LostWoods Blog

It’s been a challenging week here at LostWoods. It started over the weekend with Allegra, followed by her brothers, getting upper respiratory infections. Allegra had some eye involvement with it, but the boys just had the sneezes and sniffles. I added l-lysine to their food and Allegra was getting eye meds. (She was just thrilled with that — not!) By Monday everyone except Fayne was doing better, but they were all getting a decongestant to help clear up the sniffles. Fayne wasn’t bad, but he was more congested than everyone else, so I added an antibiotic to his treatment.

In the meantime, Natane started sneezing and coughing. I thought it was just her coming down with the same thing as the kittens. When she showed NO signs of improvement I put her on the decongestant and antibiotic, too.

Tuesday night I thought all four kittens were better. Corliss and Allegra were nearly 100%. Seely was still sneezy. Fayne was still more congested than everyone else, but active, playful, and acting “normal.”

Wednesday comes along… Natane was obviously not better. In fact, she was refusing to eat and rarely moved from the bathroom except to cough. She was breathing out of her mouth and I started to wonder if she had pneumonia. She didn’t have the same symptoms as the kittens — no sniffles. No watery eyes. No discharge from her nose. Just lethargy and coughing.

Fayne, too, had regressed and was less active than normal. He was still eating, but he sounded more congested and acted less like the happy kitten he usually is.

Off to visit Dr Jennifer. Fayne was running a temp and was given sub-q fluids. We discussed switching antibiotics and decided to see how he was this morning. The good news today is that Fayne’s temperature was normal this morning and he’s once again a bouncing baby boy cat.  

More good news is that Natane, too, is better today. The bad news is she has asthma. She received fluids, a steriod and a bronchodilator yesterday at the clinic and came home with me. We’ll be working to figure out what it takes to keep her in a stable, healthy state over the next few months, although she’ll probably be on some level and combination of medications for the rest of her life and I’ll keep emergency meds around in case she has an attack in the future. 

When we got home yesterday she was already feeling a bit better, willing to walk around and drinking on her own. She was sitting up watching what was going on in the house rather than just lying on the floor looking miserable. This morning she had gone downstairs by herself and came to get a cat treat when I gave everyone treats.  She’s a pain in the rear end to get pills down, but she will get used it eventually. (I hope…) Whatever it takes, we’ll be giving her the best life we can despite the asthma.

Now you’re probably wondering — like I did — how common asthma is in cats. I haven’t done a lot of reading (yet!) but what I’ve seen so far says it’s about 1 in a 100 cats. Some suggest that the prevalence is increasing (in cats and humans) due to environmental pollutants. According to one reference I saw Siamese and Himilayans seem to have a slightly higher incidence.  One site you might want to visit if you’re interested in this topic is http://www.felineasthma.org/. I’ll add it to my links on the blog, too.

I hope when I get home Natane will be even better this afternoon. I am glad that Jeremy is home a good part of the time right now so someone is with her. Jeremy likes Natane a lot (even though he won’t admit it) and has been very concerned about her. So I feel fairly certain that if she were to have a problem he’d notice and let me know right away. Until she’s more stable, I’ll be nervous about leaving her alone for long.

In much happier news, I was seeing pink last week — and I don’t just mean Allegra’s eyes. Kefira is pregnant! Babies are due around August 8th. Yes, the kitten cam will be back. I know that all you addicts out there can hardly wait to get your fix.

And to wind this up for now, here’s a picture of Corliss. After all the time I spent with this little guy feeding him those first two weeks, he’s my special little boy. He has a home in Missoula and will be leaving in a little over a week. I’ll be even more sad than usual. For once, I’m admitting I have a favorite in the litter. Although, I’ve also got to say, this litter is so cuddly and loving that it’s going to be really hard to let any of them go. Good thing there will soon be new babies to distract me. Anyway, here’s my Corliss cutie.

Both Fayne and Corliss went swimming again this morning. Usually one experience is all it takes to teach the kittens to be careful while perching on the side of the bathtub. But this litter seems to be endlessly fascinated with the tub and the water in it. This might be in part due to the new, fun game they learned from Great Grandma Shira.

