Cocktails and Kittens!

Raptor is still in need of a loving furrever home. This has become a challenge because she is very nervous and defensive at adoption events, and to potential adopters who come to meet her. She is the sweetest girl, but she needs time to get to know new people. I've decided to start having "Cocktails and Kittens" on Saturday nights, to introduce her to new people and try to reduce her anxiety around strangers. This kicked off last night with our dear friend, and friend to all animals, Rebecca!

 I was prepared with food and wine for us girls, and for the cats I had treats, toys and some new, fancy cat dancers! The cat dancers were a HIT! Even Oki came out, and she prefers to stay under the bed when visitors come by. Last night, she could not resist! Oh, and Rebecca brought over some peanut butter Newman-Os, OMC, how did I not know about these?!

 Eko was confused - "Wait, ma, I thought we were doing this with treats. What's up?"

"No, Eko, we're using the cat dancers. You guys have had plenty of treats already tonight."

 Then Raptor chimed in, "I could go for some more treats."

"No, Raptor, go back and play."

 And she did. She was engaged with Rebecca, and the cat dancer, for the evening. She still slipped some diva in here and there, but for the most part, she did very well. 

 I was really impressed with Oki! It took her about an hour, but she came out, and she stayed out and played for the rest of the night. I couldn't believe it! Note, I was totally digging Rebecca's sneakers, and I think Raptor was too. She's curled up at her feet here. 

 Good girl, Raptor. I'm so thankful, and I think this is a great way to expose her to new people. I hope it helps her find her furrever home. Thank you so much, Rebecca! 

Cocktails and Kittens!

The Half-Pipe Kittens, from Bushwick, are looking for homes!

3 kittens in a back yard in Brooklyn made their way into Big City Little Kitty's foster home. I had gone to do recon, but they were not well, and at the age they really needed socialization, fast, so I took them home. 

 I treated them, worked with them, and when they were well, had them vaccinated and tested. They are all negative for FIV and FELV, so we just had to work on getting to know each other better. 

 If you're familiar with Big City Little Kitty, you understand one of the stages of socialization/growing up for kittens is isolation, and here that takes place in the bathroom. This means a lot of play time in the "half-pipe" (the bath tub). The kittens were named after human halfpipe champs, who also happen to be vegan! 

Teter, friendly from the start (in the pipe below), was named after Hannah Teter, an amazing snow boarder. Oki, the tortie, was named after legendary skateboarder, Peggy Oki. Drei was named after skateboarder Andrei "Dr. Drei" Buckareff (the "Dr." is for his Ph.D;)

Here, Oki and Drei are preparing to drop into the halfpipe.

 This was their favorite thing to do, and tossing the ball to them and having them chase it around as it bounced up and around the sides helped me get close to them. 

 They played 'til they dropped!

 Drei and Oki were, and still are, pretty skittish...

 but once they learned I was handing out free massages, they started voluntarily coming closer.

 After a proper isolation period, it was time to start slowly introducing them to the locals. Raptor introduced herself.

 She met her (cross your paws) possible future sister, Oki!

 They took it slow, but Raptor was curious and the kittens were very good to her.

 Then this happened.

 And then this happened. A woman is interested in adopting Raptor and Oki together, it seems they will do very well together. Cross your paws that when she meets them, it's a love connection.

 Considering Raptor's past fear of felines, she was doing incredibly well! She was like their big sis! My smile went ear to ear and my heart melted.

 Oki is still skittish, but a total sweetie when she comes for snuggles. She climbs in bed with me at night and purrs on my chest.

 Drei is also still a little skittish, but a MUSH once you get the first pet in! He falls over, purring, and soaking up the love. He's doing great.

 And this one, Teter. She was handled by the people who lived in the house, so she was already socialized and has had absolutely no problem transitioning to a home.

 Drei was a little too curious for the photo shoot I had intended to do for adoption pics...

 and he was totally into the heat from the light!

 Teter did OK, but it's hard to get kittens to sit still.

 So it was off to the playroom, I mean my bedroom. Teter caught the string...

 repeatedly.

 Drei just kept running around like a 3 month old kitten and curiously charging the camera.

 Oki may have her home all lined up, but Drei and Teter are looking for a home. They said their new human can fit right there in the middle of them! They're ready for you!

Drei and Teter will be at North Brooklyn Cats' adoption events on Sundays, from 2 to 6 pm, at Muddy Paws in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Come meet them and fall in love. If you have a little room in your home and in your heart, these two can fill it will fun, love and purrs. 

If you can't adopt, please share on your social media networks!

Thank you!

Big City Little Kitty

Studying...with Cats.

So I turned off my facebook accounts for the final showdown of finals and papers to eliminate ONE distraction. There are plenty of others right here I have to contend with daily...Here's SOME of what you missed.

What, ma? You can't see?

No, Eko, I can't see!

 Is this better?

NO!

 OK, hold on a second. Let me just...

 OOO! Marker. I should knock this off the desk. 

OK, ma, how's this?

NO! Can you, please, just sit on my lap or go somewhere else? 

 I got it! How about this!

Nope, you're still on my book.

 Jeez, ma, it was just one paw and it was in the margin. Is this better?

No, Eko, I can't see my other screen.

What other screen?

 Hi mama. Look, I'm sitting on top of the cat scratcher.

Good job, Raptor.

 Oh, this screen. Are these flash cards?

Yes, Eko, they are flash cards.

 Hmm, I think this one's wrong, ma.

Which one's wrong, Eko?

 This one right here. This one's wrong.

 Hi mama. 

I caught a mouse, get it?

Yes, Raptor, very funny.

 Tigra? What are you doing?

Smelling your feet. 

 Mom, there's a lot of cats in here. 

I know honey, it's temporary. 

 LOOK! I'm a bridge!

 Mama, I don't like the studying and paper writing, when is it over?

Soon, Raptor. 

 I just want hugs, kisses and snuggles.

I know, Raptor, almost over.

 Mom, do you want some help?

 Yes, Tigra. Thank you.

Hmm, Eko's right, that one was wrong.

 And then I let the kittens out...

BUT, finals are over and papers are submitted. I have a lot of snuggling to catch up on and kittens who need homes. 

Stay tuned!