Blossom The Depot Cat

back to Blossom!

2010-01-28T22:00:00.004-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen....... the babies have left the nest! That's right.... "the Professor" left last Saturday..... Keyser and Lazlo left on Sunday..... and Joewii left today.

I am in the process of editing over 100 pictures that I uploaded from my camera and it's taking me quite a while, so in the meantime I'm going to post a video. Come back and check in the next day or two for the final pictures of the babies!

Before the video, I'd like to thank my Texas Mama, Elspeth, for her extremely kind donation. I'd also like to thank Linda for the kindness shown to me by her family when picking up "The Professor" and also Rick & Sue for their kind gift when they picked up Lazlo and Keyser. Naleda, you have also gone above and beyond for not just Joewii, but for Blossom. I appreciate that you didn't let her get lost in the shuffle. Truly, I thank everyone for their support, be it financial, emotional or otherwise...... like just showing up to read this blog!

Anyway, here is the video..... more pictures and stories in the next post.
enjoy!

P.S. if you like Blossom's story maybe you'll find this story interesting.

in the home stretch!

2010-01-14T07:44:00.018-05:00

I have to tell you.... the landscape is changing every week in my home as these kittens get bigger, stronger, braver and more curious about the world around them. Places where I previously enjoyed time alone (read: the bathroom) are now taken over by roaming kittens, and I rarely have a moment to myself anymore. Having a bath at night now means I am playing with Keyser or Joewii on the floor beside the tub (that's Joewii with his tongue stuck out in the above pic!); they are not yet big enough to jump up on the edge of the tub and I'm not exactly encouraging them.... ever have a cat land in a tub with you? I have, and trust me, it's not pleasant.

As I figured would eventually happen, the boys have finally discovered the joy of the 6 foot tall kitty condo I have in the corner of my home, by the window. This is good for all of us, as it gives them someplace else to scratch OTHER than my couch and keeps them very busy. However, mama Blossom finds it a bit unnerving that her babies are up so high, and when they get wrestling it makes her nervous. She watches carefully and when she gets too stressed out for their safety she calls them down. It's very sweet to watch her keeping an eye on them.

Before we head into the videos and pics for this post I need to send a shout out to my fabulous friend in Texas, Kelli, for her amazing donation towards the kittens and Blossom; I have put this money towards everything from food, eye drops and litter to funds towards getting Blossom fixed so she can move on to her next home with Lynda. I'd also like to thank Laureen and Mrs. Wren who are constantly donating food and toys, your thoughtfulness doesn't go unnoticed! Anyone else who wishes to give a donation may click the button below.... even the smallest of donations are appreciated.
Alright, on to the pictures and videos! Remember to click on the pictures to see larger, more detailed versions..... enjoy!

gratitude

2010-01-08T08:41:00.000-05:00

First and foremost, I would like to thank all those who have shown me support. I have been pleasantly surprised by the surge and outpouring of support. Nelida, Lynda, Laureen and Mrs. Wren.... thank you very very much for your food donations, it has helped tremendously. Nelida, I especially appreciate all the footwork and research you have done to look into what it will cost to get Blossom her shots and to be spayed. Your support has been fantastic.

I would also like to send a shout out to those kind souls who have been kind enough to click on the donation button in the last post to help out with the cost of keeping the babies (I've gone through at least 30 lbs of litter alone!) and with the cost of taking Blossom to the vet when this is all done. Melissa C and Mary P, your donations were extremely generous and are greatly appreciated. It's good souls like you, and those who have donated the food, that make all this possible. I am grateful.

As for the babies... they continue to grow like weeds and cause havoc in my home. Constantly under my feet, it now becomes a perilous dance to get through my home without tripping on the babies. There have been a few incidents in which a kitten has found himself squashed by a door or launched through the air by a foot. Ha ha ha... babies everywhere!!!

I am working very hard to help Blossom wean the babies so that they will be ready for their homes; canned food is offered about 4 times a day, as well as some milk formula to supplement. A couple of the kittens have even taken to eating some of the dry food though it is hard to watch these poor little things try and chew hard crunchy food with their baby teeth. Stubborn kittens keep at it til they get it though!

