Kitties
Kitties
Two Fridays ago, Buttons, a stray cat we’ve “sort of” adopted gave birth to four adorable little kittens. Here are several excerpts from my personal journal concerning this exciting event.
“...I turn to the fact that four soft, sweet, wriggling new [lives] have arrived this morning. Mrs. Buttons has given birth in the cushioned chair kept on the patio. [Second Brother] was caressing Button’s head when he was very surprised to see two tiny paws emerge, followed by an entire kitten encased in her white sack and some blood. I was dressing when I heard a sudden uproar as the children catapulted through the hallway, hollering so that I could catch only bits and snatches. We all congregated at the French doors to observe the proceedings. A second little kitten soon made its debut. The children were disgusted to learn that cats—like most animal-mothers—eat the afterbirth. It took them awhile to accustom themselves to that fact.
“The crowd soon dwindled as morning chores laid claim to our attention. Another kitten, the third—with a darling little brindle face—came sometime later. As nearly half an hour passed, we were almost sure that she was the last one. But, no, the last kitten was due to make an appearance.
“She came late and did not seem quite so vigorous as her siblings. We were glad to see that she did manage to nurse a bit, though we are still anxious.
“They look so darling with their tiny closed eyes, sometimes nestled close to their mother, or else scrambling over her and each other in their dear, awkward way....
“Our Buttons is quite exhausted, though she rouses herself often to bathe the little ones with her rough, pink tongue. She looks quite content with all four pushing themselves beneath her chin or under her ‘arms.’”
We are happy to report that all the kittens are quite robust. They’ve all opened their eyes and have become quite active and strong-voiced! :) Here are some photographs taken the day of the birth.
After the struggle of birth, all they wanted to do was sleep. I don’t blame them...
You can read Second Brother’s very own account of the birth-story at The Great Outdoors.
Photographs: Untitled. © Handmaidens of the Shepherd and A Still Small Voice, June 2008.
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KAYLA H said...
Aww, how sweet. I have to say, I am quite impressed with your journal entry. It is interesting to see how another person journals. my journal entries are usually much more casual in style. Thanks for letting us take a peek into yours! :-)
Saturday, June 14, 2008 12:10 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
I am glad you enjoyed the post. Oh, yes, the kittens are quite sweet. (Do you want one? ;-)
As for the formality of my personal writing, it suits me best and comes quite easily. At times I chide myself for what may appear as stilted style and wordiness. Frankly, I sometimes wish that I could be a bit more casual and also less philosophical about things. But most of the time I just abandon myself to the joys of writing the way it comes out. :-)
Saturday, June 14, 2008 06:08 PM
ELISSA said...
AWWWWWW!!!!!! They are SO adorable. I LOVE kittens!!! Thanks for the peek into your journal!! Your writing style is so sophisticating and lovely!!!!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 02:28 AM
ELISSA said...
Oops. I just read over my previous comment. I meant to say sophisticated not sophisticating. :-)
Sunday, June 22, 2008 10:32 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Hello, Elissa. I’m so glad to “see” you again.
I’ve always considered myself rather a “dog person,” but the advent of Estella, then buttons, and the the little quadruplets has given me a soft spot for the kitties too. :-) The kittens have grown immensely, and I am hoping to post new photographs soon.
(Oh, that’s alright. We all make mistakes!)
Monday, July 23, 2008 01:51 PM
Friday, June 13, 2008