Who Are These Pettibones?

Last week I was popped into the HS foster room to see what was happening. I spied a glorious set of six kittens piled up, waiting for a foster family. We still had several of the Picketts with us at this time, so I knew they couldn't come home with me that day. BUT, if they were still there when it was time for more kittens,,, hmmm,,, maybe.

I dropped into the HS again last Thursday, and there they were. They all rushed over when I came up to their cage and reached their paws through the bars. "Take us home pleeeeeeeeeeeaaaase," they cried. I asked Traci to put a hold on the babes while I went home to prepare their house and I returned that afternoon with Sue, to pick them up.

We brought the kittens into the house and released them in our guest bedroom. I swear the second they stepped out of their carrier, it was like they had always lived there. They were comfortable, happy and purring like crazy. There were no frightened moments, big eyes, bottle brush tails or hiding behind anything. It was truly remarkable because usually with kittens as old as they are ( 6 - 7 weeks) and especially after living in a cage at the HS for 10 days, you would expect to have to spend some time socializing them. Not these babes.

With in minutes, they were climbing all over us, demanding pets and scratches, giving buddy bumps, and purr, purr, purring.

These kittens are spectacular. They exude love, every single one of them. They are radiant.

On top of it all, have you ever seen a more beautiful and diverse litter? If ever there was a litter of true kitten perfection, this is it.

This is no exaggeration, everyone else who has met them will tell you how special they are. After reading all the comments you left after their introductions, I can tell you can see it too.

So with that said,, we do need to find homes ( and I mean VERY good homes) for these sweet things. Because there's an even number, we want to send them out in pairs. So if you are worthy of their love, please send us an email.

Bye Bye Twyla

On Saturday, sweet little Twyla, last of the Pickett pack, went home with her new mom. As I mentioned before, she'll be living in a fabulous home, getting lots of love and she'll have a new big brother too! He's a big floppy ragdoll who sounds as sweet as can be.

We miss her, for sure, but Charlene is feeling the loss most of all. Having a kitten all to herself for a whole week was a thrill for Charlene. The two of them became quite close. They spent nearly every moment together.

Charlene was a little mopey yesterday. She managed to get caught up on her sleep, which is good, because there are six kittens that are very anxious to meet her. She'll need to be in tip-top form to keep up with them.


Farewell sweet Twyla, be a good little girl. Be patient while you're big brother gets used to having you around. Please remind your mama to take lots of pictures and send them our way.

Pretty Boy

This lovely little flame-point is Mr. Virgil Pettibone. Oh, those eyes....those eyes....

Two Buff Brothers: Alvie and Carmine

There's not just one,, but two beautiful buff boys in this batch ! It's tricky to tell them apart, but I think I've got it down now. Alvie Pettibone is on top. His chin is a little more pointed. Carmine Pettibone is on the bottom. His head is a little rounder and wider.

Introducing....Agnes Pettibone

She's a delicate dilute tortie with many purrs to give.

Sweet Talkin' Renatta Pettibone

Tiny little Renatta always gives you a sweet little hello squeak when she walks your way. She's a living doll.

Now Who Might You Be???

It's Rosalie Pettibone! She moved into our house last night and she brought a few friends. In time, you will meet them as well.

Please Clarify

I'm a little confused. Which surfaces are OK to be on? You seem to approve of the couch and chairs in the living room. And the bed is ok if I don't hang from the bedspread by my toenails. The dining room chairs are ok, but not the dining room table. I saw Charlene jump on the kitchen counter and I know that is SO not cool,, but she can jump on the bathroom counter to get a drink?

Now, is this lamp table off limits? It seems like it should be,, but you let me stay here for a good minute while you got your camera and took a dozen pictures of me sitting here. THEN you picked me up and put me on the floor. Please clarify, is it Ok or isn't it.

I'm having a hard time with what is and isn't a cat toy too. Maybe you could explain that one as well.

I am trying to good, I swear, but you humans and your inconsistent rules make it very difficult at times.

All the Pickett Kittens

Oh Come on, Twyla...

... do they really smell THAT bad?

Picketts on Parade!

Craig was sweet enough to make this movie for all of you. There's music, so if you're in the office,, you might want to turn it down a bit. (Unless you think everyone may enjoy a little John Coltrane). The movie is about five minutes long and there are 1300 Pickett images along with a few of Nate and Tate ( the jumping orange boys) and a couple human members of the IBKC. Enjoy ! THANKS CRAIG !!

