The Body Practice

Several days ago, I discovered the mewing of a litter of kittens in the space above my kitchen.  The young momma kitty must have had her babies in the space that link my garage to my attic (it’s a quirky old house).  We call the momma Patches because she is white with large spots of grey (that got larger and larger the closer she came to full term). 

 It seems out of the three of us living in the house though, the kittens would only cry when I was around.  Coincidence, I know, but an honor none the less.

Last night as I stood in the kitchen with the rest of my family, they went crazy, crying.  We all smiled and I headed outside to see if I could hear them there.  Suddenly Patches, who up to this time had NEVER let us near her, ran up to me crying and panting.  One of the male cats approached as well, and she fought him away.  Coming back, she cried and even let me pet her.  But I could tell something was wrong. 

She was having a difficult time reaching her babies.  So I tried to help her climb.  She was so wild and desperate.  I decided to try to climb to the loft in the garage to help her or at least see what kind of help she needed.  But my beautiful round booty just wasn’t up for it. 

My hubby had just woken up from a nap and had about an hour and a half before he had to go to work at midnight.  So he volunteered to scout the scene for us.  He as like Spiderman, climbing over rafters and building supplies, into the recesses of the house.  He reported back…5 kittens.  All easily reached by mom.

Then what was the problem.  As Patches sat panting, I realized she must have gotten overheated in the oven like conditions of the South Texas attic.  That means her babies were hot as well.  I just kept petting her and telling her she was born with everything she needed to take care of those little ones. 

Suddenly she shot up to the attic.  And arrived 20 seconds later with a baby at my feet.  So, so cute! 

 But what was I to do with it? We have female cat that rules the roost inside (who I would scoot aside for the litter, but in the moment that didn’t seem like the right idea).  So I made a spot in our laundry room.  I plopped the baby in there and she seemed to approve, even though she was biting and hissing.  I think her instincts to save her kitten where conflicted with letting someone help. She laid down with it and all.  So I called her to get the next one. 

She shot up to get the next….and then I called her to get a third….and she went to get that one.  Then she stopped.  The crying ceased.  Everyone was quiet and settled in the laundry room.

But hubby had seen two more babies.  We realized they must not have made it.

He went to work; I went upstairs to cool down and call a friend.  But just as I got off the phone I heard the faintest little cries.  More babies were still alive. 

I took the momma from her babies and closed the door so she couldn’t get to them.  Ewww! She was pissed.  She was biting at my feet and hands just enought to say, “I respect you sister, but you bet watch it with the little ones.” 

I cried like a baby kitty and picked her up to the shelf that she used to get to them.  She hissed and scratched at me.  I was patient.  Cried again (she is looking at me then, like ARE YOU CRAZY?!) But her ears perked up….she heard one!  Retrieved it and it cried like a healthy baby. 

I did the same thing over again, and she was even more upset!  Didn’t know if I would walk away with my ankles this time.  But eventually she heard and rescued the 5th.

This morning they were all hunkered down in their safe little haven.  I put a fan in there to keep the air moving and am prepared to bring them all inside if she looks at all stressed during the day. 

Whew!!! I was up til 3 am with them….saving one, then the other.  I might not have kept going if SpiderHubby had not gone up to count.  I give him a lot of credit.  But shy little Patches gets the bulk of it.  She risked contacting a human who she had only run from in the past to get help.  I felt like a Cat Whisperer when the whole thing was over and done.

Long story, but I hope a good one. 

Rae