The Cat Chronicles
June 3, 2022
Distinguished Gentleman and Olivia.
Part 1 of 2 | Part 2
by Brad Thatcher
This week we thought we’d let you join in on some of the fun we have been having around here recently. In early April there was a litter of kittens born in our barn. Four little ones born to a stray female that decided to live in the barn a year or so ago when she was not much more than a kitten herself. Our niece Mae named her Olivia.
Olivia is wild through and through. She will not allow pets or pick-ups or affection of any kind. She has definitely learned that she no longer has to run and hide from us. She likes to play with strings or chase bark bits tossed for her. At least she did before she started her family.
Now she only has time to play kitten games! Her first pregnancy happened this winter. There was only one kitten and he has since been named Junior Baby. He is now larger than she is and has taken an active role in helping with the growing family.
Another character that joins the party is Slim Pickins. Some of you have met Pickins already on CSA day. It is not unusual to see him anywhere on the property or the surrounding properties. He came to the farm a couple years ago also as a stray. Attention and pets are what he really wants, so we were able to catch him without much trouble and get him fixed.
Pickins and Olivia have a special relationship. He has become a provider for her and the kittens. It is not uncommon for him to arrive in the barn with a rabbit which Olivia immediately takes to her kittens. It’s pretty incredible that he has no animosity towards the kittens. He must have always wanted a big family because he loves the social aspects of this arrangement.
The remaining characters, and they are definitely characters, are the four kittens themselves. We are pretty sure there is one boy and three girls. The little black one is the boy and the closest thing we have to a name for him is “Distinguished Gentleman” due to his mustache and tuxedo. The light-faced tabby kitten is called Pickles… because it’s cute. The other two girls are named Rainy and Sunny.
Rainy the kitten.
In the evenings after I finish evening chores, I like to sit and watch the family dynamics unfold. I’ll share a few of the videos. Here’s one from a few weeks ago. And another where Pickins joins in the fun. Finally, this one never fails to make us laugh. Make sure to watch in full screen and enjoy the show! ~Brad
L to R: Olivia, Distinguished Gentleman, Pickles, Sunny. Thanks to Lauren Ruhe for the beautiful family photos.
“Time spent with a cat is never wasted.”