Ugh... tugging at my heart. Kittens are terrible

Originally Posted by fastnoc

but when does the limit hit?
.

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when you cant afford medical care anymore.
really my limit was 2, but we ended up with 4.

I cant tell the difference between 2 and 4, accept i now have 3 cats that want to be in bed with me.

One thing i can say from reading threads here over time, is that there will always be cats that you want to keep, for one reason or another. (which is why i stay away from cat corner at petsmart)

That being said, i feel there is nothing wrong, and nothing to prove to yourself if you want to keep this one girl.
even more so if you think she has picked you , as her human.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is NOT the place to come if you want someone to talk you out of getting another cat

There is something very special when they choose you. My Bella chose me (in fact she would not leave my lap at the rescue--she had decided we were her people and that was it).

I would say it's not so bad if you fostered 8 and kept 1, many of us have far worse track records. ...and 3 cats is not "crazy cat lady", as long as you can afford to house, vet and feed them all and they have adequate territory, you are just a responsible owner of three cats. (oh, and I'll take that gorgeous Tinker off your hands if you want ).

I love you Daddy!!!

Originally Posted by fastnoc

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I have to say that I would just melt . I would definately have her, I couldn't let her go. I am thinking of getting another kitty, we only have the one. It is something to think about but if I had a kitty in my house loving me and being like that, well, decision would be made!!! I found a pregnant feral last year and I had her picked up by a nice lady who was experienced with preg cats and I work full time. My kitty though, we were meant to be together,I just knew it, to some it sounds silly but its just how it was. I think if you can keep her then try, as I don't think that you will find it easy or be without regret if you do let her go.

I repeat what Gaye has said...cats choose you not the other way around - plus of course, we Abys (real and namesaked) do what we do best - wrap your round our paws I have similar stories from my litters as well.

Keep her, that's what she wants!

I accept your point on fostering - if you are willing to release the other 6 kittens and mom cat, consider it a job well done!

In regards to living arrangements I understand how you feel. I have 3 in an apartment under 1000 sq.feet. They all have enough space....especially if you make sure they have vertical access.

Also my landlord has told me it is quite alright for me to have the cats I have. They have been in my apartment and see how they are taken care of. My house doesn't smell etc. I only paid $100 for my pet lease...you paid $6?? Wow! They had better not tell you how many you can have.... s...what a rip off!!

About the emotional side: I love cats of course and would love to have more but I don't get "that" feeling often. I did with Fiona, which is why I knew I couldn't walk away. I couldn't even wait overnight to get her becuase the thought of "MY" girl being in that cage any longer was killing me! If you have "that" feeling don't be afraid of it. It really doesn't happen that often...it really is a thing to be cherished.

I love Rosiemacs post....she is wicked!

Wow, JT. I don't know what to tell you. Everyone else here has spoken so eloquently about the nature of cats picking their people. I have seen it in rescue, too. Wary or Halloween cat for people the kitty doesn't like... and purring, head-butting love machine for people they DO like.

We had one GORGEOUS odd-eyed white male kitten who was a super-duper lovey boy. But this one woman (who our adoption eval people did not like) wanted him... well... he hissed and spit and acted very much out of character with her. Needless to say, she didn't get him. We had another case where a kitten kept climbing into the woman's purse -- -- as if to say, Take me home, Meowmy! His sibbies weren't doing that. I saw yet another kitten, about 4-5 months old, who was a sweet but busy boy, stop in his tracks and climb all over this little boy who came in with his grandmother. I had never seen him behave like that. We have had stand-offish cats climb in people's laps! (I"m not helping am I? )

I have never raised or fostered a litter before. I am not in a position to do so (long story). But I have seen in the litters of kittens that I have looked after in rescue that there is almost always a "seeker" or two in the bunch. By that I mean, one that seems really drawn to people or particular individuals. Usually an outgoing but loving personality. Kind of like the difference in personality between Tinker and Wilbur.

I am not going to tell you what to do. Only you can decide. It sounds like this little one is a seeker. You can see how she is with other people and maybe that will give you some clue. Do a heart AND head check.

Good luck, buddy!

EDIT: Oh, just so you know, I have fallen in love with rescue kitties a hundred times over... And I have had cats do the "I love you, take me home" thing with me. I can't take them and it kills me, but I keep volunteering b/c I think it's important work.

*cough cough* KEEP HER! YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! *cough*

I have such a terrible cough today

I sure appreciate all the clear confirmations. I feel like she's chosen me too. It's just different. The other cats are playful with me, no question. but it's just not the same. When Aby does it she just seems like she wants to be close to me, while the others just act like they're having fun. Which of course is just fine too.

I did some testing by taking a couple different ones out and holding them on my chest like Aby. Not even close to the same. They all just try to wander away to explore. but Aby curls her little tail up and plays with my arms, or bites my watch. Then she gets this little eager spurt and starts flipping over on her back and while rooting her head into my arm. Or she'll lay on her side and try pawing at me with both front paws. Anyone who's had kittens this young knows they look like they're clapping and praying and it's pretty much the cutest thing ever.

Here's where she likes to lay. She's moving here, but picture her just laying there and that's what i get to do each morning now

there you go, how can you say no to that face

She is a little doll, and they do always say you keep your first foster - I wanted to prove that wrong though, so I got to cat no 18 before keeping one, and then cos she was on death's door when she came, so I didn't want to risk her going back down hill when moved. It really depends on your willpower, and if you are goign to want to keep one everytime you foster kittens.

Look at that sweet face! I could kiss her sweet little nose

Is that the kitten that was lying on her back in the video waving her arms and legs in the air and they were all moving around her?

Oh, wow! She is some kinda adorable baby! And she seeks you out, so it makes it reeeeeeeeeeaaaaalllly difficult to decide what to do. As I said before, do a Head and Heart check and do what you think is right.

Also, how do you think Tink and Wilbur will accept Aby?

Originally Posted by AddieBee

Oh, wow! She is some kinda adorable baby! And she seeks you out, so it makes it reeeeeeeeeeaaaaalllly difficult to decide what to do. As I said before, do a Head and Heart check and do what you think is right.

Also, how do you think Tink and Wilbur will accept Aby?

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I don't know about the introductions. but I think after a little bit they'd be ok. i THINK

Originally Posted by Rosiemac

Look at that sweet face!

I could kiss her sweet little nose

Is that the kitten that was lying on her back in the video waving her arms and legs in the air and they were all moving around her?

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haha. yup. She's also the kitten that just figured out how to climb over the new barrier. so i think i might as well take it down

IMHO if she is attached to you and vice versa, and there's no one standing over you with a gun saying you ABSOLUTELY CANNOT have another cat, and if you can afford to I'd say "Keep her, yes!"

Ya know, JT, give it up, man! Don't fight the feeling!

It really is obvious that you are TOTALLY in love with this kitten ... and I think you may pine for her if she goes to a new home.

Originally Posted by AddieBee

I think you may pine for her if she goes to a new home.

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If you tell her now that she's home you can bond with her even more........if that's possible?

Oh isn't she so cute

I vote keep her. 3 is a good # IMHO. She is a doll.