Bottle Kittens: Smoky and Daisy

[Wehner Homestead]

Olaf had passed when DH and I got up to start chores this morning. I made DH check. We will bury him as a family when DH gets home from work. (The kids don’t always play a part and don’t even know that one of the cats died last weekend and DH buried it but we feel like they need to have some understanding of life and death. We live on a farm and it’s part of life. I also don’t think they need to dwell on every death that occurs since we have so many animals.) Either way, it’s time to wake the kids and I’m dreading it because they’ll ask about Olaf. Going to try to focus on the other two young kittens, the older two kittens, and maybe a fun Father’s Day project for their daddy...

 

[Hens and Roos]

 

[Bruce]

Very sorry for you and especially the kids. But I agree, death is a part of life that they need to understand.

 

[babsbag]

 

[Wehner Homestead]

Thanks all! I truly appreciate the support!!

Older two kids asked to see Olaf this morning so I showed them after I told them. I feel like the little one is too young. She’s asked for her kitten several times.

Daisy and Smoky seemed to be adjusting without issue and have been thoroughly inspected and appear healthy with no areas of concern. Their appetites are robust. Daisy ate canned food of her own accord today. Smoky still eats it off my fingers. They finished off with some goat milk to wash it down and make sure their bellies were full.

 

[RollingAcres]

 

[Wehner Homestead]

We buried Olaf as a family last night. Kids were full of questions. DD2 doesn’t understand why I can’t make his boo boos better like I do hers.

Daisy is still eating canned food well twice a day. Smoky not so much. Hoping he gets the hang of it soon.

We are letting them spend some time out playing after each feeding now. They seem to really enjoy the interaction and exercise.

Goal is to get a better arrangement figured out tomorrow for them. I’d like to give them some space to stretch their legs, a small litter box, and of course a bed.

 

[RollingAcres]

It is so hard to have to explain death to the young ones... You don't want to "sugar coat" it but at the same time you also can't or don't want to get into too much details on it. Sorry about Olaf.

 

[Wehner Homestead]

Wow! I was slacking on this one! Daisy and Smoky are now completely weaned. They had to be as no one was willing to syringe feed them while we were on vacation. They are still getting canned food though they do snack on dry kitten food.

They ended up spending our vacation in the barn of the people we got them from in their crate. Needless to say, we put them in our barn when we got home. They hung out in the tack room for a few days then when Ella was turned out from getting acclimated they moved to the loft into the large dog crate and will spend a few weeks growing before they are always free.

Both kittens still recognize my voice and start purring immediately. They also searched me for milk when we picked them up! I’m thinking they might be worse than Oscar about stealing goat milk as I milk in the mornings since they were raised on goat milk.

The hay bale was a new experience for Smoky and Daisy. They were enjoying cuddles and got some exercise too.

This pic is for size reference. Zara looks quite large next to Daisy. The flash made Zara jump but you get the idea.

Need to get the kittens wormed. Their little bellies are large and tight so I’m sure they are full!

 

[RollingAcres]

They sure have came a long way and glad to see that they are doing great! So cute!!!