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| White Face's 4 kittens - 2 days old |
DH took this pic of White Face's 4 kittens that were apparently born Friday night. White Face didn't come to eat Friday... which is very unusual for her. But she was there Saturday morning and it looked like she had had her kittens (as she is a small cat and had a very large tummy towards the end). So we watched where she went after she ate and soon realized that her kittens were in our yard not far from the side fence. So when she was busy eating later in the day, DH went over and quietly took a pic.
We were worried because where they were would make them in harms way for the rain that was coming Sunday night. But we put our faith in the mama that she would take care of them and move them if necessary. We hesitate to get involved when they are so young and need their mother... and usually the mothers are pretty smart about taking care of their young.
Well, it did rain, but not as bad as expected. But when we got up Monday morning, White Face had moved the kittens up on the porch inside the cat tree. It wasn't until later in the morning that we realized that there were only the 3 black kittens in the cat tree. And we noticed that mama kept returning to the spot where she originally had the kittens. She was looking for the little white one.
When she returned to her 3 kittens without the white one, DH and I started looking and listening... nothing. Not a sign of him or her. We don't understand it... and apparently she doesn't either as she keeps returning and looking when she leaves the others. It's a mystery... and one that has us sad today...
Hugs (virtual),
Rian
Oh how concerning. Being white, maybe an evil creature (any hawks around?) got it. It is amazing to know how instinct works and WhiteFace moving the other kittens close to the house. Hope she does well with the others. They won't fall out of the cat tree will they? Does she need a box with straw in it on the ground? Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThey do keep falling out of the cat tree... and she keeps jumping down and bringing them back up. We put blankets down so the fall is soft. And there is a box with a blanket in it at the bottom of the cat tree. But so far she seems to want them up there.
DeleteThat is so very sad. I hope whatever happened it was quick. It's not easy to lose a loved one, ever. :-(
ReplyDeleteIt is sad, DJan. We have never had an all white feral and were so happy for her. She seems as puzzled as we are at it's disappearance.
DeleteGosh, that's interesting that Mama cat keeps hauling the babies up into the cat tree. Those kitties are gonna think they can fly! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteDM, funny... I was thinking the same thing.
DeleteI am sorry about the little kitten. It didn't leave on its own.
ReplyDeleteNo, it didn't, Joanne. I imagine some hawk or owl may have gotten it. But I have this silly hope that perhaps White Face's mom (who is nursing 5-6 week old kittens herself - not in our yard, but she did bring them by one afternoon) might have taken the kitten and is nursing it along with her own??? Probably not, but it's a nice thought.
DeleteGulp... broke my heart reading this Rian. I'm worried to think what became of that baby... I'm relieved you gave their mama refuge for her other ones though. :^(
ReplyDeleteIt breaks our hearts too, Dug. We may never know what happened to that kitten... possibly an owl since the feral mama was moving them during the night. But no sign of it anywhere.
DeleteI am so sorry to read this. For you, and for the devoted mama. Like DJan I hope that whatever happens was quick.
ReplyDeleteWhite Face continues to look for it. It's sad.
DeleteLooks like my comment didn't post. Will try again. I was so sad to learn about the missing white kitten. Do you suppose something got it while she was in the moving process? I am just happy she has them out of the weather now.
ReplyDeleteYes, we're guessing that something (maybe an owl) got it while she was moving them(?) She moved the others onto the cat tree on the porch... and moved them again last night to somewhere else (which is probably good since they kept falling out of the cat tree).
DeleteAwww. I'm sorry, I suspect a predator may have taken it while mom cat was moving the other kittens. Unfortunately that is just the way of nature.
ReplyDeleteThis is true, Mae, but still sad... for the mama... and for us.
DeleteOoh, so very sad Rian. We have coyotes around here, they are the most opportunistic of creatures, I'm hoping the little fella didn't suffer.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
~Jo
Jo, we have coyotes here too, but haven't seen one around lately. Think if he was taken off, it might have been an owl. I have seen hawks and owls around.
DeleteOh how sad. I know it breaks your heart. You and your husband are so kind to the cats. It breaks my heart to look at that sweet little face. I keep sitting here trying to come up with something good that could have happened to that one kitten. You know, it is possible that White Face's mom could have taken the kitten, maybe heard it crying. Lets hope so.
ReplyDeleteI try to tell myself that White Face's mom did just that...
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