Cat-astophic Kittens

WARNING: Another post about the newborn kittens

The newborn kittens are 3 weeks old today. No, they can't get into anything yet. They still paddle on their bellies making valiant attempts to stand on their four legs. Then why-oh-why did I call them cat-astrophic? Because they've taken over my dog life and my blog. And since today our friends Amy, Barney, Stella, Gus, Lola, Virgil, and Kirzon from the world famous House of Cats, posted about us, I felt that I should at least talk about the kittens. But first, a public and heartfelt thank you to Amy for helping my mom along the way.

We took Farrah in, a feral kitty wandering the streets of downtown L.A., (where I was found too) when she was already pregnant. Farrah was being assaulted by the three male cats in her hood who were definitely going to harm the kittens as soon as they were born. We had to take her in to keep her safe and well fed plus we are spaying and neutering advocates, so this was our one shot at witnessing the miracle of a cat giving birth and caring for newborn kittens.
Farrah came home 4 weeks ago. She was tiny and while obviously pregnant, she never got too big.

She gave birth to FIVE healthy kittens a week after we brought her home

This picture of the nursing cat was taken a few short minutes after she delivered her last kitten. She's been a great mom from day one.

I had asked for help finding cute kitten names. Well, all the names you suggested were either perfect or funny, but kittens have a way of naming themselves. This one, opened it's one eye on day 6. Four days before it's litter mates did. It started to get into trouble right away so, we call it for now: Trouble

Trouble is the only boy out of the five newborn kittens

This is calico kitten A, or Puddles

Her calico sister is a dilute calico kitten which means her colors are muted

Life is a basket full of kitten cuteness

with their mom standing guard

As far as kitten development goes, this guy, the only guy, has got the lead.

Trouble was the first one to attempt to walk. In this picture he is paddling.

But the calico kitten is close second in development and she loves giving herself a bath

Picture of fawn (dilute red) kitten sucking, and chomping on finger

Today, the fawn and white girl got strong enough to sit fully up

The calico girl, Puddles can also walk a bit, although she prefers to spend the day on her back messing with her litter mates

And Trouble . . . always a step ahead of the girls

This has been our newborn kitten saga so far. It's been scary at times, terribly disruptive, and tons of fun. Our mom even built an outdoor cat enclosure which I'm afraid is the first step in keeping all the kittens. Help! Until Farrah came over the numbers were equal, three dogs and three cats. Today, since the kitten birth, we're outnumbered. I live in a house with NINE cats. 

For kitten video, please visit MY CHANNEL and have at it. My favorite is Kitten Cuteness - Day 6 because, while it's rather long, it shows you the steps the nursing cat takes to care for her newborn kittens. And as Amy already mentioned, you can view more photos on our other blog pregnantcatinfo.

Twinkie

Dear Twinkie | A Dog Advice Column

A dog advice column

mayziegal asked...

Gosh, you are a Most Thorough advice giver. Maybe you should gets your own radio show! I think I have maybe suggested that before. I don't remember.

Anywho...here's my question for you. I would very much like to gets that CGC certificate thingie one day but, um, I gets a little nervous-like around doggies I don't know. And from what I've heard, that's part of the test. Do you thinks it would be possible to clep out of that part of it with a doggie I DO know? If not, how would you suggests I gets over my nerves in that pawticular area?

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

PeeS. Are you EVER gonna name those baby kittehs?

TVT: Maybe your issues stem from the fact that you come for Collie-rado. Maybe they can all be solved with a bit of peanut butter or cheese after each class? I'm talking about dog training tips here, Mayzie. You have to first train your humans before you pass the Canine Good Citizen test. Once you've taught them the tricks you so rightfully deserve, start attending class. In the chiweenie's case, we didn't bribe (something very tempting) nor use a furiend. We did  however "use" the same doggie for practice. Since you're not going to get too close to the doggie, hold your breath and your pee, stay away from it's bum and you'll be just fine. Good luck to our future canine good citizen Wigglebutt!

About the kitten names: So far we've only used the calico kitten name suggestions. We've got the calico twins named Puddles and Pebbles. We're waiting for them to develop a personality (as if that's ever possible with cats!).

