The conclusion of my column last night was sufficiently depressing, and some commenters asked for more kitten pictures, so here is Graycie, just a kitten herself when she came into our house from the wild and had her litter.
Thanks, we needed that. She’s beautiful, and such a lucky kitty. As an aside, you probably don’t have a lot of time to waste, but it’s seriously not a waste of time to look in on the Episcopal Cats With Problems group on Facebook. It has nothing to do with religion, and is a wonderful assortment of photography, problem-solving, great anecdotes, support, and outright hilarity among a literate bunch of cat servants. Having gotten to know you a bit, if I can be so bold as to assume, I’m pretty sure you’d take to it.
This is a fascinating parallel to our experience with a feral cat that I fed outside and gained her trust. Shortly after she took up residence in our garage, Little Spook gave birth to five kittens, 3 that looked like Siamese (black tipped ears) and 2 that were coal-black. She allowed us to handle them quite early and get them accustomed to human contact. Once they were weaned we took them to our vet for adoption (we already had 2 other cats and couldn't keep 6 more). Found out later that all 5 kits went very quickly to good homes. Little Spook ultimately moved into the house and became a very loving, affectionate house cat. Your beautiful Graycie looks like she has a bit of Longhair in her genes.
Right after I read your column, I went on fb &, to my delight, found little kitten pics from my friend who is fostering a litter of 4! She named them Darla, Stymie, Buckwheat & Alfalfa. Kittens are what we need!
Graycie is gorgeous and so are her kittens! I think I have Graycie's doppelganger and she has a similar story. I'm located considerably downstream from you, in Bucks County, PA. My cat, the sweet and sassy Tallulah, was adopted from a local rescue about 16 years ago. She was feral and about nine months old when she had her litter. The kittens were all adopted and the young and depleted mother with the huge green eyes was left. I fell in love at first sight. She turned into a beauty—a long-haired dilute tortie just like Gracie. She's elderly, but she's still tricky and quite the pastel cream puff. She's doing well. Best wishes on your lovely batch! How lucky they are and how lucky you and Tracy are to have them.
Great photos! Thank you Lucian (& Tracy!) - Our animal companions remind us of our better selves. As a species, we don’t deserve their love and devotion. I certainly feel unworthy of my dog Leo’s unfailing attention much of the time.
I had a beloved kitty I named Hatul, Hebrew for The Cat. His nickname was Tuli. He and I shared a very special deep emotional connection. He died during the height of the pandemic. I lost a piece of myself that day. It gives me joy to see his name and your Tuli’s sweet face.
Susan, we adopted our two during May, 2020 at 8 weeks. Their Mom was a barn cat on my niece’s farm. They are fabulous; it had been years since we had kittens instead of adult rescues, and watching them grow has been a delight. Apollo is an orange boy, and Artemis is a dilute calico torbie. 🐈⬛ 🐈
I love looking at Tracy’s pictures especially of the kittens. Gracie, to me, is a beautiful example of a classic Maine Coon. I think there’s little doubt about her heritage whether she’s a thoroughbred or not. We’ve had nothing but Maine Coons for 30-years, having four simultaneously for 13-years. Most cats have a lot of personality, but Maine Coons have more than lots as you may have discovered with Gracie. She is no doubt a queen as they all behave like royalty, especially the females, and our current one evolved into being called ‘Princess’ because that’s how she behaves. That’s not her given name, but she answers to Princess. I hope you’re enjoying Gracie. They make wonderful companions. Our’s runs the house, maybe Gracie does too. I can always count on company when I’m taking a nap. She thinks I make a great pillow.
Thanks, we needed that. She’s beautiful, and such a lucky kitty. As an aside, you probably don’t have a lot of time to waste, but it’s seriously not a waste of time to look in on the Episcopal Cats With Problems group on Facebook. It has nothing to do with religion, and is a wonderful assortment of photography, problem-solving, great anecdotes, support, and outright hilarity among a literate bunch of cat servants. Having gotten to know you a bit, if I can be so bold as to assume, I’m pretty sure you’d take to it.
