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Neighbours kittens

767 replies

ShadowsShadowsEverywhere · 01/08/2014 09:38

We've recently had new neighbours move in next door. Towards the end of last week two kittens appeared in their garden, I'm not sure whether they'd just got them or had been keeping them inside for a few days.
One of the kittens kept popping its head over our fence and watching DCs playing.

Yesterday when I went to take the bins out the same kitten was sat on my path mewing. As soon as she saw the open door she was in the house. I ushered her out the back door, but she spent the rest of yesterday coming back in, or playing with the DCs toys in the garden. Every time something made her jump she ran to me and hid under my long skirt! By about 6.30 she was clearly hungry, had jumped up and eaten some scraps in my kitchen and drank DSs milk, so I shooed her back out the front door where I'd found her as she just didn't seem to want to go over the fence back to her own garden.

She was v v thin and seemed confused about where home was. Yesterday she was coming in the windows from the garden and mewing a lot. What do I do if she comes back today? It's obviously more interesting here as neighbours are out most of the day and we are home from lunchtime onwards most days and have a garden full of toys and balls etc which she spent hours playing with yesterday. I'm worried about how thin she looked but don't know a lot about cats or kittens so don't know how normal that is. Any advice would be v much appreciated!

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Jux · 09/09/2014 22:03

Wow! Licking is happening already! That's your witchy ways for definite Grin

You have cats!
You have cats!
You have cats!

RubbishMantra · 10/09/2014 05:40

My 5 yr old boy and 6 month boy-kitten have only just begun to groom each other. Occasionally. The play-fighting sounds much scarier than it actually is.

Your cats are so luffing each other already. Grin

ShadowsShadowsEverywhere · 10/09/2014 16:34

Hello all. Kittens are def best pals now. They went to sleep curled up together last night, were bouncing around together this morning and have been inseparable all day. There has been no more fighting with yelp noises, they chase each other and their play fighting looks very different, much less aggressive. Coming home today I spotted the boys going into the window of a house much further up the road so it looks like they've found someone else to feed them now I've stopped. Don't know whether that's a good or bad thing tbh.

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wantacatplease · 10/09/2014 17:45

Well, it's bad because it looks like the owners are being responsible when they aren't, really, which messes with the Ultimate Plan. But it's good because it shows you that they have good survival instincts and going where they can to get fed. You can still look out for them and make sure there are no signs of cruelty/neglect/abuse but at the same time the responsibility is lessened because they are taking care of themselves elsewhere.

So glad Pumpkin and Buttons are the best of friends!

ShadowsShadowsEverywhere · 10/09/2014 19:49

Can I just share what a bloody fantastic week I'm having?

We have been out the house by 8am every morning for the bus, DD has settled into nursery really well and I got some fab feedback from her key worker today, I'm so proud of her. DS and I have had such lovely times while she's been at nursery. He just blossoms with all the one to one attention and loves being outdoors so we've done all these picnics and spent hours exploring woods and rivers. I've gone from feeling like I honestly couldn't take any more with the DC to feeling like I've got it too easy! DD had always been very very challenging. Sensory issues, a bolter, will meltdown in every single shop, run off, lash out when feeling sensory overload etc. I've had poo smearing, hair pulling (her own), biting (herself) etc. I felt that I couldn't honestly go on, I was starting to be on the verge of snapping every time she pushed a boundary, it was awful. But nursery have all this experience and the resources and time to devote to her and almost all that behavior has deceased massively. She's just coping with everything so much better, she's smiley and happy and calm.

Every day when we get home the house is spotless cos we haven't been in it and there are two gorgeous kitties who come bounding to the door happy to see us. I've been having lovely snuggle kitten cuddly evenings, then a bath and an early night and feel so much better. I haven't felt this happy in YEARS. Its like this huge burden of responsibility and stress has lifted, it's not all on me anymore. And with the cats it feels like a full busy house, I don't have that lonely empty feeling in the evenings anymore. They are a huge source of comfort and laughter and so many other things for all of us. Thank you so much for following me through this thread, and the saga of the boys. I'd never have even considered getting my own cats or rescuing the boys without all of your support and advise and solidarity. Thank you. This journey has literally turned my life around.

Neighbours kittens
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ShadowsShadowsEverywhere · 10/09/2014 19:53

And YY to Jux

I HAVE CATS, I HAVE CATS, I HAVE CATS!!

Grin

I love them. Like, as much as the DC. It's like having more gorgeous babies without having to give birth to them, and they're much lower maintenance than human babies but with all the cuteness (and more, let's be honest human babies at 8weeks are not furry fluff balls that roll on their tummys and purr, human babies fire poo at you and scream whenever they're put down). I LOVE them.

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MinkyWinky · 10/09/2014 20:22

Oh shadow I'm so pleased for you! I've been following your cat adventures from the beginning. It's amazing how cats can change your life. I wouldn't be without ours.

