This spring, my sphynx cat, Hera (abbr. From Hertrude; the initial G instead of H is also correct), gave birth to kittens. Two girls and two boys. The process was pretty quick, easy...and kinda curious, as I learned that it had started already when the cat had started making the life-giving magic under the covers next to me early in the morning :) During the first days of his motherhood, Hera had always been with the kittens, no taking meals and even no toilet, and I used to help her by bringing what is needed for her. She hardly slept - neither did I. I tried to ensure her comfort as much as I could, I helped the kittens with finding the mother’s breasts to eat. Hera seemed to trust me, she was almost not nervous when I touched the kittens. Sometimes Hera brought her kittens to my bed at night. Because of that, I used to sleep on the floor next to their "blanket house" until I converted a whole balcony for them all. Warm, spacious and comfortable. Hera stopped looking for more convenient places for her new little family, so it seems she was pleased with the latest changes. Such a loving, responsible and caring mother she turned out to be!
Curious fact: the father of kittens is a Don Sphynx, and Hera is a Canadian one. Once her "spouse" lived with me for a while until his mistress worked in another country. We were planning their "marriage" back then, as you can guess. But we did not expect the birth of fluffy kittens! :) So, I met with such a phenomenon as brush sphinxes, immediately in practice instead of the "preliminary" theory. It turned out that sphinxes are not only naked or half-naked, they can also have a rare or dense wool coat. The hairless gene itself is recessive, so fluffy kittens can appear even in the genus of purebred sphinxes, especially in the first generations. Also, fluffy kittens are born when mating sphinxes of different breeds, or when mating a sphinx and another breed (or ordinary outbred cat). By their nature, they are the same sphinxes, only with more stable immunity, more playful character and more loving attitude. Sphinx as a breed is very different from other cats, in a way, it has got kinda "doggy" habits. For example, Hera naturally barks at pigeons outside the window, she brings me pencils or other objects in her teeth so that I can play with her or throw them to her like a stick to a dog. Brush sphinxes are very attached to their owners, they are eternal children who really love you and depend on your attention. And additional imporant fact: brush sphinxes may not be longlife fluffy; depending on the thickness of their coats, many kittens “undress” during the first two years of their life, they can also change the colour and the thickness of their coats from time to time, which depends on weather, age and so on.
Hera was also a very patient mother: the kittens usually hurt her during play or milking, but she never got angry on them. Later, when they were able to walk, run and see clearly, she played with them like if she was a small kitter herself; she bit them gently, she and her children played hide-and-seek, and that was super cute. Our people use to start looking for the kittens' new families when the kitties are 1-1,5 months, but that seems too early for me. Plus, my opinion has a valuable vet's view support, as it is said that they are better to be given to new families at the age of 2,5-3 months or more for avoiding too much stress, letting their mother cat teach them everything necessary life experience, ability to vaccinate them and so on. Thus, I wanted them to spend as much time with their mother - and with me, of course - as they can. I didn't want to sell them, as they were a valuable part of my family; I wanted them to have really good new families instead, as I realized our relationships wouldn't end with their departure.
Yesterday they all turned four months. All of them are now in new families. I hope all of them are happy. I have an opportunity to visit at least two of the kitties and their new families, so I'm going to do that in the nearest future :) As for Hera, it was kinda sad for her to farewell with her kittens, especially with her elder one, and she continued calling for them after their departure. I tried to take pauses between the each kitten's leaving for reducing the stress level, and that helped Hera. But in the end, despite all the difficulties, that was a marvellous experience. I'm very thankful to my gorgeous kitty for that magical period, for her strength, love and patience.
Dear stranger, if you are reading this, give some love to your pet whoever it is - cat, dog, guinea pig, spider, crocodile, parrot, fish... Pat it and let it enjoy its favourite snacks. Our little friends are able to feel and comprehend. And if you still not sure whether it is true...they will show you one day. Show them you worth that, show them you will learn that. Share your soul and your heart with them, and they will do the same.
❤️
@rambo @missy
