Meow, meow, meow, meow...
A few months ago we went to the farmer's market for some fresh vegetables. Little did I know my husband was a sucker for stray cats . Consequently, we brought home more than fresh vegetables that day. Malnourished with a scratched eye, we didn't have the heart to rush "Penny" to the vet to get her fixed, and after a few all night excursions (who knew she was a floosie), she found herself in the "family way". We, of course, were in denial. Perhaps she had swallowed a grapefruit! I scoured the internet reading up on the signs of impending labor. Not necessary in the end. As she snuggled up to me at midnight one night, she was panting with her mouth wide open and seemed to be experiencing some "discomfort". (I never have figured out why they use this word to describe labor pain - no offense but some man must have coined the term.) In the next two hours I stayed by Penny and saw her through the delivery of four kittens. The whole experience seemed very familiar. (I have three kittens, I mean kids.) My husband slept through most of it - yes, definitely experiencing deja vu now.... ;-) They are just a week old, still cannot walk and have barely opened their eyes. Thought I'd just let you have a peek!
The day we found Penny at the market!
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She came to our new house looking very pregnant. She was small bodied (perhaps she was mated very young - the result of uncontrolled breeding.
As she came close and sat on my lap, I did what a Veterinarian usually did on pregnant cat. There were five kittens in her uterus!
Barely a week after she came, she gave birth right smack on my sofa!
We really took care after the mother and her kittens.
The kittens, oh so cute, grew fast and soon they were everywhere in and out of the house.
One day, a tragedy occurred. I saw her playing around the car as I was reversing my car to go to work that morning. Thinking that she would be gone by the time I started the car (which she normally did) I reversed the car.
Suddenly my daughter yelled out. I didn;t hear the exact words as the car windows were completely shut.
But her body language told me something bad had happened.
I had accidentally ran over the cat!
The sight of her in great pain saddened me. She, as if knowing that her time was up, ran over to her kittens and soon after breathed her last breath.
I had killed my cat! The kittens were now orphans. Kamal, my brother-in-law, quickly buried her and washed away the blood from the floor of the porch.
My daughters cried, and so too was Kamal.
The kittens, they all had different luck in life. Finally only one was left alive or rather remained in my care. Others were either lost, killed by renegade tomcat or stolen by neighbors.
It was a pity to see the lonely cat having to learn about life on his own. I am not sure what he has learned by himself.
What I know is that he learned very little about hunting for food.
It is still a baby eventhough it is almost a year old now.
It is now a very scared cat as it has been constantly harassed by the neighbour's old tomcat!
Oh some emotions there...Dr.Azhar's cat would have been delighted to read his beautiful scribe...
Littlebyrd - I can express one or two overnight if you'd like!
Robin - yes, you have to come see them - Penny moved them to my closet, so if you can make your way over my laundry and shoes...
Lotta - yes, the girls love them. I think every kid should have kittens once in their life.
Fifi - ditto to you. Fedex can make it happen!
Ladies, I know Bods just wants to make a muffler out of them.
Des boules de douceur à câliner sans modération.
Bisous et belle soirée.
Marie-Ange
Such adorable photos that warm my heart!!
Have a great day :)
Who doesn't love baby kittens?