Not much time to talk - Duck is in a drama stage LOL Very vocal and trying to get in my lap and dig in her blankets. I've got coffee going, and we should have news of a birth within the next few hours! Yay :-)
Keep an eye on Flickr!
Dar
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Well we must be getting "some" closer :-)
Picture of Dutches in her nest. She has been digging around a little, and she has short periods of short, rapid breaths and squinting, like she's having little contractions. Her babies are much further back and lower today, too. They have settled down a bit since yesterday. Dutches also started getting quite a bit more milk in this afternoon.
I'll be sleeping on the floor next to her nest tonight, just in case. I expect the kittens soon now... if not tonight, then by in the morning. But of course Dutches likes to prove me wrong LOL
Over at Suite101, I compiled a listing of all my kitten-related articles. I couldn't believe how many there were, but it should be everything you ever needed to know about kittens!
Also, many of you know that I am a Reiki practitioner, meaning I do energy healing. I've used it many times to calm my cats, help them when they need healing... it is a wonderful thing to know how to do if you have a young kitten that seems to need some help along. I've written an article on Energy Therapy for Cats that will teach you some of the basics.
I'll let y'all know the moment we're in labor :-)
I'll be sleeping on the floor next to her nest tonight, just in case. I expect the kittens soon now... if not tonight, then by in the morning. But of course Dutches likes to prove me wrong LOL
Over at Suite101, I compiled a listing of all my kitten-related articles. I couldn't believe how many there were, but it should be everything you ever needed to know about kittens!
Also, many of you know that I am a Reiki practitioner, meaning I do energy healing. I've used it many times to calm my cats, help them when they need healing... it is a wonderful thing to know how to do if you have a young kitten that seems to need some help along. I've written an article on Energy Therapy for Cats that will teach you some of the basics.
I'll let y'all know the moment we're in labor :-)
Monday, July 30, 2007
Day 66...
Dutches is finally starting to show some signs that she might give me those kittens :-) She is breathing rapidly in a very spaced apart pattern. Her kittens are very active, more than I've seen them so far. And her belly is very "low slung" this afternoon, too.
I discovered she had been nesting in a different spot than I had set up for her, so I was just missing that. She is digging in covers SOMEwhere at least! hahaha
I "believe" she will have the kittens by in the morning... but don't hold me to it :-)
I discovered she had been nesting in a different spot than I had set up for her, so I was just missing that. She is digging in covers SOMEwhere at least! hahaha
I "believe" she will have the kittens by in the morning... but don't hold me to it :-)
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Still waiting...
I didn't expect for Dutches to go into labor today, and she hasn't. She's resting a LOT though, and I really doubt she can hold out more than another day or two.
Here's our latest article at Cats @Suite101.com on reasons Why Your Cat Should Live Inside :-)
http://cats.suite101.com/article.cfm/why_your_cat_should_live_indoors
I'll see y'all tomorrow :-)
Here's our latest article at Cats @Suite101.com on reasons Why Your Cat Should Live Inside :-)
http://cats.suite101.com/article.cfm/why_your_cat_should_live_indoors
I'll see y'all tomorrow :-)
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Isn't she pretty :-)
She's being a stubborn thing about having her babies on time. They are due tomorrow. She has at least started showing some more serious signs of nesting, and she has groomed herself silly.
I would imagine that we are 2 or 3 days away rather than just 1. But I'll keep you posted!
I would imagine that we are 2 or 3 days away rather than just 1. But I'll keep you posted!
Friday, July 27, 2007
2 more days???
Nothing much new to report. Dutches is doing very well and not showing any signs of discomfort or that she intends to go into labor.
The other girls, however, have started hanging out by the birthing room door. I wonder if there is a scent that makes them know Dutches is going into labor soon, because they did this last time when she was close. Hooch has been a little vocal, too!
Maybe they're just urging her on - I am! :-)
The other girls, however, have started hanging out by the birthing room door. I wonder if there is a scent that makes them know Dutches is going into labor soon, because they did this last time when she was close. Hooch has been a little vocal, too!
Maybe they're just urging her on - I am! :-)
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Another kitten from Dutches's last litter...
This was Harvey, an amazing little black Persian kitten. He was 7 weeks old in this picture and a wild little ball of fur. You can see why we're so excited about the kittens from this upcoming litter!
We can see kittens kicking now...
They're pretty active in there, and it's good to see them moving around. Since this wasn't a planned breeding, Duckie didn't get her pre-pregnancy lion cut, so she's so fluffy that we haven't been able to spot much movement. But the kittens are fully developed at this point and just waiting to be born - they must be packed in there like sardines! That makes it easy to spot movement, though!
Thankfully, her belly fur didn't completely grow back in from her last lion cut. She's got just enough fur to protect her tummy from little nursing kitten claws, but not enough fur to keep the babies from being able to find milk.
I'm imagining that Duck is going to go at least a couple days past her expected due date because she isn't showing very many signs of being close yet. These will probably be August babies, but she's fooled me plenty of times before :-)
Thankfully, her belly fur didn't completely grow back in from her last lion cut. She's got just enough fur to protect her tummy from little nursing kitten claws, but not enough fur to keep the babies from being able to find milk.
I'm imagining that Duck is going to go at least a couple days past her expected due date because she isn't showing very many signs of being close yet. These will probably be August babies, but she's fooled me plenty of times before :-)
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
4 days to go...
