At a month and a few days old, Matilda's kittens are strong enough to climb the walls of the cattery. I had it rigged so Matilda could go in and out as she pleased through the top door, but then four of the five kittens made it out right after their one month birthday, so now I have to either lock Matilda in there with them, or supervise the feeding times. Matilda does not like being stuck in the cattery with her kittens, and I don't blame her, especially now that they are getting to be quite active and rambunctious. She tolerates a lot from them. They are still nursing for the most part, but I have witnessed one of them, Robin, eat solid kitten food. When I am home and able to pay attention, I let them roam around the room, exploring nooks and crannies. They seem to be partial to the floor of the clothing closet.
This weekend, I will have to take them in to the ASPCA for their first medical exam. It is actually the first time they will leave my apartment. I am a little anxious, like my worth as a foster mom will be determined by this physical checkup. What if the kittens are not at the right weight? What if one of them has some kind of disease? They seem fine to me, but what do I know? At the same time, I am excited to know how the kittens are progressing according to standards, and I will have a better idea of how much longer I will be fostering all of the cats, so it will help with planning. As I discover their individual "feline"-alities, I am getting very excited about their future homes and the kinds of adoptive parents they will have. They have a bit more learning to do first, though. I'm not quite ready to give them up just yet.
