We became the proud grandparents of two kittens last night. I wish I had my camera rolling as it was downright comical! I was sitting in my Lazy Boy chair with rat terrier Bouncer, Chihuahua Chippie and Mama Cat, rubbing her tummy because that is all she wanted me to do the last couple of days. Rub a tummy, rub a tummy. Super Farmer Chad was on the couch snuggling with the biggest baby around, Biscuit, our 90-pound pit-lab mix. Well, honestly, Biscuit was cuddling and ‘leaning in’ hard while Chad was grumbling.
We were trying to watch a movie amid the family settling when Mama Cat’s water broke – all over me, of course. I jumped up with her in my hands and yelled at Super Farmer, “Her water broke, she’s in labor,” as the two dogs fell onto the floor. Chad, not seeming to grasp the gravity of my proclamation, slowly stood up with Biscuit falling in the space he left and came to me. I’m still standing there holding this poor, in-labor cat, out in front of me. Then, on cue, we both started running around like we were looney! The dogs barked and circled us while the cat dripped water all over and meeeooowed.
Chad instinctively ran upstairs for her box. I quickly followed him as the dogs, now excited, jumped into the fray as if they knew more playmates were coming. Mama Cat was unimpressed with their antics and was even more nervous as the meeeeooooowwww became a plea to get the annoying canines away! Chad asked me on the way up if he should get water. I’m thinking, water? For what? I said, “No, I just need her box.” He later said the water was for her to drink as needed during the birthing and overnight. I thought, “When did you become a kitty midwife?”
We continued to run, yes run, into my office where her box was waiting in the privacy behind my chair. I gently placed her in, but she didn’t want to be in a box behind furniture and jumped out. She wanted to be on my plush lounge chair. I then struggled to get her birthing basket out from behind the green lounger to place it on top, as Mama Cat’s continued demands and dogs’ nudging demands to take part persisted. She rested into the box and I rubbed her tummy again.
I can hear Grandpa in the background still mumbling about water, clean towels and, I thought, something about cigars. In a half hour, kitten No. 1 made his appearance! Chad let out a huge sigh of relief and started making phone calls to let the family know he’s a grandpa again (well, he might have). Kitten No. 2 came later, much later. As a matter of fact, I missed it because around 2 a.m. I was tired of waiting and rubbing. Mama Cat was on her own at that point. She did just fine as kitten No. 2 arrived and started nursing this morning. I know barn kitty had her kittens a few days ago also, I haven’t found them yet. Yep, that’s what you call farm excitement!
