Friday 7 March 2008

A Little Story...

A couple of months ago a beautiful (not as beautiful as me) little tabby and white cat appeared in Meowmie J's street, she was such a friendly little thing, flirting with all that passed her by, headbutting complete strangers and then trotting along the path after them as they went on their way. She was so young too, small and fluffy like a 6-month kitten.

The pretty little cat then started hanging around Meowmie J's home alot, which was very brave of her as the person who lives above Meowmie J has a HUGE tom-cat called Thomas who fights with everything (successfully) and fiercely stands guard over his domain - which happens to be Meowmie J's garden! However, Thomas didn't seem to mind this little cat, he tolerated her being in the garden and never attacked her or hissed at her. Meowmie J and Meowmie L noticed that Thomas and the little cat looked very similar - both have extremely wide faces and both are tabby coloured with white patches. On the assumption that Thomas may be her father, the little cat became known as Thomasina (aren't my Beans original eh?).

Thomas watches Thomasina playing on his fence


Meowmie J tried not to encourage Thomasina as she is allergic to cats - and if she was going to have any cats in her house they would be me and Castle. However, from time to time Thomasina made a running gallop between Meowmie J's legs into the house as she let herself in and out, and would explore the house from top to bottom, seeking out cosy spaces. Meowmie J was sensible though and would put Thomasina outside again.

About a week ago Thomasina was pretty much spending most of her days hanging around Meowmie J's garden and the two neighbouring gardens, she even made herself a little den in a thorn bush to sleep in. The Meowmies were wondering what to do as she seemed homeless, but Meowmie L noticed that Thomasina appeared healthy, quite fat and nice and clean, so made the assumption that Thomasina must have a home somewhere nearby. Meowmie L told Meowmie J to just enjoy the visits and not to worry about her as she seemed pretty healthy and well fed.

Last night, Meowmie J returned home from work and was chatting away to her neighbour (Thomas the Tomcat's owner) when they heard meowing sounds coming from the bush in the garden. They both smiled and joked that it was Thomasina settling in for the night and carried on chatting. Then again, more meowing, this time a little louder. Meowmie J called out for Thomasina but she didn't come out of the bush! Oh no! Meowmie J become very concerned, Thomasina must be hurt, so she grabbed a torch and went over to the bush. Thomasina was lying on her side in a weird position, wide-eyed and confused, licking herself down by her rear legs!!! Maybe she had been knocked over by a car or something...but then Meowmie J heard some small squeaky sounds and Thomasina moved over to the side slightly and there was two kittens wriggling around underneath her!!!

What to do!? Meowmie L was summoned to help and so headed straight over (who can resist the lure of kittens eh?). Meowmie L didn't know what to do so called lovely Ben Vet to seek some advice, he said that they should make sure she had finished given birth, that she was comfy and safe with access to food then call the RSPCA to collect her and the babies if she was a stray.

Before any calls were made to rescue centres they decided to check with all the neighbours in the street to see if Thomasina lived nearby or whether she was indeed a stray. Thomas the Tomcat's mum headed in one direction and Meowmie J headed in the other whilst Meowmie L stood guard over Thomasina and her kittens. By now it was 8.30pm and dark and there was 3 tom-cats circling the garden and there was also the risk of foxes finding them! Thomas the Tomcat was also loitering around and seemed very curious as to what was going on in the Thorn Bush...Meowmie L sat by Thomasina and spoke softly to her, Thomasina mewled back and was licking herself in her Private Area and then another little kitten popped out! THREE kittens! Two tabby/white mixes and the last one being a little black kitten.

By now a few neighbours had gathered to see what was going on, they all knew Thomasina as she had also been visiting them too over the past few months! What a little flirt! Everyone had their own name for her....Baby, Little Lady, Fluffy...but it was looking bleak as no one could take her in because they already had cats or dogs or were allergic or in Meowmie L's case she couldn't risk bringing them into the house in case they had viruses cos of my weakened immune system. It seemed that the beautiful Thomasina and her babies were destined for the rescue centre...NO!

But then Meowmie J came skipping down the road - they had FOUND the owner!!! They lived 10 houses away. Thomasina wasn't a stray at all! The owner was so pleased we had found her and said she had been worrying all day as she hadn't seen her. The owner said that Thomasina was actually called China and was THREE years old and that this was her FOURTH litter! Everyone thought Thomasina/China was a kitten of 6 months she was so small! Weirder still, it turns out that little Thomasina's mum is a Maine Coon which is a HUGE cat!

The owner placed the three kittens in a box and then picked up Thomasina - and immediately said "Oh, I think she has some more kittens inside her - she still has hard lumps at her side". Thomasina struggled a little and the owner immediately placed her in the box with the kittens and took her home to monitor her, stating that she would take her to the 24hr Emergency Vet place once Thomasina had finished popping out kittens.