Shira has episodes of craziness that cause us to remark that Psycho Shira is back. She’ll chase through the house like all the demons of Hades are on her heels. She’ll attack teasers and toys unexpectedly, then dash off. She crouch down and lash her tail, then take off after someone — or after nothing at all. It’s entertaining, to say the least.

One of the games she plays most often when she’s Psycho Shira is “killer in the bathtub”. She dashes into the bathroom and jumps into the tub. She crouches down, tail lashing and eyes darting wildly from place to place. Heaven help the other cats if any of them happen to go near the tub! If I’m around and have a toy handy, I’ll toss it in the tub with her and she’ll go nuts “killing” it. Because it’s so fun to watch her, I try to keep a ball in the bathroom just for that very purpose.

The latest victim of Psycho Shira’s bathtub killing is a little ball covered with a pink glittery and shiny fabric. It rattles, so it makes noise as it rolls and is tossed around. The kittens, drawn by the noise, have tried to join the game, but well… getting in the way of Psycho Shira is a guarantee of being swatted — or worse. So they’ve learned to wait until she leaves, then they jump in the tub and play their own version of killer in the bathtub. I’m sure that’s a contributor to their fascination.

But they also love being wherever I am and I like baths rather than showers. So ever since they were big enough to venture into the bathroom on their own, they’ve come in and sat by the tub watching me. Once they could get on the side of tub, the swimming lessons began.

Besides bathtubs, Seely has become enamoured with getting on things, exhibiting the typical Norwegian Forest Cat desire to be UP. And once he or she gets there, he/she will be looking for a higher spot to explore. Seely conquered the kitchen island last week, climbing up there via the wine rack. (aka kitty jungle gym.) But the island being, well, an island, he couldn’t get anywhere from there. This week he has figured out how to get on the dining room table because he can now jump up to the chairs. And just last night he discovered he can jump up on the bar stools at the kitchen counter and now can get to the entire run of counter top. It was a sad day for me. More cats to chase off the counter when I’m trying to cook. So far Seely is the only one to do it, but once one of them learns something like that, the others aren’t far behind.

The swimming lessons continue. The last kitten to get his water wings is Corliss, who fell in today. (Everyone else had already been swimming.) Despite being half soaked, he still was back about 30 seconds later, sitting on the side of the bathtub, watching the water while his ever helpful sister batted at his funny looking, wet tail. When I was done with my bath, I picked him up and dried him off — Corliss purring the entire time because he loves being held by me, wet or not.

The cats must have all missed us while we were gone those couple of days. Our bed has been very full the past two nights — Kalira, Talia, Zeke, Charlie, Rand, Basia, all four kittens — with visits from Natane and Peanut. Danica would like to come to bed with us, but she’s not that comfortable around the other cats, so she settles for cuddles down in the kitchen. Kefira does not like Danica at all, so Kefira is still with McCoy most of the time. He gets the company, she stays out of trouble.  Kefira’s “pink up” date is tomorrow, so I have my fingers crossed. Hoping for some beautiful babies out of those two. I have no reason to think she isn’t pregnant since both she and McCoy have had babies with others, but you just never know.

I need to spend some time getting caught up at home and with my email again. If you’re written and not heard from me, I’m still here, just totally buried in email. That’s what happens when I don’t respond to anything in three days. Argh! I really need to win the lottery so I can stay home and tend to my cat hobby and my email. LOL! I have an appointment for an eye exam after work today, then if I can see (getting eyes dilated is always such a joy - not!) I’ll dive in, one email at a time until I’m caught up. Maybe someday…

I’m back from Spokane & the surrounding area where Ken and I spent the weekend. The cats all survived being under the sole care of Jeremy for two and a half days. He didn’t even go out with his friends Saturday night because he “had to stay home and take care of the cats.” I don’t think we gave that particular order, but whatever inspired him to take good care of them, I’ll take it! He even spoiled them by giving them ham while we were gone. I guess he learned that from his dad, the cat hater. LOL!

