Pablo and I agreed to visit and care for the little kittens at the friend's friend's home for several weeks., and we spent a long time with them, trying to relieve some of their fright, see, their mom was a crack ho. Couldn't resist. In the world of cat moms, that is how I saw her - minus the crack, because I DID see her! Every time we left the kitties we felt sad, that they were stuck to each other like glue in a huge cage, and too shy to come out with people around. Mimi the animal rescuer had been caring for them too, and had made quite a bit of progress, but they had been slow in responding to the concept of TRUSTING people.
On maybe the fourth day we decided to catnap them. We had promised to feed and care for them for several weeks. Although their location was a mere 5 Mérida blocks from my house, if we drove there the one way streets made it seem like a 15 minute drive, and then there would be no parking. We discussed it and decided we had a catproof room where they could reside for their stay most of October. I had an extra catbox, was provided litter and food, and the best cat toy - the ball spinning around in the wheel. We gathered up the toys we had taken over there, the cats and the accoutrements and brought them to our house. We didn't take their cage. They needed to work their way out of that cage, and there are animals in our house that would freak out if they saw a big ole' jail! I pulled out some toys our cats most enjoyed while kittens. I hung things around the room for them to bat around and destroy. They came out the first night and played with all the toys, and by the second day had destroyed a couple. Of course they are reparable and the fun begins all over, so no big deal.
We have been trying to spend extra time with them in the room, so they eventually come out from under the bed while we are there. It's been a challenge, they are so timid. Here is Guera and Mimi. Guera means light colored, and the architect named the other one after Mimi, the cat rescuer.
After the initial hiss, they both will let you hold them and pet them, and blondie is the more outgoing of the two. Mimi is extremely shy, and she doesn't think I'm quite the greatest because I make her take vitamins. If our visit doesn't involve vitamins, she is more tolerant of the petting. Problem is, whenever we are around, they stay hidden under the bed in the far corner.
Yesterday I finally had a lighter work schedule and had the time to go into the room and just hang out in there, play with them, just be there. I was reading a great book, but I was exhausted and fell sound asleep. The screen door to their room had been closed and as far as I knew, the few cats here who can open doors, didn't enter, it's a noisy door and that would have woken me. I heard Pablo say something and heard "Meow! Meow! Meow!" and it was coming from the carport. I ran out to see, still half asleep, and saw Guera! I grabbed her from under the car and took her back to the room. When I entered, I looked around and under the bed and there they were, Guera and Mimi, just as pictured above. The cat I picked up was half the size of the two cats we are fostering, scared out of her wits, and wouldn't stop meowing. At first I separated them and put the new kitten outside in the bathroom with water and food. She was too shook up for that. So Pablo suggested we put them together. It was worth a try. They had mutual hisses and that was that. Guera and Mimi watched the pint sized kitten immediately go for all the toys and play her little heart out. She would take a break and walk over for a drink of water and a little snack. Then jump into a new game. Soon, Guera became interested in this potential playmate. She has been coming out from under the bed during the day and during our visits. Mimi I usually have to drag out if I am in there, and she retreats to her corner after she is done tolerating the petting.
When I found out that was a third kitten I really freaked out. St.Francis, what on earth do I do? I absolutely cannot increase size of the commando or adopt another kitten! Really! I was trying to come up with reasonable solutions, and panic emailed my animal rescuer friends. That turned out to be a good idea.
Look at her:
She is clean, has four white paws, and a coral orange colored nose. She loves to be loved, and can't fall asleep if I am not by her side. She loves to play, alone or with the others. She is much more active than the other two. She is likely 5-6 weeks old at the outset. She immediately inspired the other two to become more playful and show a little more trust. They are co-existing very well and even little Mimi the shy one is coming out during the day to play and check things out. The new kitten was probably just removed from her mom and a special someone who was giving her attention when that someone threw her into my carport. This is where the story comes together with yesterday's post......known in the neighborhood as the biggest sucker for kitties. What started out to be a frightening day for me and a little kitten turned out to be the best thing that could have happened in our situation.
And this is the state of things today. I have nine cats surrounding me early in the day wanting breakfast, as well as in the evening. I already mentioned what they can do if I am on the computer. Plus the babies to deal with and the new one is quite vocal. Mimi the cat rescuer is certain we can easily adopt out the new baby kitty up north somewhere, I can't remember where, I was in shock that the kitten population had increased, and she could move out on Monday. Mimi brought them more food, and also mentioned she could bring de-wormer for the savage eater, Gemelo, who probably is full of parasites. Hopefully we can treat more of the kids in the commando. I have to say that Mimi the animal rescuer is really providing a terrific service to the animals in trouble in this town. This is not to speak ill of any of the animal rescuers, there are a lot of people involved in bettering the lives of all the domestic animals here in Mérida. Two of the organizations doing magnificent work are Evolución and YAPA. They have made a noticeable difference for the animals in the area and many volunteers work their buns off helping to get the overpopulation under control as well as care for abandoned animals.
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