a 
    lot of maternal instinct. Maybe that will come. (I don't know where 
    cats go to learn to be parents -- probably the same place humans 
    go. ;-)  Earlier today she would occasionally lean or lie on a kitten. 
    It would cry, but she didn't seem to connect its distress with her 
    actions. After a while she figured out she had to move when the kitten 
    cried. 

    Also, while I was tidying up her cage tonight, one of the kittens fell 
    out of the box (I had cut the doorway too low, but I stuck it in the 
    cage anyway because I never dreamed she'd choose to be in the cage.) 
    The kitten wandered around the cage for awhile but JJ never made a 
    move to get it. Then a second one fell out, so I removed both from the 
    cage and cuddled them for a while. JJ was not at all upset that I was 
    holding them. I put each one back separately, holding each one out to 
    JJ to sniff before I placed it in the box. She curiously sniffed both 
    the kitten and my hand for a few seconds. When I held out the second 
    kitten, she licked its head, too. This is a great way for her to get 
    used to my scent! And it's the closest she's come to my hand for the 
    longest amount of time without flipping out. Oh, yeah, I turned the 
    box around so the doorway is up against the side of the cage to prevent 
    further escapes.

    Rats, I just thought -- I should have tried to check the sex of the 
    kittens! Even if we are sure they're male. :-)

    Linda

    
    Yes, I have that calendar too.  Love that face and that little roly
    poly tummie! 
    
    Puts me in mind of Cinnamon, I bet he was that cute too!
    
    Feline like she wants a kitten,
    
    (The Inn is Full RATS!
    
    Sue & Panther - no more kitties Mummie - Spots - a new kitten, I'll
    hide under the bed - & Cinnamon, WOW babies, I'll teach them to swim
    and hunt frogs, and chase squirrls.........
    

    Oh Steffie,
    
    Ashlar is going to be so disappointed.   Hey wait!  I have a red
    classic tabby on my patio too.  I call him Li'l Red.  Steff, he's
    closer.  He's cute.  Hey, make Bob stop giving me those nasty don't-
    make-us-adopt-another-cat looks. :^)
    
    Jan

    I remember one female red tabby that was at the shelter a couple of 
    summers ago. She was a new resident, about 7 mos. old, and not yet 
    spayed. 

    I was there doing chores one hot afternoon. The shelter was filled to 
    capacity. I was starting to feed the cats, who were irritable because 
    they were hungry and hot. The red tabby was smacking the other cats, 
    and then those cats would smack other cats. Without thinking, I did 
    something that I do at home to distract my cats during squabbles: 
    I clapped my hands. Well, the ferals went ballistic and started bouncing 
    off the shelter walls. Then they ran out into the pen, followed by the 
    majority of the cat crowd. It was absolute pandemonium for a minute or 
    two. When the dust cleared, I put the red tabby in a carrier. She didn't 
    like that at all and started SCREECHING at top volume. I have never 
    heard anything like it before. Holy hormones! It was really fearsome. 
    I coudln't take it, so I put her, in the carrier, outside until I was 
    finished with my chores. Funny thing, the next time I was at the shelter, 
    the red tabby had been spayed and she was quiet and as sweet as pie. She 
    was adopted soon after that.

    Linda

    Re: .35, Mary 

    > As much as JJ would hate it, I'd just love to go see tiny baby kittens. 

    And I'd love to show them off! :-) I've been debating what to do about 
    visitors. I've had a couple of requests to see the kittens, but I think 
    it's too early right now. For one thing, I'm concerned about exposing 
    JJ and the kittens to germs and having them pick up an upper respiratory 
    infection or other virus. Those "bugs" seem to come from out of nowhere. 

    Also, JJ is still adjusting to a lot of new things -- a new environment, 
    a new human, motherhood -- so she has a lot to cope with. But it would 
    be good for JJ and the kittens to meet some other humans when they're 
    ready. 

    Am I being overcautious in not allowing visitors? Especially if they 
    don't touch the kittens? What did you do, Mary? Anyone else care to 
    give an opinion? Or am I asking the wrong people? :-)

    Re: .50, Jeff

    > Someone told me once that you get a mix of markings because
    > the female usually mates with several males.

    That's interesting. I've known for a while that a litter of kittens 
    can have more than one father, but it never occurred to me that that 
    might account for a variety of colors and patterns in the same litter. 
    It does make sense. 

    Since it appears that there was only one male involved with JJ, I 
    guess that means she was practising "almost safe" sex -- she did get 
    pregnant. 

    Re: .52, Steffi

    I have that calendar, too. I call it the Cat-a-Day calendar (as in 
    "a cat a day keeps the doctor away" :-). A friend got me hooked on them 
    a few years ago. I can't stand to throw the pictures away after the 
    day goes by. I put my favorites up on my office wall. 

    Mmmm, sounds like we could have a deal, Steffi! :-)  In any case, I'd 
    love to have you visit (after all, NH is just a hop, skip, and a jump 
    away from NYC -- compared to California) and meet JJ & family. If all 
    goes well, the kittens should be just about ready to go to new homes 
    then. 

    Re: .59

    Hey, Jan, are you trying to horn in on my territory? :-)  

    I have an idea -- Steffi can adopt one of mine and one of yours, since 
    it's better to have even numbers of kitties. :-)
    
    Linda

    The kittens are growing noticeably each day. They're still very little, 
    of course, but they look more like kittens and less like blobs. When 
    they were first born, they had scrunched-up faces and folded-down ears, 
    and they crawled like they were swimming. It was funny to see them 
    "swimming" across JJ's body if they got caught behind her when she 
    changed position. 

    Now their faces are less scrunched up -- they remind me of flower buds 
    slowly opening. Their eyes are still closed, of course. Their tiny 
    little ears have straightened up, though I guess the kits won't be able 
    to hear for a couple more weeks. They can walk but are very shakey. 

    It looks like the kittens are going to be fluffy, like little dustballs. 
    Their fur is short and, while fine, cottony rather than silky. Maybe 
    this will change; I don't know.  Roberta, you asked if the kittens are 
    mackeral tabbies or classic tabbies. I think they're mackerel. There 
    isn't too much contrast between the tabby stripes so it's hard to see 
    a pattern, except on the back of the neck. They're so little and look 
    so much alike it's hard to tell them apart right now. One has a red 
    patch on top of his head, another seems to have a light face. 
 
