Left: Axel Right: Amaya
WELCOME TO THE KITTEN FOSTER FILES #6
In The Kitten Foster Files #5 I told of the rollercoaster ride with my first neonates. I can now report that we are out the other side and all is well which makes the whole ride well and truly worthwhile. Both Axel and Amaya are off the bottle and are eating well, sleeping well, and are strong, healthy, active and happy!
At yesterday’s weigh-in Axel was 923g and Amaya 814g. As you can see (from the weights and the photo above), Axel is quite a bit bigger than his petite sister. He is lucky because having a lighter sister means he will get longer with us as we don’t need to return them to the RSPCA for desex and adoption until the smallest kitten is 1kg. It gives him longer with us but it won’t be for much longer. I’m estimating maybe 2 more weeks maximum.
Axel and Amaya are a lot more active now, with longer spurts of playtime before they need a nap. We need to zip the roof shut on their playpen when once it was not necessary. I give them free run of the family room most days but pop them in the pen when needed and always overnight. They LOVE the pen I might add. It is their safe haven. They are still eating some ‘soaked biscuits’ (kitten kibble soaked in boiled water and mashed) but also love the dry kibble. The soaked kibble will be reduced and stopped before they are returned to the RSPCA.
I have formed a bond with these two. It’s impossible to care for kittens from such a young age and not. I’ve pondered the possibility of keeping them, or one of them (but how could I choose), and I’ve nearly caved BUT I’ve come to the decision that it just isn’t a good choice for me or us as a family. I want to do more little trips away and it just wouldn’t be fair. I also need to consider Ava (my dog) and what’s best for her. I am fostering for a reason – because I want to help save little lives and set them up for a happy life. I love them but I can’t keep them. One day the time might be right but not right now. Here’s a video showing them looking all cute and snuggly at bedtime (excuse my talking to kittens voice)!
So, I am trying to prepare myself for the heartbreak ahead. I will be ok. I survived taking back my beautiful first litter – the Christmas kittens and the second litter ‘Piper and Leo‘ (though I hadn’t had them long so it was not as hard) and so I will survive this. I am planning on booking a beach holiday soon after so that will hopefully help.
I won’t be taking on another litter straight after this one. I need to spend some time with my Mum and I need to escape my 4 walls for a bit of a holiday. I might take another litter after that, if there are still some needing fostering. Kitten season runs mostly through summer so as it gets cooler there will be less and less and eventually no kittens for foster until next summer.
WHERE YOU CAN SEE MORE OF THE ‘A’ KITTIES
INSTAGRAM:
- Bayside Kitten Foster Files (Main Insta Page)
- Bayside Kitten Foster Files / The ‘A’ Kitties Archived Story 1
- Bayside Kitten Foster Files / The ‘A’ Kitties Archived Story 2
Till next time!
Meow for now,
4 Comments
You are doing such a service by fostering these little angels. Thank you for doing all that you do. Kiss Amaya and Axel for me!
Thank you so much Leslie. I appreciate your support more than you could imagine. Consider Axel and Amaya kissed and cuddled for you many times over. xo
They are such cuties Min, I imagine it would be hard to part with them but I am sure there are many other kittens that will benefit from your decision x
It’s so hard Janet. I’m back and forth all the time … could I keep them? Maybe I could? No I can’t? Stick to the plan Min. A snippet of the conversations I have with myself all the time. I wonder if I’m lacking the emotional capacity to be a good foster carer because I struggle with letting them go. But then I realise it is the emotional side of me that calls me to do this. I’m hopeful I’ll get better at it! xo