Year of the Kitten

Over the course of the spring and summer, we've had 1 human baby, 1 puppy, 15 kittens, and 20 baby chickens.

That's four litters of kittens, folks-- three litters to the two outdoor cats (one of whom is still half-feral), and one to our lovely Smoky Grace, who hung out with the fast crowd on some moonlit night and found herself alone with a rascal of a tom.





Smoky had her babies in our upstairs closet, and we still have one to give away. (Yes, you'd like one?)



Fruity had her first litter in the nesting boxes and her second in the smaller coop. (We still have all four of her magnificent second litter to give away! Yes! YOU!)


Gracie Mae had hers outside, and they ruined the back flower beds and hid in the car's engine block (one of them even took a ten-mile ride to the gas station before John discovered her quivering on top of the engine).





One of Gracie's litter became known as Gray Kit, and he weaseled his way into our hearts during his three-month stay.

















It was a mostly beautiful relationship, but he was the sort of sweet and cuddly cat (read: also useless in the "fending for yourself" department) that deserved to be spoiled indoors rather than losing eight of his nine lives wintering outdoors.

At John's work picnic, his boss advertised "Fabulous Games with Fabulous Prizes!" Guess what the fabulous prizes were.
Yup, some of our kittens.

I gave them all baths before we took them to the picnic in hopes of a higher adoption rate, and every time I see this picture, I am cowed by Gray Kit's reproachful eyes. We loved you! We did!

Best of wishes in your new home in Tennessee.

Much true and eternal love from
Your Guilty Owen Family