    I guess JJ is getting the hang of being a mom; she definitely acts more 
    protective. At first, she would look at me questioningly from her box, 
    as if to say "What *are* these things, anyway? And why do they make 
    such a racket when I lie down?" ('Cause you're lying on *them*, JJ!) 
    Now, it's a hawk-eyed look, "Just what are you doing with my babies?" 
    But she seems to trust me.

    Linda

    Thanks for the update, Linda!  I was wondering how JJ and her family
    were doing over the weekend and was anxious to log into an update.
    
    I'm glad she is getting the hang of being a mom!  And from the sound of
    your kitten description, it appears they are changing a bit and will
    continue to change as the weeks go on.  They sound so adorable; I can't
    wait to visit!!
    
    Keep cuddling those babies, Linda, regardless of JJ's hawk-eyed looks. 
    (I know you will!)  You're really a great surrogate mom, and JJ
    realizes it.
    
    -Roberta
    
    

    Linda,
    Sorry I haven't had the time to appropriately congratulate you before
    this!  Glad everything went so smoothly for you.  Birthing usually has
    no problems, but it can't hurt to be prepared!!
    
    The kittens will probably start to hear around a week and a half and in
    tune at two to three.  The eyesight will take a little longer.  Also,
    they have a kitten fur now that they will lose as they grow older. 
    Even Orientals look like fuzzballs when they are little!
    
    If JJ is calm about you handling the babies, it won't be long for the
    two of you.  Use this to your advantage.  Do you plan on keeping one of
    the kittens?
    
    I usually wait until the kittens have had their first shot before I let
    someone hold them.  You could make sure that their hands are thoroughly
    washed and then only hold them for a moment.  Wait a couple of weeks
    first.  The mom might also be more cooperative if people that are
    strangers just peek at them first.  You are the one that will have to
    handle them the most.  A couple of times a day or more would be good. 
    This will actually create stress in the kittens that is good and will 
    help their development!
    Congrats!
    Karen

    >Re: .59
    >
    >Hey, Jan, are you trying to horn in on my territory? :-)  
    >
    >I have an idea -- Steffi can adopt one of mine and one of yours, since 
    >it's better to have even numbers of kitties. :-)
    
    Not really.  Steffie contacted me about Ashlar (AKA Ice-Kitty, the all 
    white cat on my patio) a while back but then when I saw she might be 
    interested in a red I thought I'd bring up Li'l Red (who, BTW, is a 
    female it turns out).  Besides, Bob's been vetoing all the kitties I've
    suggested.  And, I have told them both that cats come in pairs.  
  
    Jan

    I've just talked to a friend of mine in the cat fancy who is a
    geneticist (sp??  Scientist .. geneology).  Anyway, she says that 80%
    of all red cats are males.  So there's a much greater chance of having
    a red female than there is having a calico/tortie male.
    
    Holly
    

    Re: .63

    Gee, thanks, Roberta!

    Re: .64, Karen

    Thanks for the congrats and more good advice. Two kittens' eyes have 
    just opened; I didn't realize they still can't see yet. I'm curious 
    about that kitten fur, or rather, what will come after it. But not 
    nearly so curious as Roberta! :-) They definitely are little red 
    fuzzballs right now.

    > two of you.  Use this to your advantage.  Do you plan on keeping one of
    > the kittens?

    I am not going to keep any kittens. I am not going to keep any kittens. 
    Repeat 10 times or until it sinks in. Ok, let's say *at this time* I 
    do not plan on keeping any kittens. However, if they look anything like 
    some of the cuties in the 365 Cats calendar, it's gonna be tough! Actually, 
    I am most inclined to keep JJ, but that will depend on how JJ feels, how 
    my cats feel, what is in JJ's best interests, and whether Roberta or I 
    win the most arm wrestling contests. :-)


    > I usually wait until the kittens have had their first shot before I let
    > someone hold them.  You could make sure that their hands are thoroughly
    > washed and then only hold them for a moment.  Wait a couple of weeks
    > first.  The mom might also be more cooperative if people that are
    > strangers just peek at them first.  You are the one that will have to

    That sounds reasonable. When should the kittens have their first shot? 

    Re: .65

    Oops, Jan, then I guess I'm horning in on *your* territory! :-)  
    Seriously, it is sad that there are more kitties than there are homes 
    for them. I know you've rescued quite a few, as has your sister Jo. (I 
    have one of her rescued strays, the former Blackie O'Kelly, now Peanut.)
    It's hard when you're trying to place a cat and there's so much 
    competition for the available homes. Yet it's hard to turn your back 
    when you have a homeless kitty staring you in the face.

    Re: .66

    > 						Anyway, she says that 80%
    > of all red cats are males.  So there's a much greater chance of having
    > a red female than there is having a calico/tortie male.

    That's interesting, Holly. Did she happen to mention what percentage of 
    calicos/torties are male? I've seen just one red female but have never 
    seen a male calico (that I know of).

    Linda

    The kittens are one week old today. They look so huge -- it seems like 
    they've doubled in size, except for their little turtle tails. I wish 
    I'd weighed them last week. One kitten's eyes are almost fully opened, 
    another's are partly open, and the others' eyes are only starting. 

    It's so much fun just to sit and watch them in the box with JJ. Much 
    better than TV! (Hmmm, maybe this is a new definition for "kitty TV.")
    Sometimes they wiggle their ears when they nurse. They're getting really 
    good at navigating around the box. If JJ changes position and one of the 
    boys finds himself at her back instead of her front, he'll just scoot 
    over her body like it's a molehill. 

    The same two kittens (I think) frequently fight over one nipple; if 
    one of them moves to another nipple, the other follows shortly and they 
    start fighting again. Sibling rivalry already! One of them is a very 
    scrappy little guy. Unfortunately, they all look so much alike right 
    now I can't tell them apart. Because their heads have a sort of rounded 
    look, they remind me of little lions.

    Last night, while I was holding them, two hissed, and one spit (I guess 
    they figured out I was not Mom!). They also seemed to be purring, but 
    I'm not sure.

    JJ seems to be very content. You'd think she'd be bored in the cage, but 
    she seems to feel secure there. I've left the door open while I'm in  
    feeding or scooping or cleaning, but she won't go past the cage door.
    She just gets back in the box with her babies, and purrs and kneads 
    while they nurse. 

