That sequence of numbers is the ebb and flow of cats we have had this year. The stray has had 3 litters of kittens (5, 4, and 5) this year so we have raised 14 kittens and found homes for 11 of them. We kept Runty because of his seizure disorder. I would not have issue with him leaving if someone would take on the huge responsibility of meds twice a day and give us at least some reimbursement of his vet bills. We also kept Nyx and Hemera (goddesses of night and day repectivly, one is charcoal and the other white) just because they could not find a home, BUT they were from the litter we got when they were 4 days old. We have gotten them fixed but I am open to them finding a home as well.

I was very proud of myself for not getting overly attached to any of the kittens. We never names them; just said the “white kitten” or the “gray tabby”. This third litter should be the last one as I am going to catch mama kitty and get her fixed. The Lewisville Animal Shelter lent me a trap to get her and hooked me up with Denton Low Cost spay and neuter program where I can get her shots for $5 and fixed for $15, no office visit fee, no anesthesia fee, ect.

I am sure she is pregnant again now since we were able to catch the last kitten 2 weeks ago with the same trap I am trying to get her mother in. I can only put the trap our Tuesday and Wednesday night because the clinic does feral cats only on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Thus far I have caught the daddy kitty, 2 raccoons, and a possum!

I am sure a few of you think I am crazy for catching all these cats, and that is okay. I akin it to the satisfaction a parent gets out of seeing their kids succeed in life; if I had not got them they would have overpopulated our apartment complex and probably have been killed. Because I caught them and raised them, they will now all have long happy lives and bring joy to their families and pride to me:

Hey i just had to tell you that i have never heard of any cat that’s been as inviting, friendly, and well behaved as Remi, you did an amazing job in raising her. Bravo. Keep up the good work and I’ll refer anyone who needs a kitten and will take care of them your way.

That was from Sean, a guy who just took home one of the kitties from the 2nd litter (the one we got at 4 days). And just what he said makes it all worth it to me. No I did not get paid for it, yes it has cost us some money, yes it has been stressful at times, but now I can look at the stain on the carpet or the odd numbers of glasses in a set and smile knowing that small price will be someones companion for the next 10 to 20 years and bring untold amounts of joy to the world.

If only I could find a job that brings me half as much joy as raising animals!


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