On 7/6/05, Susan Murray <susan@...> wrote:
> (Topped our SW Mollyockett's litter of 9 sired by ND Ootah in 2000 !)
>
> Sparkle and pups resting comfortably this hour; so we're hoping she's ALL
> DONE DELIVERING ?! :), and we'll see how they all progress their first day.
> 7 Males; 4 Females !
> 9 Tawny Reds; 2 Tawny Silvers (both females) !

whoa! that's a lot of pups!

>
> So please join us in welcoming Sparkle & Power's July 6th, 2005, Chinook
> litter! Jack's already referring to them as the Power Howlers, since they
> all came out practically singing! (Will see if it sticks :) Will get first
> pics and weights up on their litter page tomorrow.

I can't wait- please send us links.

>
> Sparkle is a miraculously natural mother, as were her dam, maternal grand
> dam and great grand dam. And as breeders know; It's always a pleasant
> surprise with a females' first litter to know how such valuable traits can
> and do seem to carry on down. Gives us more hope for the future, and a
> blessing all the way 'round.

congratulations! My tortoiseshell cat was a very stressed momma,
having been adopted by us only 2 weeks prior to kittening so it was
hard for her. She raised her 6 sucessfully but not easily.

as a lactating mom, I gotta say that nursing was a good part of
childrearing so don't feel *too* sorry for her feeding 11. Just feed
her a lot, and love her- and she'll love nursing those pups. My
queen cats sure did- my Siamese didn't wean until the day the boys
were carried out of the house at 3 or 4 mos old. She was perfectly
happy doing it- I loved watching those cats nurse their kittens. :-)
--
--
Kate, http://systems.cs.colorado.edu/~kolina/advantages-of-formula.html
Mom to Ursula (10), Sage (8!!), Benno (4.5)
It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
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