    Linda

    Wow, Linda, I love reading these updates so much!  Not to make anyone
    jealous, but I received JJ and baby pictures in the mail yesterday, and
    they are all so cute!!  Yeah Linda, they do look huge!  Madeline and I
    both couldn't believe they are only a week old.  At least when these
    guys hiss and spit you can just laugh at them and not worry about it! 
    It is so great that JJ is letting you cuddle them still!  And don't
    worry, no need to arm wrestle if you'd like to keep JJ, because she is
    obviously very happy with you and I don't want to upset her life
    anymore by changing her routine again.  She can live on with me through
    one of her kittens.  Oops, did I just say I'm adopting a kitten??  No,
    I don't think that is what I meant at all!!  :^)
    
    -Roberta
    

    
    
    	Sure it is Roe!  =)
    
    	And if I wasn't having such a rough time with Chloe right
    	now and wasn't looking for a new apt, I might even adopt
    	one.  But I'm getting too many "sorry, three cats is too many"
    	responses when calling about apartments.... =(
    
    	JJ
    

    Linda, they sound wonderfully cute!
    
    When little babies hiss it sure is funny.  They just pick up your smell
    and do it as a defensive posture.  Keep picking them up or just lay
    your hand in with them while you are watching them.  They will grow
    used to your smell and will come to accept you readily.
     
    When their ears flutter I call "flutterbying" (rediculous I know) but
    just like little butterflys!!
    
    When they purr it will sound like a little "ticking" sound.  They
    usually do it while they are nursing.
    
    Have fun!
    Karen

    Linda, "kitty TV" gets even better when they are walking and running
    around.  I remember many evenings standing at the guestroom doorway
    watching Lizette's kittens play with each other.  All of a sudden we'd
    look at our watches and realize that an hour had past.  Lizette's
    kittens hissed when they were about 2 days old, and didn't do it again. 
    They were held and loved from the minute of birth and Lizette didn't
    mind at all.
    
    I can't wait to see some pics, too.
    
    Steffi  

    Linda,
    
    They all sound adorable!!  Sounds like JJ's doing just fine with them
    too!  wonderful!
    
    RE: calico male/female percent
    
    99.9% of all calicos are female.  If you ever DO see a calico male,
    it's usually (but not always!) sterile.
    
    Holly
    

    Linda,
    I usually give the first shot at 6 weeks.
    How are they doing?!
    Karen

    The Honorable Colonel Sebastian Moran, DROFFC, is in receipt of
    photographs of JJ and the babies. He graciously allowed me to take them
    to work, so if anyone in HLO wants to see them, let me know! The
    kitties are adorable (of course) one looks to be especially fluffy and
    independent (sitting a bit away from the crowd). The Colonel translated
    JJ's expression as "This is my place, you are all my slaves, you will
    obey my every command. Now." He also inquired as to why he doesn't have
    his own room like JJ does, but I changed the subject!
    
    Sari the scribe

    Re: .74

    > I usually give the first shot at 6 weeks.

    Thanks, Karen. I wonder if JJ and the kids should/could go earlier, 
    where she hasn't had any shots. Hmmm, guess I'd better make up a 
    list of questions for the vet so I can coordinate these things. 

    Re: .75

    I hope the photos meet with The Colonel's approval. My photographic 
    skills are rather rusty (or, some might say, nonexistent!). Still, 
    I think poor photos are better than none. I'm afraid the "especially 
    fluffy and independent" kitten was one that got a little lost, since 
    his eyes were not yet open at 3 1/2 days of age. He looks "especially 
    fluffy" because, in my enthusiasm for getting kitten pictures, I got 
    a little too close and he came out blurred! 

    >                           He also inquired as to why he doesn't have
    > his own room like JJ does, but I changed the subject!
    
    Sari, you might mention to The Colonel that JJ got her own room by 
    giving birth to 4 babies, and see what he thinks of that idea. :-) 

    I have pictures of JJ and the kids in my office (ZK3), too. Anyone who 
    wants to stop by and admire them -- I mean, see them -- is welcome. I 
    suggest sending mail first, though.

    Linda   

    I've been taking baby steps with JJ, not really pushing her to do 
    anything, not trying to touch her much, letting her come to me if she 
    wants to. There hadn't been any noticeable progress for a while, but 
    in just the past 2-3 days, there have been some small, positive changes. 

    Before the kittens were born, JJ would talk to me a little bit. After 
    they were born she was not at all vocal (not counting the purring). 
    Since Monday night JJ has been chirping (a short trill) and talking 
    to me occasionally. Of course, I talk to her all the time when I visit.

    JJ is also getting braver. Tuesday night, for the first time, she let 
    me stroke her back and tail without jumping away (she was heading for 
    her food dish and I think she just forgot herself). Several times in the 
    past 2-3 days she has stepped out of the cage to rub her head against my 
    hands, resting on my knee, if I'm sitting quietly and passively, not 
    moving them. And today she let me lightly scratch around her ears while 
    she was rubbing her head against the side of the cage (she was inside)
    -- no jumping back, no dirty looks!

    Last Friday, JJ had her first visitor, a coworker who would be a great 
    potential home for one of the kittens, if her husband would agree to a 
    second cat. Anita came over at lunch time for a very short visit, just 
    looking, no touching. JJ growled a little at first, but then semi-relaxed. 
    Today, Anita's daughter came to work with her, so I invited them both 
    over at lunch time. JJ hissed a little at Anita, but was fine with 
    Veronica. JJ quieted down quickly and seemed to feel more comfortable 
    this time. Of course, Veronica loved the kittens (heh, heh, maybe she'll 
    work on her dad).

    The kittens are 2 weeks old today and getting huge! Their eyes are open 
    now. They're so adorable when they lie back in their box and look up at 
    me and wave their little baby paws in the air. They're getting more 
    active, and I think they may start getting out of the box soon. 

    They seem to do new little things almost every day. On Friday, when 
    Anita was there, we noticed one of the babies licking his arm. I thought 
    he must be confused and was looking for a place to nurse, but the next 
    day or so I noticed others making grooming motions, too. I thought were 
    too young for that. They also sometimes seem to play together for a 
    moment or two. 

    The little guys are getting cuter each day -- Oh, no! I think this is 
    The Danger Zone. 

