Friday, August 1, 2008

House of CATS

                                                           Picture from aboutcat.com

My house is currently a house of cats. I now have a total number of 11 cats. How did this happen? I am a cat lover and when I adopted 3 kittens instead of 1 kitten a year ago I had every intention of not letting them mate because I had got a male cat and 2 female cats. I was even told by a mythical-person that cats of the same blood don’t mate!!! As if they have same moral codes like human beings do.

My cats namely: Scofield (Male), Garfield (Female: her behaviour at the initial stage won her that name) and “my Very” Molly (female) came into my life and I was happy to care for them. I was looking for a vet to neuter them when they were about six months and ready to mate. I could not find one!!! I searched through the internet for Lagos based vets but I could not see any. I started asking around. I was “unfortunate” to meet a quirk vet that assured me there was no need to neuter my cats as there are always demands for kittens by his clients. Where is he now that I have so many kittens? He told me he would let me know when he sees anyone interested in adopting or getting a kitten!!!
I wondered why he did not confess to not knowing how to carry out the operation.

I eventually found two vets that claimed they needed to bring in experts to neuter my cats and it would cost me a fortune. Since I did not have that money to spare, I had to let it pass. Though, one of the vets assured me of clients looking for cats too.

Garfield got pregnant and delivered 4 beautiful kittens on the 27th of June. She was really ready for her role as she protected all her kittens with so much attention. Scofield played a fatherly role of always taking up a corner next to the kittens to crouch and lick them. I would chase him any time I noticed he was going to try and mate with Garfield. Not again!!! A month later, Garfield still tries to protect her ever-ready to explore kittens. In fact I can’t wait for them to find good homes because they are eating too much food.

The arrival of Garfield’s kittens made our feline kids to increase to 7!!! Then we noticed Molly’s protruding belly. And did she ever show Garfield any love and attention when she delivered? No way!!! She would snarl at her and her kittens. In fact she would not spare Scofield too as that one was always ready to mate with her again. Scofield has so much injury on his face now. No thanks to Molly.

Where was I? Okay, I discovered a vet surgeon that was ready to neuter Socfield at an affordable rate. I was happy and eager to get him fixed and now he is. He is still trying to heal. Here came Molly’s Kitten on the July 31st. She had 4!!! Now we are have 8 kittens and 3 adults’ cats bringing the total 11!!!

Let me briefly talk about Molly manner of delivery as was witnessed by my hubby. My husband and Molly do not get along very well. I called her “my very” Molly because she is Mama’s pet. She would follow me to the toilet, bathroom (she would run out cos of water), kitchen, anywhere. She is always crouching next to me on lying peacefully next to me anywhere I sit except the bedroom because of the presence of my husband and the kittens. She would instead wait for me by the bedroom door. Hubby and Molly fight a lot because if you don’t understand her, you can easily conclude that she is a “wicked” cat. She reacts to everything, she takes everything personal. She is too sensitive. Hubby calls her a “WITCH”. I don’t like his choice of word so we always clash briefly on this

Unlike Garfield that went quietly inside the wardrobe to deliver her kittens after she made the normal (they are coming) noise, Molly was everywhere. She refused to stay put in a place to deliver the kittens. She delivered them by moving restlessly about the room, dropping them off in different places. She refused to eat the placenta of the kittens which Garfield had to eat for her. She wanted a touch and Garfield was eager and ready to placate her. She refused to give Garfield same treatment she now demanded when Garfield had her kittens.She refused to breastfeed them and left Garfield to the job.

When I got home, I immediately moved in to comfort her and make her calm down. I only saw 3 kittens with her and I later discovered the last one under the bed. She kept moving them about. Thank God she is breast feeding them now but she bites the older kittens and hers in such a painful way that made them cry out. I feel like spanking her. To top everything, Garfield is now kidnapping one of Molly’s kittens. Molly has two white kittens while Garfield has one. Could it be a case of mistaken identity? She freely carries and hides the poor kitten. To my surprise, Molly would just look on. And you dare not try this with Garfield when are kittens were younger. I guess I have got to go online and read more about this syndrome or factor.