Good News, Everybody !

I know you all will be thrilled to know that Twyla has found herself a home!

I was contacted by a very nice gal who saw the Evening Magazine feature. She was quite smitten with Miss Twyla just from the footage and photos. Upon meeting her, she fell madly in love.

Twyla will have a brother who's a 8 year old ragdoll with the temperament, as his mom describes, of a surfer dude. She'll be living on a greenbelt with lots of critters to watch through the windows.

She will be staying with us until next weekend while her new family prepares for her arrival. It's all working out quite nicely. Twyla will have a week to get used to being a single kitten with a big cat here with Charlene, then she'll move into her new house, which will be a similar scenario. It should be an easy transition our little girl.

Charlene Doesn't Like to Share

Are you almost done in there?

Come on Charlene, it's my turn now.

Mom,,Charlene won't share the tent with me.

Fine, whatever,, it's all yours now.

This isn't exactly what I had in mind.

You're a Good Friend, Charlene Butterbean

Now that her siblings are gone, you can tell Twyla is a tad lonely. Every once in a while she'll drop what she's doing and go looking for them. It's pretty heart wrenching when she returns unsuccessful.

Charlene has been a constant companion to Twyla today. I am so proud of my little Butterbean, she's being such a good friend to her. I could be reading too much into her gestures, but it really seems she understands Twyla needs her right now.

Parting Ways with Two More Picketts

Ruth Anne's surgery went just fine. She actually got booted out of the recovery area early because she wouldn't stop crying and she was driving the staff crazy. That's Ruth Anne... she's a crier.

This morning we will say good bye to Lovell and Ruth Anne. I am so happy they are going together. They really are quite close, and they have been from the earliest of days.

Lovell and Ruth Anne were the first kittens to be picked from the Pickett litter, so their parents have had lots of time to prepare for their arrival. It sounds like the kitties will be living in the lap of luxury with all the latest and greatest kitty toys and gadgets.

Lovell is the sweetest trouble maker you'll ever meet and Ruth Anne is the biggest tiny kitten in the world . They are going to bring tremendous amounts of joy and laughter to their new home. They are a very special pair and we will miss them dearly.

Good bye sweet kitties, please keep in touch and please be good.

He's Got a Thing for Older Women...

...which is fine because Charlene has a thing for younger men.

You're Next, Ruth Anne

This morning little Ruth Anne checked into the HS vet for her itty bitty "procedure". She didn't get to eat breakfast today, which is probably stressing her out more that the fact that she's in a unfamiliar place with really strange smells and sounds. I'm sure she's fine, and as soon as she's back home she'll forget it even happened.

If all goes well, which it will, she'll be packing her bags and moving out this weekend.

She's not going alone, though. Big brother and wrestling partner, Lovell, will be joining her. More details on that this weekend...

Precious Mr Pickett

No More Nadine...and Bye Bye Beulah Mae !

Charlene heard the kitties crying from their bedroom this morning and decided she needed to wake me up. I went downstairs, prepared breakfast and put it into four kitten-sized dishes. When I opened the door to their bedroom, only three kitties came racing out. I waited for a moment, then looked behind the door for the missing babe. Oh, duh. Of course there are only three, Nadine doesn't live here anymore !





Yes, Nadine left the nest, but she didn't fly solo. She was the lucky kitty who found a home along with Mama Cat, Belulah Mae! They have a wonderful new mom who is so thrilled to have them. There's a vet in the family too, so in addition to all the love they will receive, they will be provided with premium health care as well.



I am especially thrilled for Beulah Mae. I know it hasn't been easy for her. Her world has been pretty small and I know she's excited to stretch her legs, explore her new surroundings and get started on her new life.

So long lovely lady Picketts. You will be missed!!

Lights, Camera, Picketts !!!

As some of you have heard (and maybe seen)the IBKC had a couple of visitors last week. Our local NBC station, King 5 stopped by to film a little segment on the blog and kitties for Evening Magazine.

The news was exciting at first, but then as it got closer to the shoot, the reality of it all set in, and the excitement turned to nervousness.

