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Bartelby and his sister, Loki showed up as small kittens this winter at an organic gardener’s farm that already had plenty of cared-for cats. They look suspiciously like the last stray who appeared there, Slappy White. Both kittens were quite ill with an upper-respiratory virus that lasted for weeks. It was especially hard on their eyes, but they each have recovered well.
When he arrived, Bartelby had a gorgeous rough that spread out like an Elizabethan collar and medium-length fur. As he has matured, his coat has lost its length, except for his tail, which is still very puffy and impressive.
Bartelby and his sister spend a lot of time with Hank Jr and Josie, another pair of siblings about the same age. They’ve pretty much raised one another, so they share many behavioral traits, especially in the play category. These four cats would make a dazzling addition to any home!
Live, Let Live, & Learn—If you happen to find young kittens (or other baby animals) without their mom, please think things through before you act. Bottle babies have very special needs (food, temperature, excretory, etc.) and require expert care. It’s easy to shift into “helping mode.” But momcats do kittencare best!
Unless you are sure mom isn’t coming back, be prepared to quietly observe for awhile. Human intervention is not always what’s best for the animal! To paraphrase Antoine de Sainte-Éxupéry—you become responsible for those you tame.
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