Farewell to King Louis

Oh my days. Isn’t there some sort of golden rule for a breeder not to become attached to their kittens?

Are we even allowed to have ‘favourites’?

Ah, well, I’ve never been one to follow aimlessly - especially where I feel at odds with a common path.

I make no apology; when it comes to my cats & kittens I do not hold back. I’m 100% invested.
I would be doing my cats (& their kittens) an awful injustice if I were to hold anything back in resources or in emotion. To my mind a breeder should always be giving wholeheartedly & care deeply for their kittens in order that they grow up to be utterly ready to be well-mannered and adjusted pets for their families?

If you know me, you’ll know my cats are my world, you may even know me well enough to know something of the personal journey I’ve been on and the part the Sphynx cat has played in this.

You won’t know how difficult it’s been for me to breed, how many obstacles nor the enormous cost (in every sense).

If you’ve been reading this blog over recent weeks you’ll know the progress of this litter from their births to now when they begin to set of on their own new paths....

Louis is the second or this litter to leave and, undoubtedly he has presented some challenges.

I hand-reared this little guy, my first ever viable male kitten, I’ve had extended contact with this kitten witnessing up close his keen determination to fill his tummy with the milk I delivered from day 4. Soon, he would gratefully burst into endless staccato sewing-machine purring, the incredible, addictive sound only neonates make which he would launch into with just my touch or nearness. This generous purring though now more recognisable as a cat’s purr has continued unabated by the fact that he had progressed to solid feeding and no longer needed me in the same way.

That purring turned out to be a huge feature of the terrible night I found dear Louis comatose on the floor, unable even to lift a paw, or to meow,  nor to suck let alone or swallow milk in order to save himself. With the sound of my heart literally thundering in my ears, I emergency tube fed him. My unbelievable & joyous relief of hearing him 10 minutes or so later purr as he still lay weak and floppy across my chest. I loved hearing it, but wanted him to put his energy into feeling well again. He decided instead to let me know he was happy to be with me. It was music I will never forget.

Of course, everyone responds well to affection and here I can safely say that Louis’ has been abundant, unstinting & given with utter loyalty. Having delivered my heart beating wildly into his almost lifeless paws that night, I found myself not only unable, but unwilling to lift it back out.

Louis has departed today. He has taken his first steps into his new, charmed and well-blessed life where he will, when settled, begin to gift his new family all of his very generous affection. Meanwhile Maurice, his wife, daughter Ella & son Tim will be his willing subjects when he demands play, love food.

It’s not a goodbye, but is a beginning & I wish Louis & his family a wonderful time.

So long Elvira

The first departure happened today. We said a tearful (for me) farewell to Elvira as her happy new mum Ley, accompanied by her human big bro Zebb waved as they took her to her on her way to her new home in Plymouth.

The traffic was a little unkind and so the arrival time was stretched just a little, but we were soon able to reacquaint ourselves, sit and chat, as well as perform the necessary official hand-over elements: contracts, hand over of vaccination card, microchip details and it’s transfer code, 5 weeks of inclusive insurance and the gifting of the bag of kitten pack goodies before finally, it was time to kiss little Elvira and wish her bon voyage as she headed off to what is certain to be a wonderful new life.

She has a big brother Sphynx by the name of Ash & a black and white furry brother named Shady to meet & settle down with, all of which will I’m sure be smoothed in minimal time by having soothing help from new mum Ley and her 2 human big brothers Zebb & Kallum.

We miss you already Elvi xxx

Side suckling Louis

Louis is now 12 weeks old. But such a big baby!

He is VERY affectionate, purring before I’ve even touched him. In the evening though he tells me that NOW is when he wants me to fuss him and then will lay on his back right against me so that I can rub on his tummy and his back toes will be curled up in his blissful pleasure. After a short time he will then begin to self-suckle and this is what’s shown in the above video. He will use his side, his rump or even his forearm.

This suckling resembles the suckling that a kitten would do when feeding from their mother and is often accompanied by the front paws “kneading” as they would to encourage the milk flow during a feed. With this side suckling though not seen in the video, Louis will knead the air, his claws going in and out. It’s really similar to how human babies love to suck on a dummy or thumb.

I had a female Sphynx cat do this same self- comforting - however, she stopped completely after having had her first litter.

I’ve also had moggy cat’s do this too, one used to like a nylon bedspread and would make it wet with her saliva, which would dry hard. She would move to new areas each day. Another cat liked a particular jumper.