    Repeat 10 times or until it sinks in: I am not going to keep any 
    kittens. I am not going to keep any kittens...

    Linda

    Linda, I loved your update!  JJ loves you, and really knows you helped
    both she and her babies.  I'm thrilled to hear she is letting you touch
    her now, even if only a little, cause very soon that will amount to a
    lot!
    
    I'm glad my grandchildren are so adorable!!  I'll definitely be working
    on Madeline now to make plans to visit.
    
    JJ must love kids if she was so good with Veronica.  I'm glad to hear
    that!
    
    -Roberta
    

    I got mine in the mail yesterday. The kitties as soooo cuteee.. Maybe
    you can ship one to GA :)... 
    
    Sandy

    
    
    	I saw JJ and baby pictures yesterday.  She's so pretty and
    	the babies are so cute!  And tiny!  Little bitty tails....
    
    	Keep up the good work Linda!
    
    	the human JJ...
    

    
    I've seen the pictures too - the kittens are going to be irresistable
    with their pretty oriental mom and a red tiger dad...
    
    len.
    

    
    Hi Linda,
    
    We loved the pictures too!  Anyone in mk1 can stop by pole 2f 34 and I
    will show off my kitty babies too!
    
    By the way, Princess Panther Jane wanted her own room too.  But she is
    not about to have kittens to get it.  But she decided that she will
    take the whole house instead!  (She is now plotting, er um,,, working
    on getting rid of the two peasants she is forced to live with.)
    
    Feline great today,
    
    Sue & Crew
    

    I got my pictures, too.  JJ is a beauty.  Roberta, I don't blame you
    for being so persistent in catching her.  Seeing those babies snug and
    warm and safe in a comfortable box must make it all worth while for you.
    
    Steffi

    Yup, it sure does, Steffi!  I love happy endings.  :^)
    
    And I agree, Daddy cat had to be red!!
    

    I had lunch with Dian Wilde today.  I showed her the pictures of JJ and
    the kittens.  She said that JJ looks like her Missy Hannah.  She also
    sends her regards.
    
    Steffi

    How are JJ and the kittens?  I need my update fix. ;)
    
    Steffi

    I'm sorry to keep JJ's followers in suspense. I swear, keeping up with 
    notes is a losing battle! Steffi, I hope you haven't expired from 
    withdrawal. :-)  

    To catch up with previous replies, I'm glad y'all liked the pictures. 
    The little guys are even cuter now. Their little bitty turtle tails 
    have grown and are now in proportion to their bodies; however, they have 
    these long legs that trip them up now and then... I picked up pictures 
    from roll #2 this weekend and have the better ones in my office, for 
    anyone who's in the neighborhood.

    JJ and the kids are doing great. The kittens are almost four weeks old 
    and they're growing like weeds! They have become much more active and 
    playful. They run around their box, bite and rabbit kick one another 
    (but don't seem to do any damage), and climb all over JJ. She takes it 
    well, fortunately. They are getting incredibly cute and fun to play 
    with (uh-oh!). They are looking less like identical quadruplets and 
    developing more individual characteristics, but I still have a hard 
    time telling them apart. 

    Last week I turned their box (bed) around so that the "door", instead 
    of facing the wall of the cage, is now facing inside, so they can climb 
    out if they want. And they do. When I go in to visit now I leave the 
    cage door open so JJ can come out for some exercise. The kittens usually 
    come out, too, and climb all over me or run around me. A couple of them 
    have started drinking from the water dish, and at least one has shown 
    some interest in JJ's food. I put a speck of food on my finger and held 
    it near one of the kittens. He licked my finger and ate the tiny bit of 
    food. They all investigate JJ's food dish while she's eating and after 
    she's done, but they haven't really tried to eat out of the dish. I 
    think they may be teething, as I've noticed a couple of them chewing 
    on the water dish, the cage, or the box. Sometimes one will grab the 
    blanket in the bed with his teeth and have a tug of war with it. 

    I'm now able to pet JJ's back while she's eating (great suggestion, 
    Roberta!) and at other times. She usually turns around and gives me a 
    "What are you doing?" look. I've also been able to touch her head 
    -- pet her a little or even scratch behind her ears -- through the cage.
    She knows she's safe there. Last night, while she was out of the cage 
    touring the room, she came over to me and stuck her head close to my 
    hand, so I softly stroked the side of her face. But I have to be 
    careful how I hold my hand when I approach her, or she becomes alarmed.
    Still, she's improved a lot.

    Linda

    Thank you, Linda.  I feel much better now. ;)
    
    Steffi
    
    PS. Since I'm not in the neighborhood, could you send me some new pics
    via interoffice?  WRO1-1/A18.  Thanks so much.
     

    I'm happy to read that update too, Linda, and am really looking forward
    to visiting on the 14th!  Sounds like everything is progressing really
    well.  I am very pleased that JJ is letting you pat her now.  I feel
    she might always be a bit wary of hands due to her past abuse, but at
    least will be able to tolerate it a little.  She sounds very happy
    where she is!
    

    Gosh, the kids sound great!!!  I love little babies and watching 
    them grow.  I guess that's a good thing.  I would love to see one 
    of the pictures if you have an extra.  I will send it back to you
    afterwards.  Karen Fallon OGO1-2/P4.
    
    It won't be long now that they have shown the interest in food.  If you
    need any suggestions or help let me know.
    Karen

    Linda,
    Thanks for the pictures!!! I got them on Saturday.  The mom is
    definately a red point.  The babies red tabbies.  They all look
    so pretty!!  Now, once you get JJ all settled with you, give her
    a nice bath and make her feel all clean and fresh for a new start
    in life!  She will look Mahvelous!!
    Karen

    You're welcome, Karen.

    >so pretty!!  Now, once you get JJ all settled with you, give her
    >a nice bath and make her feel all clean and fresh for a new start
    >in life!  She will look Mahvelous!!

    Give JJ a bath.... riiiight! It's gonna be a while! 

    She certainly could use a bath, or a least a good grooming. She was 
    shedding something wicked at first (what a surprise, a cat that lived 
    outdoors during the coldest winter months, then was brought inside to 
    70+ degree temperatures, and she shed :-\ ). Her fur has seemed rather 
    oily, too. Maybe that's due to her pregnancy? Yes, this is a good time 
    for JJ and the little ones to become acquainted with a comb and brush.

