I guess it took reporting about her on the blog last Thursday. Glimmer had her kittens the next day.
On Thursday, I could tell she was really uncomfortable. She also didn’t want me to leave her that day. Since her arrival, every time I go into the room she is in, I pet her and talk to her. On Thursday, as I would go to the door to leave, she would grab me around the leg with both front paws. It was VERY hard to walk out after that. Let’s just say I got behind on several things on Thursday because of sitting in the floor with Glimmer. I have been told and have had the experience of pregnant cats becoming very needy of attention when they are extremely close to giving birth. I thought all day on Thursday that the bitties were nearing arrival. But no.
On Friday morning, I went to the kennel and checked on Glimmer first. She greeted me and I filled her food dish. I was in and out of her room a few times as I worked. Then, on one of those trips in, there it was - a kitten. She was cleaning it frantically. There was only one problem. She had given birth on a blanket in the middle of the floor instead of in her special “birthing box” I’d set up for her with soft clean towels. I had a boarder showing up at that very moment, so I left her to take care of business (mine and hers). When I returned she was frantically cleaning a second kitten. Oh, dear. So I let her finish with this second-born, and then I moved both newborns and mom into the clean cozy birthing box OUT of the middle of the floor. She promptly picked up one of the kittens and carried it back to the blanket. I started having a conversation with her about this and reached for the baby when she shot back and grabbed the other kitten. Back to the blanket with this one, too. OK. Well, clearly THIS was the chosen spot. I didn’t want to stress her. So I hurriedly placed fresh clean towels on top of the blanket (this blanket had been on the floor for a couple of days to be washed in the next load of laundry). This seemed to suit her.
I had more kennel business arrive. When I returned there were two kittens with mom, one of which had JUST been born. Ahhhhhhhh! We were missing one! And there it was. As she had rotated around and around on the towels and settled to birth the third kitten, she had inadvertently pushed one of the babies off the towels onto the floor. So I spent the next ten minutes building a fortress around Glimmer and her towel-covered blanket. Finally we had it. She was satisfied with this arrangement, and so was I.
By noon, there were six little sparks of light. No stillborn. None seemed weak. All seemingly healthy, strong, TINY bitties. Three black & white. Two stripeys. One tabby & white.
Once I was sure the litter was complete, I moved the box TO Glimmer and her chosen spot. I was able to whisk away the wet towels and blanket that she used for birthing and place everybody into the dry clean box. Now Mom couldn’t accidentally push a baby away and onto the floor. Boxes have sides, unlike blankets. I knew the next 24 to 48 hours were critical. I knew that just because everything looked good at the moment didn’t assure continued Life. But it is now Monday. And we still have six healthy, strong, TINY bitty sparks of light. Couldn’t wait to share them with you. They are PRECIOUS!!!
On Thursday, I could tell she was really uncomfortable. She also didn’t want me to leave her that day. Since her arrival, every time I go into the room she is in, I pet her and talk to her. On Thursday, as I would go to the door to leave, she would grab me around the leg with both front paws. It was VERY hard to walk out after that. Let’s just say I got behind on several things on Thursday because of sitting in the floor with Glimmer. I have been told and have had the experience of pregnant cats becoming very needy of attention when they are extremely close to giving birth. I thought all day on Thursday that the bitties were nearing arrival. But no.
On Friday morning, I went to the kennel and checked on Glimmer first. She greeted me and I filled her food dish. I was in and out of her room a few times as I worked. Then, on one of those trips in, there it was - a kitten. She was cleaning it frantically. There was only one problem. She had given birth on a blanket in the middle of the floor instead of in her special “birthing box” I’d set up for her with soft clean towels. I had a boarder showing up at that very moment, so I left her to take care of business (mine and hers). When I returned she was frantically cleaning a second kitten. Oh, dear. So I let her finish with this second-born, and then I moved both newborns and mom into the clean cozy birthing box OUT of the middle of the floor. She promptly picked up one of the kittens and carried it back to the blanket. I started having a conversation with her about this and reached for the baby when she shot back and grabbed the other kitten. Back to the blanket with this one, too. OK. Well, clearly THIS was the chosen spot. I didn’t want to stress her. So I hurriedly placed fresh clean towels on top of the blanket (this blanket had been on the floor for a couple of days to be washed in the next load of laundry). This seemed to suit her.
