Sunday, March 26, 2006

Signs of spring

There are lots of springtime things going on here.  Blue is scheduled to be shod Friday, and then my horseback rides through the countryside can commence.

I knew we had kittens in the barn, but until today I had never heard them mewing or been able to find them.  Fudge suddenly got skinny about a week-and-a-half ago, and I could see she was being nursed.  We've never been sure whether Snowbelle was pregnant or not; she's long-haired, and tends to be chubby anyhow.

So when I traced the mewing to the space under the stanchion where I used to milk my cow, of course I assumed all these kittens belonged to Fudge:  Their eyes were open and all.  But every time I'd try to get close enough to take a picture, Snowbelle would squeeze in, acting worried. 

"How sweet," I thought.  "She's helping Fudge take care of her babies."

About the third time I peeked in, I realized we had two sizes of kittens... and that some did not have their eyes open.  Snowbelle must have figured if that spot was good enough for Fudge, it was good enough for her.

There might be problems with this:  It's possible the older kittens might take all the milk from both mothers, to the detriment of the newborns.  But in the country life scheme of things, we let these situations take care of themselves.

Time will tell.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tude is a beautiful horse. It does seem strange that both cats chose the same spot to have their babies. They are cute. I like the one with it's tongue showing. Bet Sadie wonders what in the world those things are. Blue will be quite slick after he get done shedding all that hair. Have a good night. Helen

Anonymous said...

Awww I wanna live on the farm with you!!!  Those kittens are adorable! I want the white one.  What will you do with them?  Do you feed them at all?

The Alfalfa looks great! You guys did a really good job. Was this your first with the alfalfa?

Anonymous said...

cute kittens,I am hoping spring gets here soon.

Anonymous said...

how cute about the kittens; they are adorable too. I can imagine its never a dull moment during spring for one on a farm :)

betty

Anonymous said...

Boo is losing hair in clumps also.... I thought about taking a picture of him for the Monday Photo Shoot of "What spring looks like" from Scalzi, but I never got a chance. Besides, he will look so much more handsome all shed out! He will be a Black Bay for about a month and then will be a sunbleached brown for the rest of the summer <LOL>. If I could only convince him to spend SOME time in the shade. Must be the Arabian in him that he loves being in the sun all of the time.

Love your kitty pictures, they are soooo cute!
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind
http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Your pictures and stories always make me smile, Donna.. :)

Jackie

Anonymous said...

awwwwwwwww they are sooo adorable!!! Sadie looks so happy, Mosie...I am so glad that she got you for a mama!
love,
Carlene

Anonymous said...

awww, the kittens are really cute!!  But I won't let anyone in this  house see them seeing as there are already 9 cats here!! lol

Anonymous said...

how cool to get to ride a horse. I feel for you on the kitten scene I think I am feeding about ten strays now.
Marti

Anonymous said...

If I brush Blue can I ride him too?  Cute kittens!  Its not uncommon for two mommy cats to take turns caring for the kittens.  Linda

Anonymous said...

want some more kittens???
Becky

Anonymous said...

Aaaah, spring is in the air!  New growth, new life the end of winter's sleep.  How perfect.  I know just Who made it so lovely for us.  Blessings, Penny http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/FromHeretoThere

Anonymous said...

My black and white looks like she has swallowed a watermelon! She takes care of her own with no help from me. Like you said, it is the farm way with them.

Anonymous said...

I know you really enjoy the country life!!! Cute kittens!! http://journals.aol.com/shayshaydc/Golfaholic
Sharon:)