I'm insane!!!

Yeahhhhh kitties!!

Congrats on the new additions!!!

Im not a follower of the intro rules and Gigi is a Queen B when her world is turned upside down. After a few days of hissing and stalking away from Ramsie and Bacon in a huff all is well. Gigi and Bacon sleep together on the bed and couch, she plays all the time with Ramsie and is a happy Queen again. One thing I did that seemed to help the transition along was bath everyone in the same day. I know not every does baths but mine were due for their winter bath so everyone got one and they all bonded at the base of the wood stove while drying off and grooming themselves. Except Herc...he gets a good brushing after his baths.

Two years ago, I had six kittens here from a stray I took in. I never laughed so hard in my life.

And laying on the floor and letting them crawl all over you....well there is nothing else in the world that can lift the spirits like that!!!

Lucky you. Can't wait to see the pics!

I'm having some anxiety about my decision.

1. Abby's reaction

2. Three cats instead of 2 cats or even 1. When it was just Chynna and Abby, they kept to themselves and didn't interact with each other unless Chynna was stalking Abby. So both were constantly vying for my attention, and I was hard pressed to give 2 cats enough loving....now I'm going to have 3 of them... 2 of them kittens...highly demanding.

I'm worried that I may be making the wrong decision. And I know me, once those 2 little ones are here, the commitment is life long. I'd never turn around and send them back, no matter what!!

I'm so confused

I think it worked that way because it was meant to.

We recently moved from 2 to 3 cats because Sybil was simply to energetic for Freya and was driving her up the wall and it' working great. the younger two keep each other busy and Freya watches them with a look that says she thinks they're nuts.

In your case, 3 might actually be easier than two, especially with 2 to keep each other company. Chances are that the kittens will amuse each other and let Abby have time to love on you undisturbed.

I am so incredibly excited for you and these babies!!

It is normal to be a little anxious about it all working out, but take your time, make sure Abby gets a ton of attention, treats, etc and yes, the kittens will keep each other occupied. It'll all work out.

How wonderful! I'm so happy for you!

You need to stay away from the vet......remember that's how Mollipop came to live with us! There we were at the vet with BooBoo, minding our own business and I heard that famous sentence: Would you like to see the kittens? And the rest is history.

When Whisper had her five kittens (they were born in a clothes basket in our bedroom almost 15 years ago), it was truly an incredible experience for us. Watching those guys grow and mature was wonderful. We used to sit in the living room at night and just watch them play....who needed tv when there were kittens in the house!

And yes, it was a bit stressful, too, but we loved having those babies with us. There probably will be times when you're going to wonder "What on earth was I thinking??!" But you're going to love having those babies.

I can't wait to see pictures of Abby's new siblings! Lot of that everybody gets along well.

Congratulations on your new babies! Have you picked out names yet? Can't wait to see pics!

Don't worry. You'll be surprised how well things could end up working out.

I've got 4. 2 are adults and 2 are kittens and they all just kind of went thru the paces of learning their place and learning about each other. Its hard sometimes making sure everyone gets enough attention but at the same time they have each other and don't lack love or attention. Hercules actually ends up being the one mostly left to himself because he's a loner and likes to be by himself in his spots. Our munsters actually divvyed up into pairs and its funny because my low rider kitties (herc and bacon) team off together and my long legged ladies go off together. But herc and gigi are close and bacon and ramsie are close. They all mesh very well together.

Having the 2 kittens together may actually be better for abby rather than one. They will have each other to romp around with and will probably let abby alone but at the same time if they both want to play that's 2 kittens trying to play with abby. Maybe her inner kitten will come out and she will love her new siblings.

That anxiety is completely normal. Linda, I don't think this was a decision you forced. You asked - you might not have fallen in love with the kitty they brought out, you know? Things have a way of working they way they're supposed to. The timing is right. Trust the process. You were adopted - and you're not only rescuing kitties, you're rescuing them together. I cannot tell you just how heart breaking it is to have to separate a bonded pair. What you are doing is just a blessing for these babies.

