Our kittens are arriving today!

[ToffeeWhirl]

We have waited over a year since we lost our beautiful Balinese kitten. He died of FIP and the vet told us to wait at least six months before getting a new cat because the virus can linger in the house.

DS1 is very excited about having not one, but two kittens this time (brothers from the same litter - both Balinese again), and DS2 is apprehensive because he thinks they will scratch him. He has put up a 'Beware of the kitten' sign and added an extra 's', which sums up his attitude, I think. However, he has chosen one of those toys on sticks from the pet shop, so at least he can play with the kittens from a safe distance.

Am feeling curiously apprehensive. What if I don't love these kittens as much as I loved ToffeeKitten? They will be very different from him, I'm sure, but that is probably a good thing. Part of the reason he was so closely bonded to me and wanted to be cuddled all the time was because he was ill, after all.

Anyway, I will be posting photos of our new kittens later, for all those who love kitten pics.

[wantacatplease]

Oh, Toffee, I just want to say I found your old thread about ToffeeKitten as he's been mentioned a few times and I hadn't fully grasped the situation. That thread moved me to tears, and I'm so happy you've been able to accept these boys into your home and hopefully they will heal the sadness that ToffeeKitten's departure left in your lives.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Oh, you're right, cozie - I've just checked my emails and the previous owner refers to him as a 'seal tabby point'.

Thanks for the reassurance about kittens jumping down the stairs. That must have been a heart-stopping moment when Oneago leapt through the bannisters. Actually, that reminds me of a story my DH told me about his family dog standing two stories up, on top of a ruined castle, then jumping down because one of the family said his name and he thought he was being called. Everybody stopped breathing as he whistled through the air, but he landed on his feet and trotted up to them, tail wagging.

wantacat - thank you for your kind words. We had a heartbreaking time with poor ToffeeKitten, but I must say it really helped having other cat owners to share it with in this part of MN. These kittens are so lively and different that it makes me realise how poorly TK must have been almost from the start.

Actually, I finally opened the cupboard full of TK's things on the day after the new kittens arrived. I had packed all his toys and tins away and didn't open the cupboard again. It was very sad taking them out and throwing them all away (they are probably safe from the virus now, but I'm not taking any chances and even scrubbed the cupboard with bleach just to make sure). It made me think of 'Goodbye Mog' by Judith Kerr, where the ghost of Mog keeps an eye on the new kitten.

"The new family pet is settled in at last. But Debbie says she will always remember Mog.

‘So I should hope,’ thinks Mog. And she flies up and up and up right into the sun."

[cozietoesie]

Interestingly, Firstcat (the seal point) was the brightest cat I ever knew. Just saying.

[ToffeeWhirl]

[cozietoesie]

And, I'm afraid to say, a serious and talented thief. Not that I'm drawing any conclusions here but now might be a good time - on general principle with two new kittens in the house - to have the others acquire the habit of putting food away after eating. If they don't already do so.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Ha. Advice noted. I have already learnt not to eat breakfast in the same room as the kittens.