Thursday, January 30, 2014

Soon.

In just a couple of weeks, it will be a year since Miss Wylla Stout and her siblings moved in, and everything changed for us. For those new to the blog, Wylla's brother, Filbert, had a deadly virus called panleukopenia.   Sadly, we lost him, but thankfully his sisters didn't contract it. This virus in highly contagious and hard to kill once it enters the home, and it's the reason why we've been taking a break from fostering.  You can read the full story of what exactly went down HERE.

As much as we've missed having litters around, the break has been good. It gave us a chance to do a deep clean and hopefully rid ourselves of the horrible virus. It gave us time to focus on Wylla and her health and learn to manage her condition, which was quite consuming at times.  It gave me some time to get the book written.  Also, it was good to have a break from the worry and work that accompanies fostering.

The year has been very full and I don't think we could have possibly fit litters of kittens into our lives without one area suffering.   

We had planned to get a kitten quarantine room built in the basement before we fostered again, but as you homeowners out there know, there are always oodles of projects to complete, and they have to happen in a certain in order. To even begin the kitten room, we had to tackle some big things first.   

It's still going to be a while before the room is done, but we're planning on bringing in kittens before then - we just need to figure out where we are going to keep them during the quarantine period.  We don't want to keep them in the former guest room/ kitten room, so we need to do some rearranging on the main floor.   And we have to figure out how it's all going to work with Wylla. Charlene, of course, will greet the new babies with open arms, but I'm not sure how Wylla may react.     

There's lots to figure out, but will sort it out soon, so we shouldn't be kitten-less too much longer. 

Thanks for staying tuned through all of this! I know we've changed our plans a few times - we're just trying to do what best for us, Bean and Wylla, and future litters.  Thanks for your understanding and patience.  

Soon, we'll have a puddle of these to ooh and ahh over once again. 

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45 comments:

  1. Oh, I've been hoping! Thanks for the update. Very exciting!

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  2. Oh, Laurie, don't thank us! We thank you for all the posts, all the cute, all the pictures and all the love! I can't wait for new litters, but for now Bean and Wylla provide more than enough cute for us to live by!

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  3. Yes, thanks for the update! Great news! I'm curious to see how Wylla reacts too ... maybe she'll be excited, because she'll no longer be the youngest and now has a position of leadership. ;)

    Also: lamby Lamms!! ♥♥♥♥ (a heart for each kitty)

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    1. lamby Lamms!!!!! :D

      ditto the ♥♥♥♥!

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  4. considering she tends to roll with everything, we bet Wylla will be a great older foster-sister :)

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  5. Yay! I think because you've been so vigilant about introducing Wylla to new environments, she's become quite unflappable to things. She would probably do just fine with a litter.

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  6. It's been so nice to get a little peak into your lovely home with just the girls over the past several months and too see Wylla grow and thrive, but, YAAAYYY KITTENS!!!!

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  7. So glad there will be little ones soon. My own fosters have left my nest and I'm missing the little ones already.

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  8. Wonderful! And the year off from fostering you've taken has not gone unwasted -- look at beautiful, healthier Wylla and how much joy she's brought us all (along with Charlene, of course)!

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  9. Oh I"m so glad! My own fosters have left the nest and I miss the babies already.

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  10. I'm so happy to hear all this, and only partly because of the prospect of new foster babies.

    If you're gearing up to foster again, it means the quarantine time is up, you've gotten a chance to take care of some things, and Wylla's health is much more stable than it was - all great stuff.

    I know you love fostering, and we love getting to see all that, but we're all better for a sabbatical now and again.

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  11. How wonderful! I've enjoyed all of your posts over the last year, but there's nothing in this world like a batch of kittens!

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  12. First I got a little teary over Filbert. But what sealed the deal on it was seeing my baby Zoubisou hugging her bro again. Dang it, Laurie! I have the REAL cat right here and I'm all in a mess because of her tiny kitten picture! Ack.I'm going to go run and kiss her nose right now! I can't wait for more kittens! Yay! *sniff*

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    1. Zoubie is beeeeauuutiful. :) Please tell her we say hi! ♥

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    2. Kiss her for me, too -- she's one of my most favorite Itty Bitties ever! I am still envious that you get to share your home with her!

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    3. Thanks to Laurie's great foster care! Zoubi hugs my husband at night - all night. Baxter trained her well! I will go kiss her for you right now!

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    4. The Lamms are the most expertest sleepers EVER!

      kisses to Zoubi <3

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  13. Laurie, I started following the blog a few years ago because of all the kittens, but I have to say that it has been just as wonderful and entertaining these last months just hearing about Charlene and Wylla. We've gotten to know both of them so well! And as a former kitty foster mom myself, it does my heart so much good to see how far Wylla has come after her shaky beginning. I love your blog because it's about YOU and your huge heart. :)
    Patricia in Washington, D.C.

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  14. I know they will be worth the wait no matter how long it takes!!

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  15. Thanks for the update. I hope it all works out. The blog has been lonely without new kittens, but you've done a wonderful job of keeping your blog interesting with pictures and updates. Thank you for all you've done.

    I understand about wanting to see how Wylla does with kittens. I thought my cats would accept a new edition last year. Instead about Christmas one of them bit the new girl so hard she needed to visit the vet. Thankfully he knew someone looking for a kitty like her and she's much much happier now being an only cat. She's making up for lost time of being the center of attention and ruling her home. Sometimes, the Universe really does come through in a big way.

