A Big Dose of Darling

Happy Monday, everyone! Let's kick the week off with a big dose of Darling.

Vimeo.

The song is "Watch the Sunrise" by Big Star. (In memory Big Star's Alex Chilton, who passed away last week)

OH, Baby!

The Spooners our very social little kittens and they're happy to meet anyone who comes into our home. The other day, they got to meet their very fist baby, Ellis. He came over with Mama Jennifer and big sister, Opal.

Ellis LOVED the kittens and they were very calm and sweet around him.









This may explain why he's such a natural with kittens... he was exposed to them at a very early age. Here he is (in Mama's belly) visiting with Francine Darling.

I'm Sorry Francine, Are We Keeping You Up?

All Dressed Up and Ready to Go!

Right before their adopters arrived, the girls slipped into their new collars and tags. All of a sudden, they looked quite grown up.

I guess they kind of are. Our babies are barely babies anymore. When you see them everyday, you don't always notice they're getting bigger.

After they left, I scrolled back through the blog (a little trip down memory lane) to their very first days. They we're quite tiny when they came to us. You can see in their eyes they were a wee bit scared too. Then I scrolled forward through the blog and watched them blossom again.

What beautiful kitties they are.

A Round of Goodbye Kisses

Lucinda has left too. But before she did, she said goodbye to all of her Darling sisters.

And then off she went with a very handsome boy kitty.

Who got his share of lovin' before he left too.



Sort of.

Francine Throws Her Weight Around

All two pounds of it.

Is it Safe to Come Out Yet?

It was a loud, long day, but everyone survived the 4th. In addition to the ka-booms from the fireworks show at night, there was a lot of noise from the airshow during the day. Both kittens and big cats did a lot of diving behind and under furniture all day long.

They were frightened, but not completely freaked out.

And Hubie and Lucinda did great on Friday. Their surgeries went just fine. They were a little bit out of it when I picked them up, but by the time we got home, all was well. They ate dinner then zipped about the house like nothing even happened.

Selma, Francine and Rhoda will hopefully go in this week, then yes we'll start saying goodbye. ALMOST everyone is spoken for...

Teeny Tiny Tongues

No More Pussy-Footing Around!

When I decided to do this little fundraiser for our Humane Society, I knew I would have your support, but had no idea we would raise so much so fast. I guess never expected that people would be donating more than once, let alone two,three or four times. I know I've said it before, but thank you, thank you, thank you. I've got word from some of the higher-ups down the HS that they are quite impressed with your support too, and they thank you as well.

We've got some SERIOUS momentum going, and with 23 days left before the Dog-A-Thon, I think it's safe to raise our goal to 15 squillion. Gulp. Yes. 15 squillion.

We've had about 275 donations so far, which is so awesome, but with nearly 130,000 visiting the site in the past 30 days, that's just a drop in the bucket.

So to you remaining 129,725 people, please say hello to Selma and Francine.





They're just wondering when they'll be hearing from you.



To make a donation on-line, please click here.

To read a little bit more about the Dog-A-Thon, The Humane Society's walk for homeless pets, please click here.

And don't forget, one of you lucky folks who donates will receive a complete set of all the IBKC cards ever printed and will get to name one of our kittens too! More on that here.

Twice is Nice

I've noticed a handful of you making second (and third, even!) pledges. I just wanted to give an extra thank you to those folks.

Thank you. Thank you.

Honestly people, I know I keep saying it, but your support just means so much to me. When I look at that the tally,, and read all the comments,,it just gets me all weepy-eyed.

You're amazing. Thanks for being here. And thanks for caring SO much.

xo xo xo

Jennifer and Opal: Kitten Hypnotists

Jennifer and Opal cast some sort of spell on my kittens! Just moments ago they were rowdy,, now they're limp little noodles!

Kitten Curtain Hammock

Such smart kittens they are. They managed to create a little hammock out of our livingroom drapes!


That little triangle shaped shadow on the lower left side of the curtain is Rhoda's ear.

A Beautiful Mess

Hey there Francine, you've got something on your chin. I think it's your lunch.

Surrounded by Girls

Hubie Darling, the ladies love you.

Action, Darlings!

FIRST of all, THANK YOU my dear, sweet, kitty-loving friends! Thanks to YOU, our little fund-raising campaign for the Humane Society's walk for homeless animals is off to a most excellent start. I never expected so many donations to roll in on the first day! YOU ALL MAKE MY HEART SWELL! Thank you SO much for your generosity!! You are the best! :)

Now on to the kitties...

It's been a week since the Darlings moved in. I have to say, they are doing REMARKABLY well. Everyone is eating, sleeping, and romping like they should. They are getting faster and more agile each day. Last week, their primary form of exercise was rolling around in their basket while chewing on each other. Now they chase and climb and are getting more interested in toys. Their wresting matches are getting more and more heated too.

Here are a few pics of Francine, Rhoda and Hubie in action. Go Darlings, GO!

Getting to Know These Darling Kittens

From top top bottom (or left to right):
Selma, Hubie, Rhoda, Francine, and Lucinda.

These little Darlings are about four or five weeks old, which is is a little younger than our last few litters. They are pretty tiny, and only weigh between 12 ounces and a pound.

Their mama was a feral cat, and they were brought into the Humane Society on Monday. They were just a tiny bit scared at first. Little Hubie and Lucinda would hiss if you moved in a little too close. Once you held them for a second,it would stop. By day two, the hissing stopped completely, and now you're greeted with a purr or cry hello instead.

They are super active. They've got speed, but not coordination. They are most interested in playing with each other right now, and spend lot of time wrestling and rolling around.

Their Darling little personalities are starting to shine already, and it's been a pleasure getting to know them.

So far this is what we've seen:

Francine: Big talker. She cries hello, pick me up, put me down, feed me, feed me, feed me, love me.

Selma: Always happy to see a human. She waddles right up to say hello and will climb up in your lap.

Hubie: Big kitten in a tiny body, super animated, purr, purr, purrsonality plus!

Rhoda: Run, run, Rhoda! Curious little thing. LOVES to wrestle. Purrs while eating. Once fell asleep in her food dish.

Lucinda: Sweet, sweet, sweet purring machine. Total cuddler.

It Truly is a Miracle I Get Anything Done

...when I am surrounded by kittens doing things like this.






They never, ever cease to amaze me.

I AM NOT A LOVEJOY!

I AM FRANCINE DARLING!!!

Thank you.