larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view

Snoopy's kittens are now ten days old, and they are beginning to open their eyes. They are also showing signs of distinct personalities. They also have names. The two larger black boys are nearly identical, and are named Linus and Woodstock. Linus is the strongest and most vocal of the babies, and from my bedroom, I can hear his meow through the closed door to the dressing room. The little silver-gray girl is Sally; the darker striped girl is Lucy. And the smallest, the little black boy who nearly died, is Charlie Brown.

Snoopy is a wonderful mama, but she does enjoy getting out of her room sometimes, while the kittens are sleeping. I let her out for a break when I am home from work, when I can monitor the situation. She never goes farther than my bedroom, though, and can always hear when the babies call her. She is also very protective and vigilant, even when she is out and about. One day, Diesel, one of my other cats, dared enter the dressing room, and he tried to poke his head through the open closet door and investigate. That didn't fly one bit with Snoopy, who immediately flew off the bed where she was having a good cuddle and ran to the rescue. Now, Diesel and Snoopy usually get along well, which is good since Deez is at least three of Snoopy. At twenty-seven pounds of solid muscle, Deez is our largest cat. But that did not faze Snoopy one bit. She chased Diesel out of that bathroom, growling like she was a mother Siberian tiger, and Deez actually ran! I think he was completely shocked that little Snoopy would go after him like that. He, along with the other "kids" in our home, are much more careful when they go near the master bath now. Mama Snoopy is always on the watch.

Unlike humans, who tend to gain lots of weight during pregnancy, cats use much of their body fat to nourish the kittens, and are often quite thin immediately after kittening. (I sure wish I was a cat!) They need high-calorie high-protein food to give good milk and regain their weight. Snoopy is beginning to fill out again after giving birth, and her fur is soft and shiny again. She is also playful and mischievous again, reminding us that, although Snoopy is a mother, she is still very young.

Next week, the babies will start to move around a little more. Things should get really interesting then; stay tuned!