Kittens born 29th June 2009

Pontaby Testarossa (Rosa) x Riverfern Vulcan (Stanley) 

Rosa had got very big during her pregnancy so we weren't too surprised when she had FIVE kittens. As with her first litter, she defied the odds of statistics and produced four sorrels (two girls and two boys) and a single usual girl. The actual births went well, but Rosa seemed determined to have the kittens on the kitchen table cuddled up in a bed with Laurel and her daughter Star! Thankfully I caught her just in time and got her to her 'nest' (in the bedroom) just in time for the first kitten to appear in the world! The kittens are all doing well and feeding lots. Rosa is an old hand at raising kittens by now and is taking everything in her stride.

It has been a bit of a mixed week for Rosa's kittens. The four sorrels have been putting on an alarming amount of weight and are now collectively known as 'The Four Sorrel Tubs of Lard'! The biggest of them all I have called Norman, who is pictured below. Unfortunately, it seems the tiny usual girl (the smallest at birth) was unable to compete for food with her greedy brothers and sisters and wasn't doing so well. A few top up feeds from me though and she seems to be back on track and is gaining plenty of weight.

Rosa's kittens all continue to do well. The little usual girl is now gaining weight at the same rate as her brothers and sisters. She probably won't catch them up, but is doing very well all the same. They all have their eyes fully open and are starting to walk around rather than just drag themselves about. Rosa is eating us out of house and home, not surprising really as I think she must be producing super strength milk to give such amazing weight gains in all five of her kittens.

The kittens have really grown up this week and have started to pay much more attention to the world. They are still happy to stay in the nest and aren't really showing signs of wanting to explore any further. They are all growing well and one of the sorrel girls has nearly caught up with Norman on the weight front. As always Rosa is being a good mum, though I was taking photos today and realised one of the kittens was missing. Rosa must have felt he was camera shy and had hidden him under the bed! They have now all been given their posh names (see top of page).

Week 4:

It always amazes me how quickly kittens change between three and four weeks of age. At the beginning of the week the kittens were showing signs of wanting to leave the nest so I moved them into a large pen to give them more room to stretch their legs. By the end of the week even this wasn't enough, so they were moved into the spare room where they are free to explore. All the kittens are very brave and interested in everything, but tiny Thumbelina is by far the most advanced. She was the first to tuck into biscuits and the first to use the litter tray, at just three and half weeks old. As we may have predicted, Norman is proving to be the biggest eater, always the first to start a meal and the last to finish. It has been very difficult to get the kittens to sit still but I have managed to get some individual photos this week, some better than others! In order we have below: Norman (Rockerfeller), Blazing Chaos, Rising Shadow, Thumbelina, and Ruby Tuesday.

Week 5:

The kittens are all continuing to do well and are becoming much more adventurous. Unlike Flora, who tends to wrap her kittens in cotton wool, Rosa is much more hands off and likes to encourage them out into the world as soon as possible. Consequently, the kittens have already been out exploring the rest of the house and like to follow me everywhere. They are all very brave and, like their mum, love human attention. They are all tucking into solid food now and the litter training has started.

Week 6:

The kittens have really come on a lot this week. The introduction of Flora's kittens has given them extra friends to play with and, with them being that bit older, the youngsters are learning a lot from them. Least of all this is in evidence with the litter training which seemed to be over and accomplished before it had started. All of the kittens really love attention and enjoy a cuddle on the sofa in the evening. From left to right: Norman, Thumbelina, Ruby, Shadow, Blaze.

Week 7:

It has been a pretty uneventful week for Rosa's kittens. They have spent their days playing, eating, sleeping and enjoying lots of cuddles and attention. They are now well integrated with the older kittens, the other cats and even the dog. Thumbelina and Blaze (who is staying here with us) are particularly fond of the dog, as shown by the photo below. As I write this, Ruby is sat by my side, washing my hand and playing with the keyboard.

Weeks 8 and 9:

It was first vaccination time for Rosa's kittens this week. They were all rather sleepy afterwards but within a day they were back to their usual boisterous selves. This week they have lost the company of Flora's kittens as they are now off to their new homes. I'm sure Norman will miss tussling with Flora's boy (Brightside) but he will no doubt find someone else to keep him occupied. This week there are lots of photos of 'Dog with Kittens' as they all seem completely fascinated by him and can't resist chasing his tail and nipping his toes. The first photo shows Rosa doing her 'earth mother' impression, and yes there are 7 kittens there; five hers, two Flora's!

Weeks 10:

The kittens have been having new adventures this week and have been exploring outside in the cat run attached to the side of the house. They have been enjoying the extra space, climbing and chasing leaves in the wind. Rosa has shown glimpses of still being the protective mum and wasn't sure about her babies being outside at first but soon calmed down. Photos from left to right: Thumbelina, Ruby, Blaze, Norman and Shadow.

Weeks 11:

It has been a fairly uneventful week for Rosa's kittens this week. Their lives revolve around playing, playing and then playing some more, fitting in the odd moment for sleep and food. They are all doing well and are turning into fine kittens. I am finally able to tell the sorrels apart, most of the time any way. The boys are starting to look like like proper boys and the girls maintain their pretty features. Photos from left to right: Four sorrels together, Blaze, Shadow, Thumbelina cuddles in with  Dillon.

Weeks 12 and 13:

This is going to be the last update for Rosa's kittens page. In the last couple of weeks they have continued to grow, doing what Aby kittens do best: play, play, play! They have all had their second vaccinations and are now neutered and nearly ready for their new homes. Blaze is going to be staying with us but, with all the others being cuddly bundles of joy, it will be hard to say goodbye when the time comes. Photos from left to right: Shadow, Norman, Thumbelina, Ruby and Blaze.