We don't really know why Thomasina adopted Meowmie J, and it now seems clear that the den she made in the bramble bush in the garden was to be her birthing nest - the only thing we can think of is something the owner said, she mentioned that she had a dog and we can only imagine that Thomasina didn't want to have the kittens anywhere near the dog. Or maybe Thomas the Tomcat was to blame for Thomasina's persistent presence in the garden...

So...as I write we have no idea how many kittens Thomasina gave birth to, but we hope to stop in at the weekend to visit Meowmie J's neighbour and see the new mother and her babies! The Meowmies had never seen kittens being born and they said it was very emotional and amazing to see new little lives entering the world...Welcome to the world little Baby Thomasinas - I finks you have many fans in the neighbourhhod now :)

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great rescue, hats off to all of you for helping little Thomasina/China. I'm so glad they are safe now. Maybe when your Meowmie visits China's owner, she could make some subtle hints about getting China spayed?

P.S. Cats Protection can issue Neutering Vouchers if there's a problem paying for spaying!

The Furry Fighter said...

Hi Jane

The owner mentioned last night that she had booked her in to 'be done' but Thomasina had managed to get out and get impregnated (this litter) before the appointment. She will be taking her to the Blue Cross in Seven Sisters to get the Hoo-Ha-Hectomy done asap apparently...let's hope!
x

LZ said...

Wow that is quite the story! I'm glad to hear she's going to get spayed now. How cool for your Mommies to get to watch the kittens be born. My Meowmy would love to see that! She saw barn kittens the day they were born and she said that was amazing.

Not to worry Storm, my Meomwy is TOTALLY work busy these days. But if you and Castle would be willing to lend a paw and help vote for the winners of the Spring contest that would be awesome!

Latte

Gemini and Ichiro said...

I am glad to hear that she will be spayed. That's a lot of kits to have so young. I am glad your people were so helpful for her.

Ramses said...

Oh how wonderful for you and your Meowmie! Seeing ickle baby kitten born is a real privilege as so few people get to see this happen... :)

Daisy said...

What a story! I am especially glad to see that little Thomasina is going to get her ladygardenectomy soon. She sounds like a wonderful little cat.

ps: I get lots of my fancier outfits from Build-A-Bear workshops! You can get them on-line, too.

Anonymous said...

Hi Storm, that's good that the owner is going to get China sorted out. I wonder if she escaped 4 times! Determined kitty maybe? Bet she'll enjoy the rest from having babies now though :)

Samantha & Mom said...

Storm that is a wonderful story about Thomasina and that your Mom got to see the babies born! Mom was right there when I got born 4 years ago!! The ladygardeectomy will give her some rest. Maybe your Mom can take some pictures of the kitties when she vists them!
Your FL Furiends,

Diamond Emerald-Eyes said...

Mama cats will have their babies where they feel safe, and I guess she felt safe in the thorn bush. If she is three through, she should have been fixed long time before this!

Lux said...

That was a beautiful story, especially since the ending had a forever home in it ... and little babies!!!

HRH Yao-Lin said...

That is a wonderful story. beautifully told, I could imagine I was there! Little Thomasina might just be the village flirt from the sounds of it. Maybe the three toms were wondering which one of them was the father.

Hope we see pictures! x

Karen Jo said...

I am so glad that the story has a very happy ending. I hope that Thomasina/China will be spayed as soon as possible and that she doesn't escape again.

MaoMao said...

Awww, what a story -- how wunnerful that Thomasina/China hadded so much help frum lots of caring beans and that she's okeydokeys! And I'm sure she will be a furry good Mommy. How funny that she's so teeny and her cat momma is a Maine Coon!

Kittyhugs and purrs from MaoMao!

Sunny's Mommy said...

Wow! What a story. I'm so glad she has an owner. I hope the owner follows up and gets Thomasina spayed quickly, like she said she would.

Tesla and Hansel said...

Hello! I'm fine! Everything went well. Beanies have been taking good care of me! thanks for checking in!

My beans and i appreciate your kind words!

Oh my! i liked that story very much! :) i'm glad she wasn't a stray!

Rosemary B❤️ said...

mommie says watching baby kit-tens being born is really wonderful. Back in dinosaur days mommie helped deliver real bean kit-tens in the hospital school.
This story was wonderful. I am so happy you shared it with us. As I was reading it, I was picturing all of it.
The picture is so nice too. I love white fences... well, I like white :-)

purrrs and happy week-end Stormiekins and Castlepoos

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

I am glad to know this story, and the story result is the most happiest part :>

Parker said...

I am glad that China will have a ladygardenectomy! Kittens are wonderful - but I just hope they all get a loving home and their own ladygardenectomys too! (Or neuters if they are boyz!)

Christine and FAZ said...

Thank you sharing your exciting story but I do hope poor Thomasina makes this her last litter. Even though I don't like the V.E.T. I think she should stay home next time her human plans to have her 'done'. FAZ

Jan Price said...

What a neat story, Storm. We're glad all worked out well in the end. Thomasina was sure lucky she had so many friends in the neighborhood to help her and find her owner.

JFF