    Linda

    JJ and the kittens are making great progress. The kittens are almost 
    5 weeks old. They are using the litterbox, drinking water out of the 
    bowl, and two are eating cat food, though they all still nurse. They 
    are little monkeys -- they climb up my bathrobe, my jeans, the cage 
    (both inside and out), and anything else that is remotely climable. 

    They jump and climb on JJ, too, and bite her with their little kitten 
    teeth. She is so calm and patient with them. If a kitten is too 
    rambunctious with her, she will grab it in a hug and hold it for a few 
    seconds until it calms down. 

    At mealtimes, I sit on the floor nearby so I can pet JJ. While JJ eats, 
    two of the kittens eat a little cat food out of their own dish, and the 
    others climb into my lap to sleep or play until JJ is done and they can 
    nurse. Sometimes one or two will root around and try to nurse from me. 
    It's so cute the way they turn their sweet little faces up and look at 
    me with their big blue eyes.

    I can touch JJ more now -- except for her head. She's pretty used to me 
    patting her back, and I discovered the other day I can even gently push 
    against her side to move her away from the kittens' food dish and back 
    over to her own. 

    The kittens have discovered the Arubacat scratching log leaning against 
    one wall. It's a sisal rope-covered cylinder about 15" tall attached to 
    a rectangular carpeted base. They like to climb up and slide down it.
    Sometimes one will fall asleep on top. 

    About two weeks ago, the weather was warm, so I put the screen door 
    against the doorway to the room, to keep it from getting too hot. I 
    figured that it would also let JJ and the kittens get used to the noises  
    of our comings and goings without actually having to confront anyone, 
    since JJ and her kids were residing in the cage. The cage is on the far 
    side of the room, with the bed blocking the view to the doorway. 

    Last Tuesday, I apparently did not clip the cage door shut before I left 
    for work. For the first time since JJ's been with me, I didn't come home 
    for lunch because we were taking someone out. I didn't leave work until 
    6:00, so it was a long day away from home. When I got home and peeked 
    through the screen door to JJ's room, JJ and one of the little munchkins 
    was sitting in front of the door (inside the room) waiting for me! 
    Because the cage door wasn't clipped, JJ just pushed through and let 
    herself out. The kittens were able to fit through the opening without 
    any trouble. Though the kittens have had room privileges while I've been 
    with them, I thought they were too young to run loose all day or night 
    long. Since the great escape, I've given up trying to keep them in, 
    so they have the run of the room. 

    Occasionally, my cats will go to the doorway to check things out. The 
    first time they saw JJ through the screen door, there was some hissing 
    all around. The worst was Wrigley, who is usually Mr. Sociable. He 
    hissed and growled. When he saw the kittens, he just stared, like they 
    were from Mars. He still hisses at JJ, but she doesn't hiss at anyone 
    now. She just chirps away and will even put her nose up to the screen 
    to get a good sniff at someone. My cats are used to having a foster cat 
    living in that room, so it doesn't faze them to see another cat there.

    Linda

    Neat update, Linda!  Now I am really looking forward to visiting!!
    
    -Roberta (who thinks JJ won't even remember her now!)
    

    Glad you liked it, Roberta. I'm dying for you to see the babies, they 
    are so sweet! I do think JJ will remember you. 

    Last weekend I put out one of the kitty toys you gave me for the 
    kittens, the plastic ball with a bell in it. I thought the kittens 
    might be ready for a toy since they've been so active. Only one of the 
    kittens showed any interest -- he gingerly pushed it with his paw. When 
    it moved and jingled he jumped back, frightened. However, when I rolled 
    it across the floor, JJ jumped off the chair, ran after it, and batted 
    it around. She is still a kitten at heart!

    JJ and the kittens are having company tonight. Somone who is going to 
    take pictures. Someone who tells lots of neat kitty stories in the 
    notes file. Ok, enough hints! I hope JJ cooperates and doesn't get 
    nervous.  

    Linda

    
    So Len is going to get to see the kitties and take pictures? I 
    wish there were a way to see the results. I have been following the
    JJ saga and would love to see actual pictures to see how close to
    reality I have pictured them in my mind ;-)
    
    Shaw 
    
    
    

    I got my new kitten picture yesterday.  Thank you Linda. They are so
    cute.  I showed it to Bob and he said "Ahhhh, I want that one,"
    pointing to the stuffed cat that looks bigger then the kittens.
    
    Steffi

    hmmm...I was just at JJ's O'roukes for lunch today and it was so 
    nice knowing that a cat isn't sitting in the bushes!!!!!
    
    Sandy

    Re: .96, Shaw

    Yup, you guessed it! Len and Sandy came up last night and Len took a 
    bunch of pictures. I had asked him to bring pictures of his cats, so 
    he brought a small album of absolutely gorgeous photos. Of course the 
    kitties are beautiful and most photogenic anyway, but the poses he 
    caught really show them off beautifully. If his photos of JJ and 
    the kids come out half as good, they'll be prize winners for sure 
    (and they'll be 10 times better than any I've taken!). Yes, I'm sure 
    we can work out a way to send some pictures around. I like your idea 
    of the travelling photo album in note 756. 

    Re: .97 

    You're welcome, Steffi. Regarding Bob's comment, well, that's progress. 
    Now if we can just get him to agree on a live kitten to go with the 
    stuffed one... 

    I used up a whole roll of film on the kittens last weekend. Now that 
    the kittens are travelling at the speed of light they're even harder 
    to catch on film. But there are a couple of good shots that show their 
    faces. How many days are left before you leave for New York? :-) 

    Re: .98

    Sandy, the cat that used to be sitting in the bushes is probably 
    thinking the same thing -- it sure is nice not to be at JJ O'Rourkes 
    any more! 

    Linda

    
    As has already been noted, Sandy and I visited Linda and JJ and sons
    (and 6 of Linda's 7 other cats) last night.
    
    The kittens are a delight.  They're virtually indistinguishable from
    one another though if you study them carefully there are some subtle
    differences in size and body shape.  I joked that as they grow up and
    we learn how to tell them one from one another it will turn out that all
    the pictures I took last night will have been of the same one!
    
