It may have come a bit later than usual this year, but kitten season is in full flower.
This month, we welcomed two pregnant moms to Tabby’s Place. Petite tortie Magnolia is scarcely more than a baby herself at 9 months of age — just think of last year’s babies having this year’s babies! Coming to Tabby’s Place put her in a state of terror — and, unfortunately, the throes of labor, a week too soon.
Of Magnolia’s six premature kittens, only four survived, pictured at right. (We named the little ones who passed away Fringe and Abelia, sticking with the “flowering trees” theme.) The survivors were exceedingly fragile; one of the boys, Yoshino, nearly lost his fight after a few days, only to bounce back with astonishing vigor, thanks to our vet team’s heroic efforts. Tragically, all the heroism in the world wasn’t enough to save his sister Forsythia, who passed away surrounded by love.
Yoshi, brother Satomi and sister Azalea continue to grow, and Dr. C notes that the fact they’ve survived at all is testament to their extraordinary foster moms. For her part, mama Magnolia remains timid but healthy.
In the midst of all this hope and heartache, our second semi-feral mom, Patrice, arrived at Tabby’s Place. Unlike Magnolia, Patrice was ready to pop — and very quickly did just that, birthing six happy, healthy babies (the “How I Met Your Mother” litter of Marshall, Marvin, Carl, Robin, Barney and Ted). Patrice’s sextet is doing fabulously, and she is by all accounts an outstanding mother (as you can see below left). We’ve also got fat, healthy orphan Hydrangea, found alone at the age of two weeks, and in the loving care of Jess.
And just this week, two new litters arrived — so recently that I don’t know much beyond the facts that we have them, and we love them.
And really, that’s how it is with the kittens at Tabby’s Place. We have them, and we love them for all they’re worth, every moment that we’re blessed to know them. I’m especially grateful as kitten season gears up that we have wonderful folks like you offering these kittens such generous support. Many, many thanks!