If cheese doesn't cut it one of those will help with the nerves

Dory and the Mama asked...

Another week of wonderful advice Miss Twinkie!!

Here is our question for next week, we are sorry but it is kitteh related. Will your Mama be looking for new homes for the kitties...or do you think you will be the proud ChiSister to the whole family???

Extra Smileys & Snuggles!
We think you may need them....lots

Dory, Jacob and Bilbo

TVT: Dear Dory, that question is a bit personal and particularly hard for me to answer. However, since you're an old friend, I'll give you a piece of my mind. My life is a cat-astrophe! M has got kittens in her brain all the time and she's threatening to keep them all. I say, nine cats are nine too many, but I'm losing the battle. I'm going to need the help of my friends to find homes soon or else. So, yes, I will most likely be a ChiSister to the whole family, but I won't be either proud or happy.

Please tell Bilbo not to look so shocked. I'm shocked enough as it is.

brooke asked...

Great advice Twink!

Our questions for you:
What does it mean if I dreamt Darwin was a baby elephant?
Also, is there a way to train her to not sniff people's crotches?

TVT: What does the dream mean? It means you have got to wake up. What is wrong with you people (including my M) that you have to humiliate us like that in public. Blog dog is not synonymous with laughing dog. Okay, so I've been putting up with whatever my M comes up with because I recognize I look a bit comical, but to take a glorious magnificent beauty like my majestic friend, Darnwin, and expose her like that? Please next time dream of her incompetent doctors as elephants and feel free to share. We can't wait!

About sniffing crotches. It is vital to our mental health. It is the polite thing to do for a dog. Those of us with good manners have to do the crotch-sniff. Now, if you don't like that, I suggest you have some of that homemade cheese Darwin is so fond of. Stick it in your pants and your guests will be left alone, completely alone.  

Ask your mom if she can find a better pastime

Sam and Pippen asked...

Twinkie,

Fantastic advice this week as always!

We need some advice... you may know that a certain someone named Puddles made a comment on our blog that resulted in us having a public BATH and a haircut. We have tried knocking on her front door to discuss the situation but Puddles refuses to answer fearing that we are up to no good. Do you have any advice for us on how else we can sneak into her house, preferably in the middle of the night when she's sound asleep?

Any help is much appreciated.

Sam and Pippen

TVT: I think that Puddles is in trouble with much of animal blog-land. Did you know she came over to my blog and asked that we name our firstborn kitten after her? And we did! And now we have to keep that one. Tsk tsp. And to think that she didn't mention meddling with my furiends' blogs in the "bad habits" section of her interview. I think that the only way to get to Puddles is directly, I mean via her girl. Anything that girl says is Puddles' command. You may chose to organize a coup in the middle of the night too, but again, through her girl. 

Shocking!

houndstooth asked...

Twinkie Van Twinkerson, we look forward to your advice column every week!

Now I have a most serious question to ask you! Mom and Dad have been doing all sorts of strange and mysterious things this week. They're talking about us all taking a road trip together on Saturday. What could this all be about? Why would they keep it a secret? I'm losing sleep over this!

TVT: Right about now, I'd be more concerned with the strange looking greyhound that claims to be your sister, but in any case. Humans can be mysterious at times. The problem is that they like this thing called a surprise, something we're not terribly fond of. Surprise, you're going to the dog vet. Surprise, you're getting a bath. Surprise, you're getting six new kitten siblings. Surprise, you're getting a new sister! See how it works? I realize your question has mostly been answered by now so hopefully you can get some rest, if Morgan lets you.

An interesting and rather unique looking pack of greyhounds

3 doxies asked...

Oh Twinkie you is so good ats this advice stuffs...even though you kinda lefts me hanging theres.
Okays, heres my question: what do I do when I haves somebuddies continuously knocking on my door at ALL hours? And they always seems to come as I am plotting "things" in my doxie brain.I sure hopes they know I am now officially a ground hoggie warrior.
Puddles

TVT: I know you can read, um, Puddles, but let me spell it out for you. The knocking? Sam and Pippen. You have some explaining to do. Just because your philosophy in life is to "kinda laughs with everbuddy else," does not mean everbuddy else likes it. Now Sam and Pippen deserver a public apology and the matter should be resolved asap. I hear they're about to take extreme measures, so I'd hurry if I were you. 