I had more kennel business arrive. When I returned there were two kittens with mom, one of which had JUST been born. Ahhhhhhhh! We were missing one! And there it was. As she had rotated around and around on the towels and settled to birth the third kitten, she had inadvertently pushed one of the babies off the towels onto the floor. So I spent the next ten minutes building a fortress around Glimmer and her towel-covered blanket. Finally we had it. She was satisfied with this arrangement, and so was I.
first three
over halfway there
By noon, there were six little sparks of light. No stillborn. None seemed weak. All seemingly healthy, strong, TINY bitties. Three black & white. Two stripeys. One tabby & white.
the six
two tiny tabby tots
Once I was sure the litter was complete, I moved the box TO Glimmer and her chosen spot. I was able to whisk away the wet towels and blanket that she used for birthing and place everybody into the dry clean box. Now Mom couldn’t accidentally push a baby away and onto the floor. Boxes have sides, unlike blankets. I knew the next 24 to 48 hours were critical. I knew that just because everything looked good at the moment didn’t assure continued Life. But it is now Monday. And we still have six healthy, strong, TINY bitty sparks of light. Couldn’t wait to share them with you. They are PRECIOUS!!!
safely in the box
Mom smiles
Younger Daughter stopped by yesterday to see them. I had her hold them in groups of three to try to get close-up shots. Unfortunately, these are a little blurry. But I feel certain you will ooh and ahh nonetheless.
Have a great day!
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Sallie needs a home.
Isis is currently on hold.
Shiloh needs a home.
Truly needs a home.
Autumn needs a home.
Frosting has been adopted.
Hershey Bear has been adopted.
Maverick has been adopted.
Spritz has been adopted.
Cashmere has been adopted.
Jo-Jo has been adopted.
Mickey has been adopted.
Sunshine and Juice have been adopted.
Mitts has been adopted.
Halo has been adopted.
Circe has been adopted.
Glitter has been adopted.
Tulip has been adopted.
Golden HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Percy HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Trex HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Monkey HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Charms HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Luna HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Bagheera HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Elfin HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Jasper and Soapy have been adopted.
Dearest and Max have been adopted.
Gabriel HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Leo HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Handsome HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Possum HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Alice HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Tuxie HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Ash HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Sparkles HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Moonie HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Prince Charming HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
What a glorious bunch of kittens. So, will they all have "bright" names?
Posted by: The Poupounette | 02/25/2013 at 08:13 AM
awwwwww.....moo kitties!!!! Glimmer looks pretty satisfied with herself. :)
Posted by: Random Felines | 02/25/2013 at 09:54 AM
How adorables!! Although if kittens were ugly, then maybe people would fix their kitties in the first place...Hmmm...make kittens ugly? Not going to happen, but the idea is interesting.
Much Love,
Mindy :)
Posted by: Mindy Slimmer | 02/25/2013 at 12:01 PM
Oh how wonderful. So glad all went well ~ thank you so much for sharing. xx
Posted by: Milo and Alfie's mom | 02/25/2013 at 12:39 PM
AwwwwWWWWWWWwww!!!! Baby kitties are so cute!!! (that doesnt mean we need more, please spay and neuter!) What little darlings they are! Oh boy I bet you're glad they belong to the shelter and you don't have to home them!
Speaking of homes.. There are still some kitties in the cat house who need homes! Hopefully BEFORE Chrystal gets overrun with spring kittens and cats that she will have to find homes for. You know it will happen, it's just a matter of time. So while we can, lets Clear Chrystal's Cathouse By Kitten Season! We can do it!
Adopt! Spread the word! Share! Tweet! Email! Talk! Let everyone know what sweeties are waiting!
Don't forget donations are always helpful!
Posted by: Andrea and the Celestial Kitties | 02/25/2013 at 12:51 PM
I am dying from tabby kitten cuteness!!!! Soooooo adorable!
Posted by: caren gittleman | 02/25/2013 at 01:17 PM
How sweet! Yours are the only kittens we'll see since all our sweeties are neutered & spayed! ::grin:: I'm with Andrea, spread the word to Clear Chrystal's Cathouse By Kitten Season! Because it just started!!!
Posted by: Kat & the Teenage Mutant Ninja Kitty Horde | 02/25/2013 at 01:20 PM
Beautiful babies!!!
Posted by: Cat's Cats | 02/25/2013 at 04:11 PM
Beautiful sweet faces - nothing is cuter than kitten faces... as usual I agree with Andrea.. I do hope that these little ones can get forever homes. I love the tuxedos and all the rest. Every one who is cat deprived put your dibbs on the kitten of your choice... adopt - donate and spread the word - Glimmer looks so contented and like a great loving mother.. She picked her spot where she felt most comfortable - cats know --her babies are safe with Chrystal and she knows they are loved. Ginny & The Fur Family
Posted by: ginny & the Fur Family | 02/25/2013 at 07:09 PM
Look at those cute little kittens.
Posted by: Sweet Purrfections | 02/25/2013 at 10:05 PM