Grande Galerie des Glaces

So... I came home to discover that one of the outdoor cats sneaked on the porch and had her kittens -- behind the deep freeze. Of course. *sighs*

Make that *two* cats that had kittens. The second batch is in an old box of cleaning rags. :/

Yeah, today I broke down and called the vet, making sure to set up "financing" in advance. In other words, they're holding my check until the 23rd. I hated to do it, but the two smallest kittens weakened quite a bit overnight so I decided it was time for extreme measure. Luckily they have no virus, only roundworms and fleas. So a good dose of medicine and flea spray for them -- and their mama too -- means they should improve rapidly. I debated on taking her with me, but since they are still nursing (she hardly has any milk, but the nurturing is just as important) I decided to take her in as well. I was afraid she would reject them if she smelled the vet on them otherwise. I was most pleased with the vet and vet tech, they were very skilled and calm, and so mama and kittens were calm as well. (Then again, there were no shots.) Of course, this meant I had to throughly sterilize their cage when I got home (and probably will again tomorrow, once the worm medicine finishes working. Oh yeah, animal care is nothing if not glamorous.) So anyway... I have a tentative date to have mama spayed in December. She weighs about 7.5 lbs and the kittens weigh: 1 lb. 3 oz., 15 oz., 10 oz., and 5 oz. respectively. The two largest are hers, the smaller ones belong to her sister -- and there is only about a week between them in age. This is the second time I have seen cats willingly adopt another cats kittens. Oh sure, I know that if you "trick" them they do it but this the first time I have seen it when the cats are acting on their own volition.

In other news, I had to run out the Blazer after I got home (I had to bring in a pack of fresh bedding for mama and babies) and I surprised a big opossum snacking on the remains of the dry cat food. I spooked it good; it was so panicked it took several minutes for it to remember to climb *over* the fence instead of trying to run through it. Luckily there was enough light from the house (it was full dark out) so I could see it climb over the fence -- I had zero interest in panicking it so that it might decide to attack if it decided I was too close. I honestly didn't see it at first but I will definitely be on guard from now on. No wonder LeeAnn goes so crazy barking at night.

Yes, it's time that I help the mamas feed their babies. The first batch (the all-dark ones) are big enough it shouldn't be a problem but the second batch of babies are only about a week old and their eyes aren't even open, which is gonna be *iffy*. I had hoped to put it off until they had their eyes open, but no. As long as the mama helps out, I have a chance. And she made her point quite clear when she dropped one of the white ones right beside my computer desk. LeeAnn was right there, ready to kill the "mouse" but luckily I was able to call her off before she could hurt it. She would have killed though, she had that look in her eye. But it's only when they are so tiny and squeak that she's bad; once they grow up and have some size she's ok with them. And I can't quite bring myself to punish her when both Mom and I used to encourage her mousing abilities. *SIGH* So I am off to go and buy some animal bottles and prepare myself for a round of feeding kittens.

Back later on.

So, it's still icky weather here. Meh.

Aunt is doing ok. She had a whole lot of tests: MRI, CAT, ultrasounds, you name it. Hopefully they will know something from the test results today. She's just lucky her insurance will cover all of this stuff. Sheeesh!

Kittens are all fine and sassy. No other news.

Wow, big surprise eh? But yeah, there are some serious storms rolling in and we are under flash flood warnings until noon tomorrow. Oh yay.

On a more cheerful note, I saw the *other* set of kittens today. The moms moved them around *again* and now they are half--way under/behind the bed and nightstand. LeeAnn is still having fits to get to them; the poor little thing can barely rest from hearing and sniffing for them. But that's what happens when you have a fully interactive radar screen hardwired in your face. (Ok, I will stop trying to be funny now.)

Oh yeah, I am hoping to see PotC 3 sometime this week. I didn't go this weekend due to family stuff and today they had all sorts of storm warnings out. Maybe tomorrow or the next day? In any case, I definitely want to avoid the kiddie showings as much as is possible.

Logging off early tonight so the 'puter doesn't fry. No other real news since I won't be watching the Finals on tv tonight. Niters all!

EDIT: We are having Severe Weather Updates (McCook is in the eye right now), which is really the main reason I keep the cable tv and watch any of the "regular" channels.