Anyway, here are some pictures.... that's what you all come for, isn't it? *wink* Click on the pic for a larger version. There will be a video in the next post... it's uploading right now.

Thank you again for your donations and if anyone else would like to give, click the button below. Even the smallest of donations are appreciated. A thousand thank yous, I am humbled by your generosity, folks.....

no good deed goes unpunished...

2010-01-04T21:23:00.005-05:00

I apologize in advance for this post, as it will not be the normally chipper and fun post that everyone has come to expect; it's actually time for a reality check, so I am going to explain what the last 5 weeks has been like for ME. Why? Well, I had a very hurtful interaction with someone today because of Blossom and her kittens and I'm pretty damn sure I didn't deserve it. I think people believe that this has been nothing but fun and goodtimes as I frolic with adorable little kittens and share fun stories. Let me dispel that for all of you, though if anyone has ever fostered a cat and kittens, you will understand.

First of all, do I need to talk about the cost? That's the most obvious point. I have been lucky to have some donations from the start, as the Depot store that Blossom came from gave blankets, bowls and some food. And a teacher named Laureen has been kind enough to donate some food, as has another sales rep that visits the Depot, and Yvonne at the Depot (as well as a very kind offer from a woman named Mary). But let me tell you, there has been the cost of dry food, canned food, kitty litter, deodorizer for the litter (so my home doesn't smell like a litter box), and cleaning supplies (as I am constantly cleaning messes, and going through spot remover and mopping supplies). And that's just for Blossom and her kittens! I have two cats of my own that normally live with me, but have been temporarily relocated to my parents home while I take care of Blossom (which, start to finish will be about 3 months). So I still have to feed my own cats as they stay at my parents, on top of the cost of taking care of 5 cats back at my place. I actually have a third cat I own that permanently lives with my parents, and as luck would have it, just before Christmas he got sick and I racked up a $500 vet bill trying to nurse him back to health. Are you feelin' me now, about the cost?

Alright, so let's describe a bit about what it's like to have a litter of kittens living in your house...
I just came home from work an hour ago and do you know what I did before I even had my shoes off? I fed all five cats some canned cat food, which distracts them and keeps them out of my way while I clean two full litter boxes and sweep up the trail of litter that is all over the place, because the kittens think the litterbox is more like a sandbox to play in. And then I get out the cat-friendly, all-purpose cleaner and spray the spot on the floor where they have missed the litter or otherwise just left 'a little something' behind; such is the fun in litter training babies. This takes me about 20 mins, depending on how messy it is. I sweep, scoop, sweep again and mop. As I walk through my house I see all the fun things they got into while I was at work. 5 bored cats meant the loaf of bread I had on the counter was dragged onto the floor, toys are everywhere, as is a piece of foil they somehow got their paws on and tore to pieces. The clothes that were hanging on my doorknob are pulled onto the floor, I would imagine as they attempted to claw and climb their way up. Clearly these were very busy kitties.

This morning, however, started off even better. I now sleep with my door closed, otherwise I have cats waking me up throughout the night..... so my morning begins with me opening my bedroom door and then tripping over kittens as I stumble my way to my kitchen half awake. But before I feed myself, I open a can of food and feed the cats. And then of course it's time to clean two litter boxes, sweep, and mop. I mop often 2-3 times a day, and do the litter at least that many times a day or else live with the smell of 5 cats using the same box. Nothing like starting your day off doing litter, let me tell ya! Makes breakfast seem less appealing.

So by the time I fed them, did some work emails on my computer, showered, dressed, made my lunch and put my boots on to head out the door.... there was another mess. Litter training is still a new concept to these babies and they don't always hit the mark.... so off goes the coat as I stop to clean up another mess... dig out the spray and mop.... etc etc.....

Yes, the babies are cute. Adorable, even, and that's what allows me to put up with them puking up milk on my rug. Keeps me from killin' 'em when they claw their way up the front of my couch and bed (and legs!! ow!). But make no mistake, they are a LOT of work.... and they will leave their mark on my house when they are gone (mostly on my couch with their claws). My furniture will not be the same, but neither will my heart. When I took Blossom and her babies in, I knew what I was getting into, but I knew that there was a cat here that needed someone to show her some compassion, so I opened my heart and home.