I am now with one major headache finding good homes for my adorable kittens. It will break my heart to end up putting them to sleep as I don’t know of what use is giving them up to herbal makers for ritual or something.

Sofield’s role has now doubled and he is equally sad that he can’t “commit” anymore. Right now I am in a journey to find good homes for my cute, adorable, appealing, irresistible kittens. Is there anyone interested in getting a kitten?

32 comments:

Naija Idol said...

1sttt!!!! cant believe this. its a miracle.

Naija Idol said...

Chai. i dont like cats. havent really gotten close to any though so i cant really judge.Maybe its cos no one accepts them or keeps them as pets here.

There is a myth that if a cat spits in ur eyes u get blind. lol. i know i sound silly but how true is it???

Abbie said...

OMIGAWD!! Girl i've been told you to get that male cat neutered!! He is the problem! And when he gets in heat, he becomes aggressive. Gosh 11 cats?? Even I wouldn't dare such a feat and you know I love my cats!!

Abbie said...

PS: I wish I were closer, I would have taken those kittens off your hands and acted like a foster home until I could adopt them out for you. You have to wait at least 6 weeks when they are fulling weaned to let them go from their mothers.

This breaks my heart!

Grahamn Kracker said...

Standtall - It is a good heart that got you into this situation, plus some very bad advice by vets who ought to have known better - but then, what do I know about Nigeria and how things work there?

Boy, do I want to help out! I don't know how - just yet - our homes are so far apart.

Just in case you might still want to get the females fixed, I learned about a lady - in Mexico, I believe - who ran up a $300 vet bill for her cat and she could not pay it. So she got a button from the Paypal site that allowed people to contribute to her cat's bill.

She got enough contributions to pay it all off.

NaijaScorpio said...

I can't believe those quack vets. Seriously. Hope u find good homes for those babies cos i know most Nigerians are superstitious about cats.

We had 2 cats growing up and the female had 4 kittens. So cute, but my mom ended up taking them away after we had all left for uni. i was heartbroken.

blazing said...

eeeewhhee!Go scofield go!OLORIOKO.....

blazing said...

eeeewhhee!Go scofield go!OLORIOKO.....

The Activist said...

Naija Idol: the myth is untrue. There is hardly any myth about cat that's true.

Abbie my love: thanks a lot. Molly too would rape the male cat if she is in heat. I tell you. I have neutered him now thank God but I still have this issue to deal with. The kittens are so cute and lovely. If I have a house of my own with garden and all, I will keep them all.

Grahamn Kracker: I love you profile picture!!! Thanks for your concern and help. Nigerians are not allowed to open "paypal" except you can help me open it or something. I will email you soon. I will eqaully give you the progress report on MY KITTENS.

Sting: You are darn right about the superstition of Naija peeps in relation to cat. Waoh , where did you mum take the cats and kittens to? It would break my heart too. My female cat once got hit by a car when I was young after she delivered 4 kittens. My momma sold dem kittens b4 I got home.I wept

Blazingdaola: Stop!!! Dont encourage it!!!

Doja: no, I dont have their fur all over like that. My hubby groomed them regularly and we usually sweep the fur off the rug. It's really a very manageable situation.

AustynZOGS said...

Thanks for the comments you left when you visited my Blog.I deeply appreciate the challenge you posed to all true lovers of Naija.With like minds,we can be sure tat Naija will get back on track
You seem obsessed with ya cats.Nice one

Buttercup said...

oh wow 11!!!

nawa for scofield o..chai..

im sure it must be fun watchn all them kittens do wat they do...i'v never owned a cat but i just get upset wen i hear bout all them superstitions n myths cos cats look so harmless n i love their grace! even humans r likened to cats, havin cat eyes means u hav beautiful eyes n doin a cat walk means u walk sexily..lol..

i hope u get to sort it out..take care!

Nigerian Drama Queen said...

Im still stuck on the 11 cats part. OMG, How do you do it?

archiwiz said...

Wow....11 cats....Mmmm you guys try well well.

archiwiz said...

That's sad though that there aren't any sensible vets in Lagos....

ShadeCrown said...