    JJ was a bit reserved, and spent most of her time under the bed, but
    Linda was able to entice her out a few times with the offer of some
    food.  She eyed Sandy and me warily, but apart from a few sort-of-but-
    not-really growls she tolerated us in her own way.  She has lovely
    pale lavender eyes, and though her coat is very much in the oriental
    short hair pointed style, she's a bit stockier than the breed type and
    her head shape is rounder.  She's quite the pretty lady.  She talks
    a lot by "trilling", and we had a conversation of sorts.  I wonder
    what she thought I was "saying"?  How I wish she could tell us her
    story.
    
    The kittens are a joy to watch, and seem fully socialized to people.
    They get a little scared if you hold them too long while standing
    up (it's a *looooong* way to the floor), but JJ seemed to understand
    that their cries weren't serious.  Sit down on the floor and they come
    make themselves comfortable in any warm nook or cranny.  Linda
    accurately described their playing earlier, but words can't compare
    to being able to watch them just being kittens.
    
    They were utterly oblivious to my taking pictures, and I'm hopeful that
    some of the pictures will begin to capture their wonderful innocence
    and natural beauty.
    
    And they couldn't hope to have a better foster "mom" than Linda.  A few
    months ago I discovered a children's opera called Les Paradis du Chats,
    and last night I think I found the real thing.
    
    len.
    
      

    Well, it's been a week without an update. ;)  I need a JJ fix.
    
    I'll be heading to NYC next Thursday night.  I couldn't persuade Bob to
    take a kitten.  Oh well, I'm sure you'll have many potential parents
    for them, closer to home.  Hug them for me, please.
    
    Steffi

    
    I know Linda's planning to say more at some point, but I will mention
    that there are a few "good ones" in the first batch of pictures of JJ
    and her brood, and based on the experience of that photo session we'll
    be trying again in a week or two, with a specific goal of getting a
    group portrait that we can share with JJ's many supporters.
    
    After meeting the little guys, I find my self reciting "Repeat as needed,
    'I already have enough cats'".  To which the little voice inside
    responds, "There's no such thing as enough cats, and besides, these
    guys are adorable"...
    
    len.
     

    Ha ha Len...I have a framed picture saying "You can never have to
    many cats"!!!!!   Heck...what's a few more!!!
    
    I was thinking about this the other night...can you imagine if a
    few of JJ's kittens end up being "blue eyed red tabbies"....Ohhhh...
    I don't have one of those!!!!
    
    Sandy

    You guys are too fast for me (or I'm just too slow)! I just finished 
    an update and then read today's replies.

    Re: .101

    Yes, Steffi, I'm delinquent again! But I've got your fix in the next 
    reply. :-)  I'm sorry you won't be able to adopt one of JJ's kittens, 
    and that we won't get to meet you. Maybe you'll be able to come to the 
    Mass./NH area on another trip. 

    Re: .100 (Ok, so I'm out of order! :-)

    We (speaking for JJ & Sons, as well as myself) really enjoyed having 
    Len and Sandy visit last week. It's nice to meet Feliners in person,
    and Len brought an album of photos of his gang, as I had requested. 
    So I got to see his kitties, too. Not as good as meeting them in 
    purrson, but... The photos are just beautiful, but then, the cats are 
    gorgeous! I think they were a little easier to photograph than JJ's 
    little whirlwinds. Speaking of which...

    It was also fun watching the photographer in action. The kitten photos 
    are quite nice, and I have several favorites. Len, I know it's hard for 
    other people to distinguish the kittens, but I'm sure you got shots of 
    at least two different kittens, maybe three. :-)  

    >And they couldn't hope to have a better foster "mom" than Linda.  A few

    Why, thank you (blush)! Hmmm, I wonder if I could do this as a full 
    time job. 

    Re: .102

    >After meeting the little guys, I find my self reciting "Repeat as needed,
    >'I already have enough cats'".  To which the little voice inside
    >responds, "There's no such thing as enough cats, and besides, these
    >guys are adorable"...
 
    I like your thinking, Len. Don't forget the cat carrier next time you 
    visit. :-)

    Re: .103

    >I was thinking about this the other night...can you imagine if a
    >few of JJ's kittens end up being "blue eyed red tabbies"....Ohhhh...
    >I don't have one of those!!!!

    Well, Sandy, maybe they would be willing to wear blue contacts -- 
    would that do? Their eyes are still blue, but I don't think they're 
    due to change for another couple of weeks. If they don't change I'll 
    be sure to let you know!

    They do have some rather unusual coloring, though. Their heads and 
    backs are red with cream markings, and their undersides are cream. 
    However, their feet are the color of JJ's points, sort of a smokey 
    cream. Their tails have the same striped coloring as their bodies, but 
    with a smokey cream tint. You don't notice it right away. Also, each 
    kitten has a dark red stripe on the bottom of each foot. 

    Linda

    The babies are growing up -- they were six weeks old on Wednesday (5/18).

    They are so full of energy, they are just wild! They race around the 
    room in all directions, over the chair, under the bed, around the 
    corner... When I go in to feed them in the morning, I usually have 
    on a long, heavy, quilted bathrobe, which is just right for climbing. 
    I usually set the food dishes down on the table, spoon out the food, 
    then carry the dishes to the feeding area. As soon as I pause at the 
    table, the kittens hop on my bathrobe, climb up as high as they dare, 
    and cling like burrs. I then have to walk across the room very 
    carefully, so I don't dislodge the hitchhikers or spill the food.

    The kittens are eating quite well, both canned and dry food, but are 
    still nursing. I think they would stop nursing if I could leave food 
    out for them to nibble, but I know JJ would eat it. As it is, I have to 
    feed her in the cage and the kittens outside it. When the kittens are 
    done, I let her out to finish up their leftovers, which she does with 
    gusto. Then she looks up at me as if to say, "That was a nice appetizer. 
    What's for breakfast?"

    Though the kittens still look a lot alike, their differences are becoming 
    more apparent. One of the kittens has always been a little larger (the 
    third one born, I believe). He now is quite noticeably larger, due in 
    part to his appetite, I'm sure. He is rounder, and his tail seems thicker 
    than the other kittens'. I think he must take after his dad. Another 
    kitten seems to have more of JJ's characteristics. He has more of a 
    wedge-shaped face, a slim build, and a long, skinny tail. He is very 
    much a lap cat. I think of him as JJ, Jr., though I'm very careful not 
    to actually name any of them because you know what happens when you name 
    them -- you own them! 