Do read up on intros (PM me, please feel free!). And do invest in some vertical space.

They will drive you nuts at times, no two ways around it - they're babies. BUT - that's also the best possibility for Abby having the least negative reaction.

I'd start explaining to Abby right now that she's going to have a little brother and sister. She doesn't have to like them, and it's not going to change your relationship one iota. She'll get MORE love, and MORE attention, and they'll have each other to play with. But they need homes, just like she did once.

Is your bathroom large enough to confine them for a little while? I would not use your bedroom, as you and Abby snuggle there.

Start thinking about where you can keep them separate for a little while. I know you've had to lay out a lot of expenses - and those multi-level cat rescue crates/castles are expensive. But for your peace of mind and Abby's, it may be worth spending the money if you have any on a credit card or something, so they have a place where Abby can get used to them but they're confined if your apartment isn't set up well for separating them.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Finding-the-...e-for-Your-Cat This link has great cages and where they're available (though Canada may be an issue if you decide to do something like this). There's one that looks large with multi-levels and doesn't cost an arm and a leg..... (And though you'd take a hit on it, you could sell it used or donate it to a shelter for a tax deduction).

Congrats!!
I agree with everyone else's posts..
3 has worked out for me to be wayyy better than 2. Mostly because Hestia is a loner and now that we have Solomon, Kuan Yin isn't taking out her extra play energy on her and those two pair up and Hestia can get some quiet time for loving and relaxing.
I also say the anxiety is normal. Actually, I'd be a little worried if you weren't anxious. It means you're fully aware of the responsibility and you want what's best for your baby.
When I found Solomon I really thought I had lost my mind in falling in love and trusting that gut feeling that he was mine and he needed to come home with me ASAP. I have a lot of animals to begin with when you count my ferrets so I even started questioning if I was one of those insane hoarders or something to even be thinking of making another addition. But then I realized all my babies have all their needs met and more and I also have more than enough time for all of them in my life. When I realized he was loaded with parasites I REALLY started thinking 'omg what have i done? what if my other babies get sick because of my stupid decision?'. It wasn't smooth going and perfect at first and there were a few hiccups with some lies about his health history (and you're not even going to have to worry about that kind of stuff!!) but when it was all said and done?? One of the best decisions I ever made!!! I cannot imagine our home without him. Even Hestia is starting to come out of her shell and play a bit with him around now because he's just so darn social and loving.
When I was a teenager we rescued a litter of six kittens that a young stray mother abandoned. Oh, yes, it was stressful and maybe we didn't get very much sleep for a while there but it was also one of the most memorable experiences of my life...You are going to be fine!!!
You seem well aware that maybe not every second is going to be roses and sunshine and that's important to be realistic..but also don't forget to give yourself some credit too!! You can handle this and you have a huge support system here you can lean on too

I am so excited for you, Linda! I tend to agree that you are making this easier by adopting 2 kittens. They'll play with each other and not torment Abby as much. that it's less stressful than you are expecting!

Congrats on adopting two new baby kits. I hope Abby and the new siblings will get along just fine altho I know it takes time and patience.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

I'm having some anxiety about my decision.

1. Abby's reaction

2. Three cats instead of 2 cats or even 1. When it was just Chynna and Abby, they kept to themselves and didn't interact with each other unless Chynna was stalking Abby. So both were constantly vying for my attention, and I was hard pressed to give 2 cats enough loving....now I'm going to have 3 of them... 2 of them kittens...highly demanding.

I'm worried that I may be making the wrong decision. And I know me, once those 2 little ones are here, the commitment is life long. I'd never turn around and send them back, no matter what!!

I'm so confused

Click to expand...

Maybe it won't be so bad, maybe Abby will like them. Or if she doesn't hopefully they'll just play with each other, and keep each other busy, and not bother Abby to much.