Eleven weeks photos are up on the website. The kittens weren’t terribly cooperative tonight. Or maybe it was me being more impatient than usual. Allegra insisted on posing all hunched up like a garden gnome. Fayne had something in his fur — which I only noticed when I was editing the photos. Corliss never wants to sit up tall and look at me… The only one who behaved at all was Seely. My attempts to get another litter shot were all dismal failures. Maybe next week.

On a positive note, my work on the NFCFA By-Laws, etc is FINALLY done! Well, all except mailing the proposals and counting the returned ballots. But the real work — the reviewing, writing, discussing, re-writing, reviewing, discussing, re-writing… is DONE! We didn’t always agree on things and I lost a few battles, but in the end the entire committee voted unanimously to present the proposals to the membership. The same five people who began the work (six, if you count Pete, who was an ex-officio member of the committee) stuck it out and we ended with the same five people. The proposals won’t make everyone happy. Unfortunately, there’s no way to do that because there are some widely diverse opinions of how things ought to be in NFCFA. But we’ve tried to listen and reach compromises that we hope will pass. We’ll see. Whatever happens, I think we put a lot of thought, work, and attention to detail into the proposals and I’m proud of the work everyone did. In a few days we’ll see what the members have to say.

While I was off playing in Washington, Brenda took Beau and Dawnflower to a TICA show in Colorado. Dawnie got one final as 3rd best AB Cat. This was her very first show and she was up against her half brother Shane (AZWegie Shane, son of McCoy and Keegan) and Vanir Maverick, owned by Sondra Evans in the breed judging. Dawn had less coat that the two boys, but still managed to Best of Breed in one ring and get a high final. Go Chompers! Beau had an excellent show again, being Best Alter in several rings and finalling in all but one (I think) for the weekend.

 So now I think I’m caught up on the news. At least most of the news. I need to post some show season brags for the LostWoods cats and their extended family. However, I need to chase down all the correct info. I can tell you that two of Basia’s brothers are International Winners this year! Gotta love those Guri & Tori babies. They kick butt!

Hi! Ken-dad and lisa-mom left us home with the Jeremy-boy. Pray for us! No,really, we like him. We like everyone. We’ll be fine.

Yesterday I wrote our story while lisa-mom was at work, but I see she hasn’t told anyone about it so I guess I have to. It’s called Happy Kittens and it’s on our website.

Other than that I don’t have much to say. Bye!

As I mentioned the other day, the babies can get on the side of the bath tub and swimming lessons were eminent. This morning while I was taking my bath, Fayne jumped up on the side of the tub. I asked him if he was going to be the first victim… Um, I mean, student.

After I got out and the water was draining, I heard a splash and sure enough, Fayne had fallen in and was frantically trying to get out. I rescued him, partially dried him with a towel, and put him down on the floor.

It’ funny watching kittens after they get wet. They take a step, shake a wet paw, take another step, shake the other paw. And so on. They think their tail is some strange thing following them.

Allegra was torn between helping her brother and harrassing him. She’d lick his side, then swat at his funny tail. She groomed his tail a bit and then chomped it. Poor Fayne was not amused.

But Allegra got her own punishment a little later. The kittens were following me down the stairs. When I got to the bottom, Ilooked to be sure they were all there. Behind me was Allegra. Every time she hopped down a step Corliss was right behind her and would pounce on her from the step above. He kept it up all the way to the bottom. Yes, his leg is much better today!

[I wrote the above on Monday, but apparently I was waiting for someone else to take a swimming lesson before finishing it and posting it. That should much better than I forgot to hit publish, doesn’t it?]

Seely is the latest to take a dive. Last night he jumped up on the side of the jump in his usual enthusiastic way of doing things — full out intent on whatever task is at hand. He almost slid right across the edge and into the tub, but not quite. Unfortunately for Seely, today he did end up in the tub. I was getting dressed and next thing I knew, here came Seely on a run. I looked to see what had scared him and realized his legs and tummy were all wet. He had joined Fayne in the ranks of swimmers. It remains to be seen if Allegra and Corliss will also take lessons.

