I'm so glad to see how much advice and support you are getting! It seems none of us have very scientific answers but just "know" that they will figure it out- same as you do!
In terms of placing them in a home with another adult cat- I agree it can be tricky but I think it goes much smoother when the new addition is a kitten. It allows the resident cat to still have the "dominant" role and the kitten doesn't pose much of a threat to them or their turf. As the kitten grows so does their bond so that by the time they are full grown most of the things that can be issues are no longer relevant.
To illustrate my point a little further, I had always wanted to add a second cat so that my resident, Ella, would have a companion. But, I worried how she would respond to it. I had fostered a lot of litters by the time Diego was born and I knew he was the one I wanted to keep. I had it all planned out to keep their initial introductions slow but they adjusted pretty well to each other and didn't end up needing all the steps I had planned on. They never really touched each other but were fine being in the same room with each other.
As Diego got older it became evident that he had some neurological problems and would start having "fits" where he would harm himself. Given they weren't physically affectionate imagine my surprise when Diego had one of these meltdowns and Ella went running to his side! She ran over to him and started grooming him in an effort to calm him, and then went and laid with him. As time has gone on I can see how much she helps him. Anytime he yowls she will come running and is always right by his side. There have even been times that I have seen them walking together where it seems like he's leaning his weight against her and letting her do the guiding.
If you had asked me prior to adding Diego if Ella would ever act like this my answer would have been a firm no. She has always been somewhat aloof and standoffish. But, she's just different with him. And, I don't wonder if that's what can happen with each of these kittens. If they end up in a home with a companion cat who can help guide and navigate them I think they can accomplish a lot more. But, that's just not something that they will be able to do for each other.
I agree separating them will make the transition harder and more stressful, but I think it could be worth it in the long run. I don't know which way is the right way, I just think it's something worth thinking about, so keep it in the back of your mind as you watch and evaluate them in determining what is best.
Overall you have gotten some great advice and I'm so thrilled to see so many getting involved in the situation. Now you have no choice but to keep us updated on how they do! I can't wait to see these two grow and adapt- even though it's no doubt hard I think it's going to be an amazing experience!
It sounds like you conduct your work very similarly to the shelter that I work for and everything you mentioned are excellent parameters to have in place. I very much agree about not adopting to families that have young children and that it all has to "feel" right. Sounds like a great system that you have set up!As for how I conduct my rescue groups fostering/adoptions, I take them in, cats, newborns, kittens, moms with litters, injured, sick, abandoned, malnourished, whatever the case be. The fosters will be given any who are fine, stable and well, and foster them through until they are adopted. This is normally through our adoptions we have each weekend at our local Petco store.
All who are NOT ready to leave my home stay and I get them well, or healed, or fattened up, healthy, old/big enough and weaned, and ready for spay/neuters then sent to fosters until they are adopted.
However, often times kittens here never make it to Petco, I am contacted via my postings from people interested, I send them applications, and review and pre-approve them for the right fit cat/kitten for their homes.
I'm pretty particular, I don't get paid for this nor do we make money, it's all about being a voice for cats who have no voice or choices. I want what is best for them, so I'm extremely thorough. I need to feel good about an adoption. I make no bones about nicely saying, "your 2 year old is not fit for a kitten so young, he will be hurt or treated incorrectly and it's not fair for the kitten, what about an older adult cat who has lots of exposure to kids and will be able to escape if needed" type things. lol~
Alright, this is the only point you have made that I am going to play Devil's Advocate on. In general I am a firm believer that some kittens should not be separated because they are such a bonded pair. But, in this case, I wonder if staying together is truly in their best interest. I agree with a later post that pointed out that having a feline companion could be hugely beneficial in teaching them to navigate the world on their level, but that's gong to be hard to find when there are two of them, and this isn't something that they will be able to provide for each other.
We also made the decision that these 2 kids must NOT be separated, they need each other tremendously and I won't allow them to be adopted alone without the other.
In terms of placing them in a home with another adult cat- I agree it can be tricky but I think it goes much smoother when the new addition is a kitten. It allows the resident cat to still have the "dominant" role and the kitten doesn't pose much of a threat to them or their turf. As the kitten grows so does their bond so that by the time they are full grown most of the things that can be issues are no longer relevant.
To illustrate my point a little further, I had always wanted to add a second cat so that my resident, Ella, would have a companion. But, I worried how she would respond to it. I had fostered a lot of litters by the time Diego was born and I knew he was the one I wanted to keep. I had it all planned out to keep their initial introductions slow but they adjusted pretty well to each other and didn't end up needing all the steps I had planned on. They never really touched each other but were fine being in the same room with each other.
As Diego got older it became evident that he had some neurological problems and would start having "fits" where he would harm himself. Given they weren't physically affectionate imagine my surprise when Diego had one of these meltdowns and Ella went running to his side! She ran over to him and started grooming him in an effort to calm him, and then went and laid with him. As time has gone on I can see how much she helps him. Anytime he yowls she will come running and is always right by his side. There have even been times that I have seen them walking together where it seems like he's leaning his weight against her and letting her do the guiding.
If you had asked me prior to adding Diego if Ella would ever act like this my answer would have been a firm no. She has always been somewhat aloof and standoffish. But, she's just different with him. And, I don't wonder if that's what can happen with each of these kittens. If they end up in a home with a companion cat who can help guide and navigate them I think they can accomplish a lot more. But, that's just not something that they will be able to do for each other.
I agree separating them will make the transition harder and more stressful, but I think it could be worth it in the long run. I don't know which way is the right way, I just think it's something worth thinking about, so keep it in the back of your mind as you watch and evaluate them in determining what is best.
What about Paloma (Dove in Spanish) and Pinot (Pinot Grigio)
Paloma and Pinot?
I actually really like the names you picked out (Paloma and Pinot) but think there is a lot of merit to MServant's suggestion. Having the vibrations in the name might be really helpful for them. I agree I may look around online and see what else you can come up with that fits into this category!
For names using names that have definite sounds at the start which have different vibragtions might be useful and they will be able to differentiate sound they can pick up more easily if partial hearing is there, and use the vibration using other senses.
Two nice ones I can think of like this are Zawadi which means gift or present, and Hazina which means treasure in Swahili. You could just as easily use any names starting in a similar way - like Xander (zzander) and Hannah.
The low vibrating ZZZ and harder, sharper Ha sounds could work like this, and the words have lovely and appropriate meaning.
Overall you have gotten some great advice and I'm so thrilled to see so many getting involved in the situation. Now you have no choice but to keep us updated on how they do! I can't wait to see these two grow and adapt- even though it's no doubt hard I think it's going to be an amazing experience!