As for being a hoagie warrior, you only have your girl to thank for that. 

The Warriors

Lola asked...

Thank you for the valuable ear advice, Twinkie. I'm going to suggest we use that natural stuff instead of the stuff we're using now. Although I would prefer that my ears could be left alone entirely I guess that's not in the cards.

Now my new problem is that I seem to have gotten Bolo in a little trouble. I said I wished I could have my own kid and my humans say it's not gonna happen, so he tried to let me borrow his. Just for a while. Now he's getting the stinkeye from his Mom and he just loves his Mom. I feel so bad.
The kidlet seemed fine with the whole thing, I must say. You can see what I mean right here. What can I do to set things right?

thx much, Lola

TVT: The situation is sensitive alright. I mean, it was really sweet of Bolo to share, but humans are weird about their Puppies. I don't see why you can't proceed with your plan. We could always leave one of my kittens in Puppy's crib. They probably wouldn't notice. We'll get one of the fawn ones because of the hair color. As for Bolo, he's recovered just fine. He's busy thinking up a way to efficiently mark all of his cousins' beds. 

I think you've paid your dues already, be careful though because I heard that next time you're getting 6 seconds!

KB asked...

Hi Twinkie, This is K, the chocolate lab from the Rockies. You are so funny - my human is laughing and laughing. I have a question. I'm getting gray fur on my chin, and it makes my human start to worry about me getting old. How can I get rid of it? Fur dye? Magic Marker? What do you suggest?

Thanks,
K

TVT: Dearest K, no need for introductions amongst old furiends, unless of course you did it for our readers. First off, haven't you learned that it's a good thing to have a laughing human? When ours laughs it means we get extra dog treats-I have tested this over and over. So, you've got a few grey hairs and that's what has gotten you all upset. I believe that it shows when men and dogs get their fur died, therefore I would like to recommend a more cutting edge solution. Here it goes:

When in doubt, go all out!

Lorenza asked...

Hi, Twinkie!
Pawesome!
I have a question.
How can I ask to my mom to get me another soft pool? You know. She got a new one but it scares me a lot. I prefer the softy ones but bricks and birdies attack them! Help me please!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

TVT: Tsk tsp tsp. Are we a wee bit spoiled? I mean, you do realize your mom walked in the scorching heat for 14 blocks to get you your own pool? Well, she did. And what did you do? You snubbed it. Apparently you are so spoiled that I didn't even get a chance to respond to your inquiry. You got your way again. You managed to get your mommy to pull her hairs out the day she brought you the soft pool you so craved and jumped in the hard. 

Lorenza living the life, pffftt...

Khyra And Sometimes Her Mom asked...

May
The
Phloof
Be
With
Woo
!!!!!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Did woo pikhk my khytty yet?

TVT: I'm waiting for them to grow their PHLOOF so I can tell which one yours.

It is furry hard to pick for woo

Gnomebody asked...

Hi Twinkie -
What excellent advice you give. I had to ask Mommy was BS was - I still don't get it.

Mommy wanted me to ask for some advice - it's really hot right now here in the Midwest, and I really like to cool off my body by lying in a pool and then running inside, hopping up on Mommy's bed, and stretching out for a nice long nap (and of course, I lay my head on her pee-woh). Now, Mommy's all for staying cool, but she loses her cool when she finds her bed is completely wet from my generosity of making her beddie bye nice and chilly. What do I tell her???
Your Friend,
Riley
BooDee BooDah Tribe

TVT: I think you and your brother are already doing what you're supposed to. Humans, if I judge from mine, are forgetful. Distraction or destruction in your case, is the way to go and I know you're on it already. Keep it up and at the same time make sure mommy's bed remains nice and wet for the rest of the summer. We'll work on her winter treats later this year, kk?