What upsets me is when people judge me or speak to me in a less than respectful way. This has been a HARD 5 weeks as I have turned my home into chaos for these cats. I have had to relocate my own cats for 3 months, and guess what? I miss them! I want MY babies back at some point too! In an effort to win the hearts of the Depot associates who looked at me with such suspicious hearts and minds, I created this blog. Do you have any idea how much time and effort it has taken to make and maintain this?? And during all this I was having problems with my heart, had to rush to the doctor and get an EKG and then had to have a holter monitor on for 2 weeks while taking care of these cats, taking care of my own sick cat (and going to the vet's, all sick with worry), juggling my job and the holidays! I didn't feel exceptionally well as I dealt with chest pains and a monitor glued to me around the clock for 2 weeks... but those kittens don't care if I have a heart monitor! They have needs that have to be met, regardless of how I feel. So I sucked it up and carried on.

Today there was a misunderstanding and miscommunication as to who had spoken for kittens and who hadn't. I got a call from a store associate who had assumed she was getting one of the kittens when I had already made arrangements for them all. This was the first I had heard *directly* from her, and I thought one had already been saved for her by another associate. She was understandably upset, as I am sure she had her heart set on it. I tried to explain that this was the first I had heard of her and FROM her, as she had not contacted me directly herself, either by phone, email or this blog. Others who had spoken to me for a kitten have made efforts to stay in touch with me, ask for pictures of the kittens, updates, videos, and have donated food to help me out.

The conversation turned tense as the associate was disappointed and upset, and I tried to apologize for the miscommunication, explaining that I truly hadn't known that she wanted a kitten and that if I had I would have saved one for her, no problem. But what upset me most was that this associate hung up on me while we were speaking on the phone, while I was mid-sentence and apologizing. Hung. Up.

Was there a miscommunication? Yes. Misunderstanding? Absolutely. I will even take some of the responsibility... I clearly didn't understand the single voicemail message I had heard several weeks ago, but I thought I HAD heard it correctly, so I acted accordingly. Am I the only one to blame? I don't think so.... why have I only been contacted now, weeks later? No comments on the blog? No direct contact? No email?

I am very sorry if you were disappointed, but I think hanging up on me was rude. And considering all I have done and will continue to do for another 4 weeks with the kittens and at least 8 for Blossom, I really don't think I deserved to be treated like that. There are plenty of other kittens that can be adopted from shelters... lots of other options.

And as a point, everyone was SO worried about Blossom when she was pregnant and living at the store.. but has anyone talked about adopting her? Has everybody forgotten about the poor girl who needed a home first? People are fighting over the kittens because they are tiny and cute... but what about Blossom? She seems to have been forgotten in all this mess, and she has the greatest need of all. People seem to have room in their homes for kittens but not a cat?

I have been trying to find a home for her too and may have someone interested. However, nobody really wants a cat who needs to be fixed, so I will be assuming the cost of getting her shots and having her spayed. That will up the chances of her finding a home, which is good for her and good for me. She needs a permanent home, and I need to bring my own kitties home too.

If you would like to make a donation towards the cost, it would be greatly appreciated. Click the button below.

I'm sorry for the rant, but I needed people to know just what it's like behind the adorable pictures and videos you have seen. I think it's all too easy to sit in judgment of someone when you don't really understand what's going on; I did my very best to please everyone, but obviously that's impossible. All I wanted to do was volunteer to take in a cat in need and to find homes for them all, without the need for anyone going to a shelter. I am doing what I can with what I have, but as the saying goes... no good deed goes unpunished.

here a kitten! there a kitten! everywhere, a kitten!

2009-12-29T07:36:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone! I apologize once again for the infrequent updates but between the holidays and my own health issues (I've had to wear a heart monitor for the last two weeks!) I have had my hands full. And what a developmental time for the babies! Here's what's been going on:

- at 3 weeks old I finally heard a kitten purr.... he was nursing when I overheard his content little motor running. At 4 weeks old I picked one of the kittens up and he purred for ME! It was wonderful.

