Now there are lots and lots of kitties in the back room. Only one of them, Missy Tee, gets to run around. She is always stealing my beds. But, she is kind of cute, anyway, even though it is a little annoying.
And then there is Scruff. I know Scruff. He was outside all the time, and in our courtyard a lot, so we already knew each other before he came inside to stay. He has a big playpen and he doesn't much want to come out. Maybe he will get more comfortable after a while.
There is another little, tiny kitty. He is black and white. I think there is something wrong with him because Mom gives him special stuff in his food.
Now there are more kitties....I don't know why we suddenly have so many. It's getting very crowded and it's getting hard to keep track of them all and I have to check on them all day long to make sure they are ok. I need a rest!
(Scruff in his hammock, Missy Tee in one of Harry's beds)
It is mating season here in our obscure hill town tucked away in Abruzzo, Italy. Predatory male cats are seeking out the females. We are trying to make a dent in the ballooning population of feral cats, at least in our little neighborhood.
I have the help of a neighbor. She has graciously offered her help and her car to drive us to and from the veterinarian. It would not be possible to do this without her.
Missy Tee was "in heat" when she was spayed. She is now two weeks out, and bouncing around like a mischievous little monkey. She adores Harry (and his beds) and has discovered the back window. Yet, she willingly goes back in her "cage" at night to sleep.
Scruff, my all time favorite, was one of a litter I bonded with when they first showed up for real food with their Mamma. His baby sister was wounded badly in the eye and though we tried to help, she died at only 3 months of age.
Scruff had goopy eyes, but I was able to administer antibiotic drops and after a few applications, his eyes cleared up nicely. He is becoming a big bruiser, not surprising, he loves to eat. Now that he is inside and neutered, he is acting like a little prince. "Feed me. Feed me now. Here's the bowl. It's empty. This is unacceptable." However, he still is hesitant to explore beyond the back room. Funny, since I thought he would be bolder. Turns out, he's just a furry slug.
Imp, I believe, is Missy Tee's brother. He has asthma and is smaller than he should be at 7 months of age. He eats like a champ and is on steroid medication for the asthma. He is still too frail and sick to venture from his "playpen."
In addition to those three, who will remain Harry's house companions, there are currently two more in the house. One is Scruff's Mamma. She was spayed yesterday and is recuperating nicely. The other is Imp's and Missy Tee's sister. We call her "Calze" (Cal-zay) which is Italian for "Socks." She is light gray with white paws. She goes to the vet on Saturday.
Our little kitty infirmary is a bit of work, but things should calm down after we, hopefully, trap Scruff's sister, Ink. After that, we can take our time with the remaining males.
Harry is bewildered and concerned. He must go into the back room a dozen times a day to check on each one. "Hey, little kitty, how are you?"
Needless to say, we are all a bit exhausted!