    JJ seems to be pretty social now. Though I fixed up a few kitty beds for 
    them around the room, and they have the armchair for sleeping, I often 
    find JJ and the kittens sleeping in a pile on the floor just inside the 
    doorway to their room. With the screen door at the entrance, I think 
    they feel more a part of the family. Whenever I walk by I pause and 
    talk to them. JJ chirps and trills back, and the kittens come running 
    over. My cats also visit them occasionally. JJ talks to them and rubs 
    her head against the screen while they sit and watch with interest.
    Wrigley has finally stopped growling at JJ and the kittens, but I think 
    he still is a little jealous.

    JJ has also learned how to climb the screen door, and she does so 
    starting about 5 a.m., when I wake up. She wants to be sure I don't 
    forget her breakfast! JJ has since learned what the plant mister does, 
    though I felt bad about using it. 

    Linda

    
    
    	They're 6 weeks old *already*?  Wow, time flies...
    
    	Do you have any of these new pictures in the office that
    	I can swing by and take a peek at?  =)
    
    	the human JJ
    

    Linda, thank you so much for the wonderful update.  I wish we could get
    up to NH to visit you, but we are only going to be in NYC 6 days, and
    the object of the trip is to visit my Dad, so we can't leave for 2
    days. Darn.
    
    I am looking forward to seeing Len's photos of the kittens.  I'll
    return them, so you can send them on to another JJ fan, if you like. 
    Saves money on film processing.
    
    BTW, how is JJ doing as far as you petting her, etc?
    
    Steffi
    
    
     

    
    re .104
    
    >I'm sure you got shots of at least two different kittens, maybe three.
    
    Well, if I recall correctly, at least one of the pictures has at least
    three kittens in it, so that seems like a sure thing!!!
    
    It was hard for me to tell Blueberry and Robin apart when they were
    just little ones, and now they're as different as (if you'll pardon my
    favorite analogy) Jamie Lee Curtis and Elizabeth Taylor, so there's
    hope I'll someday be able to tell JJ's little red ones apart. 
    
    len.
    

    Re: .106

    Sure, JJ (and anyone else), you can stop by. Just send mail first, to 
    make sure I'm around. I'll have the feline family photos in my office 
    this week (or as much of this week as I'm here). 

    Re: .107

    Gee, Steffi, you're welcome! I'm glad you enjoy my ramblings.  :-) 
    JJ's progress seems to go in spurts; she's in a holding pattern right 
    now. But she does seem to be very comfortable around me, and she behaved 
    pretty well when Len and Sandy visited. I think she may regress when she 
    goes to to be spayed (traumatic vet visit, you know), but I'm sure she'll 
    get over it.

    Since Len has possession of the best and latest photos of JJ & Sons, 
    and I won't be here anyway, he will be in charge of showing off the 
    pictures. 

    Re: .108, Len

   >>I'm sure you got shots of at least two different kittens, maybe three.
    
    >Well, if I recall correctly, at least one of the pictures has at least
    >three kittens in it, so that seems like a sure thing!!!
    
    Yes, you're right; I was just teasing. Though those single-kitten shots
    keep me guessing.

    >It was hard for me to tell Blueberry and Robin apart when they were
    >just little ones, and now they're as different as (if you'll pardon my
    >favorite analogy) Jamie Lee Curtis and Elizabeth Taylor, so there's
    >hope I'll someday be able to tell JJ's little red ones apart. 
    
    Hmmmm, for this to work, you'll have to see them "someday" to compare.
    Do you have a plan...?   It *would* be nice if all four kittens were 
    adopted by Feliners and the saga could continue. 
    
    Linda

    Len,
    
     That saying will NEVER work! The phrase is (remember everyone?) THE
    INN IS FULL! THE INN IS FULL! THE IN IS FULL!!!!!!
    
     Of course that one doesn't work either, but one MUST have the correct
    saying, musn't one? ;-) 
    
     Yonee (who just couldn't resist during a BORING week at school!)

    I had the pleasure of visiting JJ and her kittens on Saturday, and they
    are every bit as adorable as Linda has stated in her updates!
    
    Upon entering their private room, JJ hissed at me and ran underneath
    the bed.  Hmmph!  Just goes to show you how much my efforts in her
    rescue were appreciated!  :^)  Her kittens all look alike, and are the
    picture of health!  Not a runny eye or snotty nose amongst the four!! 
    Grandma Linda is doing a superb job of raising them, as is JJ!  The
    largest of the litter is the biggest scaredy cat; he clung to JJ's side
    under the bed the entire time.  The other three cuddled up to my friend
    Madeline and the human JJ, who was also visiting.  I was too busy
    trying to get JJ the cat to remember me and therefore didn't spend too
    much time with the babies... plus I didn't want to become attached to
    one and bring it home with me!!
    
    If a Feliner out there is thinking of adopting a kitten, I highly
    recommend one of these cuties.  They will be receiving their kitten
    shots within the next week or two, and then I will be posting a formal
    adoption notice for Linda Gogolin once they are ready for new homes.
    
    -Roberta
    

    
    
    	They're just wonderful aren't they Roe?  I told Linda
    	I would make the supreme sacrifice if necessary in helping
    	her to 'socialize' them more with other humans.  =)
    
    	They are just so sweet.  JJ and Linda are great moms and 
    	JJ looks wonderful, she's such a beautiful cat!
    
    	Of course Linda's other 7 kitty monsters are just as pretty.
    	And they like french fries and chocolate shakes as well.  You'd
    	have thought I had tuna and they hadn't eaten in a month with
    	the way they were acting!  =)
    
    	the human JJ
    

    
    Sandy and I are making the pilgrimage again this evening to take
    another round of pictures of the slightly larger kittens.
    
    len.
    

    
    
    	Oh yeah, I meant to mention Len that I saw the last round
    	of pics you took.....good shots!  I had seen then before
    	I went to meet the kitties in person....
    

    
    We visited with JJ and the kittens last evening, and after a few
    minutes of skittishness, they sort of got used to us.  The sound of the
    shutter seemed more startling to them this time than last, though I
    forgot my flash so there wasn't any "thunderless lightning" this time.
    Linda kept JJ in her cage so she could see us but not feel threatened
    by our presence.  After a while she let JJ out, and JJ was brave
    enough to not run immediately under the bed.  The kittens seem
    comfortable with "strangers" (especially ones who smell of other cats)
    as long as you don't move too quickly.
    
