And here they are!!!

[Siwsan]

I cleaned off the gray one's eye and it opened right up. Looks clear as can be - no inflammation that I can see but I'll keep MY eye on it.

They are meowing but no hissing or spitting. I flea combed them and came up clean, but tomorrow will be flea bath day. Just don't want to over traumatize them on their first day in the family. I did give them all some kitten milk to make a connection with them. Oh, and lots of love. They are in the en suite and in a nice, soft bed. No doubt I'll be 'stimulating' their little hind ends for a few days. I got pretty good at that, last Summer.

As for the boys, they are curious but not overly anxious.

Me? I'm drawing a deep breath.

Eye looks clear


This one seems a bit shy


Jazz Hands!!


And I'm 99% sure Arthur is the appropriate name. I noticed he looks kind of sad, just like Madoc did, when he first joined the family.

[woodsprite]

1. Beautiful kitties! And you take such good care of them! nt

[tblue37]

2. Precious. K&R.

[Ocelot II]

3. Squee x a milllion!

Sometimes when a kitten's eyes first open they will be a little sticky for awhile, but if there's no inflammation it should be fine.

They're so cute I can hardly stand it.

[Siwsan]

4. The little meows are so precious

Hopefully they will doze off, soon.

I haven't gone outside, yet, so I have no idea what's going on with their mom. If she does like the last time, she'll stick around for a few days and then disappear for a few more. Hopefully we can trap her before she disappears, if she disappears.

[Siwsan]

5. I wondered about that.

They are at the (at least) 3 week mark, now. Might be a little more. I kind of think Spooky relocated them because I always would look in that crate, the morning I moved it, and I was out there a lot doing yard work. Then, all of a sudden, there she was!

They look to be at the same stage of development as Madoc and his siblings, when I brought them in. So, 3 1/4 to 4 weeks.

[ShazzieB]

6. What perfectly adorable little furballs!

Thanks so much for sharing them, and all your kitties with us, Siwsan. It always gives me a lift to read these posts.

[gademocrat7]

7. So adorable!

[Nanuke]

8. Me too

Whenever I see a post from you I get a little hit of happiness knowing it will likely be about your adorable kitties and your amusing comments.

[Karadeniz]

9. I'm sure you know this, but put the dirty potty paper and poop in their litter box so they'll learn

where to go. I was a slow learner!!!

[shenmue]

10. This is too much cuteness

Aaaaaaaaaa

[virgdem]

11. Beautiful little nuggets!

[slightlv]

12. And I know you know this, But for remembrance of the time I didn't

no flea bath for the young ones with anti-flea chemicals if they're too young. I killed a kitten that way. Tragedy I've never gotten over. You have no idea how much it pains my soul to this very day. I honestly did not know. The print on that package was so small I couldn't read it; no one with me had any knowledge of it, either. I raced the kitten to the emergency vet the moment when I saw the weird behavior, but there was nothing to be done. Once it hits the CNS, it's too late. I thought I was doing the right thing, but all I knew and all I've lived with afterwards was I killed a kitten. If I could have died in its place, I would have without a second thought. What I have done since then is not because of that; I rescue because of love animals. But I do it in that cat's name and memory. And I spread the horror I lived in his memory, as well, so that no other kitten and no other human has to live through that awful night.

These babies are beautiful. Thank you so much for rescuing them and taking care of them. I lived through your ordeal of losing the others. Felt the heartbreak with you when first one and then the other left. May these grow up strong and healthy and full on mischievous. They're all blessed; as are you!

[Siwsan]

15. Dawn Dish Detergent is safe

I used a kitten flea shampoo on the others. It's REALLY expensive.

[slightlv]

24. Expensive is bad

but safe is good. From that point on, I used water, comb, and my fingers. It took time, but the kitten came out of it alive and we were always bonded from that point on (gryn). See, I knew you knew! But that experience was so horrific... and like I said... if just one kitten was saved somewhere from my repeating it, it's worth the memory. I made the promise. Promise kept.

And it looks like there's a litter of 3 abbies and 2 little black kittens are due to be adoptable in the next 2 weeks a few blocks from me. My grandson has his eye on one of the small black kittens for me (gryn)... I'll figure out how to post a pick when it comes home! I'd been hoping for a little white kitten... haven't had one of those for a nearly a decade. But when the Universe says a little homeless black kitten needs a home, you take in a little black kitten, right? Especially when your own grandson picks it out!

