Sometimes, just when you think you have come through a stressful time, like not going to bed for 2 weeks, tube feeding 2 hourly, and you get through it, you just might sit back and relax. Then, wham, something else hits you. I received a telephone call last evening whilst Eoghan and myself were sat outsite on a beautiful evening having a barbeque and a glass of wine - or two. Eventually, I managed to understand what I was being told by a very very distraught Mary, who had taken Daithe and Beccie to live with her last year. They were from Leyla and Razz and Daithe in particular, was a very special kitten to us. He was called Daithe after David Beckham just because he was so beautiful (my mum loves David Beckham and she named Daithe). The full horror of what Mary was trying to tell me eventually filtered through her sobbing and heartbreaking crying. Daithe was dead. Killed by the family German Sheperd in a tragic accident where the dog was playing with her ball, and Daithe was in the wrong place at the wrong time and - well - he was killed. First feelings? Screaming anger and rage that our little man had been killed. Unusually for me and only because I know how Mary adored her cats, I kept quiet, fighting down the rage and screams that were building up, I managed to realise that this was an accident, not negligence. Now? Now we are all heartsore, unable to accept that our beautiful boy has gone. It's heartrending for us, I cant imagine how Mary must feel. Well, actually I can - we lost our Orflaith in an accident on 31st May 2004 at 8.15am to be exact - that is how it affected us and it must be similar for Mary and Mike, her husband. Tonight we are going to raise a glass to our beautiful little man, please join us in celebrating his short life
Well - it is a week now since Beag lost her babies - but the good news is that George is still with us. A week of not sleeping, 2 hourly tube feeding, helping him latch onto his mum - or grandma, whoever is available - has left me feeling somewhat stretched and the house looks like a bomb has hit it, but if George survives, it will be more than worth it. his morning he weighed in at 79 grammes which has really excited both of us.
Leyla's babies continue to grow apace. They have started on solid food, minced beef to start with, chicken wings next week when they are a little bigger. They are discovering the litter tray and the look of concentration on their little faces as they have their first wee is just so funny.
Beag delivered 5 kittens last night - 23rd April, exactly one week early. Only one of these premature babies was born alive and we are working hard at keeping him that way. We have called him George in honour of St. Georges Day, his birthday and hope that he will be a real fighter.
I sat up with Beag and her boy through the night and although he has been latching onto a nipple, I have also been topping him up by tube feeding him. He is a tiny little thing weighing 50grammes and his head is about the same size as Harriet's paw. For comparison, Beag's birthweight was 74 grammes and she was 4 days early. Leyla's litter of kittens weighed in at between 84 and 106 grammes at birth. Gives you some idea of how tiny George is in frame if not in spirit.
For comfort and warmth I have both Leyla and Beag nursing their babies together as a way of stimulating Beag's maternal instinct and also letting Leyla's kittens suckle off Beag both for her comfort and to help bring in sufficient milk for George's needs once he is able to suckle sufficiently well not to need tube feeding. Of course, this is only done under close supervision to prevent George being suffocated by his Aunt and Uncles.
Please keep\ your fingers crossed for this plucky little boy and his loving mother.
