Follow up on the kittens I found under my porch.

[femmedem]

Some of you might remember the photo of feral kittens I found under my porch that was one of the finalists in our last photography contest.

All the kittens found homes, and the mama is still in our bathroom waiting to be spayed. Mr. Femmedem and I are keeping this one. He had gotten very sick with calicivirus--last week he looked like a dessicated bat--so it is great to see him looking healthy now and wrestling with his first toy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Aw, what a cutie!

He certainly looks well and full of mischief!

Long and happy life to him!

[femmedem]

6. Thanks! It's great to see him mischevious again; it's how we knew he would pull through.

He's also a big love, with me and with his mom. He likes to sleep with his head on her belly.

[shenmue]

2. Squeeeeeee

[femmedem]

20. I know. He's irresistable.

But there aren't any ugly kittens in the world.

[japple]

25. I have NEVER seen an ugly kitten. Every time I transport kittens to rescue

groups, I think (to myself) "that is the cutest litter of kittens I have ever seen!" Some are robust and healthy, others are sneezy, goopy-eyed, and listless, but they are all cute, sweet, adorable, and deserving little creatures. They are amazing little creatures, and this blue tuxedo baby is very special. Bless you for taking these kitties under your wing, femmedem. You are a kitten champion!

[femmedem]

29. Sounds like you are a kitty champion too!

[secondwind]

3. I can see why you kept him. What a beauty! Love his color and markings

[femmedem]

19. He is a pretty boy! Maybe I should name him Floyd, as in Pretty Boy Floyd. n/t

[Warpy]

4. I think that little face would have me fail fostering, also

Have you managed to tame Momcat down at all, or will she be a working cat, back in your yard?

[femmedem]

5. She still hisses when I go into the room, but she does come eat while I sit by the food

and she doesn't fuss when I pick up the remaining kittens. (Most have gone to their homes already.) Twice she ate treats from my hand, but my heart was in my throat because I half-expected her to attack me as she grabbed it.

I think she'll stay outside, but we take good care of our neighborhood ferals and strays. We have two shelters for them, one of which is insulated and has a heating pad triggered by their weight.

[Warpy]

8. Good, TNR is the best thing ever

for cats who can't be tamed down. Feral cats are working cats, keeping the rodents down. She will also discourage other pregnant females from dropping their litters in your yard once she reestablishes it as her territory.

I haven't seen any ferals in this neighborhood. NM is a tough place to live because there's no water for them unless they're closer to the river and this town has penalties for unlicensed breeders.

[femmedem]

18. Must be a tough place for any wildlife

especially now as the world warms.

[Warpy]

21. For some critters, it's a beautiful garden

Unfortunately, suburban sprawl is threatening their homes.

[CurtEastPoint]

11. Kudos to you. I work with ferals also. It's tough but rewarding. Thank you.

[femmedem]

17. Thank you too! They have a rough life

and it is rewarding to make it easier for them. We've been feeding our oldest feral for fifteen years. She isn't very feral anymore. We named her Mia Feral.

[CurtEastPoint]

28. GOOD ONE!

[3catwoman3]

7. He is sooooooooo...

...cute!

Does he have a name yet? Given your description of how your knew he was going to make it, Mischief might be just right.

[femmedem]

9. No name yet! Still getting to know him better...Pee Wee? Elmer?..it usually takes me a few weeks

to name a cat. I'll be stumped, then suddenly the right name will come to me, and I'll know. (He'll be Elmer if he sticks to me like glue.)

[jpak]

10. What a sweet little guy

[mnhtnbb]

12. Awww...I love that first shot with him upside down lookin' at you.

[femmedem]

22. Thanks! That one really captures his personality.

He isn't usually as rough and tumble as the second photo might have you believe.

[PatrickforO]

13. Precious little sweethearts!

Kittens give us all reason to hope! I love kittens.

[femmedem]

15. yeah, kittens are a great antidote to Trump. n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

34. The existence of kittens is what keeps me from being a total atheist.

There must be a cat spirit out there somewhere who loves us and sends us kittens.

[PatrickforO]

36. Indeed. I often contemplate...

Spirit of Cat.

[moonscape]

14. I want him! So adorable - and great pics! n/t

[femmedem]

16. Thank you! He is a photogenic little bugger. :) n/t

[Rebl2]

23. What a

sweet little kitty. Glad he is do better. Love kittens-so full of life!!!

[femmedem]

27. He is a sweet little soul! Thanks! n/t

[OldRedneck]

24. An old vet once told me . . .

"If you can get all the parts of a cat in the same room, the cat will be just fine."

Looks as though this little clown has all his parts!!!!

[femmedem]

26. Ha ha! I'd go to that vet just for the stories. n/t

[herding cats]

30. He's precious!

Thank you for what you do. I mean that, you're a true angel on earth.

[femmedem]

39. Aw thanks. I'm sure you'd do the same.

I mean, who wouldn't help these little guys? (I'm lucky we own our home so there aren't any landlords to tell us we can't.)

[Laffy Kat]

31. Cutest kitteh I've ever seen.

[femmedem]

38. Aren't they all?

[Yavin4]

32. The first pic is just too cute. n/t

[Jack-o-Lantern]

33. Squeee, just squeeee.

[hamsterjill]

35. Thank you!!!

Thank you for being responsible for them! I love happy endings.

Being the old cat lady that I am, may I offer a piece of advice, please? The calici virus is a very potent disease and it may be that he will suffer some effects from it as he grows up. It is awesome that he recovered from it, and I know that recovery was because he was in loving and capable hands.

The best way to avoid a future issue with him is to give him good nutrition and to keep him stress free. Calici virus is the suspected precursor for stomatitis in cats, and I've seen several instances where kittens who had calici developed stomatitis in later life.

I am not trying to scare you, but rather trying to convey knowledge born of pain.

Thank you again for stepping up and helping this little family! I wish you (and all of these precious felines) all the best!!!

[femmedem]

37. Thanks, Hamsterjill. I didn't know about the stomatitis

although I knew the calici virus can stay with him forever. That was why I opted to keep him--I didn't feel right about passing him along to someone else. I had to warn all the other kitten parents that their cats could be carriers even though they didn't get sick, and to get all their cats vaccinated and to tell their vets about this kitten's virus.

Because of your reply, I'll pay extra close attention to this boy's mouth and dental health.

[hamsterjill]

40. He is in good hands!

He's lucky to be staying with you!

I wish them all health and vigor!!!

[crazycatlady]

41. Very cute

keep us updated on his progress (and of course new pics) and let us know what you name the little guy.

[femmedem]

43. I will!

Love your username.

[IrishEyes]

42. I found my kitten abandoned under a porch as well.

At a month old, he was a tiny, scared, hungry, flea ridden and kind of funny looking grey kitten. He is a year old now and has grow to be a healthy, gorgeous, happy cat.

Your little guy looks like a great kitten. I'm sure you'll come up with a great name for him.

[femmedem]

44. He was abandoned under the right porch!

Or maybe not abandoned, just lost by a stray mom. That's the age when they start to wander.

Glad to hear your good care helped him turn the corner.