The brilliant boodee boodah pair working on their skills

the booker man asked...

miss twinkie,
i asked my mama about BS, and i got in trouble! what gives?! :(((
*woof*
the booker man

TVT: No sh*t! Your momma royalty or something? How are we supposed to learn the facts of life if our parents can't explain them to us? Would your mom prefer you go to a peer for advice? What if you run with the wrong crowd as a result of this? Since I can't elaborate on BS on my G-rated dog advice column, let me at least give you a few quick examples of BS. BS is something you say when you step on a prickly cactus. BS is a good reply when made to take a bath. BS is the perfect response when you're lying in bed dozing happily and out of the blue momma says she's lost her kitchen craftiness. I think you get me now.

Cliffhangers such as the one you posted on yesterday make me want to say BS. You can't make us wait when you post about dog treats!

Now go take on the day!

Twinkie Van Twinkerson

Newborn Kitten Fever

It was to be expected. Nobody can sustain such cuteness overload without being affected. It hit M big time. She's building an outdoor enclosure for the cats. My worry is that she'll have us live in the outdoor cat enclosure and give the house to the cats. I will share with you photos of the cat enclosure once the project is completed.

The cute newborn kittens are now two weeks old. Their eyes are open and they play with each other. Their mom takes excellent care of them. A funny thing happened last night. Out of the two calico kittens, one started turned muted calico. It barely shows in the pictures but it will become more obvious in a couple of days. M even shot a special calico kitten video, for the cat lovers:

Calico Kitten Video:

We did take into consideration all the cute kitten names you suggested, but so far it's impossible to name them with the exception of the calicos. Calico kitten names: Puddles and Pebbles.

Kitten pictures:

We call him Trouble for now

He's the most active, curious, animated and interactive of the kittens

Hug?

Playtime!

More playing

Playing all day long

The calicos are playful too

The muted one is on top

When they're not playing, they're eating or sleeping

Off to pester M to see if we're going to get dinner today. If it comes down to it, I'm going to start eating cat food soon. How bad can it be?

Twinkie

Dear Twinkie | A Dog Advice Column

A dog advice column

houndstooth asked...

Another most enjoyable advice column, Twinkie!

Lately we've been admiring all the floof on the Sibes on some of our favorite blogs, like The Herd. Is it possible for us to get some kind of hair transplant? How can we grow some floof?

Bunny

TVT: I'm on it, but first I had to rob Thunder, from the OP Pack. Dear, skinny girl, all you need to do is use superglue at this point. I would personally dye Thunder's furs first, to better match my natural color if I was you, but you can always glue first, dye later. 

There are many other options but they're either costly, such as surgical hair transplant procedures, or time consuming, like dreadlocks. I think sibe fur would be a good match. 

Before

After

Cat Mandu asked...

Dear Twinkie,
A girl cat in South Africa wants me to give her advice on how she should treat her Mom. Do I need a license in order to give out advice?
Mandu

TVT: Are you kidding me? I'd be in jail by now if that was the case. I'm an unlicensed, b.s.-er, and proud of it. I believe you'd make an excellent advice columnist yourself seeing how grouchy you often are. Let us all know about your advice debut and we'll come support or boo you, kk?

You sure look the part

Sallie asked...

Yay!

You rock!

B.T.W. I'm lost in Hawaii. Do you know which way I should go?

Thanks!

TVT: I see you're still stuck, but I also know you're a romantic. Shouldn't you have your mom write you out of Hawaii in one of her romance novels? You can take off into the sunset with a handsome beau. That would be my recommendation. 

Sally Marie has bigger problems

(see alien in photo)

Khyra And Sometimes Her Mom asked...

Khan I win a khytten of my furry own?

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

TVT: By the look on your BroFur's face, No. By the look on M's face when I wrote this: Yes. Please, come help yourself to the khyttens, woo beautiful sweet sibe, woo! Do woo really need more khats though?  

Khyra's BroFur

Mango asked...

Twinkie, you sure set the bar high for some of us doggies. I will try to follow your advice, but it is not easy. Can I help it if there is so much Mango to go around?

Slobbers,
Mango

TVT: In your own words, RH, ehem, you state: I weigh around 230 pounds and eat almost 15 pounds of kibble each week. You could limit your food intake to 14.5 pounds of food each week.