The Picketts can be real 'fraidy cats at times. Often big things or big noises will send them scattering. I feared most of the footage shot that morning would be of me, trying to fish a kitten out from behind the sofa with a feather wand. Fortunately, the kittens proved me wrong.

The Picketts were right in the middle of their post-breakfast rumble when the crew arrived. The timing couldn't of been better. They were too busy to be scared, so they just played and played while the camera man set up all the lights and camera and started filming their antics. They were bouncing all over the place, chasing their toys, wrestling, and pouncing on each other. I don't think they could of been cuter if they tried.



Charlene was tucked away upstairs. She's loving to the kitties, but she doesn't always take kindly to strangers. I didn't want the camera man to capture her taking any swipes at the reporter on film, so she stayed upstairs until things were winding down, then I let her join us.

She sauntered into the middle of the living room and rolled on her back, all four paws up. She paused for a moment, stretched, then rolled onto her side. Lovell dropped what he was doing and ran over to her. She flung her arm over him and pinned him down for bath. Next, Twyla joined them and it turned into a cleaning, purring fest. The reported shouted "mic the cat!", so they did. They only recorded a few purrs before Charlene decided to take a bite out of the microphone. It looked like a cat toy,, tiny plastic thing on the end of a cord,,any cat could make such a mistake.

I have to say, Charlene really stole the show. I was hoping that this touching, funny, moment would of made it into the segment, but these fifteen minutes of fame belonged to the kittens, not her.

The timing of the feature is really good. The Humane Society is bursting with kittens right now. Hopefully this exposure will inspire some others to try fostering.

If you didn't happen to catch it live, you can see the Evening Magazine segment here.

Kitty Profile: Twyla Pickett

Name: Twyla Pickett
Nickname: They usually just call me Twyla or "Hi Beautiful"
Describe yourself in 20 words or less: I am a sweet, well poised and graceful little girl.
Favorite toy: Today it's my crinkly mylar ball. Yesterday it was a grocery store receipt. The day before that it was a shoelace. I just work with what I've got.
Dislikes: Bunny kicks to the belly delivered by brother Lovell or chomps to my tail from Ruth Anne. I have no issues with Nadine. She's my best friend.
Dream-home: I could go just about anywhere as long as they are serving heaping helpings of love. I would prefer a kitty playmate, but if it's just humans in your house, and you have enough time to keep me entertained, I'd be OK with that.
An interesting fact about me If I give you the famous Twyla head tilt and gaze, I can make you do whatever I want. Let's give it a try.... OK, ready? Now fall in love with me. See! It works!!
Why should you adopt me? Well,,, if you have to ask... just take a good look at me! Have you ever seen so much loveliness stuffed into a two and a half pound package? If you promise to adore me forever, I'll vow to do the same to you. I'm a very faithful friend.

Any interested parties, who can offer this kitten a lifetime of love, please send us an email !

Shaved Bellies and All

Beulah Mae went with three of her babes (Lovell, Nadine and Twyla) to the Humane Society vet to have their itty bitty bits removed on Friday. Everyone returned that afternoon with their shaved bellies and stitches, feeling a little groggy and very hungry. After dinner, they took a good, long nap, and woke up with their batteries fully recharged. It was like the surgery never happend.

I did my best to discourage any bouncing, leaping, climbing or wrestling and removed any toy that could possibly over stimulate them. It's REALLY hard to keep a kitten still. Actually, it's impossible. Unless, of course, they are napping.







Ruth Anne will be going in this week for her surgery, then officially, everyone will be ready to move on to their new homes. It's hard to believe it's that time again. These kittens grew so fast!

Soooooo.... I suppose you are wondering who's going where and with who. I will announce that this week as they leave our nest. I will tell you that there is still one kitty that is looking for a home. Yes, darling Twyla is still available.

Are You My Kitty's Daddy?

The kitties would like to wish their daddies a happy fathers' day. Of course, we have no idea who they are, but still, they wanted to put the message out there.

Dad(s), your babies are doing well and growing into fine, well-mannered kittens (although we do worry about Lovell from time to time). Belulah has done a remarkable job raising them as a single mother. She wanted to remind you that you are 9 weeks behind on your child support payments.







I would like to wish my own dear-old-dad a happy fathers day, too. Big smooches and hugs to you, Dad. I love you !!