- I decided at 3 weeks old, that since they were starting to get out of the safety of the closet more and more and exploring my home, it was time to introduce their own litterbox (a smaller version of mama's). Two of the babies took to it right away, the other two decided litter is good for eating. Not great, but hey, progress is often made in baby steps. I spent a week fishing bits of litter out of the mouths of babes with my pinky finger. One still insists on peeing at my front door, a mere 5 feet away from the litter, which tries my patience. Luckily he cries and screams just before he does it, which gives me time to get over there to either stop him or clean up quickly. What a brat! It might be a bit too early for him yet... the babies are only 4 weeks old after all!

- yesterday I introduced the babies to solid food (ie: canned kitten food) and it was hit and miss; one of the orange kittens (the one with short fur) is now known as "The Professor" because he blazes the trail in terms of development; he was the first to use the litter and the first to consistently eat canned food. This boy has it all figured out! (this is your baby, Mrs. Wren!) Don't even ask how it went with trying to introduce milk formula to the kittens..... let's just say it resulted in ALL of us getting milk on us! ha ha ha!! There will be pics in the next post.

- exploration of my home continues as the babies now move around fearlessly in my home and it often results in tripping on kittens who like to try and keep up as I walk around. I must be mindful where I step and remind visitors to do they same.

And that about does it!
Due to high demand I am posting two more videos of the kittens. I am pleased to say that all the babies now have homes.... Mrs. Wren is taking the short hair orange one ("The Professor"), Nelida at the Depot has spoken for one grey one (for yourself? a friend?), otherwise known as "Tiny" and my Aunt and Uncle are taking the other two (Lazlo and Keyser, or Kie for short). How lucky those boys get a home together!

In the videos below you will see the kittens hard at play in my kitchen and even see Blossom getting in on the action! In the second video is mama and the smallest of the boys (Nelida... this is for you/your friend!) having quality time together that will melt your heart; the patience of a mom can only be marvelled at as she tried to give Tiny a bath and he just wants to play!

coming when called

2009-12-20T13:27:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone! I apologize for my lack of recent posts.... I've been sidetracked by some health issues which took me out of the loop for a bit. Hopefully another *adorable* video will win you over...

The kittens have really come to recognize my voice; when I call to them (collectively known as "babies!!") they come running. In fact, when I played this video back on my computer and they heard my voice they came running to the computer! Very very cute.

They are also exploring farther and farther from the comfort of the front hall closet. Mama Blossom calls to them to get them to come out and encourages them to explore. Unfortunately last night I had to go find one who was lost and screaming to be found, but by the time I had gotten to him he had peed, he was so scared. Poor little thing. It's a big world!

Anyway, enjoy the video and I'll upload some more pictures soon.... thanks for your patience!

first video of the babies!

2009-12-13T17:40:00.003-05:00

Well, here you have it.... the babies working up the bravery needed to explore beyond the big pink blanket! It's a scary world beyond the front hall closet, ladies and gentlemen! And these babies seem sure the world ends where the blanket ends. ha ha ha!!

Enjoy!

boys will be boys

2009-12-10T21:33:00.011-05:00

First of all, let me send out a big thank you to Laureen for meeting up with me at the Home Depot to drop off some supplies for Blossom; your support is greatly appreciated and the food is always welcome. Blossom's appetite has become ravenous as she nurses 4 hungry babies. It was wonderful to finally meet and speak with you. And I'd also like to say thanks to all the staff and girls at the front service desk who have continued to show their support by helping co-ordinate food drops offs (I understand there is more waiting for me on my next visit) and who always ask how Blossom is doing.

So, how is Blossom doing? She is doing quite well indeed.... taking more time for herself, away from the babies. She comes to me in the morning and demands me to get out of bed to spend some time petting her and then feeding her (aka: "I don't want the dry food, I want the CANNED food!"). Blossom has even been playing a little bit with a toy mouse, which has been great to see.

As for the babies..... what characters!!! They have reached a wonderful age in which they are now starting to play and wrestle with each other... and me! When Blossom is off busy eating her canned food I crawl into the closet and call to the babies. "Babies! how are the babies??". They all wake up when they hear my voice, start mewing and then..... they make their way towards me! It melts my heart to see them on their wobbly little legs trying to make their way towards me for a petting. SO. CUTE. I took some pics to show you just how cute!

