Fun fact: the “legendary” video game princess was *herself* named after Mrs. Fitzgerald.
That IS a fun fact – I had no idea! Thanks for the info.
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Plover is adorable! Can I nickname her ‘Tater’?
I am pretty sure she thinks that’s her name, that’s what we call her (and in fact sometimes I have to struggle for a few moments to remember what her “official” name is!)
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That ‘Tossing Toys’ video was one of the best ever. They have so much fun! Does Daisy ever join in the fun WITH the kittens or just by herself? Also, I know someone sent you the cardboard castle, but who makes it? Would you be able to tell me that as I think it would be a great addition at my house. Thank you for all you do for the kitties and the joy your kitties bring to all us humans who are watching!
She mostly plays by herself, but occasionally she’ll chase a kitten across the room (I’m not entirely sure whether that’s “playing” or “telling the kids to leave her alone”, but it looks like play!)
The castle is the Navaris Cat Castle, and here’s a link for reference. The kittens are really having a lot of fun in and on (and around) the castle. It’s been a big hit! (And did I mention that it is really solid?)
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Now I’m wondering about how motherless kittens figure out how to clean themselves, since I don’t think Robyn (or Fred!) is licking them to show them how…..
and
LOL – Robyn has already mentioned that *she* does not assist in the natural way of cat-cleaning. But seriously folks, I was surprised by this too – I guess kitties are guided more by instinct than I thought!
I clean kittens with baby wipes and damp cloths, the way Mother Nature intended, so the cleaning of themselves is totally instinct kicking in. They don’t figure it out all at once, but start with cleaning their paws and their faces, and then move to their back legs and feet before they get the hang of cleaning EVERYWHERE. Petting them (especially when they’ve eaten and are full) kick-starts their self-cleaning cycle, and brushing them with a brush or a toothbrush does, too – I assume it’s because it feels similar to their mother licking them. (I don’t brush Rufous with a toothbrush lately, but I did when he was tiny, after he ate, and he LOVED it.)
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Nick would like Mister Frog to move over, but he’s a little nervous to ask.
The whole family. (Jay’s all “Bring the feather teaser CLOSER, lady.”) From left: Jay, Myrtle (back), Nick (front), Zelda and Daisy.
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Wren’s all “Whatchoo lookin’ at, lady?”
I leaned over to take a picture of the Nestlings and startled Wren, who hissed at me. (Looks like she’s laughing, though.) From top: Wren, Plover, Starling, Rufous.
I interrupted Plover and Rufous, mid-tussle.
If I’m doing my math right, Rufous has gone from needing to be tube-fed to eating solid food (with a bottle supplement) in two short weeks.
Wren found the bottle supply. (She is FINALLY eating a little solid food – kibble – on her own. I just have to convince her that canned food is awesome. Right now she sniffs it and then “covers” it.)
Wren’s all “I wasn’t bunny-kicking Plover in the butt. I’d NEVER.”
Starling’s concerned about the lack of a bottle in her mouth and wonders how we can remedy this issue.
Rufous is all “How YOU doin’?”
Plover is just SO. STINKIN’. CUTE.
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Newt knows I’ve got kittens in here, and he’s not coming anywhere near them.
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Posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr) yesterday.
It’s Thlurrrpsday, so please admire Myrtle’s form. That curl! A++ work, Myrtle.
Look at these beautiful girls! Left is former foster Phoenix (2017) and right is Amber (formerly Ambercup, 2015. Fun fact: she was a bottle baby!) Aren’t they the most gorgeous posers?
(Thanks, Debra!)
YouTube link
Wren answered the question twice, which means she’s da BAYbee. Hey, I don’t make the rules (though I do suspect this litter might have more than one BAYbee.)
Listen, you’ve all been very nice pretending not to notice, but it has to be said: Plover is potato shaped. (She’s been dewormed, it’s just her natural shape.) It’s okay, potato-shaped kittens deserve love too. (We have been calling her “Tater” and in fact Fred calls both Plover and Starling “the potatoes”, but that’s obviously ridiculous since Starling looks nothing like a potato.)
YouTube link
Plover and Starling (who are 4 1/2 weeks old) have been venturing farther and farther from my lap.
It’s a Jay pie (my favorite) with a thlurrrp on the side!
Good night innernets. (Rufous & Wren)
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Previously
2022: We brought Uncle Archie upstairs for a visit.
2021: “This isn’t so bad!” I thought, as though I were freshly born into this world.
2020: “Innernets, please admire my foot. It’s a good foot, right?”
2019: Tub match: Like a cage match, only in the tub.
2018: Jake’s looking at Archie and thinking “You better NOT get food before I do!”
2017: Praline smiles for her class picture.
2016: Throwback Thursday: Stefan and Dennis.
2015: “Hey! Wake up! That weird lady is takin’ pictures of us again.”
2014: “He might be bigger, but I’m wilder!”
2013: If the milk bar won’t come to Puffhammed…
2012: No entry.
2011: What’s a farm without a barn cat or two?
2010: “Zip it. ZIP it. ZIP. IT.”
2009: No entry.
2008: No entry.
2007: No entry.
2006: No entry.
2005: He is the POOPIN’ KING.
Can I start singing that Wizard of Oz song when I see the Nestlings…”you’re out of the woods, you’re out of the dark, you’re out of the night…”
I don’t want to jinx things, but when I see them growing and doing normal kitten things, that song just starts playing in my head.
No words to say how great it is to see each group flourishing. And you made that happen, Robyn!
I really do feel like I can take a deep breath and stop worrying so much (I mean, I’ll still worry ’cause it’s what I do, but they are doing GREAT.)
“self-cleaning cycle” — HEE!! Love it.
Newt appears SO disappointed in you. “Really, lady? More kittens???” 😉
“I thought we had a discussion about this, lady.”
4 and 1/5 wks old?? I cannot quite figure out the math. Aren’t there 7 days in a week?
Obvs a typo for 4-1/2 weeks.
Yes, it’s a typo.
Wondering if the Nestlings will eventually join the Crate Gatsby gang. You don’t have to answer. If I happens, I’ll find out then. We can never tell what the future will bring!
I ordered the pee pads that you use and they are wonderful. I have a cat who doesn’t like the litter box so he goes potty on two rugs close to the litter boxes. We were using disposable pee pads but then I saw your post about these and I love them. I have to wash at least of of them daily. They are great and saves me money. Thank you for talking about the.
I’m so glad they’re working out well for you!! I try to always share the stuff that makes life a little easier for me. 🙂