My darlin' chubby angel only has 4 more days to go until her due date, but she isn't acting like she's in any hurry. She's calm, relaxed, eating like a horse, sleeping tons, and is a super duper love machine.
I've been trying to keep myself busy and not just sit around watching her belly for kitten movement :-) So I wrote some articles on litter box training and litter box problems. I'm on the endless search for the perfect litter, and all I can say is that this week I'm a bit peaved because the World's Best Cat Litter is not the world's best cat litter.
Of course I was a bit spoiled by Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat that I tried with Hooch last month. It completely eliminated his "boy kitty" litter box odors. World's Best Cat Litter might work well for your typical cat, but it was no match for Hooch.
And that's enough from me - I'm going to go watch Dutches' tummy for a little while. :-)
I've been trying to keep myself busy and not just sit around watching her belly for kitten movement :-) So I wrote some articles on litter box training and litter box problems. I'm on the endless search for the perfect litter, and all I can say is that this week I'm a bit peaved because the World's Best Cat Litter is not the world's best cat litter.
Of course I was a bit spoiled by Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat that I tried with Hooch last month. It completely eliminated his "boy kitty" litter box odors. World's Best Cat Litter might work well for your typical cat, but it was no match for Hooch.
And that's enough from me - I'm going to go watch Dutches' tummy for a little while. :-)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
She really is a darlin' girl!
Dutches is a really happy, sweet, playful, lovin' angel girl when she's pregnant. She is due in 5 days, and we are patiently watching her tummy for signs that our new babies are ready to join us.
Here, she is sleeping on dad's desk, which is right behind mine, where I spend most of my day :-) For the next 2 weeks, I'll be her constant companion. My poor hubby will have to do all the grocery shopping and everything, but he's gotten used to it by now.
Dutches is doing well. She sleeps almost constantly, waking up a couple dozen brief times during the day to eat and get her head rubbed.
Here, she is sleeping on dad's desk, which is right behind mine, where I spend most of my day :-) For the next 2 weeks, I'll be her constant companion. My poor hubby will have to do all the grocery shopping and everything, but he's gotten used to it by now.
Dutches is doing well. She sleeps almost constantly, waking up a couple dozen brief times during the day to eat and get her head rubbed.
Monday, July 23, 2007
All ready for our babies...
Dutches's milk started coming in today, so she is very close. As big and hard as her tummy is, I don't imagine she'll go past her due date like she normally does.
I've been keeping busy nesting with her. We rearranged her birthing room (my office LOL), and I've got all my supplies ready to help her out if she needs it.
Is your cat in labor or going to be soon?
Be prepared by checking out these articles:
Caring for Pregnant Cats
Helping Your Cat Deliver Kittens
Caring for Newborn Kittens
Raising Kittens
I've been keeping busy nesting with her. We rearranged her birthing room (my office LOL), and I've got all my supplies ready to help her out if she needs it.
Is your cat in labor or going to be soon?
Be prepared by checking out these articles:
Sunday, July 22, 2007
In her nest...
Dutches has just started to rearrange her nest and dig in her covers. She looks all cozy and sweet in there, doesn't she! Due 1 week from today :-)
Friday, July 20, 2007
Showing off her belly...
Just wanted to post a link, also, to my Suite101 Cats topic and how you can subscribe to the RSS feeds for Cats. I am just understanding RSS feeds and didn't know how to do it myself :-) But if you go to this page, it will tell you how to subscribe and keep up with all the cool stuff at Cats.
http://www.suite101.com/rss/thatcrazycatlady_writer
And as always, if you have any suggestions for articles or discussions on Cats, please feel free to email me! cats@suite101.com
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Top Queen...
Dutches is our oldest girl (all of 3 years old now), and she has had the most litters for us. In kitty world, when you've had the most kittens in a colony, you are the big boss! Dutches certainly believes this!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Hooch...
THIS adorable thing is my Hoochie poochie guy, our stud kitty. He is the most darlin', lovin' thing you have ever seen, and a funny, playful fella! Our Lily is his daughter, and she has his playful spark and his fabulous coat.
Persian Cats are known for their affectionate nature, though some prefer to sit on a shelf across the room and just be admired, only snuggling when they are in the mood for it. And some, particularly the color points, or Himalayan, are more openly affectionate and really enjoy being close to their people.
Persian Cats are known for their affectionate nature, though some prefer to sit on a shelf across the room and just be admired, only snuggling when they are in the mood for it. And some, particularly the color points, or Himalayan, are more openly affectionate and really enjoy being close to their people.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Top 10 Most Popular Cat Breeds
I'm always pleased when the newest listing comes out from the CFA with the Top 10 Most Popular breeds! The Persian has been the top breed for many years, understandably. Of course I say that because I breed Persians and I love them so much!
But since I'm also a freelance writer on the topic of Cats, I get to research and learn about all the different cat breeds, like the Sphynx, who made the top 10 list this year. They are much more than just a "nude" kitty! And though you might think they were completely hypoallergenic, they're actually only hypoallergenic to those who are only allergic to kitty hair.
What's your favorite breed?
Lily FooFoo...
This darlin' angel is our Lily, a tortoiseshell semi-faced Persian kitten. She is about 3 1/2 months old now,and we couldn't be more proud of her. She is from our first litter with Dutches and Hooch, and we are terribly excited about the future of our kittens after breeding Ms. Foofy!
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