Didn't I promise you it was about the cutest thing you'll ever see? The wrestling is also pretty adorable to witness... here are some wrestling pics:

Ow!! watch the eyes!!

growing like weeds!

2009-12-06T18:08:00.008-05:00

I was awoken yesterday by the sound of Blossom doing her "chirping" meow that is usually reserved for her babies... but for some reason she was making this sound in my room. I sat up, all blurry-eyed and squinted to see in the dark; what was she up to this time? Finally able to focus I noticed a lump of a kitten on my bedroom floor in front of closet. "Blossom! We talked about this!!" I said, as I got up.... just in time to watch her disappear into my bedroom closet with the baby in her mouth.

I'm not entirely sure why she thinks the closet is a good place because there's not a whole lot of room in there; indeed, there is a dresser taking up the majority of the closet, making it impossible for her to lay down with the babies if she were to get them all in there.

Anyway, I once again picked up the baby and walked it to the front hall closet and put it back with his brothers and reminded Blossom that this was the deal from the last time we played the "let's move the kittens all around the house" game. She has left them there for now, though I'm sure if I forget to close the closet door again, this may not remain the case.

The babies are growing at a *shocking* rate, with the two orange ones really packing on the weight the most. They all have their eyes open, except for one grey tabby who still has one eye closed so it looks like he's winking all the time. They like to test their wobbly legs by moving around quite a bit, but as yet, do not wander far. I know I'm going to miss these days once they start tearing up my home. A couple of them have even played with me as I tickled their bellies and they rolled onto their backs, grabbing my fingers and trying to bite them (see the pic of the grey tabby on his back below, from when we were playing). It. Is. ADORABLE!!

Blossom may very well eat me out of house and home as she continues to demand canned food and will only eat the dry food if she really has to; I shudder to think of how much canned food we'll go through when the babies are eating solid food.

Enjoy the pics..... and as always, feel free to click on the thumbnails for a larger more detailed pic.

Peekaboo!

2009-12-02T19:39:00.008-05:00

Well, as you can see the babies are growing at a fantastic rate... so much so that one is starting ever-so-slowly open his eyes! A week after being born they still spend all their time sleeping and eating. Getting around is slow and they are very wobbly on their feet when they try and move.

Mama Blossom spends quite a bit of time away from them, taking a break as they nap. She is getting very demanding with me about eating canned cat food! I have been trying to ration how much canned food I've been feeding her, treating as more of a "supplement" to her staple dried food diet, but she is eating less of the dried food and wants more of the canned. I think she's burning a lot of calories while nursing and wants some wet, meaty food. *shrug* Far be it for me to tell a mama cat what she needs!

Nalida from the Depot called and left a very sweet message about donating some food (always welcome! Blossom is eating me out of house and home!) and has spoken for two of the kittens; I believe she wants one of each colour, but I need to verify. If anyone else is SERIOUSLY interested, please let me know. Please do not offer to take one of you are not ready to take care of a cat and have not spoken to your family about it; everyone will be involved in raising the baby! :-)

And lastly, please don't forget that beautiful Blossom needs a home too! She is the most wonderful girl ever and I really want to find a family that will adore her; so please, pass this blog around and see if anyone would be interested in taking Blossom.

Blossom is awesome!

Blossom wins.

2009-11-28T07:34:00.004-05:00

Yesterday morning when I got up to feed Blossom I found that the babies were no longer in the bathroom, as I had left them the night before. "Where are they Blossom?" I tried asking. She was coy and pretended not to know. I glanced at the front hall closet and noticed the sliding door was accidentally left open a bit. Upon opening the door I saw a pile of sleeping kittens underneath a bunch of junk. *sigh*

I grabbed two in each hand and put them back on the blanket in the bathroom and had one of my talks with Blossom about keeping them in the bathroom. This talk seemed familiar. I went into my living room and sat down at my computer. 2 mins later I hear the mewing of a rather upset kitten; I walked out to the front hall to see a baby on the tile floor in front of the closet and mama Blossom perplexed that the closet door was shut. "No Blossom!". I picked the baby back up and put it in the bathroom and headed back to my computer. 2 mins later Blossom walked into the living room with a kitten in her mouth and dropped it at my feet. "Are you kidding me, Blossom? You can't be leaving babies in the living room". I picked it up and put back in the bathroom. 5 mins later she brought another one into the living room.