    They're very playful, learning all their cat skills, still difficult
    to tell apart.  Their eyes are a sort of pale bluish grey; if they stay
    this color, they'll be quite striking.
    
    Time to start seriously looking for homes for them ...
    
    len.
    

    
    Linda called me last night with an update - the kittens made their
    inaugural vet visit, and were pronounced healthy but for some ear mites
    that are being taken care of.  Time to *really* start drumming up
    interest in adopters...
    
    len.
     

    
    
    	clap, clap, clap!!
    
    	Glad to hear they're all healthy as well as adorable!
    

    That's great, Len!  I'm eager to hear how JJ fares at the vet when she
    goes.  She'll be quite the vet shredder I'm sure!
    

    Just wanted to let everyone know that we have adopted two of JJ's
    kittens.  Went to Linda's house yesterday morning and came away with
    two.  We have named them Max and Moritz (after a German tale of two
    boys who got into a LOT of trouble).  Don't ask me at this point to
    tell you which is which, they look so similar.
    
    They are sequestered right now in our guest room, with Mopsy, our
    remaining resident, sitting outside the door and knowing there is
    something in the room worth investigating.  They spent most of yesterday
    afternoon in the cat carrier--understandable after such a traumatic 
    experience--but have progressed to under the bed.  Both John and I are
    spending a lot of time on our stomachs on the floor.  They are drinking
    and eating and . . . , and one of them purrrrrs when petted, the other
    one is more timid (that would be Moritz).  We have coaxed them from
    under the bed too, but they are still very skittish.  
    
    Updates will follow as I have time, but I know I can't be as eloquent
    as Len whose kitten stories are a joy.
    
    Sunni
    
    

    Congratulations Sunni....I'm sure you'll find the way to Max
    and Moritz heart.  Being so young...you should have no problems
    and will have two little monsters running around your house
    in no time!!!
    
    Sandy

    Brief update before I set to work.  When John went in last night to say
    goodnight, Max and Moritz were ON the bed, cuddled up among the
    pillows.  When we open the door now, two little heads appear from under
    the bed if that's were they are when they hear to door.  They are
    sooooooo cute!  And they have really started to play, one can hear the
    herd of elephants when on sits in the living room downstairs.
    
    But I got it all wrong in my first note, the purrer is Moritz who loves
    to be held and have his tummy rubbed, I think he's going to be the mush.  
    Max is the chunkier one (one has to look really closely!) and is more
    interested in mischief, seems like.
    
    We'll start the introduction process today, take the kitties out and
    let Mopsy into the room to sniff around.
    
    Got to run! 

    Great news, Sunni!!  I loved the chunky kitten (Max), but he is
    very shy.  Moritz should help to bring him out of his shell.
    
    This is really great; a Feliner adopting two of the kittens.  That's
    the way Linda preferred it, and I hope the other two will be as lucky.
    
    Keep the stories coming as time permits!
    
    -Roberta
    

    
    Linda called me this weekend to tell me that two of the little guys had
    been adopted; while I'm happy for them and their new parents, it means
    I won't be able to get the one good picture of all four of them that
    Linda and I had scheduled for the day after tomorrow!  I do have
    pictures of all four of them together, but randomly arranged and not
    all looking at the camera.  And it's impossible to tell who's who.
    
    Best wishes to all,
    
    len.
    

    
    
    	Yay!  I'm so happy that two of the babies found a great
    	new home!
    
    	the human JJ
    

Monday, John put the boys into our bedroom and let Mopsy sniff around the
room we keep them in.  She investigated thoroughly, and afterwards sat
on the bed while Max and Moritz were sitting on the floor.  Well, they
must have given the proper response to her hissing and spitting and
growling, because she left after a while, went downstairs and didn't
come back upstairs until sometime yesterday evening--and then only very
carefully.  She doesn't seem traumatized at all, but we are giving her
a lot of attention and loving.  

The boys are getting much braver.  We now leave the door open when we 
are home and they have ventured into the bathroom and last night--what 
bravado--even into our bedroom!  Moritz is a real love hound, comes 
running when he hears my voice, purrrrrs and wants to have his tummy
rubbed.  Max is more skittish, can't sit still that long, wants to
explore and chase around.  But I had one on each hand last night, 
taking in their petting units and purring.  They are just adorable!
We were sitting in the living room last night and heard one of them 
meow and it sounded really close.  I got up to check, I could have 
sworn they were on the stairs, but by the time I got there, they had 
dashed back upstairs.  I feel it's now only a matter of time before
they venture down the stairs and further--we let them do things at
their own pace. 

More later.
Sunni

    Sounds like they're settling in well, Sunni!  They were really getting
    curious to leave their room at Linda's, so I'm sure a whole house with
    stairs is going to be a fun experience for them.
    
    It's so hard to believe the JJ saga has progessed this far.  I still
    remember freezing my butt off to rescue her, and here it is 90 plus
    degrees and I'm reading stories about her offspring!
    
    Time sure flies!!
    

    
    I got a note from Linda yesterday with an update on JJ and the
    remaining two kittens, who are now 12 weeks old.  The kittens are
    now out and about Linda's house, but the really big news is that JJ
    jumped into Linda's lap and spent almost half an hour sitting there!
    Linda's working with Kitty Angels to place JJ and her two boys.
    
    Linda sends her regards to us all.
    
    len.
    

    Oh, my!  That is wonderful news about JJ!!  She really must be grateful
    for all of Linda's loving care.  I think about her often and wish I
    could adopt her but my current living arrangements just aren't
    conducive to adding another cat.  I love her so much still.  Whoever
    she goes to must be a special person willing to give the adoption 100%
    and then some.
    
    Laura - this should be encouraging to you where Gypsy is concerned. 
    One thing he has in his favor is that he was never abused.  He's just
    very scared, and that can be overcome with lots of time and patience. 
    It has taken JJ almost 7 months to reach this point.  I began working
    with her back in January... hard to believe so much time has passed
    since then!
    
    I'll have to give Linda a call very soon!
    
    -Roberta
    

	This is wonderful, I'm so glad to hear it!!  It is also encouraging
	to me, but I think that JJ was a stray, and Gypsy's a feral... there's
	a big difference between the two according to everything I've read.

	Way to go, Linda!!!

	Laura