Kittens.
;D
My vet ended up with five newborn kittens that somebody tried to dispose of (long story). Anyway, I am now fostering the two strongest ones. They are three weeks old and need to be bottle fed and their bums "cleaned" every few hours. Suddenly my being awake on and off all night long is something good! And I no longer feel useless. These kittens need some care and lot of love. I can do that!
How sweet of you to foster these young cuties, Thea!
That is the single most important thing in our life---we need a reason for being. Doing for others is what keeps us get up in the morning. Good for you---good thing it is you that is around for this cause I am not the type to nurse kittens to health. I used to have cats, but I am not a very good animal person. That is why everyone is different and has a place on this earth. Irish
Excellent - good for you!
I agree with Irish - I know I'm frequently looking for tasks that I can manage that are "useful". Definitely makes me feel like I'm not just a drag on everyone, that I'm also helpful.
Right now my (adult) daughter's friends are bearing the brunt of this as I tried to help them with resumes and job search. Makes me feel good to help 'em.
Oh Thea - that sounds like lots of work but also a blessing as you see them getting stronger .. and getting into all sorts of mischief too! Are you thinking of keeping them when they are weaned? I currently have 2 and 2 half cats - not that they are half anything else, just that one also lives across the road and one next door but one. We own her brother and by the size of him, I would bet he has half a dozen other homes!
Good luck with your kitty babies. Hope they keep you smiling for a while to come!
XX Ailsa
That is great Thea - what a great person you are. I would do the same if presented to me as well...but others are right - it takes a certain type of person to be able to do this. Tasks can make us having new meaning and definition in our lives and give us new perspective. I am so glad that you came into their lives but also that they came into yours.
Keep us posted.
Sending positive thoughts your way.
Kittens are the cure for everything I've found.
I watch Foster Dad John's 24/7 live cam of kittens. He's on his 44 or 45 family of fosters.
http://new.livestream.com/FosterKittenCam/TheFabulousFosters
Hugs, Elaine
Whew. These little ones are a lot of work! ;D Momma cats must be very busy indeed.
The little tortie is eating like a pig and gaining weight. But I think the weight might be because she's not pooping enough. The little guy is a fussier eater but his elimination system is working well. Neither is gaining as much weight as vet would like to see, but they are perky and lots of chaos when I let them out to "play." They can only sort of walk and routinely fall over sideways!
Vet is checking them today to make sure all is well.
yes having a purpose in life helps. I have 4 little souls in cat suits myself.
I don't know if this helps but I saw a physchologist who told me this about depression.
You can't always change your circulmstances but you can change how you react to them.
Revel in what you can do and your abilities instead of what you can't do. Realize you are a pretty durn good person and strong! You've had experiences and trials that lots of others could not handle but you did and have. Consider yourself a Wonderwoman or Superman. It took me awhile to learn not to feed off everyone else and let em push my buttons.
Mamma kittys has to lick their bottoms for awhile to stimuate em and get em to go. If you think they are not going, try a soft wet cloth or cotton swab and swipe their bottoms.
Oh, I'm "bottom stimulating" after every feeding. I never thought I'd be so excited to see poop ...
They are both doing better now. The little girl is very strong and gaining weight like crazy. The little boy is still not gaining well, but he is perky and VERY opinionated. He does not care to have his bum rubbed. It's amazing how much struggle 360 grams of creature can muster!
Thea, I love hearing about the progress of your dear little kitties. Please do update things from time to time, will you? I think you are doing a marvelous job!
You hang around on this forum long enough you are bound to educated in just about everything. lol Irish
Well, now we are five! LOL
A few crises--almost lost two of them--but the kittens are prospering. Due to a lack of available folks, I now have all five of them. Two were just living in a crate, but I can give them "home time" most easily, so here they are. Two are going to try staying with someone else for part of the time.
They are hilarious. Each has a very distinctive personality. And for such small creatures, they sure can occupy a house!
Quote from: Thea on August 23, 2014, 04:34:05 PM
Oh, I'm "bottom stimulating" after every feeding. I never thought I'd be so excited to see poop ...
They are both doing better now. The little girl is very strong and gaining weight like crazy. The little boy is still not gaining well, but he is perky and VERY opinionated. He does not care to have his bum rubbed. It's amazing how much struggle 360 grams of creature can muster!
This post tickles my funny bone. I can sooooooooooo relate on a more "personal" level.
I love cats (kittens too), period. Isn't it fun to discover their different personalities?
We can all do something!
So sweet, caring for these little babies. You are their momma.
susanep :)
Just thought I'd post an update on the orphans. All are doing very well. All but one have gone on to "secondary" foster situations. That is, they're not ready to be adopted, but are eating and using the litter box on their own.
I held on to one that wasn't doing so well. He was quite behind the others in his development. He's now a going concern who think humans exist to serve him. A clear sign he's a cat!