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Mirre had a prosperous pregnancy and became rounder that I have ever seen her. On August 5th she gave birth a few days early to nine kittens. Only four survived: one lilac male, one lilac-tortie female and 2 lilac females.
 Mirre's annoying habit of bringing the kittens in my bed surfaced this time too. Every night she brought her children upstairs to me. Sometimes every couple of hours. Sometimes every few minutes. And with all pauses in between. Not good for the kittens and not good for my night-rest. Phèdre watched all this and after a while she decided to share my opinion. The kittens belonged in the box downstairs and nowhere else. So the next time a kitten was brought upstairs, she waited for her mum to drop it. Then she could take hold of it and bring it back down. The first few times (I had just woken up and wasn't all that clear) I hardly noticed what was happening. Even for Mirre it seemed to go too fast. Once I realised what Phèdre was doing (and she did bring the kitten straight back to the box!) I tried to divert Mirre after she had let go of the kitten. If her daughter was able to take it away and bring it downstairs, that was really convenient. But if Mirre realised what Phèdre was doing, she ran after her with great speed and protesting loudly. Usually I could expect her back with me within moments with a kitten. That wasn't very helpful. Luckily Mirre learned to accept the situation. The kittens weren't dragged anywhere any more and I was allowed to sleep. Wonderful!!  All this time Charo wasn't really involved. She's somewhat reserved, always waiting to see which way the cat jumps. So she needed some time to asses the situation and to accept it. No problem. When the kittens were two weeks old, for the first time Charo started very carefully to become a little bit curious. Especially the tails had her attention. I enjoyed seeing her becoming more confident and curious. This litter could very well prepare her for her own first litter, which is planned for next Spring. If she was able to gather some experience that would be very nice. During the same period she got in heat for the first time. At first really calmly and relaxed. But on the third day she let herself be heard and roared like mad. Day and night the whole world could here of her quest: she wanted a male, right now! She was far to busy to be involved with the kittens. All those raging hormones were tiresome enough. Luckily (for the rest of the world at least) the hormones and roaring calmed down after a week and the relative peace returned.  As soon as the kittens were able to get out of the box on their own, Charo became a little more involved with them. Even though it still scared her some if they crawled up too close to her, it was okay with her if they came near. She even dared facing them nose to nose. Slowly and carefully they started to approach each other with curiosity. Two weeks after the first time Charo got in heat again. She didn't have time for the kittens. She was terribly busy with three of the males here in the house and they were busy with her. About a week later the hormones calmed down again and she was able to concentrate on other things. Together with her grandmother she started to keep watch over the little ones. But all the same I could find her back within the kitten area.  
For instance lying in a basket with the kittens or with her uncle Bryn, watching all the pranks the kittens were playing. Taking care of the kittens very intensely wasn't in Charo's program. Of course with so many helping relatives that wasn't necessary. But she did wash them and kept them warm. Besides that she has taken their food at times or played with their toys. She was involved with them and was herself in doing so and I found that most important for her.  |
Nederlandse Burmezen Club  Member of Ocicat Club Holland  |
