Besides the photos a few days ago, it's been a while since I've updated you on the status of the kittens. Now seems like the ideal time to fill you in on the goings ons, as we recently said our first goodbyes to two of our little ones.
When Momma Cat happened into our lives in May, we weren't exactly thrilled. We were greeted (or chosen, shall we say) by a cat with a bulging tummy and, quite honestly, we weren't terribly excited about the prospect of having kittens. Our negative perspectives changed, however, a few days later whilst the kittens arrived into the world. Suddenly there were all these small, cute, mysterious little creatures with eyes closed and ears not yet opened. What interesting little beings.
Watching them develop over the next few weeks was incredibly fascinating. During the first four weeks of their lives, our jobs as humans were insanely easy. We really didn't have to do anything besides feed the mom and clean the bedding every-other day. Momma Cat took care of everything else herself, but we watched and celebrated as their eyes opened up, and later as they took their first daring steps out of the box.
Once we reached the four week point, that's when things really started to change. Potty-training incurred, wet food became the new primary food source and the furniture became subject to anxious claws.... As the weeks progressed, I've done mass loads of laundry as some devilish culprit continues to pee on the couch and bathroom rug without witness. It's been an interesting ride.
Last week, we discovered we actually had 2 boys--not just one, like we had thought. Who knows how that flew under the radar for so long...
On Sunday, the kittens reached 10 weeks of age and we said goodbye to both boy kitties at once. Our neighbor Caroline took one for herself, which she named "Keçi," which I believe is Turkish, meaning "Goat." "Ned", the other boy kitty, is moving to Connecticut with Caroline's mom. One by one, our little babies will be leaving us over the next few weeks. There's one little girl without a promised home, which we're tenatively planning on keeping ourselves.
It's such a bittersweet time for us, having said our first good-byes. Momma Cat has been meowing for her little boy kitties incessantly since they left. Searching the house over and over. Calling for them to come out of their hiding places. I shed a few tears immediately after closing the door as Caroline carried Ned & Keçi out in their crates. It feels like the house is a little emptier now without their crazy kitty personalities around. Soon enough two more of them will be leaving us and I can only imagine how difficult that is going to be. But, I'm truly happy that they're going to good homes with people who will love them and give them happy lives.
They grow up so fast, don't they.....
