One of Ming Li’s kittens, Jelly Bean, has become a member of the family. Since his mom (Ming Li) and dad (Jet Li) were both feral, he’s very, very cautious of humans – including this cat-obsessed human even. However, unlike his two siblings (nameless until I determine their sexes), he comes close enough to touch.
He lives in the garage with Hannah and she has sort of assumed a motherly role with him. Ming Li came through about a week ago and was majorly pregnant. I haven’t seen her for a few days, but I have a feeling that when she shows up again, she’ll be her slender self again. Jelly Bean went running up to her, glad to see his cat mommy – but she hissed at him and stopped him in his tracks. He ran back to Hannah’s side.
Can’t say I blame him!
A few nights ago, I took out a couple of Alexa’s toys to entertain Hannah and Jelly Bean. Hannah is hilarious when she plays. She’ll sit really still, acting like she’s only half-interested in the ball, feather cat toy, catnip mouse (whatever). As I rub her head, she seems only interested in that – nothing else in the world seems to matter. Then, all of a sudden, she’ll prance on the toy and give it heck.
Then…. back to the head rubs.
The first time Jelly Bean saw a toy ball, he looked so adorable sweet it brought tears to my eyes. He hunkered down, sort of unsure of what he’d do next, then he threw caution out the window and joyously pounced on the ball. Then he swatted it in my direction. When I rolled it back to him, he swatted it back again.
Even wild, feral babies enjoy a good game of pitch and catch.
His siblings – who are both beautiful with dark gray fur and black stripes – always watch the playing but never approach a toy until I’ve gone back inside. When it comes to cats, patience is my middle name, so I’ll win them over. Funny thing is, these two are going to be really hard to tell apart. One was a lot smaller, but it has caught up with the other one. Jelly Bean is totally and completley black – even the bottoms of his paws are black. He doesn’t have any white or gray on him whatsoever.
When I lost Bo and Svenn, the outdoors (which I’d always loved with a passion) just seemed sad and empty to me. I can’t tell you what a blessing it is to have Hannah, Jelly Bean, Ming Li (when she shows), and ???? and ??????. It’s as though God knew how empty my yard felt to me and filled it with something that means the world to me – precious, beautiful, wonderful cats!
**** I’ll add pictures of the kittens as soon as possible – I also have new pics of Alexa and Hannah to add.