We’re supposed to have rain this weekend, so I don’t know if I’ll get outdoor photos this week or if they will be indoors. But one way or another, I should have new pictures by the end of the weekend.

Today was a much quieter day than yesterday, so I was able to get the kittens nine week photos taken and uploaded to the website. The best part was how cooperative they were when I lined them up for a litter shot. One picture is on the home page and here is a bonus shot. 

Corliss is doing much better today. He’s not quite 100% healed, but today he is putting weight on his paw and playing like his usual self. He’s still favoring that leg a little bit, but I’m betting by tomorrow he won’t show any signs of having been hurt.

While I was taking pictures, Charlie offered to show his children how to pose. Okay, I think he really wanted to get the teaser, but he did pose in between trying to kill it.

He also demonstrated what enterprising NFCs have to do when they don’t have a forest handy — they improvise!

 

I brought my plants home from work last week. I’m hoping they survive me and the cats. I’m not the best at remembering to water them (I’m a firm believer in making my plants “drought tolerant” LOL!) so between that and the cats thinking they make a good place for a nap, they may be dead in a week or two. And to think — at one time I had about 30 house plants and they were all thriving and beautiful. I guess I had less things distracting me back then.

Back to kittens… this time talking about future kittens. McCoy and Kefira have had a busy few days and if their activities have been productive, we’ll be looking for another litter of LostWoods kittens around August 8th. Cross your fingers.

Perhaps I’m premature in posting this as graduation is today and Jeremy doesn’t have a signed diploma in his hands yet…

Jeremy’s graduation ceremony is at noon. I was talking with Brenda yesterday and she could hardly believe it when I said he was graduating from high school. She still thinks of Jeremy as the little boy she knew. In some ways, I do, as well. Jeremy was 7 when I met him so it’s hard for me to grasp that he’s already old enough to be graduating. He’s not moving out quite yet. He plans to attend college here in Helena initially and live at home for now. We are all for that idea as his plans aren’t too solid as to what he wants to be when he grows up. This way we can save some money while he figures out a more focused plan for his future.

Since I talk about Jeremy fairly often in here, I thought you might enjoy seeing his senior pictures. Ken put them in an album on Snapfish and you can see all of them there:

address: http://jerbeargrad.snapfish.com/snapfish
room code: goats

But if you don’t want to bother with creating an account (free) on Snapfish, here’s the one that we picked for the yearbook.

We’re hoping for nice weather today as we’re having some of Jeremy’s other family over for a barbeque after the ceremony. We’re also hoping some of his friends will stop by. But it’s looking like rain and the forecast is for rather chilly weather. But as long as it’s not pouring down rain, we’ll still cook the meat on the grill and everyone can hang out in the kitchen, dining room, and living room.

Okay, so on to a little bit of wegie content. The babies went off to see Dr Jennifer for their first exam and vaccinations. They were little angels in the car. Not one peep out of anyone. No clawing at the sides of the carrier to get out. They just sat in there and looked around. Of course, Dr Jennifer had been impatiently waiting for 4:00 all day and all the staff was excited to meet the babies in person. Fayne will become very familiar with the clinic in the future.

Everyone is healthy and doing well. That is, except for Corliss - who injured his leg somehow yesterday. He was playing and fine when I left for work yesterday, but I came home from work and noticed him limping. Dr Jennifer checked it out along with her routine exam. They took some radiographs and it’s not broken, but it is swollen and very sore. All of the kittens just wanted to snuggle in the fluffy bed last night after getting their shots — which in some ways was a plus for Corliss. Less of an enticement to try to run, jump, and play on his sore leg since everyone else was also being lazy. I’m hoping he’ll be feeling better today. They were all in the fluffy bed in our bedroom when I got up to come in here and write. Other than his sore leg, Corliss is also a healthy little boy.

Well, I’m off to a busy day. Shower, make a breakfast frittata, steam the wrinkles out of Jeremy’s graduation robe, mop the floors in the living room, kitchen and dining room, scoop litter boxes… and graduation!

