A Year With The Gremlin Kittens

It has been almost a year since I did an Easter Weekend Cat Family Rescue. This rescue involved trapping a mom, older son, and 2 kittens at my school. After taking the mom and son for spay and neutering, I released them back at school. I decided to keep the 2 kittens to foster and socialize. Well, they eventually became foster fails and Lily and Cactus became a welcome addition to our clowder. Because it is often difficult to know the exact birthdate of kittens born outside, I generally, use their gotcha day as their birthdate. April 16 is the date, and I can’t believe that it has been a year with The Gremlin Kittens.

They Grow So Fast

Babies grow so fast. Kittens grow even faster. One minute they are tiny little floofs needing your help and support, then you blink your eyes, and they are grown cats full of independence. How does that happen? It seems like just yesterday they were so small they could fight in the palm of my hand. Now, I can fit their heads in my hand and that is all. it has definitely been an adjustment period for the humans, as well as the other cats. Kittens have 2 speeds, naps and running. And mischief. Lots and lots of mischief.

Now, that they are a year old, naps last longer. Running at full speed is not the only option to get from point A to point B. Mischief is still a favorite past time, but they are learning boundaries. Cactus is more mischievous than Lily. She will turn anything into a toy or game and laughs at the “curiosity killed the cat” saying. Lily Bell is definitely a momma’s girl. She comes running when she hears me come home, meowing the entire time. She has the loudest purr that literally vibrates her entire body.

The Best Decision

There was absolutely no intention of keeping these kittens when I trapped them. Just a few months prior, I had 3 fosters that I found an amazing home for them together. As The Gremlins started to get older, there was something about them that was different. Something that pulled at me. I am a firm believer that we don’t choose the cat. The cat chooses us. Cats come into our lives for reasons. To teach us something. Lessons that we need. With that being said, there was a reason that I made the decision to keep Cactus and Lily Bell.

Having kittens around is the absolute best. There is never a dull moment. The amount of joy and happiness that these two have brought into my life cannot be measured. It is impossible to be in a bad mood when you have two kittens running around. Impossible! They constantly remind me to enjoy life because life is meant to be enjoyed. Watching Cactus and Lily explore and learn has helped me grow. It amazes me that they always seem to know when I need cheering up and break out their kitten antics to put a smile on my face. Each day spent with Cactus and Lily confirms that keeping them was the best decision. Here’s to a year with The Gremlin Kittens and many more.

“A kitten is the delight of a household. All day long a comedy is played out by an incomparable actor.” –Champfleury