New Additions - Odds not Evens

Some people who know me might comment on the fact that I like to have things a “certain way”. My desk may be a mess, but under it all, I love to organize, and I am constantly sorting or resorting. I am also constantly looking for patterns in anything I see. For example, today’s date is 4/19/13, is one of my favorites for this month. Why, because four taken from nineteen is thirteen.

Cami and Baby Monster

This obsession with numbers, sorting, and organizing has led to a Noah’s ark sort of situation at our house. We have a male and a female dog. We have a male and a female cat. We had a male and a female sheep, and we even had a male and a female fish. Where things start to get a little skewed is the two female chickens. I accept this aberration because male chickens don’t lay enough eggs to compensate for their ridiculously annoying vocal performances. I have even expanded our count to include our neighbor who is close enough to be family. She added two cats, and with her, there are a total of four people on the property. I love pairs, and even numbers! They make me so happy.

Weird and Baby Q-Tip (Kitten)

So what is the catch?  The time finally came that the numbers at our house are once again unbalanced. Our white Tabby-Siamese mix, nicknamed “Kitten” gave birth on April 2^nd to three healthy baby kittens.  I am thrilled that two of the baby kittens are nearly identical, and somewhat annoyed that the third has no match. It reminds me of putting four socks into the wash and only getting three back. Even numbers are so much better! I am only consoled in the fact that there were not 6, 8, or 10 kittens.

Kitten and her three little newborn kittens

In all reality I suppose I should also find solace in the fact that these kittens are not a burden to us as Kitten is doing such a good job in caring for them. She is diligent about feeding them and cleaning up after them. Thankfully, she is still a very loving cat to her humans. She is showing the same affection and patience she had before the birth of the triplets, even for Phoenix. Further, while she fiercely guards the kittens from the danger of her brother, Weird, when they are both in the house she showers him in affection.

Such a good Mamma

Phoenix talking to the last kitten in the box.

This addition has been a great pleasure for Phoenix as well. She was already chasing the cats around the house, shrieking at them.  She, of course, believes that the kittens have arrived as an even better form of entertainment for her. Phoenix loves the kittens, and that is an understatement. She will sit by the back door and peer out at the kittens in their box, banging on the door. Whenever we open the door to feed the cats she tries to sneak out onto the porch. When we bring the box in she sits by the box doing an “up and down” dance in front of the kittens. Talking to them, and occasionally petting them.  Meanwhile Kitten is walking around the outside rubbing against Phoenix.

So, I suppose that while I am annoyed that our critters are no longer evenly paired, I am grateful that they are a positive addition in every other way. I am also grateful that when they are weaned, in about 3 more weeks, our house will once again be back to evens in the critter world.

Phoenix, Kitten, and the Kittens

More of the Kittens