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  16. Thanks for the fostering update. Yes, house projects tend to take on a life of their own. Yes we have missed the kittens. But what we got this year was lovely. The chance to see how a kitten grows up. A chance to see Wylla thrive. A chance to get to know her and Beanie much better!

    While I adore the fosters, I do hope they will not limit Wylla's travels. Watching her bop around your local stores is most fun!

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  17. More itty bitties! Yay! Looking forward to hearing about them. And so glad you have been able to share Wylla's first year with us too.

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  18. You know, if you need a little financial help getting the room set up, don't be afraid to ask us. We'll gladly pitch in for a chance to see KITTEN PICTURES.

    Though I also have to say, you've managed to make a whole year very entertaining with just two kitties.

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  19. Happy, Happy, Happy! The thought of new kittens makes me so happy!

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  20. Oh my goodness, been waiting for this update while loving the fun Wylla and Bean adventures. So exciting! The girls will be amazing big sisters. :) Don't be afraid to ask for help.

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  21. Safety first!! I'll be waiting... All the best wishes for whatever plans you have or make! God bless your efforts!

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  22. Of course we all want to see some babies again and no one tells better stories or takes better pictures than you. But, I know it must be an awful lot of work and you must make many sacrifices. I will remember that you and your family don't foster just to entertain us, but do it first and foremost to provide a good start for another person's gift of a lifetime feline companion. God bless you.

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  23. I would keep reading this blog even if you cut back to 1 stepping-out-with-Wylla/Charlene floof post per month. The ITBC is like a concentrated vitamin of optimism and love.

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  24. Congrats on the soon to come new litter of fosters. I know things have been hard, but you have shown so much love and compassion to all the little souls you have fostered. It's such a hard and important job. It is a pleasure to share that journey with you. The Wee One will be just fine. She's such a sweet little girl. Much love to all of you. :) Rae

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  25. I wondered earlier in the week when you might start fostering again, so this is timely. I didn't realize it had been a year since Wylla first came along and stole all our hearts with her floofy calico cuteness. Time flies! I've loved watching her grow, and Stepping Out with Wylla Stout is a favorite of mine. Can't get enough of Bean, though. Love that gorgeous girl!

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  26. I think Wylla will take her cue from Charlene as to how to react to the new kittens. And, she knows she'll always be the one to sit on Daddy's shoulders and take vertical naps while being held by you. All will be just fine.

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  27. YAY!

    Laurie, you have made my week!

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  28. I too love kitties, but please take your time - it is hard work and you already have done and are doing sooooooo much! I am sure we all out there can wait a little longer until you and the girls get confortably settled before bringing in again tinee tynee kitteees.

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  29. Oh, my dooodness gracious, are they ever ever cuttteepies.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today is Chinese New Year, Year of the Wooden Horse, may you and your hubs have a spectacular year for all your caring of the wee ones..If others could open their hearts and homes to the wee ones, many kitteh cats could be saved and adored and fancied over, I type this as my two are sleeping, my kitteh cats..My hubs was not a kitty lover, they adore him and he always watches for our wild boy who goes out briefly to run back to head butt the hubs and sit in his lap and purr like nobody's business..He is sooooo cute, black and a tad touch of white on his chest, he acts like a puppy, fetching his many odd shaped fruit toys that sometimes squeak, he is affectionate and loving..Our other kitteh cat Miss Cody is from our only child she is the biggest short hair kitteh cats, but really a marshamellow on the inside, she hates Mr. Miyagi preferring to be the serene queen she thinks she is, we treat her well and lavish her with affection, she has her many places to perch and reside, getting older she stays in side mostly but when she does run outside she goes with me to the mailbox and I pick her up for the mail lady to admire and pet her and fawn all over her and sometimes she gives her a bag of treats.oh, my goodness..she is not afraid of dogs, but I am so inside she goes because I am not digging on getting bitten and sometimes the puppies are too exuburiant and bite my ankles and I hate it, but I never say anything, but the puppies I am sure can smell my fear so I just go inside with my queen Miss Cody, she calms me right down..keep up your efforts to help the wee ones, Wylla is precious and Bean well you had me at the pictures of Bean as a babydoll, ciao

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  30. I suspect you know this already, but Charlene's behavior toward the itty bitties may be different now that she's had a year away from any kittens other than her sister. She's also an older cat now. Chances are that she will be the same with your fosters, but you never know with cats!

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    1. I suspect Charlene will be just fine. She will probably love to have someone who will let her groom them, unlike Wylla, who is a Big Girl now... :-)

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  31. Thanks for updating us. I have been following you for several years, and you are a wonderful blogger (and a master kitten wrangler!). Just follow your instincts, don't commit to anything until you are ready, and all will be fine.

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  32. Wylla will adapt well. She is young, and has Charlene to teach her. You take your time, we will be right here oogling over Bean and Wylla. We aren't going anywhere.

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  33. I can't wait, but can only commend you on your devotion to safety first for the kitties! And for your wonderful care of Wylla.

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  34. That's so great. You do a wonderful job as a foster family. I can't wait to see any new kittens. Your blog is such a joy.

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