Let's check and see if there's enough Mango to go around

the booker man asked...

awesome sauce advice as always, miss twinkie! i've got another question for you for next time. see, me and my big sis asa are having a teensy tiny disagreement over who gets to snooze in the bigger of the 2 doggie beds. i say i should get the bigger bed cuz i am a bigger doggie. she says she should get the bigger bed cuz she's the oldest and a lady. who's right???
*woof*
the booker man

TVT: You are! Normally I'd say "ladies first" because I'm a lady and I have seniority too, but . . . Asa's got the biggest bed, and she can't hog the bigger one too. That would be greedy. Asa, leave the large dog bed to your brother. 

Asa, stay right where you are.

ocmist asked...

We just really enjoy getting a chance to come by and read your dog advice column, Twinkie! It's always got some chuckles and such great advice! I just wish I knew why pups have to lick the sides of older dog's mouths after not seeing them for a little while. I'm not fond of that as you probably saw in the blog about Pip's Ventura trip last weekend. BG

TVT: It's clear from the photo below, that you're not fond of it, but if you hear why, perhaps you'll change your mind. In the wild, the puppies' fist solid food is offered through their mom's regurgitation. Puppies lick to stimulate and encourage regurgitation. It is also a sign of re-submitting to the alpha dog. Lick on, Pippin!

Lick on!

Frankie the Chiweenie asked…

Where are the newborn kitten photos? 

TVT: Silly girl. You'll never learn. Not only do I have kitten pictures to share, I also have new kitten names to chose from. I'll start with the names: Minet, Cherie, Joli, Lisette, Margot, Miaou (meow!), Gaston, Guy, Remy, Blaise, Cali, Trixie, Lucy, Cleo, Zipper, Stop (BOL), Charlie, Bosley, Sabrina, Kelly, and Vuvuzela (voo-voo-se-luh!). All names are under consideration.

Newborn Kitten pictures

I Saved the Best for Last!!!

M got the surprise of her life a couple of days ago. I must confess, I haven't seen her so emotional before. The reason: Twix's super considerate, caring, and most amazing present. It left us all speechless and barkless, no, not because of the ultrasonic dog bark control device. I think I should be quiet for once and just show you the photo. 

Not only is this an invaluable present, it is incredible. The artist has managed to capture my essence and my micro-expressions, like the slightly raised right eyebrow and the slight upwards curve (snarl) that is permanently affixed to my face. I know the artist's name, Suzy Chow, and I have her FB fan page link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Universal-Stones-and-Arts-Paintings/129043957120766

Thank  you Twix and Ms Chow. We will cherish this forever!!!

Now go take on the day!

Twinkie

Newborn Kittens | Day 2 and Bonus Kitten Video

As the cute and inventive and thoughtful cute kitten names keep pouring in, we're starting to have fun with the newborn kittens. They are more active by the minute, they make cute kitten noises, and they even have organized speed races on their tummies: The winner makes it all the way around their birthing box, a drawer.

Kitten pictures - A sequence

Watch the white and buff colored one

On your mark. Get set. And he's off!

About to manage a full U-turn

Running out of steam

Crashing

Crash!

The observer from LOlcats icanhascheezburger

Cute kitteh iz making fun of his bro already

Cute kitten names suggested yesterday:

Earl, Suzy Q, Sno Ball, Hoho, Ding Dong, Puddles, Duddles, Raindrop, Venezuela, Fifa, Pele, Beckham, Max, Lucy, Amigo, Khrya, Snookums, Patches, Cali, Rivers, Lakie, Speckles, Fawn, Holly, Dink, Rudy, Frankie, Brax, Bobo Jr., Little Jo, Peanut, Miss Kitty, Benny, Mona, Frankie, Albert, and Lorenza!!! As if the kittens' presence wasn't overwhelming enough, the kitten names you're coming up with are adorable. What to do?

Many of you, correctly assumed the calico kittens, aka tortoiseshell kittens, are most likely female. I'll get back to you on this one after I'm completed my research. In Greece, where my mom grew up, nobody wanted a calico kitty because they're considered . . . nuts! Silly greek old wives and their tales!

Bonus Kitten Video

Me hopes you enjoyed today's newborn kitten edition.

Twinkie