Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Confirmation


For some reason I still wasn't convinced that Domino was pregnant. I think it was the water drinking. It makes perfect sense though, cats are only pregnant for sixty four days. That's a profound hike in metabolism. I had no idea how many days it had been (or has been) but I decided to clear out a closet to give her some privacy. I put a box of soft towels in there with some food and water and left the door cracked. She was doing a lot of pacing through the house and checked it out a few times over the next couple of days but it didn't pass inspection. She wanted in the guest bedroom. I resisted. She sat outside the door for the better part of a whole day and I finally gave in. The only comfortable chair in the house is in there and guessing that's exactly where she wanted to be, I covered it neatly with sheets and towels. Again, I left the door cracked so Stella wouldn't venture in (she could drag a Volkswagen down the street but doesn't realize she can push a door open). Domino however, went right in.

Just a few minutes later I returned to find what could only be described as a work of natural art. It amazed me and erased all doubt. She had pulled both a towel and a sheet down from the back of the chair and formed them into a nest for the kittens. If someone had drawn me a diagram I'm not altogether sure I could have done it myself and certainly not in such a short period of time.

That happened Sunday morning. Since then, the size of her belly seems to have doubled. I can see the forms of at least two kittens although they don't seem to be moving. She already has milk in at least two of her teats. She's been asleep in my bed for most of the last forty-eight hours only getting up to eat, use the litter box or sit for a few minutes in her new bedroom. She's also been pacing through the house apparently looking for something (kittens, enemies, hiding places?) I said yesterday that she could deliver sometime in the next forty-eight hours. The fact is I have no idea what I'm talking about. If you go online and look up all the feline signs of impending labor, she's had them all at some point since about Saturday, with the exception of panting or yowling. When either of those things happens, me and Stella are going to make a pot of coffee and stand back.

5 comments:

Carey Brown Strombotne said...

I know it's not the best of situations, but it is so exciting! Good luck with the midwifery! I hope you brew a good pot of coffee, and I can't wait to see and hear about the outcome.

Susan Rose said...

I'm glad Domino has good help.

Stella's thing with doors is funny. Maybe that's a conceptual matter... sort of like babies thinking that if they can't see Mommy, then she doesn't exist anymore. Stella might think the door is locked and immovable in it's cracked-open position.

SusanA said...

It is exciting, thanks Carey. I hope everything goes well.

Susan, Stella is so funny, she'll stick her nose in the crack and sniff even when she can't see what's going on, she never pushes it open (and I don't encourage her to either).

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Can I just say that I LOVE your blog and you and your writings? OK, I love your blog and you and your writings. They make me happy and smile a lot (even when I read them at work..as I am today!) and I for one think you need to write a book. If and when you do, I'd like a signed copy and a note that I suggested it, OK?

Settled.

Give Domino a {gentle} hug, give Stella kisses and tell Gigi you loved her first..

SusanA said...

Will do Colleen - on all counts and thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate your kind words (and the fact that you stop here at all is a gift :)