Surprise

It began as a typical Friday... everyone was going about their business, sleepily, doing morning jobs, making morning messes, trying to wake themselves up; when all of the sudden Ethan cried out,

"Hey! Velvet's had her kittens!"

Suddenly everybody was awake, rushing out to the back porch where Velvet was; little voices and big voices mingling in surprised and pleased tones.

"No, no, no! One at a time! You can't all go out there right now!" Mom called, as everyone tried to push outside at the same time. The wailing began - everyone wanted to see the kittens at the same time, but we couldn't risk overwhelming Velvet. So, mom and a couple 'elite' older children pushed little guys back inside, and peeked into Velvets box. There they were, wriggling, squirming, soft, black and white kittens all cuddled up next to the proud mama cat who was happily licking her babies clean. We counted four baby kittens, then a more thorough search showed five. Five little kittens, born some time ago, it seemed, since everyone was licked clean and dry by Velvet.

One by one, we let the children come out and see their kittens. They were thrilled.

We decided we had best bring Velvet and her babies indoors as the morning air was chilly. We weren't expecting the kittens arrival for at least a week, so Velvet was still outdoors, awaiting her treatment for fleas, before we were going to bring her back in. But, kittens are kittens, so inside they must go! We settled Velvet in the back room and gave her some food. She was very happy, and so were we.

Meanwhile, the children were now shooed outside to play with the neighbor's dog whom Josiah was watching. Suddenly another shout was heard, "Mom! Come quick! There's another kitten!"

This time, everyone did hurry outside; there on the grass, only a little ways away from the back porch lay a half dead kitten; wet, cold, and uncleaned, but still alive. Mom scooped up the kitten and rushed it to Velvet's box. Velvet, though, being either too tired and too satisfied with her other kittens, or else too inexperienced as a mother (this being her first litter) was disinterested and took very little, if any, notice of her neglected baby. The kitten was freezing cold, so we did the best we could to warm her up, placing her next to Velvet and the other kittens, heating clean rags in the dryer and placing them all around and over the poor, wet kitten, all the while lifting up prayers for the little creature which God had created. Still, Velvet took no notice of her baby. So, after talking with a dear friend from church who is an LVT, we rubbed her with warm towels as best we could, trying to bring warmth into the little body. Finally, and thankfully to the Lord, the feisty little kitten warmed up and began to drink her mommy's milk.

Right now, all the kittens and Velvet are cuddled in our backroom, eating and sleeping the day away. Everyone is enjoying watching them and is eager to pet and hold the kittens, just tickled to see the cute little things.

This is the kitten rescued from outside and our only multi-colored kitten