So our outdoor mamacat was waiting for us when we got home from work last night... with a surprise. She had two little fuzzballs with her, one orange, one gray. The kittens were much more skittish, but they're definitely big enough to eat solid food now, which is probably why she brought them along. Managed to pet both of them last night, but when we tried to catch them to bring them inside, they wouldn't come close enough.

So this morning I put out food inside the cat carrier, and managed to snag them both, along with Summer, the mamacat (who we suspect might be pregnant again, oy). All three of them are safely ensconced in our back bathroom, and seem to be adjusting just fine. The plan is to get them to the vet and have Summer fixed and the kittens at least given their shots. As much as I love kitties, this has to be a temporary solution. We are NOT up to being a six-cat-household. Hopefully we can find homes for them. Worst case, I'm ok with releasing Summer back outside once she's been spayed. She's not quite two years old, and obviously able to handle herself outside. The babies, though, they should have homes of their own.

Ed and I got back from this weekend's trip to New Jersy about an hour ago. When we got in, there was a message on the phone from my mom asking me to call. I always know it's bad news when she won't leave a message more specific than that. Called her back. She wanted to tell me that the second of the two cats my family had gotten when I was five years old passed away today. My cat, Austin, had suffered from kidney failure and had to be put down four years ago while I was still in college. Candy, though, lasted until today. She was eighteen years old, and would have been nineteen if she had lived until August. She was a sweet old kitty; tiny (4.5 lbs), arthritic, a little blind, deaf, and very loud when she wanted attention. Even though I haven't lived with my parents since the summer after my freshman year of college, I always made sure to give her some lap time when we went to visit. I'm glad we decided to go to my parents' for Easter dinner last weekend, because it meant I at least got to see Candy one last time before she passed. I didn't have that with Austin.



Candy 1988-2007

Took Pepper to the vet this morning. She's staying overnight for her spaying operation. I know it's just one night, but the house feels strange without her here. When I'm home, she follows me around and constantly gets into everything, wanting my attention. I'm used to her little trills and squeaks, and taking her down off the counter a dozen times while I'm trying to cook or do the dishes. She likes to perch on my shoulders while I'm working in the sink or stove. To be working without her constantly in my hair just feels...wrong. Blah. I'm a big wimp, but I miss my little tortie kitten. Dusty's been more lovey since I dropped Pepper at the vet this morning, but as usual he's mostly a lump during the day and is just sleeping in Ed's chair. I hope he'll curl up with me tonight. I need kitty luvins. We'll be picking Pepper back up from the vet tomorrow after work. I know she'll be fine, but I still miss her being here snuggling or stepping on my keyboard. She's my bratling.