We have two female cats that we haven't been able to catch and get to the vet's office for fixing... they are wild and crazy and NOT interested in our efforts to catch them. This is one of those cats. Alan calls her Speck. She is a young cat, and the daughter of the other cat we haven't been able to catch...
...and as you can see, she has a couple of kittens.
We knew she was pregnant with a litter (her first), and when she showed up one day rather on the SKINNY side, we knew she'd delivered. But we didn't know where, or how many. First-time mothers don't have great success with their first litter, so we weren't even sure her kittens had survived. We've seen some rather large snakes around the farm recently, including near the shed, so odds weren't good.
Weeks went by and we would see Speck now and again around the farm, but never saw kittens. Until a few nights ago, when Alan saw them under the shed. Two kittens, no others. A little gray striped one, and a little yellow striped one ... both female.
Yesterday, she started bringing them up to the back porch and keeping them in the row of shrubs we have at the back of the house. I'm guessing it's cooler under the shrubs than it might be under the shed, and it is certainly closer to her food and water.
The kittens are quite playful, and love playing on and around the trunks of the shrubs. Speck is lightly napping in the background. Even if she's not watching me I know she always has one ear on me, ...just to be sure of things.
The kittens still can't see too far in front of themselves and they're not too coordinated yet, so Alan has been able to pick up the babies -- usually when they back themselves into a corner. He'll continue to pick them up every chance he gets. Eventually, when they're old enough, they'll go visit "Uncle Mike" (our endearing name for our vet, who is no relation to us) for a little snippity-snip-snip, only to return to the farm destined to be lazy trip hazards on the porch.
We are very diligent about getting the cats born on the farm fixed, which is why it is so important that they're able to be caught. Even if we can only catch them once, in a kennel they go, off to see Uncle Mike! We wish our neighbors were as diligent...
The little gray girl was curious about the camera...
...while the little yellow one was more interested in chewing on the soaker hose.
Snack time ... while Speck watches me, very aware of what I am doing.
They are absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!! The mother is beautiful and while kittens are ALWAYS cute, these are especially so. They are so lucky to have found themselves at your farm, where they'll get taken care of (in a responsible and loving way, not in a Mafia-type way)
Posted by: Helen | July 27, 2010 at 01:46 PM
I know it is not ideal to have kitties being born, but they are truly irresistible. Your pictures are fabulous!
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | July 25, 2010 at 10:11 PM
So adorable! Haven't been able to get a new kitty since our "Rascal" passed away 3 years ago. Your pictures make me think, I might be getting close :)
Posted by: Debbie | July 21, 2010 at 04:21 PM
Oh my gosh these kitties are just so cute. I just want to reach right through the computer screen and pet them. I'd love having the little blond one but alas TX is a bit to far away to acquire a new kitty.
Posted by: Ida | July 20, 2010 at 10:18 PM
What cute kitties. We had a neighborhood feral cat who had 2 litters in our garage. The 2d go around I was able to catch them & get them to the Humane Society. They are great - we trapped Mama & had her fixed so no more litters. Sadly, I haven't seen her for a while. You are a good critter lover!
Posted by: Troy Louise | July 20, 2010 at 11:03 AM
Spec is a beautiful cat! Of course, what kitten isn't adorable? I am so glad that you and Alan are committed to getting them fixed and not letting the population of wild cats increase. There are so many homeless in the U.S. alone it breaks my heart. I really enjoyed these photos! Have a great day!
Posted by: Danielle | July 20, 2010 at 08:07 AM
I absolutely love your blog and not just for the stamping, but for all the critter posts. I love the chickens, the cats, and all the others. Keep up the wonderful work!
Posted by: Sandy | July 20, 2010 at 07:49 AM
So happy to hear that you catch and spay/nueter the farm cats! I wish everyone did too. Those kittens are the cutest! I'm a member of the Humane Society of the United States...a wonderful organization. It's not easy catching farel cats. I tried and tried to catch one that came around our condo when we lived in CA. I'd catch every pet cat in the neighborhood but the black Tom I wanted to have fixed. Funny, this cat would allow me to pet the top of his head but that was it.
Posted by: Kathy Martin | July 20, 2010 at 06:45 AM
Trip hazards on the porch! I love that and it's so true!