I gave in. What could I do?? I cleared out the closet, put the damn blanket in and piled the babies on top; now Blossom is a happy clam, and really..... isn't that what it's all about?

I'd like to give a quick shout out to Yvonne at the Depot for donating some canned food to Blossom; seems her highness is not as fond of dry food right now and is strongly preferring canned (which is more expensive). Yvonne was kind enough to help me out by supplying some food, and it is much appreciated. Thank you! Blossom loves it!

here a baby, there a baby, everywhere a baby!

2009-11-26T21:10:00.012-05:00

Today Blossom and I had a slight disagreement.

I was speaking on the phone with a co-worker this morning when I suddenly heard the mew of a scared kitten coming from what seemed to be my bedroom. Blossom was standing in front of me looking around, acting surprised, as if she had no idea where that sound was coming from. I told my co-worker that I had to go because I could hear a kitten crying in my bedroom, but I couldn't tell where from. Blossom looked with me, as if she didn't know where the baby was, even though it had been her who had moved it into my bedroom. I finally narrowed down the sound and moved a pillow that was on the floor only to find a crying baby under my bedside table. "No, Blossom! This is MY room! No babies are allowed!". I picked up the baby and marched back to the bathroom where the babies are set up; this area allows Blossom to have her food & water dishes nearby, as well as the litter. And it gives her a room to herself, as the washroom is quite big (it's built to be wheelchair accessible.

Blossom tried two more times to carry babies out of the bathroom and to my bedroom, only to now find the door shut. The second time I carried the baby back to the bathroom again and the third time she carried it back herself (see picture below). Finally she gave in and just kept them in the bathroom (though I offered that we could put them in my den! But nooooo... she's a picky girl, this one!)

Anyway, it looks a whole lot like all the kittens are boys, but I want to give it another week or two just to be sure. They are *very* feisty and scrap a lot over who gets which nipple. They are a fierce bunch.

Below are some pics for you to enjoy.... once again, click on the picture for larger versions. Enjoy!

The babies are here!!!

2009-11-25T17:22:00.000-05:00

After sleeping snuggled up to me last night I noticed that Blossom was restless this morning. She was walking all over my condo and looking for a place to "nest". She cuddled with me a bit on the couch for the morning news, but kept getting up and moving around. And she meowed! this cat never meows! I knew we were getting close...

So I got down on the floor with her and started rubbing her belly and giving her a massage, just as I have been for the last week. This time she rolled right over onto her back and gave me her full belly to rub. I gave it a vigorous rub and then noticed... the contractions were starting.

And so began the negotiations! Blossom wanted to have the babies in my bedroom; I said no. She wanted to have them in the front hall closet; I said no again, and suggested the lovely box I had created for her. She said no. Meanwhile, her water had broken and she was starting to make a mess. Finally I took her into the bathroom and closed the door. I sat on the floor with her and began rubbing her belly again. The contractions got stronger and longer.... she braced hard against my leg and arm and then purring stopped. There was a long pause... she stood up suddenly and HOWLED. Poor thing let out a terrible scream that no doubt my whole building heard, and before I knew it, there was a baby on the floor in front of me.

Eventually I picked up the baby and put it on a blanket to keep warm and she settled in to lick it and clean it up. Baby number 2 came 10 minutes later with much less fanfare. An hour later I went in to check on her and begin rubbing her belly again to help her along.... and she promptly had baby number 3. An hour after that, same thing.... I massaged her aching belly and the contractions came swiftly...and poof! Baby number four. She and I had a pretty good system worked out.

So that seems to be the final count. 4 babies.... two grey/black tabbies and two orange tabbies. I will give it a few days before I sort out the genders, and will let you all know then. They were born alternately.... grey tabby... then orange... then grey.. then orange.

Mom and babies are doing very well and will all be ready for new homes Jan 25th.

Here are the first pics I have..... feel free, as always, to click on them for larger versions!

they're coming!!!!

