Dear Readers, you might remember that when I used to live in Islington, I spent five years fostering a whole variety of cats. One day, I was asked if I’d take care of a pregnant Mum called Rosa, and I’ve rarely been so excited. We made a bed in a cupboard for the mum-to-be, and she wandered in and wrapped herself up in a blanket, so we tiptoed up to our own bed.
Rosa
The next morning, we looked for her and couldn’t find her. Of course, she’d crept behind the bookshelf and had given birth in the tiniest space imaginable. We left her to her own devices, but I could just about count four black and white kittens.
She gave birth on 4th November, and the very next night was Bonfire night, and our neighbours had their usual firework party in the middle of the road. It sounded as if an artillery battery was taking place amidst the sedate Georgian houses. Through it all Rosa remained calm, feeding her babies as if she was used to appearing in re-enactments of World War I battles outside the window.
We named them Mostly Black…
Mostly Black….
Stripey Tail…
Stripey Tail
Mostly White….
Mostly White
and Stripey
Stripey
They were all male, and they were something of a handful, but we didn’t care. Suffice it to say that the Christmas tree didn’t stay up for long (top photo) – we tried one without decorations, but then we were worried that the little devils were going to garotte themselves.
The whole gang
Suffice it to say that they were very well socialised by the time they left us…and my husband was a cat-convert.
Honestly, if you’ve ever thought about fostering cats, do give it a go. I was sad when my little family went off to be rehomed, but what a privilege to be there when they were born, and to see them grow from little scraps to friendly, independent cats, each with their own personality. And after Christmas I suspect that there will the usual numbers of cats and kittens given as presents and now unwanted.
Though I’d make sure that your toilet paper is locked away safely. It’s irresistible!
Such cute pictures! The markings are adorable. Like you, I spent years fostering, both dogs and cats. I fostered mostly litters of kittens, sometimes with a mama, and sometimes waking up every 3 hours to feed them myself. At some point, I hope to get back to it, but perhaps doing fospice this time. I know now how to do a lot of vet tech kind of stuff, so I’d be fine with cats who need that.
I thought about fospice too – let’s see how things work out. We’re having new windows put in in March, and then there’s a lot of travel next year, so I shall have to see what works re the fostering…
That was a lovely story about the cats. I couldn’t help wondering what books I recognized and the chair looks very familiar.
Hah! I always look at people’s bookshelves when I’m on a Zoom call or see them in a photograph….the chair is from IKEA and is called Pohang, I think it’s one of the most popular chairs in the world…