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Cat O' the Day: Mama Frances!

5/30/2021

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This stalwart mama came to us pregnant, from a reasonably good situation: safe neighborhood, regular feeding by a nice woman...who hadn't called when she had delivered her first (?) litter. She didn't know what happened to the babies :-( but her Last litter was born safe, indoors, at our home. On March 5, 2021. We have a big bathroom in the back of the house, with a bay window and glass door which leads outside. We fixed up a box for her there. She had a week of great nutrition before she gave birth to these fat five babies. BIG and fat! They weighed almost twice what a normal newborn weighs! Holy googly-moogly! I was flabbergasted. Healthy too! They're five days old in this photo, 
I named mama Frances, after the redoubtable Frances McDormand.  She put up with being kidnapped and confined, sensing that she and the babies were safe. I left her alone. Didn't try to handle them for several days.
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Beautiful babies four days old.
​Mama is built like a tank! She's all muscle. No neck; can't be scruffed! She ate like a stevedore...we like that!
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After delivery, Frances was still big. I wondered if there were more babies inside her...but no...she is just big. Never seen a cat with a body like this. Strong, for sure. 
As the weeks went by, she stopped trying to put the hurt on me when I came in to change her bedding, her water, etc. At about four weeks the babies started eating solid food. Took quite a burden off Frances....
They didn't just start eating: after looking up into fur for a nipple, a pile of stuff on the floor did not impress.
It's a process, putting a bit into their mouths, then having them lick it off your finger, convincing them not to bite your finger, lowering finger slowly to bowl...takes time. Of course they still nursed as well.
Frances adopted two, Johnetta Lewis and Tuxedo Ted, who had lost their mother. Stellar feline, she! 
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Ted & Johnetta
Fast forward: remember that back door? The babies started going out, exploring the patio. They come alive when they get out into the living world, yes they DO! The smells in the wind, the bugs and plants...they run all over the yard now...and always go back in after a couple of hours!! We like it like that! 
Frances has gone out a few times.  By herself, then with the babies. However, Frances seems to want them to go under the house. I don't. ( I once had a mother who tried to convince her babies to mistrust humans, to be 'wild') Frances led them there; at least they wound up there together...fortunately, the babies came when I called them. Now Frances and babies go out at different times. Babies have not since gone around and under the house. 
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Patsy
Two have found a home together...happy they are! Great folks!
Frances lets me pet her now. She rubs her face on my hand. And I'm wondering, since mother has been here so long, if she wants to go home...certainly not till the other kittens have been adopted. Nothing has to be decided right this minute...
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She was nursing them all this evening!
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Cat O' the Day: Leo

5/29/2021

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Leo was found in the middle of the railroad tracks in Richmond, CA.  He was brought to us by a friend...and fellow animal lover.  He was tiny, but old enough to eat solid food (whew).
From his first day here, Leo was a serene, gentle, loving cat.  He was adopted with a fellow orphan from Richmond, Andrew, with whom he'd become close.  The adopter, living on Arlington, had fears that Andrew would get hit by a car, and so Andy and Leo came back to us. Can't say I regret it! Both are stellar felines.  Andrew is a bit sensitive and not as secure as Leo, and I think the man had reason for his fears; Andrew is not as confident as Leo.  I've been calling him Handsome Andrew to build his confidence.  And, yes, he's gorgeous!
​But back to Leo...Mister Sunshine.  
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CUTE baby photo!
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Leo is a joy to have around...a calming, sweet presence. No drama. He's a cuddler; an undemanding, happy soul.  He's a great role model!
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Leo and Andy
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Leo caring for baby Waverly
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Leo today: May 29, 2021
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In a quiet moment...
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I'd forgotten that Leo was smaller at first! Leo with Andrew
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Cat O' The Day: Sunflower

5/28/2021

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Cat O' the Day: Sunny (Sunflower)
Where to start with this upstart? She came to us after having been left with her three sisters, in a big box, in a parking lot. One was literally skin and bones, and died within hours. Two had become blind; Ophthalmologist said likely from eating dog food, BUT!!
As cats do, they survived handily, and are with us now, the sweetest of cats! The SWEETEST! Sunny is a calico, with a stiff twisted tail and stiff little legs. She is tiny but mighty, albeit understated. She stayed under the covers for months, just in case it wasn't safe outside of them, and perhaps because she'd never had a warm bed. She navigates beautifully...going for it full-tilt even if it means bumping into things a lot. Don't let folks tell you a blind cat needs to be kept indoors!!
Sunny is very affectionate, but don't try to pick her up! She freaks! Makes vet visits a blast, though she quiets right down for her acupuncture needles!
You can see her ear tip...turns out a trapper friend had trapped her and her sisters, years back, and had returned them to where they were trapped. Who knows what they went through after that....but let's not dwell...
Sunny is close to her two sisters, sleeping with one or both when she's out of bed.
She goes NUTS when she gets her hands on a toy mouse...and even with batting it around, keeps good track of it. I've tried to get videos with sound those little cries...you'd not believe it!
Sunflower is a bright light around here!!

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With sisters AnnaBelle and Melanie
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Looking out the front window..must be a bird!
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In the greenhouse window
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Sunny with sister Melanie
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With her sisters AnnaBelle and Melanie
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Sunny & Melanie (Emma at top)
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    About Cynthia

    ​The founder of Bee Holistic, Cynthia Burke, has been caring for cats most of her life, volunteering with such groups as the wonderful Animal Balance, and Fix Our Ferals. In 2009 the non-profit was formed, with the help of a frIend who was invaluable in that process.

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