The female, Tula, is a show cat that has won many awards. She was supposed to be bred with another Siberian but she somehow found a mate of her own choosing and gave birth to four cute mixed breed kittens. The timing is perfect since Pete and I have talked about getting a cat of our own not long before that and our generous friends happily let us have two of them. It works out great since they can visit the kittens whenever we have them over or whenever they miss the little cuties.
The two that we got were two of their favourites. The white male, named Jon Snow, is a very brave and curious kitten. With his beautiful colouring and longish muzzle, he takes after his mum. The sweet looking female, Nymeria Sand (our friend named them after characters in Game of Thrones), is black silver tabby and has the sweetest mews.
Our friends came over with the kittens in a stroller for pets on Sunday afternoon. When the flap was open, the first one out was Jon Snow, of course. He immediately started exploring the apartment, sniffing everything in his path. Nymeria Sand came out shortly after that, following close behind him. They were still very timid at first, jumping at the slightest noise. They were also very wary of us, not letting us come close and running away as soon as we got near.
We let them explore everything and they soon discovered the litter box, water bowls and the food plates. Pete and I have set everything up before they got here and being such intelligent creatures, they knew immediately how to use the litter box. They didn't take to the dry food and water at first, but maybe they were still very scared and nervous.
After our friends had left, we went about our usual routine but kept our eyes on them. They found comfort under the bed and that was where they took a long nap. We managed to lure them out with food in the kitchen. We out food in two separate plates - one for each of them - but they ate out of only one. I guess that was what they were used to.
They didn't eat everything at first, maybe because they weren't used to the food. Then, we took out some toys and tried to coax them to play with us. We only managed to buy three different types of balls and a tiny mouse. I attached the mouse to a string and tied it to a stick. I know no cat can resist that type of toy and sure enough they went flying all over the floor, chasing and attacking the mouse. They played for a bit and then, all tired out, found a place to lie down and sleep.
It's so sweet to see them snuggling up to each other and snoozing together. We feel good to have adopted two so that they would have each other for company. They would stick very close to each other and would always be in the same room and sleep next to each other.
The first day, they didn't let us pat them much but we noticed that they would follow us around the apartment. If they didn't see us, they, especially Jon Snow, would mew and call out to us. When we called out to them, they would run to us. Sometimes, when they wanted to sleep (and as kittens they sleep a lot) they would curl up at our feet.
Those were good signs that they were getting more and more comfortable around us. That night, when we headed to bed, they followed us and started playing with the curtains. We let them play and fell asleep, only to be awaken in the middle of the night when they nibbled and clawed at our feet that were under under the covers. We had to switch to a thicker cover so that we'd still have all our toes intact in the morning. When we got up the morning, we found one kitten on each of our side. They had curled up against us in the middle of the night.
By the second day, they were more familiar with us. They let us pat and stroke their fur more and more and would again curl up and nap at our feet. They also got their appetite back and were eating more. Jon even learnt to ask for food when we forgot to feed them that evening - we have to get used to having the cats around. I forgot that they were with us and almost tripped over them a couple of times when I didn't watch where I was stepping.
Today is the third day that they are with us. We've trained them to come to us in the kitchen when we want to give them food and are training them to know their boundaries in the house. They are not allowed on the dining and coffee tables and the balcony. Somehow with babies and kittens, one of the first words we teach them is 'no', isn't it?
Anyway, they are learning it. And they are learning not to be too afraid of us and of loud, strange noises. I used the hair dryer today without scaring them too much. They were, instead, curious and came near to me to examine the source of the noise. Also, I found it so sweet that they follow me around the house. When I'm in the kitchen to do the dishes or to cook, they would play in the kitchen or simply sit and look up at me. When I'm done and go to the sofa to watch tv, they would lie near my feet or curl up against me and nap.
Within three short days, they have captured our hearts and of course entertained us with their antics as they play with their toys. I hope that they would live long happy lives with me and Pete.
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