I adopted two kitten sisters from the shelter and then one day two very young females adopted us. We soon found out they were not getting well fed by us but were both pregnant! We went from two kittens to eight! We waited till the kittens were weaned to operate the mommas and it broke my hear to have to adopt them out. There's too many fast cars around even in our mountains to keep them as outside cats.
Posted by: Vivian | July 20, 2010 at 06:04 AM
They are so sweet! Bless you for caring for them and have them fixed. It happened twice to us when somebody anonymous left at our doorstep a box with litter (both times 5 kittens). I had them all fixed but in ended up with having to feed 12-plus cats at the moment which is expensive.At least I know they themselves won't have litters and they are cared for.
Posted by: Elsina | July 20, 2010 at 12:06 AM
OH!!!! These are fabulous shots!!! Is there anything sweeter than baby kittens?? :) Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Foster | July 19, 2010 at 10:11 PM
Adorable little ones. You and your husband are Saints on earth! Perhaps you are St. Francis's now aday assistants. I'm so happy to hear you take all kittens you catch to Uncle Mike for the little snippity=do=dah proceedure. Your photos are outstanding. I truly enjoy each visit to your blog.
Posted by: Jennifer Woodward | July 19, 2010 at 08:07 PM
Anna...As always....love your story and photos of your cute little kittens. I thought that I "never" miss your blog...but I don't recall any update on the kittens you found who lost their mother (the ones that Alan bathed in Dawn and you fed with a tiny bottle). Did they make it? Did you find them a home? sorry if you posted and I missed it! Your life on the farm is so fun to read about....you do an outstanding job of retelling your life. Keep it all up!
Posted by: Jean | July 19, 2010 at 08:03 PM
Either you have a very long telephoto lens or Speck isn't THAT afraid of you, Anna! She's a pretty Momma - and her kittens (well, what can I say - ALL kittens are adorable!). Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Sharli | July 19, 2010 at 07:42 PM
Oh my GOSH are they adorable!!!! Those faces!!! Good for you for getting them fixed!!
Posted by: Michelle | July 19, 2010 at 07:32 PM
The kittens are absolutely adorable!
Posted by: Debby Watkins | July 19, 2010 at 06:21 PM
Cute, cute and more cute!
The little cream stripe one is my favorite, I would name her Creamsicle.
We don't have any cats, except for the ones that stroll through our meadow on their travels elsewhere. I'm glad you get them fixed, good luck with Mama.
Tell your Dad good luck fishing tomorrow.
Posted by: Sally | July 19, 2010 at 06:05 PM
So super cute!! I adore cats and kittens and these two are so sweet! I especially like the little gray one - way better than pictures of 'hoppers ;)
I'm making your PB pie tonight - YUM!!
Posted by: Jennifer K. | July 19, 2010 at 05:25 PM
Your photos and story rock Miss Anna! Time to consider creating a children's book?
Posted by: Martha | July 19, 2010 at 05:22 PM
I just love kittens. Our sweet old girl. A beautiful longhair calico, Sabrina, passed away several weeks ago. She was very old. The pale gold kitty looks like her sibling, Fido, who we lost almost 3 years ago. I was thinking I would go with out a cat and catbox in the house for awhile. Now I am not so sure! DIL just brought home a chihuahua mix puppy that is 1/2 the size our cats where :) Have you tried to live trap Spec to take her to vet? Oor is she just that wylie you can't get her near it?
Enjoy the sweet babies. Hugs...
Posted by: Carol Dee | July 19, 2010 at 05:12 PM
The last picture of the mother looks like she's thinking OK "go ahead, make my day" you're not gonna get me lady!..... Another perfect day here in the moutains. I feel fishy Oh so fishy, trouting tomorrow I shall go!......Love, Dad
Posted by: DK Wight | July 19, 2010 at 04:54 PM
Oh, the kittens are SO cute!I'm glad Alan has been able to handle them. Your chance of getting them to the vet will be much greater now! I hope they become more and more friendly. It would be nice if Speck would let you catch her, too! That has to be so frustrating...The kittens really are adorable, though. I'm a sucker for kitten ALWAYS! I would have a house full if I could! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | July 19, 2010 at 04:35 PM
Aw, I love kittens. Those two are adorable! Thanks for the pictures. They were just what I needed, today!
Posted by: Jacque Kelnhofer | July 19, 2010 at 04:26 PM