Dear Niblets,
*Happy 2nd birthday to you all! Two years and 1 day ago, and along with your mama Zuzu, we welcomed you into the world with much love and joy.
Mama Zuzu and her four Niblets, October 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Your mama, a stray who was left behind when her family moved away, was perfect in every way from your long-awaited birth through feeding and bathing and in teaching you everything you’d need to know on how to become delightful kittens and later, wonderful cats.
Growing up fast, October 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
She didn’t have an ounce of trouble from any of you. You were the most polite and well mannered and adjusted kittens we’d ever had the pleasure of fostering. No whappy paws at the milkbar for you, no teething on brother or sisters, no missing the litter box when that time came. We didn’t mean to brag but we couldn’t help but tell the world how you were the overachiever kittens of all overachiever kittens. You were so far ahead of all the milestones we knew to watch for. It was as if you were determined to rewrite all the kitten fostering books.
The Niblets Illy, Viola, Robbie, and Russell, November 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
And you never failed to brighten our every day. At six hours old, we thought you were adorable. At six weeks old, we wanted to keep you all together as a happy family and a happy foster fail on our part (or would that be a foster win?) With those faces looking up to us every morning at breakfast, every afternoon at weighing time, and every evening until long after we all should have been in bed, how could we possibly part with any of you?
But part we must and so, through tears and tight throats and yet with so much joy bursting in our hearts knowing you were off to the very best homes any kitten could ever have, we gave our final kisses and waved good bye.
Robbie who became Talliah, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Little Robbie who fooled everyone into believing she was a boy for the longest time, self-appointed Ambassador of the Niblets who greeted us and visitors at the door every day, the softest gray beauty who became sweet Talliah, friend and little sister to cat and dog alike now lives in a beautiful village in the Pacific Northwest.
Russell, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Russell, Zuzu’s ginger boy, who was always lean and lanky with such a laid-back personality. We knew you’d get along with whoever you’d meet, become one big, orange love bug, and break all the girl cats’ hearts.
Illy who became Tiger, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Beautiful Tortie girl Illy who became Tiger, firstborn of the Niblets, always mature and mother-like to her siblings. Every time we see a dark Tortie, we think of you and wonder how gorgeous you are now, and wonder if you have a touch of your mama’s discipline.
Honorary Niblet Winter who became Lily, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Pretty, pretty Winter who became Lily, adopted alongside Illy/Tiger. Accepted into the fold for extra socializing, made Honorary Niblet, and wiggled her way into our hearts. So serious you always were with your beautiful ice-blue eyes. We loved your willingness to snuggle with your sister when others got too rambunctious. We bet you grew into a beautiful girl and hope you two still get along.
Viola, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Sweet Viola, what can we say other than to ramble on about how much we love you. Truth be told, we weren’t planning on adopting any of your mama’s kittens. But after taking one look at you, with your big eyes and baby cheetah face, your long, sproingy legs and that Manx bunny butt behind, no one needed to twist our arms.
Viola listening to the Santa story, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
We were in love from the start. We were in love with all of your sisters and your brother but somehow, amongst all that cuteness, you stood out from the rest. Was that by design?
Bitey little Viola, January 2014 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Did you know that as a kitten, you could do whatever you wanted and we would take one look at you and melt into a pile of slobbering goo? Did you know then that even as you got older, you could still pretty much do whatever you want and we’d still not be able to get mad at you?
Viola and her big eyes, April 2015 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Lucky for us, and just as you were as a wee baby kitten, little squirt, you are still polite and well mannered, and while sometimes you can get very insistent, you know you don’t have to push hard to get what you want.
Viola, our Niblet, October 2015 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
We’re still working our way toward a million, billion kisses for you, Viola, and sending a million kisses to all your siblings. We hope wherever they are, they are loved and feel loved, that they are well and happy and have grown into the very best cats they could possibly be.
Love and a million kisses to you all, sweet Niblets. Happy 2nd Birthday!
Your long-ago foster mom and dad
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
*All photos used here have never been published before (we have thousands!). To go through all posts, photos, and video of our 2013 Niblets foster event, please begin here.
