Grandkittens!!

[Tina B and crew]

So far three...two tabbies like her and one black and white. No pics yet because Laura is at work and won't be home until tonight...but I'm sure there will be plenty of pics then! I'm excited, I get to see them this weekend!!

[momPaws]

Yea! Can't wait to see the pictures...babies!

[Traci]

Oh I can't wait to see them too! Congrats, gramma, mom and Lyra!!

[Tina B and crew]

She had 4 total....two tabbies, one white and tabby, one black and white...she thinks 2 girls, 2 boys...all seem to be doing fine and mom is doing fine and very protective...they are soooo cute!!

Here's mom...Lyra



Here are the little balls of fur

[momPaws]

OMGosh- I'm in love! So sweet.

[Tambrey]

Beebeee keeekeeeees!!!!!

(okay, so that is what I call them around the dogs and they go looking for kittens!!)

[E's]

Awww! So sweet - thank you Tina and family

[Traci]

They look like they're going to be a handful, so much fun!! Thanks for posting the pics, they are all just so adorable and mom is so beautiful!!

[Tina B and crew]

Got to see Lyra and the kittens today...the are incredibly cute!! Lyra is a fairly attentive mom but we are pretty sure this is her first litter and she seems a bit naive Laura is keeping tabs on the kitten's weight to make sure they are gaining though.

On a not so positive note though, they are not going to be able to keep Lyra. I know part of this is because of the kittens and her being protective, but she has gotten very aggressive with the other cats to the point that she has actually bitten two of them, including the alpha cat who nobody ever messes with. The other cats are not approaching her or the kittens, they have their own quiet space, but she is coming out and chasing them away from the food bowls and litter boxes even though she has her own food and litter in her room. Laura said when she initially introduced her to them all Lyra never showed any aggression. Things may change once the kittens are older, but with two vet visits and the fact that the whole dynamic has changed they aren't sure they want to put their other cats through the stress. So for now Lyra stays in her bedroom with the kittens and can only come out when closely supervised. Thankfully their vet will help find homes...and they might keep one of the kittens if the other cats respond well to them once they are old enough to come out.

[Traci]

Tina, I can understand the apprehension, but please advise her, this may only be temporary, and one has to consider the stressful situation Lyra is also enduring. New environment, pregnancy, delivery, nursing, overwhelming for a young mom cat, and if she's also sensing stress from your daughter as well as the other cats, Lyra's problems are compounded too.

Perhaps when the kittens are near weaning stage, things will improve, and once she's spayed, her demeanor might also improve, can't blame her for her protectiveness, it's a natural instinct.

Keeping her confined to one room may not be so productive either. She does need occasional short breaks from the babies, exercise etc. Again, I understand the conflict currently, but perhaps give Lyra a chance to have some more space in the environment for short periods of time while the other two are napping etc.

Pregnancy and delivery and nursing: not a good time for introductions to the other cats. Please remember, or stress to your daughter, that this is very stressful for Lyra too.