Binx and my grandkits

I don't know why stray cats always end up on my porch. I must have some weird magnetic field that only felines can sense. Two years ago come November, a sweet little gray tabby nestled into the cushion on my swing and ended up in the house when the temperature dropped below freezing. Someone had abandoned him in the woods near our house, which sadly happens alot. We took the little fella in so he wouldn't die from the weather and he has been with us ever since. Dave named him Hobbes, and, being responsible pet owners, we immediately took Hobbes to the vet where he got his shots and lost his balls. If people would just neuter their pets, there wouldn't be so many abandoned domestic animals being euthanized in "shelters".


About three weeks ago, a dainty little cat with huge green eyes and a slightly exotic face showed up on my porch. This time, hot weather, not cold, brought out the rescuer in me. I started leaving water out for her. Then food. Then my PA Stephanie noticed she was pregnant- the cat, not Steph. Off to the vet we went. I will be honest with you- I was hoping that it would be early enough in the pregnancy to end it.


No such luck. Don't get me wrong, I adore kittens, but it is hard to find homes for them and I really don't want any more than I already have- which is now THREE, since I plan on keeping my dainty, exotic queen Binx. The vet gave her a thorough exam, cleaned her ears, dewormed her, treated her for fleas, gave her her shots, and told me to expect babies in about 10 days.


The very next night, on 07/07/07, Binx gave birth to five teeny little catlets under my bed. I was hoping to see the babies being born but I slept through it. In fact, I fell asleep on the couch and so wasn't even in the room when the miracle occured. I went into my room when I awoke and almost had a heart attack. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted what I thought was a mouse. Wrong mammal- it was a newborn kitten that had stumbled out from under the bed. I grabbed the cat bed I had for Binx and scooped baby #1 into it. I saw #2 and #3, and did the same with them. Binx then emerged and began taking them back under the bed, so I moved the cat bed under my bench and once again began the cat-and-mouse game with Binx. I had gathered four kittens and thought that was it when #5 started crying for Mama. They are all comfortably esconced in a nest Becca made out of a box and I filled with bedding, with food and water for Binx on a tray nearby and a litter box for her in my bath.


Binx has been so calm, laid back (except with Patches and Hobbes) and sure in dealing with the kits that I am convinced this is not her first litter. It is, however, mine. I am enthalled with the little critters. I find them endlessly fascinating and hysterically funny.



Just like human babies, they are so sweet... when they are sleeping. I anticipate weeks of fun with these little guys/gals (who can tell their gender at this age)? I know Dave (and Patches and Hobbes) will not be amused when the babies become mobile, but I am going to be over the moon! I hope this isn't the start of my descent into my eccentric old cat-woman phase...