Isn’t kitten season wondrous? One of the Tabby’s Place staff members remarked the other day that no matter how many springs we have, or how many kittens come through our doors, those little balls of fur never cease to be amazing, each in their own way. Every kitten has a story wrapped up in their cuteness.
Take Rosalita, for example. She came to Tabby’s Place as part of our first litter this year. Rosalita, along with her sisters Janey and Adelle, made up an adorable black-and-white threesome, even if their mama, wasn’t so friendly. TNR #90 is mama’s name, and her fear and anger at those who trapped her made her quite the force to be reckoned with. Her babies, though? They bought into the let-people-pamper-us scheme absolutely, and pretty much instantly.
One morning a few weeks back, I was sitting in the hospital hallway while Karina cleaned in the holding room where #90 and her babies were staying. Karina put the three little girls in a carrier to hang out while she cleaned, and the girls considered it something like the ultimate puzzle to be worked out. Janey, Adelle, and Rosalita spent the entire time they were in the hallway checking to see if there was a way out of the carrier – sticking a paw through this hole, a nose out that one and the interior of the carrier was a constant blur of black fuzz.
A few days later I had a chance to visit with the girls (and to get the stinkeye from mama up close!), who were in a cage together in the holding room. They were so curious, and so eager to meet me. They climbed the door of the cage, dashed about and were in general so overwhelmingly inviting of attention that I couldn’t wait another moment. I reached out with one hand towards the three little ones crammed up against the door of the cage…and their bravery switched to “off” in an instant!
It was pretty funny to see – as my hand drew closer, all three kittens backed up together, as if they were harnessed as a team for an invisible miniature chariot race. I’d pull my hand back, and they’d step forward as one. I’d reach out, and back they’d go again. I tried reminding them that I was that person from the hallway the other day, but they were having none of it. Maybe it was the vibe in the room that day – they had a pretty unusual roommate situation going on that you can read more about here. (You’ll also get a peek there at the Phillies litter – though they’ve grown up a bit since then.)
Rosalita’s been busy writing her final Tabby’s Place chapter this past week. Her mama achieved the “R” part of TNR when she was released back into her feral colony. And Janey and Adelle left for their forever homes. Poor Rosalita was terribly distraught at being left without her family for the first time in her young life, and the Tabby’s Place staff had to move her into the Community Room so she’d stop crying from loneliness. Sad as it is that Rosalita’s sisters and mama have left her, though, there is a happy ending to this chapter. Rosalita’s own forever family is waiting for her arrival as I write this, and I fully expect that she’ll be going to her very own home before this post gets to you.
Rosalita’s got such a great kitten story – a devoted mom, hijinks with her silly sisters, and a loving family waiting just for her. Of course, you’re a part of her story, too, because you have been her behind-the-scenes family since the day she came to us. We are all grateful for your support.
And lest you wanted a longer kitten story this month, have no fear, we’ve got some new arrivals I’ll introduce you to next month. How adorable are these two little bottle babies, Neva and Keely? Welcome to the Tabby’s Place family, little girls!