It’s been a souce of minor amusement to me for weeks - the kittens sitting beside the bathtub, looking at me, trying to figure out how to get to me. I’ve thought it would be a really cute picture of them but I usually don’t take my camera with me when I bathe.

Well, I missed my chance. The kittens have stormed the walls (the side of the bathtub) and have taken control of the castle. This means that they will soon get their first swimming lessons. Wonder if there are any fish in the bunch?

They are now going up and down the stairs at will. Most nights I call them to come up to bed, but the other night I didn’t. Still, I woke up to find Fayne snuggled in between Ken and me. The others spent the night downstairs. Guess I’ll have to keep working on them to convince them they need to come upstairs and join us in bed each night.

Jeremy graduates from high school on Saturday. Ken’s parents are arriving this afternoon and staying with us for a few days so I’ve been super busy getting ready for them and the BBQ were having after the ceremony on Saturday. Add to that some unpleasant upheaval at work and you’ve got a tired and grumpy person. The kittens are a joyful break from all that - just like their litter name says.

Oh! I think Kefira might be going into heat. She’s been very friendly to me and REALLy wants to spend all her time with McCoy. That’s usually the precursor to a girl being in heat. Ooooo! I can’t wait for their babies!

I knew the day would come when the kittens quit staying in the bedroom so we could watch them all day on the kitten cam. What I didn’t anticipate is having technical issues at nearly the same time, thus putting an end to the viewing when they still were sometimes in the room. Over the weekend - besides the great tree climbing escapade - the kittens spent quite a bit of time in the cat room downstairs, as well as in the living room. Without cameras all over the house (no!) it’s just too hard to know where he best views would be at any given time, so no more kitten cam. Sigh… I’ll miss checking on them throughout the day.

The kittens can go up and down the stairs by themselves now. Allegra had issues with that — she’d get so excited about going downstairs that she’d be running and end up tumbling head over heels. Then she’d be so distressed she’d go back upstairs and refuse to come down again. But she’s over it, having learned to slow down and take it a step at a time. The boys had a few little tumbles, too, but they are all competent stairs climbers now. It’s a good thing. Basia isn’t so sure that she wants them down there. She likes to call them and then once she has their attention she escorts them back to our bedroom - one at a time, if necessary. She’s an opinionated little cat.

They do all come upstairs (herded by Buzzy) each night where they play on the bed, investigate the dad-cave, and sometimes sleep with us. Busy as they are - and boy are they! - they are still quite cuddly. This evening I was sitting on the couch watching tv and first Seely then Corliss climbed on my lap and fell asleep. They come running when they hear people’s voices and are happy to meet anyone and everyone.

Last week I planned to post some pictures of the kittens enjoying the present that Uncle Crenshaw and his Susanne-mom sent them. I got distracted and didn’t do that, so here they are. A week late, but still cute.

 

Notice Allegra is not in the bug? Just like posing on rocks, this is not what princesses do! LOL! And she is a Princess. She makes me laugh all the time. She acts so prim and proper one minute and the next she is sneaking up on her brothers and jumping on them. Last night the boys were all asleep and she was still bouncing (yes, I mean bouncing — just like a little kid jumping on the bed) around on the bed between, over, and on Ken and me.

Susanne also sent the kittens a couple of rabbit feet. Real, dehydrated rabbit feet. Everyone loves them. Charlie and Natane made off with them before the kittens could check them out. The next morning Allegra found one that Charlie brought upstairs. I was still lying in bed and I kept hearing growling. There didn’t seem to be any hissing or actual fighting going on, but I finally got up to see who was growling and why. There was Allegra with the rabbit’s foot, growling for all she was worth anytime her brothers even looked at her. It was HERS, all HERS! Later she must have put it down because I saw Corliss with it, growling just as ferociously as his sister had been.

Never a dull moment with kittens in the house. Sorry I can’t put a camera somewhere that I could just move around and follow the kittens through their day. Of course, my boss might frown on that — ’cause I sure wouldn’t get any work done!