[Siwsan]

26. I had a choice between a black kitten and an orange one.

After my poor little Morgan AND Sophie Stinky Toes died within hours of each other, I took Madoc to the vet for some vaccinations. The vet knew what had happened and asked if I was going to get a companion for Madoc. I said yes and he said 'Well, we've got a couple of kittens, here!' They had been abandoned. I loved the orange one but knew the black one would likely be the last picked, so I took him.

Best decision! He is the most affectionate, loving, snuggly cat I've ever seen. And he gets along with Madoc like they were litter mates.

[slightlv]

32. I know the black kitties pay for all

the superstition and it's so unfair. I've always tried to have my "bookends"... one black and one white. It's rarely worked out that way. And right now, I have tabbies (LOL). Truth is, any kitty who needs a loving home, finds one with me if they can't find a furever home.

[brer cat]

13. They are adorable.

I would never get anything done, just sit and watch them.

[Rebl2]

14. So cute!

Love the little gray and white one.

[Siwsan]

16. That's the one that triggered me taking them, early than I'd planned

When I saw it's eye was glued shut with some sort of discharge, I panicked. But once I cleaned it off, the eye opened right up and looks fine.

Also, one of the black ones just seemed so lethargic so I figured maybe it's the 'runt' and isn't getting enough to eat.

I'm putting them on a 4 hour feeding schedule, for the next week or until they start lapping up a slurry from a bowl. So, I'll be a bit sleep deprived, for a while.

[MLAA]

17. They are too adorable. How are the big boys reacting to having new babies in the house?

[Siwsan]

19. They know somethings up - just not what

I'm keeping the kittens separated until I can give them a flea bath and then wait a few days after that to keep an eye on things. Then I'll do a slow introduction.

Madoc was going crazy while I was fixing up the feeding bottle. And both are sniffing away at my hands and clothes.

The kittens will stay in the play pen, for the most part, until they are big enough to escape.

[MLAA]

25. Ahhhh you certainly know this dance!

[twodogsbarking]

18. Eyes look great. Enjoy.

[niyad]

20. Welcome to your wonderful new family, little ones. You have the BESTEST Mom

and sibs ever. Plus a whole bunch of adoring aunts and uncles.

[Katcat]

21. Adorable!

I love cats, I have 10. Tickles me to death to see babies. 😻😻😻

[Siwsan]

22. I absolutely love socializing kittens

The litter I had last year had two gray kittens who were FULL of attitude. Both females. The males were smaller and the runt of the litter was a total snuggle bug.

After a couple of days the hissing, spitting and swatting ended and they were such lovely little fur balls. Two are now in Chicago and one is with me. Unfortunately, I lost one to an inevitably fatal digestive condition.

I'll keep one of these and (hopefully) find good homes for the other 3.

[Fla Dem]

23. Good on you for the care and love you give to these precious babies.

[3catwoman3]

27. I want the gray and white one!!!

What a bunch of cuties - ❤️ ?️ 💜

[femmedem]

28. Awww! So sweet! But please check with your vet before giving them flea treatment.

I started googling and maybe it's just the sites I'm landing on but I'm seeing kittens should be at least eight weeks old.
At the very least, please ask your vet what brand, if any, would be safe--especially since you didn't see fleas when you brushed them out.

https://uk.mypetandi.com/parasites/fleas/essential-kitten-flea-treatment-advice-for-pet-owners/

Meanwhile, thanks for sharing these photos with us!

[Siwsan]

29. Dawn is very safe.

I checked with my vet when I took in that litter last year and he said to make sure the shampoo specifically says it is for kittens. BUT it's very expensive.

I did some searching and found a number of sites that said Dawn is just fine. It's actually quite gentle. I might look to see if I have some Ivory Soap, too.

I just don't want a repeat infestation like I had last year when I didn't bathe them soon enough. But, that was in August, not early May, so maybe the flea situation hasn't really ramped up, yet.

[femmedem]

30. Oh oh oh. I thought you were going to use something medicated. Carry on!

If you mentioned it in the OP, forgive me. Unfortunately, I have a migraine coming on and can't focus well.

[Siwsan]

31. Sorry about your headache!

They are all snuggled up and sleeping, right now. Next feeding is at 10.

[7wo7rees]

33. Siwsan, the kittens are very cute and you are amazingly awesome!

I just wish I could do what you are doing.