Oh, c’mon. Those cats are Episcopalian.
Oh boy, I'm checking THAT out right now!
This is a fascinating parallel to our experience with a feral cat that I fed outside and gained her trust. Shortly after she took up residence in our garage, Little Spook gave birth to five kittens, 3 that looked like Siamese (black tipped ears) and 2 that were coal-black. She allowed us to handle them quite early and get them accustomed to human contact. Once they were weaned we took them to our vet for adoption (we already had 2 other cats and couldn't keep 6 more). Found out later that all 5 kits went very quickly to good homes. Little Spook ultimately moved into the house and became a very loving, affectionate house cat. Your beautiful Graycie looks like she has a bit of Longhair in her genes.
Thank you, Lucian! Graycie is still quite a beauty, and her boys are both handsome. No surprises there. ❤️
That last picture certainly makes Graycie the Rita Hayworth of lady cats …
Doesn’t it though! I can just hear the whispered, “Com’ere, honey.” 😉
Good story. You are a lucky man.
Right after I read your column, I went on fb &, to my delight, found little kitten pics from my friend who is fostering a litter of 4! She named them Darla, Stymie, Buckwheat & Alfalfa. Kittens are what we need!
The Little Rascals!! So cute!
Graycie is gorgeous and so are her kittens! I think I have Graycie's doppelganger and she has a similar story. I'm located considerably downstream from you, in Bucks County, PA. My cat, the sweet and sassy Tallulah, was adopted from a local rescue about 16 years ago. She was feral and about nine months old when she had her litter. The kittens were all adopted and the young and depleted mother with the huge green eyes was left. I fell in love at first sight. She turned into a beauty—a long-haired dilute tortie just like Gracie. She's elderly, but she's still tricky and quite the pastel cream puff. She's doing well. Best wishes on your lovely batch! How lucky they are and how lucky you and Tracy are to have them.
Great photos! Thank you Lucian (& Tracy!) - Our animal companions remind us of our better selves. As a species, we don’t deserve their love and devotion. I certainly feel unworthy of my dog Leo’s unfailing attention much of the time.
THANK YOU!
I had a beloved kitty I named Hatul, Hebrew for The Cat. His nickname was Tuli. He and I shared a very special deep emotional connection. He died during the height of the pandemic. I lost a piece of myself that day. It gives me joy to see his name and your Tuli’s sweet face.
Susan, we adopted our two during May, 2020 at 8 weeks. Their Mom was a barn cat on my niece’s farm. They are fabulous; it had been years since we had kittens instead of adult rescues, and watching them grow has been a delight. Apollo is an orange boy, and Artemis is a dilute calico torbie. 🐈⬛ 🐈
Thanks, Lucian, for the kitty break! We just adopted our son’s black cat, 11 years old. What a character! She definitely rules the roost.
Thank you thank you thank you! Nothing sweeter than looking at a furry face and her kids.
Love those kitties LT. Thank you
Thank you, Lucian. Only last night I was wondering what had happened with the kittens.
Well, one clearly got knocked up.
Love your cats as we love ours but an aside, how’s your energetic pup?
I love looking at Tracy’s pictures especially of the kittens. Gracie, to me, is a beautiful example of a classic Maine Coon. I think there’s little doubt about her heritage whether she’s a thoroughbred or not. We’ve had nothing but Maine Coons for 30-years, having four simultaneously for 13-years. Most cats have a lot of personality, but Maine Coons have more than lots as you may have discovered with Gracie. She is no doubt a queen as they all behave like royalty, especially the females, and our current one evolved into being called ‘Princess’ because that’s how she behaves. That’s not her given name, but she answers to Princess. I hope you’re enjoying Gracie. They make wonderful companions. Our’s runs the house, maybe Gracie does too. I can always count on company when I’m taking a nap. She thinks I make a great pillow.