Yesterday was a very intense day for the kittens and all who love them: their second trip to the vet. That also meant their second time in a carrier and I’ve been nervous about that aspect for days! We tried putting treats in the carrier and were surprised when Shibumi walked right in! Escher, who loves treats, was very interested but very cautious. He needed a push on the bum and a quick-shut door to secure him inside. Our skittish Scout was another story. He looked inside at the treats but the minute he sensed me near, he tried to bolt. I grabbed him as securely as I could and he fought hard but, sweet soul, he kept his claws in and I was able to get him in the carrier.

They were all frightened but Scout was terrified. He howled the entire way, clawing at the door, trying to escape. I held the front of the carrier right up to my tummy to secure the door and limit the visual stimulation of the outside world. We got their safe and sound but I dreaded what was to come.

Scout

Scout went first. Last time he threw himself all over the office and peed on the vet when she tried to catch him. With the way he’d responded in the carrier, I didn’t know what we were in for.  Amazingly, he stayed still as we held onto him. Dr. Jen was gentle and firm and examined him closely. She was surprised at his size, examined his teeth and ended up reassessing the age of the kittens.  It turns out they were likely 4 months, not 3, when we found them and are now at the 5-month mark. (Can you believe it’s been a month?)

Scout shows every indication of being healthy.  He still has his baby teeth and has grown from 4.5 to 6 lbs! I pet him as he received his second round of vaccinations and, considering all he’d been through, he was quite content to get back into his carrier this time around.

Escher

Escher is the most reserved of all the kittens.  He’s nervous and wary a great deal of the time, though slowly he’s shown signs of wanting to be near us. He was still for most of the examination and he’s looking good as well. He does have a tendency to have quite weepy eyes but Dr. Jen assured us that as long as the discharge stays clear there’s not too much to worry about. All of the kittens had blood taken to see if there are any underlying problems and we’ll hear back soon.

Our second little boy also looks healthy. He’s got a grown-up incisor just starting to come in and, like his brother, weighs in now at 6 lbs.

Shibumi

And Shibumi was feisty as always. We managed to keep her still but she was roundly unimpressed by getting two needles. Still, it couldn’t have been too bad because she was purring so loudly Dr. Jen couldn’t get a clear hear of her heart and lungs, LOL! Justin’s right; Shibumi has two modes – angry and purring.

She’s the smallest of the bunch, weighing just 5 lbs, but her adult teeth are the farthest along. She was also the first to get back to normal when we got back home, ready to sit down and have her dinner.

Progress & Gratitude

We’ve made so much progress with these three and, of course, I was nervous about the stress of the visit being a major setback. Scout and Escher are still staying away from me today but they were all ready for breakfast, with Shibumi even wrapping herself around my legs in anticipation. I’m sure a few more days and we’ll be back on track with settling in, plus we’ll feel secure that they’ve been well taken care of.

I can’t tell you how blessed we all feel to have been so powerfully supported by this studio community. We are so grateful for all of the helpful advice, inspiring encouragement and the love notes about the kittens. I am especially thankful to all of you who have signed up for Sparkles and encouraged others to sign up too – you are all honourary aunties!

The kitten-dedicated registration fee made all the difference when we were faced with a 4-figure vet bill yesterday. With their spay/neuter surgeries on the horizon, every bit of support helps us in caring for these unexpected treasures in our life. Who knew that one month ago today, when I went out for coffee with a friend, I would end up bringing home 3 abandoned kittens and giving them a home, not only here but in your hearts as well. My eyes are full of tears and my heart is full of love and gratitude.

Thank you, from all of our hearts, for being on this journey with us.

You Can Still Become an Honourary Auntie!

Taking in three abandoned kittens came as quite a surprise – as does three vet visits, three sets of vaccines and three spay/neuter surgeries! So we’re getting creative and relaunching the Sparkles e-course in support of these much-loved rescues! We’ve even made the registration fee adjustable in case you want to add a little extra to their care package. We know they’d appreciate it.

Sign up for Sparkles – LIVE and bring your creativity to life in just 5 minutes a day – We start tomorrow!

Sparkles Live: August 1 to September 1, 2015

Registration is only $31

The fee is adjustable if you are inspired to give extra love for the kittens!

Click here for more details.