Sunday

I slept till about half past seven - not so much slept, as snuggled from about half past five, when the alarm went off.

I let mippies out, then went inside to make my coffee - only, Mewthos wanted back inside, just not when mini is in sight. It took over twenty minutes before I could have the first sip of my coffee! I've fed mini, several times now - I don't know what to do when I'm at work. Ideally, she should eat every few hours throughout the day, but I can't leave food out, because Mewthos will gobble it. I've considered taking her to work - but that would mean keeping her in her carrier all day long! Plus, I'd have to take a litter box to work and keep an eye on when she needs that. I can't do that.

Poor mite, won't have the good home Mewly and Janey grew up in. No mother to feed her throughout the day, no siblings to play with, only a bunch of big cats hissing and growling at her. Well, she does a fair bit of hissing and growling herself.

Last night I had both her and Ziva in their respective cuddle caves. They could see each other, and occasionally either growled, but for long stretches they both just enjoyed cuddles and scratches - ear and chin scratches from me, that is.

Eventually I went to sleep, and I felt Ziva burrowing under the duvet next to me, while the mini had curled up in my arms - the mini under my duvet, Ziva on top but under the feather duvet, so they had a barrier between them. Progress is being made.

I've introduced mini to the mouse on a string today and she did paw at it somewhat. Not quite as enthusiastically as I might have liked - but then, Mewthos was nearby, watching and complaining. But mini is starting to play as well, which is a good sign. She worries me somewhat with her docile behaviour - I remember the mip mips being much livelier at that age. Too lively for this old lady, actually, which is why I was so relieved when the colleague said he'd take her. And then hit somewhat of a flat spin when he said he couldn't.

I like to have plans in place, step by step, how to achieve specific results. I don't do well in chop-and-change scenario. I do okay, when I have plan B in place, but when I'm suddenly pulled off track, my mind goes somewhat blank. At least I stay calm, although, in time, when action is demanded of me and I don't know what to do, I get somewhat flustered.

So, when I first saw the kitten, I considered all it would mean to take her - and was daunted. At the same time, there was no way I could leave her to go to a shelter, no matter how humane. They don't have CatCare here in Pretoria, they do, however, have Wollies - a pro-life non-profit organisation. I'm told that's where she would have gone - and she would most likely have found a good home through them. But, since Mynx, I've got this thing about black cats. I did so wish one of Ziva's litter would be black. And I'm told many people are still superstitious about black cats ... honestly?

So, when my colleague said he couldn't take her after all, there wasn't much thinking involved - she'd come with me. Of course, now I'm facing the consequences - and to be totally frank, it's not easy. The disharmony in my home is somewhat daunting and I'll have to somehow take her to the vets two more times for her booster shots and sterilisation. I have to keep her shut inside for three weeks, while at the same time NOT shutting my big mips in - which means that I'm playing doorman all day long. Letting big mips in, letting them out, letting the next one in, letting her out ... 

All this may sound like I regret taking her - I don't. Right now, she's playing with the little round toy, with the ball on a track. She had curled up on the mini scratching post, and I showed her how the balls roll - and she is now thoroughly investigating this toy! And I'm sitting here with a smile from ear to ear, watching her! Taking the odd photo, of course!

But adopting an animal isn't just fun and games! It's a commitment, a life-long commitment at that. And it comes with responsibilities. Not merely fiscal responsibilities, but a lot of time as well. Especially when you already have demanding pets at home. I have more respect for a person who says they can't adopt, than I do for someone who adopts and then neglects.

Oh, Mewthos! I just went to sit with him outside for a bit, then when I went inside he followed - but jumped onto a pile of boxes. Behind that pile there was a gap - it's between two bookshelves, with the wall on one side and the pile of boxes on the other. Yup! He went down into that gap head first ... and couldn't move! He couldn't turn, he couldn't back up ... he just stood there, front paws on the floor, back paws on the boxes! I had to reach in, grab him by the scruff and pull him out - somewhat painfully, I'm afraid! What a goofball!

I had a long cuddle session with mini, while Mewthos Siesta'd on my chair. Then I went to wash the dishes, having to stop half-way to cuddle Janey. I've put the stew on re-heat and I've got a loaf of rye baking in the machine. I decided to try a 700 gr loaf for a change, and used the wholemeal setting - just used 2 cups rye flour and 1 cup wholemeal instead of 3 cups wholemeal. I hope that'll work out.

I've taken a break from all cats and sat outside for a smoke, now I'm back inside and mini wants more cuddles. Janey has strolled outside, as has Mewthos. Ziva also came for her turn, jumped on the bed and came almost nose-to-nose with mini before the first growl started. It was quite funny to watch!

I just gave the garden a thorough watering, and had to stop several times to pick up Mewthos for a cuddle! Prolonged cuddle, like he'd usually only want when I'm sitting on the chair by the table. He'd wriggle to be let down and then almost immediately mip to be picked up yet again. I was sorely tempted to direct the hosepipe on him - he would stroll so close to it anyway, he got quite wet from the spray! But the thought of loosing his trust prevented me. He did, however, play 'catch' with the hosepipe!

The bread is finished, I also baked a half dozen chocolate chip muffins, ate my Weisswurst after I had two more bowls of my delicious stew and then washed all the dishes again. I also spent quite a bit of time playing with mini mip! She still doesn't have a name - but then, it's only been three days, I'd like to get a feel for her 'true' personality, first. Give her some time to feel at ease and get her confidence to be herself. Find out who she is.

My landlord asked me to bake fewer breads - I'd say that's his way of letting me know my electricity is costing more than they expected. I've decided that won't 'solve' the problem and I'd rather pay for the extra electricity. See, the contract is 'electricity included' but I pay for the gas for the stove. Naturally, it was assumed that I would use that for food preparation - however, I am using a lot of electrical appliances as well, like the slow cooker this weekend for the stew, the steamer, etc. And, of course, the bread maker. So, next chance I get, I'll offer to pay for electricity.

I sat outside waiting for my mippies with mini mip in my arms. The little one starts growling every time she sees a mip! Mewthos came for a good, long look - I think he's close to getting ready to make friends. He stood up with his paws on my leg staring at mini in my arms, mini growled a bit but nobody attacked nor did anyone hiss.

Ziva, once again, ran off without touching her treats. She wanted to go outside, but when I wouldn't open the door, she went to her chair in the kitchen. I packed my lunch, packed bread and muffins away and took out another pair of Weisswurst for tomorrows dinner, which will be the last of my stew.

Mini mip is now, once again, playing with the toy she discovered today, pushing the marble around on the track! It is too darling! I think now I'll have a muffin and then retreat to the bed, opening the cuddle cave for any takers!