Sorry love but i hate cats! My neighbour has like 2, i just wish they would go play in sum1 else's house and not stay in front of my house. One day na hot water i go pour on their head....lol

Waffarian said...

Eyaaaaa, Can't believe there are no capable vets in Lagos...haba! My mum like you loves animals but she is a dog lover...we've had as many as 5 dogs once...and then the female gave birth to 3 puppies...we had to give them out.

Hmmmmm, I dont know anybody in lagos that loves cats...I could ask my mum but she lives in warri...

I will suggest you put make some sort of poster and put them up in public places...hospitals, schools, embassies, british council, terra culture, etc...I am sure you will find someone that would want a cat.

aloted said...

ah congrats on the kittens...

unfortunately I am not a cat person but if only u were in the UK..i just saw an advert on my office intranet- "WANTED - Kitten
Do you know anyone that is looking for a loving home for a kitten? If so plse let me know as we would love one"

I pray u find someone that will care for the kittens

Kemmie said...

eh, I think I remember my brother and sister cats mating o!! Hmm...but 11 cats sha..babe!

*How are you:)?

The Activist said...

AustynZOGS: you are welcome. I am not obsessed but I am in love with dem cats

Buttercup: you are darn right. Everything beautiful is associated with cats and yet the wrong myth still prevails. Scofield is calmer now. No more mating!!!!

NDQ: na so o. I so love these kittens. How I wish I can keep them all

Archiwiz: I am sure there are sensible vets. I just did not meet that sort. So sad

Sha: ah you just hate the best thing ever

Waffarrian: your mum rocks. You can still ask her, she may have friends here that wont mind having kittens. Thanks

Aloted: see irony of life. I am here and they are there

Kemmie: abi o. I believe they will all get good homes soon. I have got some demands.

Vera Ezimora said...

Nawa o. Scofield is a major baller. He reminds me of Papa, our cock (whom we have longed used for stew...abi was it pepper soup?). Cats r not my favorite pets, but I wouldn't mind buying one for the heck of it. My mother will never hear of it though. She doesnt want any living thing apart from human beings in the house. Abeg, don't put them 2 sleep oooo

Vera Ezimora said...

By the way, why don't you have a full picture of your face? I demand a full picture!

Chris Ogunlowo said...

When are you putting up something on dogs?

LG said...

hiss! hiss! hiss!
so na mol/sco/gar u dedicate one full post for????? *loud hiss*
if i catch one of dem ehn!!!
lolllllllll

Afrobabe said...

ok, I aint a lover of cats and would kill them all if I could...we had the same problem, dad got them to kill rats, they shagged each other and became plenty..they all seemed to be givin birth at the same time...

love how Garfield stole a cute baby...

The Activist said...

Vera Ezimora: no way!!! I no go show mi-face. Sue me. Your mum kinda hate all pets

Aloofar: ah may be ma hubby would put up something on his blog about dog. I am not a dog person

LG: If I catch you eh

aloted said...

@standtall- does ur hubby blog?

The Activist said...

Aloted: yes he does. He reads my blogs and makes comment. His comment is even among these ones. Wanna figure?

aloted said...

ah! it has to be blazingfano. Am I right?


Husband and wife bloggers..thats nice :)

The Activist said...

U sabi puzzle tooooooooo much oooooooooooooo

The Activist said...

Afrobabe: so how did all your cats end?

CRIZ LAI said...

Hmm... This sounded real familiar as in my case. It started when a pair of twins followed me home. Out of compassion, I fed them and let them live in my compound. Seeing that they were cold outdoor, I allowed them indoor and that started the whole cat business in my home..

Oops.. from one pair to additional triplets. Then some irresponsible person threw one long haired over my house. It was six then. Mama Jess escaped for 4 days and had another two (out of marriage.. LOL). Now I have eight!!

Out of the 3 female, I had one spayed. Waiting for Mama to stop feeding her 50 days old kitties before she will have hers done. End of the year, it's gonna be one the twins.

http://crizcats.blogspot.com/

WeirdGurl said...

wow!!! thats all i can say for now. lol

My Passion, my focus, the change that I want to see in the world - is my propellent factor.

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