Wishing you lots of continuing happiness and cat cuddles.

timtam23 · 10/09/2014 21:01

Lovely update Shadows & so nice to see the photos of Buttons & Pumpkin

Looks like in future you'll need to check your tumble dryer before switching it on though Wink

msrisotto · 10/09/2014 21:36

I'm delighted for you x

wantacatplease · 10/09/2014 22:01

Lovely update. So pleased for you!

Jux · 10/09/2014 22:08

It's like having more gorgeous babies without having to give birth to them

Grin brilliant!

Kittydragon · 10/09/2014 22:11

That is such a wonderful update. Grinning from ear to ear for you.

LoopyLa · 11/09/2014 07:43

This is really heart warming and while you may not have 'meant' to have those 2 boy kitties, perhaps they came into your life for a different reason?

Wonderful update, lovely happy ending Smile Thanks

ToffeeWhirl · 11/09/2014 10:55

Shadows - that's a wonderful post. It sounds as if you, the DC and the kittens are one very happy family Smile. I'm so glad it has all worked out so well in the end.

ShadowsShadowsEverywhere · 11/09/2014 11:42
Smile
Neighbours kittens
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wantacatplease · 11/09/2014 15:12

Aww, lovely!

Pipbin · 11/09/2014 21:37

LOOK AT THE KITTEN IN THE BASKET!!!!

Squeeeeeee.

Jux · 11/09/2014 22:18

oh he's lovely! that is such a great photo.

ToffeeWhirl · 11/09/2014 23:19

Cuteness overload Grin!

HopefulHamster · 22/09/2014 16:20

Is it silly to want an update when the initial topic you posted about is sort of resolved? How are the kitties getting on?

ShadowsShadowsEverywhere · 23/09/2014 21:21

Grin I've been checking back occasionally hoping someone would post so I could do an update!

Kittens are grand! Buttons has tripled in size since I got her and is now completely jet black with a white bib, her fur has gone from coarse and a bit matted to silky and glossy. She's confident, feisty and very affectionate. She also mothers Pumpkin a bit and cleans him up after he's used the litter just like his mum would have done still at this age.

Pumpkin is a little bundle of mischief disguised as a cute fluff ball. He climbs the curtains, tries to climb in the toilet and will kick all the litter out the box every time he uses it. He's just starting to wise up and dodge DS which is good, before he used to sit there and mew pitifully while DS tried to put hats on him or paint his tail. Initially Pumpkin mewed a lot and needed an awful lot of cuddles. DD and I got used to looking at each other and saying "Pumpkin!" and racing off to find him. You'd need to pick him up and really cradle him and give him lots and lots of love. He's really come on this past week though and now only mews for food! He still loves cuddles though and will climb on you lap whenever you sit down and licks your nose to tell you he loves you!

They are a complete double act, they do everything together and sleep curled up in a big furry pile. I can't imagine life without them now. They are an absolute joy and very much loved.

The Boys.
The boys were still hanging around, coming into the garden for cuddles whenever they heard us out there. They have been spending a lot of time at a house over the road. The people there already have several cats and are friends with the Boys owners so I think that's an arrangement which is working out well for everyone. Today I had to make a tough decision though and block off their access to my garden. This is for several reasons. One, they sit on the windowsills (outside) and hiss at my kittens which scares them. 2. They have been meeting up with their cat pals in my garden and all of them (5 altogether) have been using my raised beds as a litter tray. We are talking huge amounts of poo here, I could cope with the odd bit, and it's preventing DD from helping tend the veg. And lastly I've got some ex battery girls arriving and I can't have gangs of cats hanging out when I've got stressed and fairly poorly chickens free ranging round the garden.

I think it's for the best long term. The aggression towards 9week old Pumpkin through the window is bad enough, and if they aren't neutered then when I eventually let my cats out the Boys will think it's their territory and attack. It's not fair. They seem happy, are looking v well fed and I watched them playing out the front earlier with across the road neighbour. It's not how I thought things would turn out but I'm glad they are happy and fed and loved by someone.

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ShadowsShadowsEverywhere · 23/09/2014 21:28

Here's three of Pumpkin from this week. Up the curtains, doing the washing up!

Neighbours kittens
Neighbours kittens
Neighbours kittens
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ShadowsShadowsEverywhere · 23/09/2014 21:34

And here's two of Buttons from just now, and a cutey one of Pumpkin from the week we got him!

Neighbours kittens
Neighbours kittens
Neighbours kittens
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HopefulHamster · 23/09/2014 22:38

Awww, it's lovely to hear they're doing so well. And Buttons hasn't half changed in the time you've had her! Their relationship sounds lovely.

In the end I think it's all turned out as well - or better - as it could have done. The boys deserved better than their current owners but I don't think you could have done any more without it getting nasty, and now you have your own little cat family :). Sounds like you've made the right decision with blocking off the garden too.

Jux · 23/09/2014 23:44

Thank you for updating! I have been eager to hear how they're all doing. It's sad about the boys, but it sounds like they're being better looked after, which is the most important thing. Quite understand that you do have to stop them coming into the garden now.

Lovely pictures!

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