2009-11-25T12:00:00.000-05:00

Blossom is in labour! Stay tuned and I will post some pics as soon as I can..... ;-)

UPDATE: we have three babies so far! I think there are at least two more coming.. stay tuned!

eagerly awaiting babies!

2009-11-22T17:48:00.000-05:00

First of all, I'd like to give a warm welcome to the StumbleUpon users who have found their way here. I would kindly ask that you pass this blog along to anyone you know that might live in the Toronto area so that we may increase the chances of finding Blossom a home after she has her babies. Depending on when she finally gets around to having them, I'm forecasting she and the babies will be ready to go around mid-late January. There have been over THREE THOUSAND visitors today alone.... surely some of you know someone in the Toronto area!!

That being said, she has still not had her babies! Come on, Blossom! Let's see those beautiful kittens of yours! :-) As soon as she has her babies I will let you all know and post pictures!

still no babies!

2009-11-19T22:46:00.000-05:00

Poor Blossom looks like she's going to pop any minute now. She looks very uncomfortable so I rub her belly and give her massages. I have asked her repeatedly just when she plans on having these babies, but she's keeping "mum". ;-) As soon as there are babies I will post some pics! In the meantime... enjoy some more Blossom pics.

She always has water on her chin after taking a drink!

Oh hello! ha ha ha... must you get so close to the camera??

She had her claws dug right into my leg in case I was thinking of going somewhere. ha ha ha

Look at that big belly!!!

Blossom gets a foster home!

2009-11-18T19:13:00.000-05:00

It all started with a simple store visit last week......
I am a sales rep and I visit this particular Home Depot about every other week or so. But last week while talking to Nikita in the decor department, she mentioned that there was a cat living in the store. And apparently this cat had been the subject of great debate, as she was pregnant with her second litter in the last few months, and people were beginning to object to her living on the premises. Nikita and the store staff wanted to keep Blossom... she was their Depot Cat! I asked to see this poor cat that had been abandoned outside the store months earlier, as I am a cat person with a big heart for hardluck kitty stories.

And there she was, sleeping on top of some boxes, hugely pregnant and not terribly concerned by my presence. Seems she is quite friendly with the staff and customers, walking all over the store, and making friends as she goes. Many of the staff had taken wonderful care of her and given her the name of Blossom. I told Nikita that while I had no doubt in my mind that she was loved and looked after in the store, I also worried for her safety, and the safety of the babies. A warehouse can be a treacherous place for kittens (and I know this from unfortunate experience). I offered that if she needed a home I would certainly offer up my services in helping her find one. Last year my family and I hand raised 9 kittens who had no moms (and yes, 4 of those were warehouse kittens who lost their mom) and that would be a walk in the park comparatively, as these babies come with a mom! No bottle feeding!

Long story short, I came back to the Home Depot a few days later with a cat carrier to bring her home. The staff at the store was understandably worried about her future and whether or not I was fit to take care of her, and so this blog is for you. You have done a great job of looking out for Blossom..... I'm just here to carry that on. I want everyone from the store to be able to come on here and check in to see how she's doing. I will put pictures up as often as I can and let you know when the babies are born. And just so you know, she didn't cry once in the car on the way home and when I opened the carrier door to let her out into her strange new home.... she came out purring. She is an *amazing* cat.

I'd also like to send a shout out to a few people at the Depot...
Julia, you were very sweet to allow the cat to come home with me. I know you took a lot of heat for the decision, but I promise to take good care of her. Yvonne, you were awesome for helping get Blossom ready to come home... packing up her belongings and helping me to the car with her. Nelida, you made sure Blossom had a proper food and water bowl... you'll see them in the pics! To the Seasonal staff... you did an absolutely amazing job of looking out for her and making sure she was safe. And to the entire store, this blog is for you, her Depot family. She couldn't have made it without you!

Here are some pictures from the first couple of days in her new foster home... (click on them to see larger versions, if you like).

Why aren't you petting me??

That's better.....a little more at the back...

Nice... now a little more on top....

That's the spot. :-)

Look at that belly!!! Poor mama!

I love the red tipped tail!!

Dragging her big belly up to the bar for food and drink.

What are YOU lookin' at??

Alright! Enough pictures already!