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Glacial Progress

Wednesday
1/22/2014

It’s another down day on our winter weather see-saw. Yesterday I wore a light pullover and shorts to our 6am outdoor boot camp class. Today we have five inches of blowing powder snow, and when I walked the dogs at 7am it was eight degrees with blue sky and piercing winds. That’s -13 with wind chill of -24 for those of you in Celsius territory.

The whiplash outdoors makes the steady state in the villa even more noticeable. Furballs run for cover when I enter the room? Check. Pearly hissing at me when I slide my head and shoulders under the futon to snag her from her hiding spot? Check. Vomit in one or more to-be-discovered spots on the floor? Check (though not today!)

I guess we’re actually making progress on the socialization front, but it’s so gradual that it seems like we’re in equilibrium most days. More often than not, Archie lets us pick him up without seriously attempting to flee.

If Branden is in the nest, I can reach in and snag him. If Pearly’s in there with him, sometimes she concedes and submits to capture also.

All three kittens enjoy being held, stroked, and flea-combed. Their ears pop up within a few seconds and their purr-motors engage a few strokes later.

When we introduce the dangling tether-ball or the Cat Dancer, Archie readily shifts into play mode. Branden and Pearly are starting to act a little curious, and last night Pearly actually wandered over to gently slap the tether-ball. All three Gates kits have reached the top of the cat tree. And we saw Archie and Brandenburg do a little tentative wrestling during our villa time last night.

The most obvious progress is on the weight front, especially on vomit-free days like today. We know these guys are healthy because they rate a 10 on the poop front. Quality – high, quantity – low, and box use – perfect. And no congestion, nasal discharge, or eye goop. After they finish their vaccination regimen and pad on another pound or so, they’ll be ready to roll to their forever homes.

Assuming they graduate from charm school between now and then!

filed by: TS

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< – – 50K inmates: tale of the scale – – >

kit

lbs

oz

gain

   

Archie

1

13.8

0.5

 

coffee cake

Pearly

1

14.8

1.2

 

banana walnut muffin

Brandenburg

2

2.9

1.6

 

french toast

 

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