Originally Posted by Ms. Freya

In your case, 3 might actually be easier than two, especially with 2 to keep each other company. Chances are that the kittens will amuse each other and let Abby have time to love on you undisturbed.

Click to expand...

Exactly! That's how it is with my 3 kitties. Kojak and Isabella play with each other and keep each other company, and they typically leave Velvet (who is a good deal older) alone. Never had an issue. I think three is better than two sometimes when there are older/younger kitties in the picture. The younger two will amuse each other and leave the older kitty alone in most cases.

I didn't get a chance to see them when I was at the vets today picking up Abby. I had a taxi waiting with the meter running.

They told me today that the kittens are between 5 and 6 months old....they don't look like it. They got the Mom and kittens in October and said that the kittens were already about 8 weeks old.

I asked them about spaying/neutering before I picked them up on Thursday, and was initially told that they were too young and it had to wait for them to be 6 months, which was in 2 months. But the office manager was there today and shed a new light on their ages.

However, I'm no expert on cat ages, but I know how big Abby was when she came to live with me at 12 weeks old, and the little girl I held wasn't any bigger than Abby was. So I can't believe that she's 6 months old.

Anyway, they are going to let me know tomorrow or Monday if they can spay/neuter them before I pick them up. I hope they can because I told them that I do not want to take the chance that I'm going to end up with a pregnant cat!! And that it will be difficult to bring them back when I'm trying to do introductions. I told them I'd rather it just be done now and then I don't have to worry about anything other than intros.

I settled on names. She just looks like "Katie" and while I've only seen a picture of the little guy, his name is going to be "Spencer"

So.....

Spencer and Katie

So much for having second thoughts!

Congrats, they will have such a great home with you. You are doing the right thing!

Originally Posted by LDG

That anxiety is completely normal. Linda, I don't think this was a decision you forced. You asked - you might not have fallen in love with the kitty they brought out, you know? Things have a way of working they way they're supposed to. The timing is right. Trust the process. You were adopted - and you're not only rescuing kitties, you're rescuing them together. I cannot tell you just how heart breaking it is to have to separate a bonded pair. What you are doing is just a blessing for these babies.

Do read up on intros (PM me, please feel free!). And do invest in some vertical space.

They will drive you nuts at times, no two ways around it - they're babies. BUT - that's also the best possibility for Abby having the least negative reaction.

I'd start explaining to Abby right now that she's going to have a little brother and sister. She doesn't have to like them, and it's not going to change your relationship one iota. She'll get MORE love, and MORE attention, and they'll have each other to play with. But they need homes, just like she did once.

Is your bathroom large enough to confine them for a little while? I would not use your bedroom, as you and Abby snuggle there.

Start thinking about where you can keep them separate for a little while. I know you've had to lay out a lot of expenses - and those multi-level cat rescue crates/castles are expensive. But for your peace of mind and Abby's, it may be worth spending the money if you have any on a credit card or something, so they have a place where Abby can get used to them but they're confined if your apartment isn't set up well for separating them.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Finding-the-...e-for-Your-Cat This link has great cages and where they're available (though Canada may be an issue if you decide to do something like this). There's one that looks large with multi-levels and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.....

(And though you'd take a hit on it, you could sell it used or donate it to a shelter for a tax deduction).

Click to expand...

Could have almost written it myself.

Congratulations Linda, and I agree, it was meant to be, and jitters and "what was I thinking" are normal, but I do believe you have been Chosen.

Put in a couple of feliway plug in diffusers to help Abby adjust.

The large dog crate I bought to integrate Queen Eva turned out to be a very good investment.

Can hardly wait to start reading your kitten stories!

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

So.....

Spencer and Katie

Click to expand...

Awwwwww!!! Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn!

Originally Posted by nanner

Awwwwww!!! Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn!

Click to expand...

That was my first thought too! Aww I love their names!

No you would be insane if you just wanted one single destruct-o kitten, two just makes sense
Congrats on the new additions.